Boots!

[carnaby]

Alrighty, now I'm in the market for some good hunting boots. I'd like them to be good for general hiking as well. I figure a 3-season boot, for spring, summer and fall, skip winter. I'd like 'em to be not too short and not too tall, say 6 inch to 10 inch height.

Among my questions and given that I'm in the Pacific North West:

1. Insulation or no insulation? Will insulated boots be too warm in the summer? Will uninsulated boots be too cold in October/November hunting season in Washington State?

2. All leather, or leather and nylon? Waterproof either way, obviously.

3. What brands and where do you buy them? How can you buy online without trying them on? I guess you might have to do boot tag with the online store to get the fit right.

4. What else should I look out for in a hunting boot. I'm a noob and I know diddley about hunting boots. This is basically only for big game hunting up here in Oregon/Washington/Idaho/Montana/Colorado and so forth.

5. I know you can pay hundreds of dollars for snazzy boots, but I want to stick in the $100 range, preferably less. Does spending an extra $30 or so make much difference?

Also, I'm kinda surprised that I didn't find much on the forum on this when I did a search. At least not in any titles. I hope others find this topic useful.

 

[RCL]

Spending an extra 30 won't make much difference. However, an extra hundred will make all the difference in the world. You are not going to get a lot of boot for under a hundred dollars. Two hundred dollar boots won't be "snazzy". What they will do is offer more support and a better fit to your foot. Boots are not a place to skimp. You need a supportive, comfortable boot that will not make you feel like quitting hunting for the day because your feet hurt.
And yes, I learned the hard way.
I buy all my boots local. I want to try them on and and walk around the store in them. In the long run it's worth paying extra to make sure you get a good fit.

 

[dakotasin]

do not skimp on boots - very bad idea.

insulation: for 3 season boots, i say go no insulation, or 200 grams at most. they will likely be too hot in the summer at 200, but its hot anyway, you may not notice. if you tend to have cold feet, or get cold feet easily, get 200 grams. if your feet don't necessarily get cold easily, then get none.

material: that just depends... i don't think that should be one of the top questions, but you know you can't go wrong w/ leather... that said, my boots are not 100% leather - but i've gone thru a half dozen or more sets of boots to get to the ones i like.

brands: danner, and buy them local. if you must order on-line, be sure of the return policy. danners tend to run big and wide - i wear a size 12 shoe, and my rocky boots are 12's, but my danners are 11's.

what else to look for: weight! this is overlooked a lot, but it makes a big difference. also, make sure to break them in good. blisters suck. they really suck when you are 7 miles from the truck, and have to haul 2 antelopes back.

look for boots in the $100-150 range. you can get quite a bit of boot for that money. look at danner pronghorns for a starter brand/make. rocky makes a good boot too.

don't overlook socks, either. between the boot and the sock, you can tailor yourself for about everything - never have to be uncomfortable again. cotton socks are good to avoid.

 

[Cosmoline]

Danner!

But avoid the cheap so-called "Danner" models put out recently by the new owners as these are made in China and are garbage. If you get the all-leather or part leather ones they should indicate on the label that they're made in Portland. These are still as good as ever. I recently bought a pair of new Super Rainforests and they're top quality.

I find 200 gr. thinsulate is fine for most weather above zero, as long as I'm moving. Figure everything will get colder if you're sitting on a stand. For deeper cold I switch to full blown bunny boots rather than trying to get leather boots with more thinsulate. The boots with more than 200 gr. tends to just make you sweat more. For very deep cold a leather boot is just not going to work well. The leather itself starts to freeze solid with your foot still in it. Contrast that with my mil spec size 13 bunny boots that I have worn comfortably with bare feet even at twenty below zero. They double as a flotation device that can seat three.

 

[Bwana John]

I like my Danners.

I got 4E wide feet, and they fit. They are all leather, are ~10 inches high, have Kletterlift Vibram soles, 200 g insulation and cost ~$200. They work for me for 3 seasons.

For a winter snow country boot I use Koflacks plastic double boots.

If you are stalking and really want to be quite, try going barefoot.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I swear by Zamberlan hiking boots. They're well made and they fit my feet perfectly. Problem is finding them. REI occasionally has them, but not often.

I like my boots to be all leather, with no Gore Tex or other "formal" waterproofing. Plain old leather is plenty waterproof on its own, while still being a somewhat breathable. They say Gore Tex is breathable, but for all practical purposes it isn't.

Insulation isn't necessary either, unless you plan on using them in the snow. Even then I'd be hesitant to buy insulated boots. Boots are plenty warm on their own. Often times they're too hot.

