My New Crispi Boots review

birdshooter

birdshooter

Well-known member
We'll I thought I'd never own a pair of Crispi's as I couldn't see parting with $400 for a pair of boots, even though I new they were at or near the top of the high end boots along with Kenetreks and maybe a few others. Everything I've read on Crispis is top shelf stuff from guys who trek for a living.

This is the Crispi Idaho Uninsulated GTX: http://www.crispiusa.com/idaho-uninsulated-gtx.html

9" high boot that has unparalleled ankle support. My feet have some moderate pronation and my flat arches desperately needed a more supportive boot. Crispi calls this support A.B.S.S (Ankle bone support system) and believe me there ain't no Irish Setter or Danner that even comes close. You would think that with that kind of support built into the ankle area would tend to make a boot stiff, No.... way Jose. Have yet to wear them hunting, but just around the house they are as comfortable as any bedroom slippers I've ever worn. I can see no break-in whatsoever with this boot.

The Idaho is a relatively new boot to their line-up and what drew me to it besides the ankle support system was it's light weight and no insulation. My feet sweat too much with thinsulate lined boots, even in winter.

Now.. your might be thinking why now, why all of the sudden purchase a $400 pair of boots. We'll..... I didn't pay a dime. :eek: I've always complained of never winning anything in raffles or blind draws etc. But 2 weeks ago at our sporting clays league banquet, I was the grand prize winner of a $500 dollar gift certificate at Scheel's all sports in St. Cloud, Mn. and low and behold they are a stocking dealer of Crispi boots.

Crispi has a variety of boots for hiking and hunting all of which were well out of my self-proclaimed price range, until now.

Updates to follow on real world experiences. :10sign:
 
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I didn't either till a couple years ago when looking into high end boots.

The more I wear these the more I'm amazed at the superior ankle support compared to my Irish Setters.
 
Never owned a pair of Lowa's so I can't answer that. I think the Crispi's and Lowa both fall into that elite high end boot catagory along with Kenetrek's and I'm sure a few others.

These boots are predominately designed for mountain hiking/hunting but.... as in the case with the Crispi Idaho, they are light enough to easily double as an upland boot. As I stated above, the first thought you have when you strap them on is the incredible ankle support they offer over traditional upland style boots without being too stiff or confining. The Crispi's do run a little small so I had to go up one full size to get the same fit as my Irish Setters.

Most guys who only use their boots for upland hunting probably aren't going to shell out that kind of dough for a pair of boots. Hell... if it weren't for that Gift Certificate at Scheels, I may not have either. But make no bones about it, they are a superior boot in every way to traditional upland style boots. For many like myself who have flat arches/pronation, ankle support is a high priority.
 
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AtTheMurph said:
I would have gotten a pair of Russell's with double or triple vamp. No worries about leaking membranes ever and fully repairable, resole-able.
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I wear a pair of double vamped Russell's. They still leak even when well treated but not as much as any gortex boots I've had.
 
quail hound said:
I wear a pair of double vamped Russell's. They still leak even when well treated but not as much as any gortex boots I've had.
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Gortex sucks in imho. I'll never buy it in any product, I buy every again. AS far as boots go, as in water proof goes, you have a few to pick from. Mickey Mouse, Packs, ............................ and any other rubber coated boot on the market.

They all will lik If they get punctured. Let's face it your feet,,are somtimes going to get wet, Because there is no such thing as water proof.:D
 
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jmac said:
Gortex sucks in imho. I'll never buy it in any product, I buy every again. AS far as boots go, as in water proof goes, you have a few to pick from. Mickey Mouse, Packs, ............................ and any other rubber coated boot on the market.

They all will lik If they get punctured. Let's face it your feet,,are somtimes going to get wet, Because there is no such thing as water proof.:D
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You got that right Scott. I've come to enjoy damp feet, it means I'm hunting in the weather the dogs and I love.:cheers:
 
We'll just another quick update after 3 weeks with the Crispi boots. I've worn them enough in the field now to simply repeat what I have said earlier. Simply the best supporting boot that I've ever worn and I've worn several of the more popular ones over the years, Danner, Irish Setters, Rocky's etc...

3.4 lbs per pair or 1.7 per boot. Uninsulated with Gore-tex waterproofing and no leaks walking through small standing water or wet dewy grass. Very comfortable and light, walking in grassland terrain even though the boot was predominately designed for mountain hiking/hunting. Unusual for such a lighter weight boot to have the comfort and support all wrapped into one boot.

Yes their expensive, but worth every penny IMO. Those of you who know high end boots such as Lowa and Kenetrek, Crispi boots are right on par with these.

If your like me and have flat arches and feet that pronate, these boots will help tremendously, something I could not say with traditional upland style hunting boots.

More comments to come as these boots get more mileage on them. :thumbsup:
 
Just another quick plug for Sole inserts for your boots. Regardless of boot brand or style I HIGHLY recommend Sole Softec Ultra or one of the several Softec models to give what ever boot you have the very best in support.

Do yourself a favor guys and take that flimsy excuse of an insole out of your boot and slip one of these in and you will simply be amazed !!!

They are durable and will last most times as long if not longer than the footwear you put them into. Sometimes they can be found in retail stores, otherwise online you can get them direct.

https://secure.yoursole.com/us/footbeds/softec-ultra/
 
quail hound said:
I wear a pair of double vamped Russell's. They still leak even when well treated but not as much as any gortex boots I've had.
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I keep my well coated in Obenaufs and haven't had an issue to date. But I'm not wading through creeks and standing water either. An occasional splash and lots of damp, dewy grass.
 
Congrats of winning the $500. Be sure to report back after the end of the season as to how the boots did for you.

I bought a pair of Kenetreks a few years ago. Great quality boot but way too stiff for upland hunting. I sold them.
 
It really depends on your needs Zeb. Yeah they're noticeably more firm than your run of the mill upland boot, but that's exactly what I needed. My feet pronate and I have a tendency to roll my ankle quite easily. These Crispi boots make it much more difficult to do so without being uncomfortable. Stiff but not too stiff if you will.

By the way, take a look at those Sole inserts I mentioned above. They make the world of difference, I kid you not.
 
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I haven't seen them mentioned but I have switched over to Asolo TPS boots for all hunting both big and small game. Being in CO we are working through all the 14ers (yes 54 of them) and no other boot I have tried comes close to the support and water resistance of them. They are also really light which makes a huge difference on 4-6000 vertical in a day

I had tried Irish setters, Danners, Chippewa, and they all lack the support and stability that a true hiking boot offers. The asolos have a stiff sole which is great and saves the feet on uneven or flat terrain and they are the first boot I that I didn't dream of taking off. Rolled or tweaked ankles are a thing of the past and they look good in town as well. Before the TPS I had the GTX which were equally as good but not leather so pick either. They are minimal insulation which is great for walking but can get colder if sitting or glassing.

At around 275.00 they are a high end boot but they will last a lifetime in grasses and dirt or 300-400 miles on granite rock worth a look if you're in the market
 
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