MudderChuck

I looked at the Cabelas catalog, they call most everything Perfekt now, there used to be only one Perfekt. I've had the molded souls separate from the tops on the molded soul models. And like I said the molded souls on the Island model just don't last, though they are Vibram. I'm like you, I wear mine 24/7 365.

The original Perfekt climbing boots are the best, with the stitched souls. They aren't Gortex lined, but if you grease them with a quality silicon boot grease, they are for sure waterproof. Heavy as sin, but surprisingly comfortable and warm, after the break in period.



The good thing about the Perfekt climbers is they have a stiff soul and make digging in and going uphill a lot easier. They are/were the original model, before they started to make numerous models, my guess is for marketing purposes.

These are the souls to avoid.



This is the Island Model, though they may market them under another name in the U.S. Mine are smooth leather, this picture is of the rough out leather.

Muley Hunter

It's easy to see the original Perfekt boots at Cabelas. Just read the description. At the end the real ones will say made in Germany. The cheap knockoffs will say "imported". They're made in Asia.

Plus, the real ones will be $299 now. They were $239 when I bought mine almost a decade ago. Mine are the insulated version with Goretex.

Here they are after thousands of miles. Still perfect construction.

buffybr

These boots look almost exactly like a pair of Vasque climbing boots that I wore on a DIY bighorn sheep hunt that I did quite a few years ago in the Absaroka Wilderness in SW Montana. I had worn the boots for several years before that hunt, and they were well broken in, but they were still very stiff. Those boots were great for climbing but p___ poor for a week of walking up and down sheep mountains.

I have never had so many blisters and such sore feet as I did that week in those boots. I would have been better off wearing tennis shoes that week. I deposited those boots in the first trash can that I found when I got back to civilization.

I now have several hunting boots, depending on the time of year, terrain, and type of hunt:

For deep snow, walking or horseback, I'm on my second pair (in 40 years) of Lacrosse "Mountaineer" 14" high insulated leather upper, rubber bottoms with air bob soles. They are a lot like Schnees, but less than half the cost. I've used these on numerous below zero elk and other hunts.

For early season prairie hunts, like antelope, and I've used them on two African hunts, I have a well used pair of Wally World "Ozark Trail" boots. They are 6" high, are insulated, lightweight and have been on many miles of relatively flat ground on them.

In between those boots I have a pair of 9" insulated Danner leather/gore tex boots. They are a pretty good all around boot that is waterproof, lightweight, and have good ankle support.

I've always just worn one pair of white cotton socks, regardless of the hunt or temperature. The same socks that I wore for 10 years as a ski instructor in Colorado.

MudderChuck

The good thing about the climbers and pretty much all of the Meindl boots I've tried, is the lining. Eventually (after a month or two) it forms to your foot and stays that way. Even the soles mold to every dip and bump. One reason I put up with a few problems with the outer uppers on rare occasions, is because the lining is superior. I seriously broke my left ankle in my early twenties and ended up with an ankle with fewer moving parts, the Meindls are not only one of the most comfortable, they actually make long walks possible for me.

After the first couple of weeks and a good rubdown with a quality soft wax ( I call it boot grease ) for the Gortex or silicon wax for the non Gortex I've never had any blisters or rubs. The Meindl brand dressings are always the best, but I've used various sorts. Once the outer begins to form to your foot, the liner (sides and sole) molds to your foot and eventually stays that way.

The down side to the climbers is if you do much kneeling, the boot barely bends and you end up with all your weight on your knees. The other down side is they are heavy. The up side is it has to be seriously cold before your feet get cold or even cool. Another up side is they have a lot of ankle support, a lot like ski boots. I may fall down someday and break something, but I seriously doubt it will be an ankle.

MudderChuck

Another side to staying warm is what you eat. Short term is anything sweet or white bread, medium term is noodles (Cheese and noodles), long term is meat, with some fat, Goulash and dark bread.

Every bodies furnace is a little different, but what I eat often plays a roll in how comfy I feel.

Like mentioned a hat, another trick is to keep your core warm so your body doesn't start pulling blood from your extremities. Keeping your kidneys (and your middle) warm is important. Not getting all sweaty and damp is also important. One reason I favor coveralls, you can open the front to vent the heat and water vapor and you have no belt around your middle to mess with the air or blood flow.

Muley Hunter

I don't know about the climbers, but the Perfekt model doesn't give you blisters. I have way more miles on mine than I can remember, and nothing even close to a blister.

It's the only boot that i've seen recommended by a Podiatrist. I believe the cork insole has something to do with it. It molds to your foot, and is like a custom fit boot.

I notice Cabelas is selling the replacement insoles now. I think i'll try some. After almost a decade mine are getting kind of ripe.