[Infantryboots]

I'm looking for a pair of boots that I can use for work and also use the boot for hunting. I have a pair of winter boots that I use for hunting when it gets cold. Any suggestions?

[Pilgrim]

Sportsmans Guide or Cabelas may have something you would like.

Pilgrim

[Ohen Cepel]

I love my Danners, best I've had.

Matterhorn also makes some good stuff, not sure what you're looking for exactly but they are both worth a look.

[FXR]

I'm sold on 'em. Stylish enough for work but built for the outdoors. I also pay the extra $40 for the custom heat-moldable insole. Worth every penny, because life's too short to have sore feet.
K

[SoCalShooter]

My hunting boots are Oakley SI boots, feel like sneakers but they are boots its awesome.

http://oakley.com/o/o4299d

[ken w.]

I like Danners too.I'm kinda fussy about where I go with the Danners.I have a pair of Rocky bear paws that are very comfortable to walk in but anr't as warm as they should be.

[Phenom]

I'm partial to Wolverine boots myself. It took almost 18 months of wearing them from the time I got up to the time I went to sleep to wear a pair out.

[wuluf]

I've had a pair of Danner boots i use for motorcycle riding for more than 6 years, just bought a second pair for work. They do last...

[shotgunkevin]

I'm partial to Rocky 911 boots. The Vibram sole is great for indoor use on slick floors. I never once have slipped & fell wearing mine. They also have a normal lugged sole. They're not heavily insulated, which suits me fine. I just wear more socks when it gets cold.

[VaughnT]

I just picked up a pair of Rocky bear claw/paw/whatevers. My job keeps me outside in all kinds of places, though mostly the woods and constructions sites. Basically, I'm in the muck and mud.

My previous pair of wolverines didn't last at all. Several weeks into them, the leather was cracked. The laces broke in less than two months. They weren't insulated, but they did have goretex and it never failed.

The biggest problem is that they sucked in the muddy areas.

These bear things are hellforstout and grip into the mud like I've never seen. The tread design really holds you, and is open enough that you can easily get the mud out with a few good stomps. The 200g of thinsulate is wonderfully warm if you're active, though sitting in a stand might require the 1000g model.

Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase. I have some very comfortable boots that are waterproof and insulated. I'll report back on durability once I have some miles on them.

[10-Ring]

I've got a set of Red Wings and a set of Bates Durashocks. And at the end of a long day, my feet aren't sore :D

['Card]

After 20 years in the construction business, and 30 years of hunting (with a 4-year break in there while I was in the military) I can say without hesitation that I won't put anything on my feet that isn't made by Red Wing Shoes (http://www.redwingshoes.com). For hunting, I wear Red Wing's outdoor brand Irish Setter (http://www.irishsetterboots.com).

For comfort, fit, durability, reliability and especially service-after-the-sale, you just can't beat a pair of Red Wings as far as I'm concerned.

[X-Rap]

Try Filson Boots they are made up in Seattle and still hand made.Super quality and good value even at $200 to $300 depending on the style. I get the uplander style.Run a search on filson boots and you can find better deals than buying direct.They are made the way redwings and others used to be made 40 yrs ago. Factory rebuildable

[648E]

Red Wing -- They are supreme, and made in USA

Danner's are also top notch from what people tell me.

[ChefJeff1]

You owe it to yourself to get the best. Whites.

[Art Eatman]

Are you a walking hunter, or a sitting hunter? Where you hunt, is it commonly wet, or commonly dry? It makes a big difference.

I've always been a walking hunter, covering quite a few miles in a day. Dry country. So, a 10" Red Wing crepe-soled boot works very well, as do Russell BirdHunters. I wouldn't wear those if I were hunting across country in wet areas or in snow. Lousy, for those conditions.

From what I've seen of other folks who hunt with me, who wear a more waterproof boot, the complaint is that the boots make their feet too hot. It's not the quality; it's the design. There is no such thing as "One style fits all situations."

Art

[MinScout]

Go to walmart and look for Herman Survivors. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned and they only cost 40 bucks. They're far better than the $200 Rockies I was issued for work. The only bad thing is that they're made in China.

