To skimp on hunting boots is to skimp on your hunt. I’ve had quite a few instances where doing so bit me in the rear end and even ended my hunt altogether. Since those days of old, when I was young and knew everything, I’ve changed my ways for the better. Boots are now one […] The post Crispi Lapponia III Review appeared first on Dialed In Hunter.
To skimp on hunting boots is to skimp on your hunt. I’ve had quite a few instances where doing so bit me in the rear end and even ended my hunt altogether. Since those days of old, when I was young and knew everything, I’ve changed my ways for the better. Boots are now one of the highest priorities, in terms of gear, for my hunting trips. As of late, I’ve been putting some of my trust into the Crispi Lapponia III. My trust is growing with each outing.
What is the Crispi Lapponia III?
As the name states, the Crispi Lapponia III is the 3rd generation of the original ultralight boot from Crispi, the Lapponia. This is a boot built to go fast without compromising what we all strive to do, which is come out heavy. What Crispi included in the Lapponia III is a direct reflection of feedback from customers on previous versions of the boot.
The Lapponia III is an 8″ non-insulated boot made with an upper water repellent Nubuck Leather and PUtek® Spider Fabric to help with breathability. For increased protection, especially from jagged rocks, there is a triple-stitched poly-coated leather rand that borders the boot above the midsole.
Each Lapponia III is waterproof and equipped with a GORE-TEX®performance lining. On the bottom portion, you’ll find the CRISPI® x Vibram® Megagrip outsole as well as a dual-density EVA midsole. The result is an ultralight, durable pair of boots that delivers comfort and support.
On the Crispi Flex scale, the Lapponia III comes in at a whopping 2. So, you’re not going to have any issues with mobility here. You’ve also got the choices between 2 colors being grey and hazelnut. And on top of that, these are compatible with the Crispi strapless gaiter system, whic,h if you haven’t tried, I highly suggest you do. Very cool system.
First Impressions
When I first received the Lapponia III, I was instantly reminded of the Crispi Summit GTX. Be it the Lapponia III was a slimmed-down version of that wildly popular boot, and I had high hopes for it. The weight was noticeably less than my go-to Briksdals, and the construction seemed sound. I loved instantly that they added Vibram to the bottom of these. My feet would get super sore in the original Lapponia, and I knew the Vibram would help immensely in that regard.
Before I put the Lapponia III on, I switched out the insole for the Pace from Tread Labs. This has always worked great for me, as I’m not a huge fan of the stock insoles on these boots. Upon actually wearing the Lapponia III, I honestly almost forgot I was wearing them around my house. The comfort was great, and I loved the mobility. After a week or so at home, though, the real test would be the mountains.
My Experience So Far
So far, I have worn the Lapponia III on an 8-day-long Pronghorn hunt. On the Pronghorn hunt, I did everything from hiking through rocky terrain, crawling/belly crawling, as well as crossing rivers and walking through heavily wet vegetation. In every instance, the Lapponia III performed flawlessly. I do want to note that when crossing the river, I was wearing the Crispi Alto Gaiters using the strapless gaiter system.
Throughout the week, even though the Lapponia III is already fairly flexible, I did notice that the boot started to break in more. This was highly encouraging, because they were already comfortable, but now they’re even more comfortable.
I also noticed that this boot is really easy to put on and take off. Take that for what it is, but it slips on and off more like a slipper than a boot. With other boots, I’ve had a harder time, depending on the model, and it can admittedly get annoying at times.
Potential Downsides
While the potential downsides of the Lapponia III are few, they are still very much worth mentioning. The very biggest I see is longevity or lack thereof. Let’s face it. You’re buying a lightweight boot that is flexible. Those positives come at a price past the point of a credit card swipe. What you gain in mobility and less weight, you lose in durability. Plain and simple. The rewards might be worth it to some, but not to others. For myself, I’m not expecting to get more than a year out of these, and I’m ok with that.
The next worth mentioning has to do with support. If you’re someone who feels like you need a stiff boot, especially for steep terrain, this might not be the boot for you. There is 100% not as much support as something like the Briksdal EFX, which I love, and continues to be my go-to. With that said, I know folks who hunt the mountains in trail runners. That’s not me, though, so take that for what it’s worth. Again, you’re paying for lightweight comfort, not durability and ultimate support.
Who is This Boot For?
All of this begs the question, who is this boot for? From where I’m standing, the Lapponia III is a great option for anyone who likes to go light and fast. Whether you’re backpack hunting or day hunting from the truck, it’ll do the job. This is an on-the-go early-to-mid-season western hunting boot. Stalk in them, sit in a tree, hike miles into the backcountry, and come out heavy. It will do it all.
Closing Thoughts
When the boots meet the mountain, I’m really pleased with the Crispi Lapponia III and look forward to many more days in the field with them. So far, they have exceeded my expectations, which were high. I really didn’t like the original Lapponia as they hurt my feet. With these, there is nothing of the sort. With that said, I can’t say that I like them more than my Briksdals. Those have been such a great boot for me, and I find myself reaching for them more and more. That’s just me, though. I’m not gonna say the Lapponia III is your new perfect boot, but I am going to say, you should go try a pair on. You might not take them off.
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