Prowl Boot

I wouldn’t normally buy boots online and untried but I took a punt on these. I’ve now been using them for some months at least. These are pretty hefty boots compared to what i was expecting from the HE description and video. Not having bought a “stalking” boot previously, I expected a less bulky, more lightly built, boot. That said, they are light in weight for their build and, with their height, I find them very supportive of my foot and ankle in rough country. The sole is sticky and I’ve found it good to walk down steep outcrop areas in the granite country where I hunt and solid in looser ground. I bought size US10 and I’d say they are sized on the large side. I routinely wear US10 boots and shoes and these Prowl boots are a roomy fit. As HE recommends in their size guide this may be ok, but I’ve bought a Superfeet trailblazer insole insert that is a little higher volume than the supplied insert and they now feel a better fit by length and width. Toe box is still roomy which I found odd at first but I’ve got used to it and find it comfortable now. For reference, I’m one of those people who find some boot brands roomy in the toe box in general. Length wise, US10 is good for me. At first I found the heel quite hard on my heel but it seems to have given a bit or something, and it’s ok now. I expect US9 is likely to be a touch small. However, when I get the chance in a shop, I’ll try some. The laces are VERY long and they get in the way lacing the boots up. They are also hard and thin and this makes lacing up uncomfortable. I’ve replaced them with softer, shorter, and thicker Tobby boot laces. It may just be me but I found that it’s easy for the laces (both the original laces and my replacements) to not sit properly in the upper lace hooks, making lacing up a bit difficult. Maybe the hooks are a little small. I’ve had to experiment with lace tension around the flex point of the foot and lower calf as I get blisters at the front of my ankle if it’s too tight. Getting this right remains the most ongoing issue for me with these boots. I’ve not experienced this before with boots but with these, you’ve probably got the leverage from the high calf as the boot flexes. Nonetheless, if I get this tension right and loose enough to avoid blisters, the boots remain sufficiently supportive, sufficiently tight overall, and are comfortable for stalking and walking. Overall, I’m pretty happy with these boots.