[Smokey Joe]

Another vote here for Russell Boots. They are built of leather that thinks it's sheet armor, for wear, but soft on yr feet. Russell makes several models, all expensive, but truly handmade, darn it, by American workmen in Berlin (pron. BERlin), Wisconsin. Google for the website; I don't have it to hand.

Russell makes and stocks the "usual" sizes of their more common models, but if yr feet are at all odd, tiny, huge, or in any way not run of the mill, or if you want something unusual, they take a tracing of yr feet and handmake the boots for you. Soles to order, too, crepe, Vibram, or what will you.

You can't beat 'em for comfort nor wear. I would NOT, however, wear my Russells in muddy/wet/cold conditions; in this I echo Art Eatman: There is no one boot for all conditions.

[Harve Curry]

I like army/GI surplus all leather boots. The lace up ones that go above the ankle. I have worn out 3 pairs and now am at a loss where to find some more.The ripple sole was a good one.

[dfaugh]

Red Wing -- They are supreme, and made in USA

I've bought alot of boots in my time, including some REAL expensive ones. But, The Redwings have always been the most comfortable/durable in the end. Since i don't wear them for work anymore, just out in the field, the pair I have now are like 8 years old, and look new. (except for the little slice in the toe where I "missed" with the chainsaw...I always buy steel toes!)

[Cosmoline]

I love my Danners, best I've had.

Ditto on that! Keep in mind though that the new corporate leadership has been selling chicom boots under the "Danner" name for the past few years. Make sure to only get the all-leather ones made in Portland. I have a pair of Super Rainforests that are fantastic. The company specializes in military, logging and hunting boots. The hunting lines tend to have more insulation and are geared for colder weather. The logging style boots like my rainforests are designed to be pretty much waterproof and take enormous amounts of abuse. Their tread isn't as good for ice, though you can screw studs into the soles for extra traction. That's what I did with mine and they're doing fine. 200 gr. insulation is a good light level for down to about 10 degrees above. Much colder than that and the higher thinsulate Canadians or other hunting boots are a better choice. Cabelas stocks all of them. The sticker price is pretty high, but they last.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/Danner.jpg

[swampdog]

I've got boots I hunt in, usually knee boots or snake boots, but I was looking for a pair of work boots when I saw this thread. I narrowed it down to a Danner Tinner (http://www.danner.com/product/work/plain+toe/tinner+-+8%27%27+plain+toe.do) and this pair of RedWings (http://www.redwingshoe.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1723).

I got the Redwings. They were $20 less and I already have a pair of chicom Danner's, which are nice, comfortable boots, btw. When I got home I noticed a label inside the tongue of the redwings "Made in China". I guess you just can't win. They're still a nice pair of boots.

I just went and looked through my boots. 2 pair of wolverine's, chicom. Old Timberland's, USA. Newer Timberland's, chicom. That old pair of Tim's is probably 15 years old and still wearable. They made them right before they got popular. My Rocky snakeboots don't have a label, neither do my LaCrosse knee boots, but I'd be suprised if either were made in the USA.

I guess Carhartt is doing the same thing, now that they're "popular". It's getting kind of hard to "buy American". :(

[MCgunner]

I hate steel toes. I'm glad I don't have to mess with that anymore.

[michael_aos]

I'm going to have to go with Danner.

Mike

[Cosmoline]

The Tinners and other "Danners" under two bills are almost all made by the Chicoms. That's why the price is lower. The traditional leather lines are still made in Portland, but the price is a notch higher. I very much doubt any of them will be made stateside in the future, so get the real ones now before they're all gone. On their website, only the ones with the "Made in USA" on the web page are the good ones. This includes the old standards such as the Canadians (probably the best hunting boot ever made), Ft. Lewis, Mountain Lights and Rainforests. Tinners are made in China.

[RyeDaddy]

I love danners since I started wearing them in the Navy. Now that I'm out, I can choose whatever boot I want, and I still choose Danner. I got a pair of Cabela's Elk Hunters, which are made for Cabela's for Danner, they say Danner on the side, and they're awesome. Danners can run a bit heavy, but in six years in the Navy wearing them every day, it took four years to wear my first pair out, and it was a cosmetic thing. Anyway, you can get them in all different Thinsulate levels, or without it at all, depending on where you'll be using them.

