I
love those packer boots of Dave's...and he's right on the money in describing why we wear packers up in the mountains. If I remember correctly, White originally designed them for Forest Service packers who needed a riding boot, yet also needed a boot that would give them support on rough ground. So, to answer Old Arkansawyer, they're sort of a cross between a logger boot, but have that tall under-slung heel of a riding boot. Notice the heels on Dave's packers or on the packers I've pictured here. The heel is a little longer and slopes under like a riding boot...better for being in a stirrup.
I'm almost embarrassed to show my White packers. They aren't as nice as Dave's and look kinda hammered. They're only 8-inch tops. The nice thing about Whites is that they can be rebuilt. I've never had to have mine rebuilt yet...but I've had 'em resoled a couple of times. Here's a pic that shows part of one.
I have a pair of Chippewa packers, too, shown here with another pair of Garcia spurs.
I also have a pair of Ariat packers, but don't have a picture of them.
Bottom line, when you're leading a pack string into rough country, pull-on boots just don't cut it. They just don't give you the support you need when you have to get off on the downhill side of a mountain to straighten a pack that's slipped off a recalcitrant mule.
After looking at Dave's packers...especially his Sunday-go-to-meeting packers, I'm starting to get a little envious.
Those are beautiful boots!