Good boots cost money. Spend enough to get good boots. If that's not an option, buy the cheapest ones you can find. You'll regret it while you're wearing them, but hopefully you'll save enough to be able to buy proper boots next time.

 

[killzone]

get this!

I own About 6 pairs a of boots. the one I like usually like the best is this one in the pic. Its. from RockyBoots and its a very good price for the quality you get. The model is BearTrax........

 

[tuna]

My hunting boots are on a constant rotation. I'm a full timer in the Air National Guard, so I'm always wearing boots in uniform. Here is how my rotation goes.
New boots are worn at work, trading off and on with my older ones that are broken in well. Once the new ones are well broken in the older ones become my hunting boots.
The boots that I had for hunting now go to my yard use pile, which means that they are very comfortable but are beginning to fall apart. They will soon be covered with grass stains, paint, gasoline, oil, whatever. The old yard use boots are now thrown out.
Being in the military, I'm forced to wear black. You may not have this problem, so you can easily trade off. This way, your hunting boots now are broken in without affecting your hunt. And your wife won't be too mad at mud on the "dress boots".

 

[Kingcreek]

I ordered a pair of Danner Pronghorns (uninsulated) and was not thrilled to see "made in china" on them. They are lightwt, very comfortable, and have held up well so far. about $150.
I only wear insulated boots in the cold midwinter, the rest of the year I adjust the comfort with different socks. polypropalene or wool, etc. (never cotton)

 

[20cows]

For a winter snow country boot I use Koflacks plastic double boots.

Snow country? What's that?

 

[dakotasin]

its this place where you don't have to see snakes or insects from october thru april.

 

[Cosmoline]

I ordered a pair of Danner Pronghorns (uninsulated) and was not thrilled to see "made in china" on them. They are lightwt, very comfortable, and have held up well so far. about $150.

That's what I was talking about. The new corporate owners of the Danner brand have decided to stick it on an array of made-in-china boots which are sold for about half the price of the TRUE Danners. Don't be fooled. There's still a full line of made-in-Portland Danners. You get what you pay for. The Chinese boots break in easier but are nowhere near as tough as the real leather originals.

For those who want a lighter weight boot, the Desert Acadia has been getting very high marks from Iraq and Afghanistan for the past few years. It's a stumptown-made boot.

DO NOT BUY THE CHICOM ONES!! They're Danners in name only.

 

[Art Eatman]

Strictly for dry country, and temperatures that aren't much below freezing: I have both Russell Birdhunters and Red Wing "Tweinty Mile" boots. I've lost track of how many times I've had them re-soled or half-soled. (I bought them some thirty years ago, but haven't used them much in the last ten.) I've done many a ten- to fifteen-mile hunting circle in some really mean nasty country here in the desert.

I always buy hunting boots about a half-size bigger than my street shoes, and wear thick socks.

FWIW, Art

 

[crt360]

Art, I've always wanted a pair of those Russell Birdhunters. I've got an ancient pair of Browning kangaroos that have been great, but after 20 years or so one of the soles is pulling off in the front. I keep forgetting to have it fixed. I've got a pair of Merrell hiking boots that are comfortable, super-rugged, and have great support, but they are way too hot for most of the year here. I also have a pair of the dirt cheap ($29) Brazos (I think) made in China black combat boots that I picked up a couple of years ago. I figured they'd give me a bunch of blisters and fall apart within a month. Boy, was I wrong. I hiked many miles over rough terrain the first day I wore them and couldn't believe how good my feet felt. I've only worn them about a dozen times, but they look like new and still feel good. They're not the greatest boots in the world but are easily worth the $29 and then some. If you ever need a pair of boots to get you by for a weekend (like accidently leaving your good boots at home) but don't want to spend much give these things a look.

I'm here to learn myself since my Brownings may not have too many years left in them and I doubt I'll be able to afford anything made by Russell any time soon. I do a lot of walking through plowed fields (big hard dirt clods) that tear up boots, and it's rarely cold enough to even think of insulation - so rugged, lightweight and comfy are pretty much what I'm looking for.

 

[KriegHund]

I got 90$ workboots that work wonderfully.

They were "Georgia Boot" brand. They work great as hiking boots, ive gone on multi-mile hikes and they never gave me so much as a blister. They were never to hot, and they are waterproof all leather construction. It supports well, and the leather at the heal and toe is extra thick. I should mention ive had them since May, and have gomne on alot of hiking/camping trips since then.

You dont have to spend 200$ to get good boots- you just have to shope around alot.

 

[BigRedBowtie]

I've got red wings- I love them. I spent $230 on them, and have worn them virtually every day for the last 2-1/2 years. They are about due for replacement, but I'll probably get through the end of this year. I plan on going back into the red wing store and plopping the coin for another pair- no questions asked!

