Suggestions On Hunting Boots?

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sbarkowski

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Its time for a new pair of hunting boots and I'm having a hard time finding a good pair. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. They need to be waterproof, insulated (200-400 gram Thinsulate max.) and above all they need to be light weight and comfortable for long hikes. I'd like to keep it under $200. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
 
I second Danner. I have a heavy, all leather pair that is still going strong after well over 10 years of use.
 
Lowa Renegade, either the insulated or the Goretex (GTX) model. I've used these for years and swear by them. They're the most comfortable boot I've ever worn. I stick to Goretex and just wear warm socks inside them. They keep my feet toasty. They cost about $150 a pair, and are worth every penny.
 
I've opted for 'Hiking' boots. I've found that the boots that are categorized as hiking boots are everything I was looking for in a hunting boot. Comfortable, waterproof, lightweight.
 
By far the best lightweight hunting boot I have ever had is the Lacrosse Hawk GTX. They weigh about as much as a pair of tennis shoes, are tough as nails, and are waterproof. Some of the best money I have ever spent.

By the way, a couple of years ago while elk hunting in Montana my friend had a pair of Danner Pronghorns blow out on him about 5 miles from the truck.
 
i'm no fan of danner pronghorns... i think they are pretty bad.

for boots i like, i've had fair luck with rocky, and meindl's are just awesome.
 
The Danner Pronghorns are one of the most comfortable out of the box boots made and a not a bad boot in my opinion. They are made in China however and because of the way the soles are made and the type of construction they are not going to hold up for years of hard use. Depending on how hard you use them they are probably good for 1 or 2 hunting seasons.

The best buy in the long term are the USA made Danners with sewn on Vibram lug soles. They will set you back close to $300, nearly 2X the price of the Pronghorns or many of the competion, but will cost less in the long run. I threw away a pair 2 years ago that I had worn for 13 years. I paid $165 for them. $165 divided by 13 years comes out to less than $13/year. A $150 pair of boots that only lasts 2-3 years will cost more in the long run.

I also wear good hiking boots at times and have had good service out of Asolo, Lowa, and Vasque.
 
Out of the 14prs of hunting,climbing, camping boots I own the 2prs I wear the most and are still functional are; Filson "Uplander" and an older pair of Red Head "Bone Dry Hunter".
 
Danner makes a great product. But I'm sold on the Irish Setters! I've worn Rocky's for years and decided to try something different and switched to the Irish Setter. I'll never own another pair of Rocky's again! They're just as warm and are a lot lighter. They feel like a big tennis shoe instead of an actual boot. They're great for walking and just as warm for sitting still in a stand as well. I love mine!

Plus, Irish Setters are made by Red Wing which are AMAZING work boots!
 
I've got Magellan snake proof boots from Academy, about 70 bucks. I love 'em. They're hiking boot comfortable. It don't get that cold down here and they work great, are 100 percent tested waterproof even in above ankle deep water and muck and I had a snake hit the right one last spring and walked away from it, 4 ft rattler. They've already paid for themselves way I see it. This might not be a concern to most of the country, but down here, I'll not wear anything, but snake proof boots. I used to put on my zip on leggin's, but they're not near as comfy. I wear the things occasionally on the motorcycle, too, make for very comfy and protective motorcycle boots and in Realtree camo, how stylish! :D

I don't think these things are insulated, but they're kinda hot in summer and work fine down to freezing for me sitting on the stand. I've not had the occasion to use 'em in much colder weather as it just doesn't get that cold down here. Main thing is they're very comfy to walk in and rugged as heck.
 
I bought a pair of Danner pronghorns. wore them hiking/walking to break em in a little and then trashed them on a 5 day Utah elk hunt. Had to take a mid-day lunch break on the side of a mountain and glue a heel back in place with superglue (won't have a huntpack without it!). I still wear them some while bowhunting whitetails in Illinois I'm just walking to the stand and back but there are not a serious boot.
skip the pronghorns.
 
what ever you get, get them long enough before hunting season to break them in well enough to save your feet during hunting season
 
Most of the boots listed above are made in the Peoples Republic.
Don't expect to get the service or repairability of the old type of boots even though they cost the same.
I wear some of the asian junk but also have a couple pairs of older Filson boots that I wear when I know I have a long walk.
 
Browning offers a Thinsulate waterproof insulated kangaroo leather 10" crepe sole uplander , very light weight. They would be great for what they are intended flatland hunting.

They have a boulder Vibram soled cap toe speed lace for rocky places.

If price is not an object Chippewa makes a nice boot along with some of the Filson line.
 
Irish Setters hands down are the most of all you could look for in a boot.
 
I can't speak from experience regarding most of the asian manufactured stuff, except for Rocky Boots. They were great when they were made in the US, in Nelsonville, Ohio, where I attended college, and could buy 2nds for a great price. I purchased them into the timeframe they moved production to China. That was the last pair I bought, the soles wore away quickly after two hunting seasons.
I did buy a pair of Silvas that are made in China, have had 4 seasons of light use on them, very comfortable, Vibram soles (have been good for tromping around after grouse in northern Wisconsin).
I like decent boots. I do like Irish Setter/ Redwings, on a personal note. Hard to enjoy a good hunt with uncomfortable feet.
A friend told me about an online source, "Zips"? or Zipps?, might be worth a look.
 
Have you ever seen them?

They're all blind-stitched. No holes through the leather. Waterproof with no Gore-Tex. The hand work is absolutely AMAZING. The leather is supple but really strong.

Granted, I haven't BOUGHT any, but if you handle the things, the price will make sense.
 
The price might make sense to Bill Gates. ROFL Sorta like the Rohrbaugh and Kahr guys telling me my Kel Tec ain't worth owning even though it never fails and has eaten 5 digits worth of trouble free ammo in 13 years and still shoots POA 3.5" groups at 25 yards. I mean, yeah, it's got a few tooling marks. :rolleyes:

I mean, I can appreciate quality craftsmanship, but my boots are quite comfortable on my feet and on my wallet. ROFL! If I win the lotto, I'll probably have more expensive tastes, I guess. Hell, I don't know, I doubt that money can take the redneck out of me. LOL I'll probably be going on 10,000 dollar Alaskan hunts wearing 70 dollar boots. :rolleyes: I know I'm "cheap". I'm also 56 years old and have been retired for 5 years, though, and even though I've lost half my IRAs in a year, I'm still getting along....for now.

Is it "cheap" or is it "thrifty". Thrifty sounds so much better. At least I don't buy my hunting boots at Walmart or Pay Less or the Dollar Store with all the welfare crowd. :D I could be worse.
 
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