Shoe/Boot Recommendation - Run and Gun

barf

barf

Shooter of guns, petter of dogs
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Been looking at getting some new boots that would hold up to a muddy/wet all day event (Run and Gun type event) while keeping my feet dry and keep me from slipping on my ass.

I was looking at the Salomon Forces GTX line but have read that some people say they are shit at keeping your feet dry.

Also been looking at the Lowa Zephyrs.

Anyone have experience with either boot or can recommend some others that fit the bill?

Thanks
 
DO NOT GET Goretex or other waterproof shoes/boots for RnG.

We often will run through streams, ponds, swamps, etc. All that waterproofing does is HOLD that water inside your shoes without letting it drain. There is no '1-way' waterproof, right? You want that stuff to drain out quickly. Waterproof also means "hot".

Buy good, expensive, wool socks and wear them even when it's warm.

Solomon and Lowa are both seen frequently, hard to beat either brand.
 
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If you do Facebook, there's a RnG discussion group that had a lengthy discussion on footwear recently.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
Tim said:
DO NOT GET Goretex or other waterproof shoes/boots for RnG.

We often will run through streams, ponds, swamps, etc. All that waterproofing does is HOLD that water inside your shoes without letting it drain. There is no '1-way' waterproof, right? You want that stuff to drain out quickly. Waterproof also means "hot".

Buy good, expensive, wool socks and wear them even when it's warm.

Solomon and Lowa are both seen frequently, hard to beat either brand.
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Didn’t think about that. Hmmm that complicates things and makes me think I’ll need a dedicated pair for run n gun type events and goretex ones for just regular rainy day shooting.

Thanks 🙏🏻
 
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I am a fan of Viktos if you are looking for a wider toe box. I have a pair of their boots and the range trainer shoes and they have been fantastic.
Like @Gnash.Hyena said above, a lot of the SOF community runs Garmont and the Bellevelle 320's. The Garmonts don't dry as fast from submersion.
Everyone rocks the darntough socks...lifetime warranty!
 
Tim said:
If you do Facebook, there's a RnG discussion group that had a lengthy discussion on footwear recently.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I don’t Facebook.
 
beeleafs said:
I am a fan of Viktos if you are looking for a wider toe box. I have a pair of their boots and the range trainer shoes and they have been fantastic.
Like @Gnash.Hyena said above, a lot of the SOF community runs Garmont and the Bellevelle 320's. The Garmonts don't dry as fast from submersion.
Everyone rocks the darntough socks...lifetime warranty!
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I have been eyeing the Viktos, but the waterproof ones which obviously won’t help me here.

How long have you had them? Are they as durable as other options?
 
Lowa Zephyrs.

It's all I wear anymore. They have held up amazingly well through multiple years of Sage contracting.
I have a "civilian" version for going out to eat or something requiring clean clothes.
Absolute magic for me, substantially less back and knee pain and zero foot pain. A true game changer for ne.
 
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barf said:
I have been eyeing the Viktos, but the waterproof ones which obviously won’t help me here.

How long have you had them? Are they as durable as other options?
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about 2 years now. I have the Johnny combat variety. They have held up extremely well and I have been rough on them!
 
Tim said:
We often will run through streams, ponds, swamps, etc. All that waterproofing does is HOLD that water inside your shoes without letting it drain. There is no '1-way' waterproof, right? You want that stuff to drain out quickly. Waterproof also means "hot".
Click to expand...
Are you just running around with wet feet the rest of the match then? Or are those darn socks quick drying?

What do people that have feet problems do? I look at my toes wrong and I develop athletes foot. Wet feet or waterproof boots I seem to have a problem either way but haven't tried any fancy socks.
 
I have a pair of saloman xa pro 3d I larp in and do light hiking... they hold up well to a 270ish lb man. Although I've only done one 8 hour carbine class and I am far from an operator.

Rei has a co-op thing you pay $30 and get 10% back on purchases, they run a deal every so often for a big sale for co-op members. Not sure when it is but 100% worth it. I ended up saving $10 or so becoming an REI member when wife and I got new shoes. In my experience the employees seem to enjoy their jobs and answer every dumb question (I have a bunch)
 
You don't see them as much, but I am a devotee of Salewa hiking shoes and boots. I have had a pair of Firetail Evos for years and done multiple Gryphon Group Rumbles with them. They lace almost to the end of the toe, so you can finetune the entire footbed.
 