[MCgunner]

I have an old pair of Lacrosse "all temps" that came with an insole and two types of insulation liners to use with all weather. I am still using 'em. I wore 'em down out in west Texas on the rocks a bit, but they last forever in the mud and dirt down here. When it's really wet on my place, I use a pair of cabela's stocking foot hip waders and just take out the liner and insole to make room for the 3mm neoprene booties on the waders. Those are some rugged hunting boots and very comfortable and water proof, but not really suitable for work.

[MacPelto]

Another vote for Red Wings. If you manage to wear them out, they can be resoled, just drop them off at a red wings outlet. Also, free laces for life.

Mac

[stevelyn]

Danners. My first pair of Ft. Lewis Go-Devils went through 7 years of military, hunting and police abuse before giving up the ghost.

I'm currently on my second pair since 1997 and haven't treated them any better other than taking better care of the leather. They're about due for a resoling, but are otherwise in great shape.

[SIRVEYR666]

Cabela's Upland Bird Boots.


Super light-weight and only $109 (on sale). Gore-Tex and 400grams of Thinsulate (or uninsulated).

I've had about 2 dozen pair in my lifetime. Only boots that I'll buy.

[Desk Jockey]

Funny that no one asked what kind of work you do, and I think only Art asked about your hunting habits/conditions. How about your feet? Average width, narrow, or wide? If they run narrow like mine, there are very few good options.

It's hard to get the right answer with such limited info in the question.

[mohican]

Cosmo - can you still get Danner Fort Lewis boots? Only pair of boots I ever had that made it to the 6 year mark.

I looked several years ago at the local outfitter, but alas, they no longer carried Ft Lewis series.

[Cosmoline]

Yup, for now. And they're still made in Portland. Cabelas stocks them. I'd get them soon, though.

[Infantryboots]

I want to thank everyone for their response.

o My occupation is military and I sit behind a desk all day
o I'm looking for a pair a boots for hunting and working outdoors (honey do list).
o Just an everyday work/hunting boots where I can go into the woods.
o Size 11R
o I do not need a heavy insulated boot, I have one of those!

Hooah?

[LAK]

Off hand; Danner and Red Wing. Browning have marketed some excellent footwear too - like their Kangaroo Featherweights (which I believe are, or were, made by Red Wing).

In addition to what has been said already, and other factors aside; weight is very important. If you are going to hunt involving distances on foot, and or gaining altitude, a few extra ounces on the feet are far more fatiguing than a few extra pounds on the belt or back.

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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

[648E]

I got the Redwings. They were $20 less and I already have a pair of chicom Danner's, which are nice, comfortable boots, btw. When I got home I noticed a label inside the tongue of the redwings "Made in China". I guess you just can't win.

:eek: HUH?!

Their 2004 Catalog States:

Red Wings are made in America or assembled in the USA in plants located in Minnesota, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri...

I sent a message to their customer service to clarify.

I'm quite sure their Worx and Irish Setter brands are China made but I didn't know any of the Red Wings would be.

[gak]

Many manufacturers even try to hide the fact that all or most of their product line is from China.

Our suppliers told us years back that they're switching to asian-made because their stockholders refuse to pay $19.00 per hour to American workers when they can pay 60 cents an hour to Chinese workers.

I also felt ill when three of their managers retired before they were 40 years old because their profit margins were so sick.

Charge double for the product, claim higher manufacturing costs, meanwhile make it in China for 1/100th of the cost = retire at 40.

[648E]

I got my reply, here's a bit from it:

Unfortunately our 3 U.S. plants cannot completely satisfy the demand for all styles and prices of work footwear. As an example, today’s younger consumer demands an athletic type shoe at a low price. This style of footwear cannot be competitively manufactured in our domestic plants. So we source these products in China. We design them. We test their performance to insure they live up to the Red Wing quality standards. We hope that by providing these young workers shoes they desire today, we can someday move them into our premium Made In USA footwear products. Their fathers and grandfathers wore Red Wings. We would like to keep them and future generations wearing our brand.

So it seems any Red Wings I buy are still made here.

[HGUNHNTR]

Danners with Wool----Not cotton---socks