Gore-Tex (waterproof)
400g thinsulate (I dont have any trouble getting too hot)
Steel-Toe
All leather
shock-resistant
oil-resistant

They're your typical OSHA boots- all the safety bells and whistles- all I really wanted was waterproof, semi-insulated, high-tops and steel-toes. The rest just happened to be on the boot that fit the bill (and my foot).

 

[JJpdxpinkpistols]

One vote for Wesco

great boots, and if you don't mind cosmetic issues, their factory seconds are GREAT. They are also made here in Oregon, Scappoose.

West Coast Shoes.

I wear their packers almost daily, and they are amazing boots. I spent 130.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I've had several different "hunting" boots over the last 30 years. Two stand out. Timberland's Ididarod, and Rocky Bear claw.

Mind you, I don't wear my huntin boots while splitting fire wood. I wear them when I hunt, and sometimes when I hike. The Ididarod's lasted me 10 years!

Gortex is a no brainer. Insulation, well that depends on your environment, but it's easier to pull on an extra thick pair of wool tubes during the cold weather than it is to squeeze all the sweat out in the summer. But, as well as the Rocky's breath with their 800grams of Thinsulate combined with some cotton socks, it's not so bad even in summer. Still, a boot with 400grams is a good start. Non insulated, you outa just get a pair of sneaker like hikers for that hot weather. Both the Timberland and Rocky's have a soft but durable sole. Soft enough to feel small branches under foot. But durable enough to last a long time for a person that reserves their hunting boots for just hunting.

Look for a boot that's comfortable, with speed lace eyes.

-Steve

 

[KK]

I had a pair of the bear claws that were the best boots I've had. Had them for ten years with no problems. as far as the gore-tex being breathable, I once got water to get in them by walking across a stream alittle to deep. Got them soaked inside, less than 30 minutes later they were dry. I had to retire them since the sole started dry-rotting. I've got a pair of redhead bonedry boots now that are alright, but they're not as comfortable as the bearclaws were. I've just bought a pair of the rocky ranger boots that I'm going to wear for warmer weather days. So far they feel pretty comfortable.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

To a certain extent, you are making tradeoffs between hunting and hiking. Hiking, you do a lot of hard work. You're constantly moving and you stay warm. Hunting, you do a lot of sitting, and you get cold. Cold feet can ruin a hunt -- especially if you have to keep moving around to keep your feet from freezing.

I go with Danners -- look for what Danner calls "Stitchdown Construction." This means the upper is sewed to the outsole, not glued or vulcanized. Stitchdown boots can be resoled when they wear out -- I've seen some very expensive boots thrown away because they are non-repairable when the soles go.

Fit your boots with two pairs of good thick socks (Remington hunting socks are great.) On a long hike, your feet will swell, and you can adjust for that by taking off one pair. For hunting, you can buy thinsulate socks -- and the added room in the boot will just what you need.

I strongly recommend gore-tex liners -- if you can't afford boots with gore tex, you can buy gore-tex socks separately. Any way you go about it, it's worth it to have dry feet.

 

[Dave44]

I ordered from cabellas as my feet are wide also....H width in red-wings.. 169.99 200 gram insulation.... forget the specific name but if you get cheap boots or bad socks......
you WILL be hating life... absolutley no cotton, they compress and soon your feet will be sloshing around the
boot and then you are done for......a good hiking sock with elastic around the calf and mid-sock to keep them in place.
no sorels or the like.. good for sitting only

 

[carnaby]

Got my boots!

They're the 8" Georgia Boot with stitchdown construction, ultra comfortable, gortex, high quality leather, only 200g thinsulate. All around good boot, and they cost me $149 at GI Joes. Thanks for all the input.

When these ones wear out, I'll try some Danners, but the USA made ones are just too spendy right now. I looked at a pair of made in the USA Danner's, and you could see and feel the quality, but $250 was a ways out of my budget.

 

[killzone]

to BIGREDBOWTIE

I've got red wings- I love them. I spent $230 on them

I assume you went to that redwing shoe anniversery sale about a few moths ago,,, It was very good. They had everything on sale......(almost) Very good quality that is forsure...

 

[carnaby]

I've had the Georgia boots for a few days now and I've been wearing them all the time to break them in. Well, they don't really seem to need a break in, and are the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned. They don't get too hot, but in chilly environments, my feet are very happy.

For $150, I'm very happy. It's my first pair of hunting boots, so I don't have much to compare them too, but they seem pretty dern good to me and they sure seem to fit nicer than the others in the store, including Rockies and Wolverines.