Squanchy said:
Are you just running around with wet feet the rest of the match then? Or are those darn socks quick drying?

What do people that have feet problems do? I look at my toes wrong and I develop athletes foot. Wet feet or waterproof boots I seem to have a problem either way but haven't tried any fancy socks.
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Run around with damp feet. This is why quality socks are necessary.

But, that is by far the preferred option vs shoes filled with water.
 
I’ve coming to end of life on my 2nd pair of Solomon Speedcross. I’ve liked them and they do pretty well on trail runs in the mountains (rocky, steep, muddy) and run n gun.

I’m going to be looking for something with a bit more support this time around.

Remember that your aren’t carrying a 70# backpack, so shy away from the heavy boots designed to carry big loads.
 
Tim said:
I’ve coming to end of life on my 2nd pair of Solomon Speedcross. I’ve liked them and they do pretty well on trail runs in the mountains (rocky, steep, muddy) and run n gun.

I’m going to be looking for something with a bit more support this time around.

Remember that your aren’t carrying a 70# backpack, so shy away from the heavy boots designed to carry big loads.
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Looked at the speed assault 2? I have eyeballed those as well.
 
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My homie said they aren’t waterproof from experience. So no getting bogged down with water in them?
 
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Tim said:
On my radar for sure.

I have a weird foot 14-15 NARROW. Can be hard to find.
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I feel like Salomon has people complain that they didn’t offer wide versions, so their regular width may be “slim”?
 
Tim said:
I’m going to be looking for something with a bit more support this time around.
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Like ankle support or foot bed support on your arch?
barf said:
didn’t offer wide versions,
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It's an odd situation some models offer widez others are not. I wear a 12 wide and finding in stock wides are difficult. It might be the volume difference but I find Asics wides everywhere In every color and model
 
Tim said:
I’m going to be looking for something with a bit more support this time around.
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Seems like the Lowa have really good support (from what I read). And they have non Goretex options.
 
Squanchy said:
Like ankle support or foot bed support on your arch?

It's an odd situation some models offer widez others are not. I wear a 12 wide and finding in stock wides are difficult. It might be the volume difference but I find Asics wides everywhere In every color and model
Click to expand...

I have no idea if those Altras I mentioned would work for you but oh my god when I put them on for the first time…. my goodness. They are the first pair of shoes I’ve ever had that didn’t squeeze my foot at all without having a toe that was too long.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
I have no idea if those Altras I mentioned would work for you but oh my god when I put them on for the first time…. my goodness. They are the first pair of shoes I’ve ever had that didn’t squeeze my foot at all without having a toe that was too long.
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Idk man at $170 I am scared to try them on! 😂
 
I love the keen Targhee 2. They are super comfortable and I have used them in lieu of running shoes in a pinch. Merrill’s have also done great for me in the past as well, just not quite as durable as the keens. That being said, everything depends on your feet and biomechanics so try a bunch on and see what works for you.
 
barf said:
Looked at the speed assault 2? I have eyeballed those as well.
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I have these for my dedicated “desert shoe”, and I love them they would be definitely be my recommendation. They certainly not water proof but they’d drain quickly. These are my 5th pair of Salomon’s and they hold up to abuse pretty well

I typically wear a “wide” in boots but the regular in Salomon’s work great for me. However my Brother who has really wide feed, can’t wear them, so try and find some to try in first. They also do make “wides” in a few offerings now.
 
Derek8404 said:
I have these for my dedicated “desert shoe”, and I love them they would be definitely be my recommendation. They certainly not water proof but they’d drain quickly. These are my 5th pair of Salomon’s and they hold up to abuse pretty well

I typically wear a “wide” in boots but the regular in Salomon’s work great for me. However my Brother who has really wide feed, can’t wear them, so try and find some to try in first. They also do make “wides” in a few offerings now.
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Yeah might get these for non-waterproof and the Lowa Zephyr Mk2 GTX for keeping my feet dry when I’m not crossing bogs and swamps.

Thanks for the input everyone!
 
I run the Salomon forces gtx 4d they work good, not the best in terms of water proofing but you can take dwr spray and improve the waterproofness. Or you can scale down and go the trail runner route where they are super lightweight and can dry quicker kinda two schools of thoughts
 
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