[buenhec]

With hunting season just around the corner, what good lightweight hunting boots would you recommend for summer and winter in the Arizona desert. I need to start breaking them in soon.

[KiltedClaymore]

the cheap 8 inch water proofs from Big Five. i love them, they last forever.

[Art Eatman]

For years I've used Red Wing "Twenty Mile" boots, and Russell "Birdhunters". They're soft-soled and quiet. Very comfortable for 12- and 15-mile cross-country hunts. I've had mine resoled many times, these last thirty years or so. I always have liked the crepe soles, for doing the Sneaky Snake stalking thing.

My hunting has largely been in the Chihuahua Desert here in SW Texas.

One thing I did was to have a saddle shop sew a small inset piece of leather on the inside (of the outside :D) of the boots, at the arch. A bit of extra protection against rock bruises.

FWIW, I've always tied off just above the ankle; I've never laced them all the way up. I use leather laces.

But if I'm only gonna walk a mile or so, most any old crepe-soled Wellington will do...

Art

[Lennyjoe]

I have a pair of Hi-Tec hiking boots that I have used for years. I use them mostly during the late season when it gets cooler out.

During the hot season I always wear snake boots. Redhead has a pair that I use which are knee high boots. They are a little warm but at least they keep the fangs out of my shins. I've stepped over too many rattlers in the last couple of years to ignore the threat.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_45613_500003005_500000000_500003000_500-3-5

http://image.basspro.com/images/images2/79000/79000.jpg

[ArmedBear]

One of my favorite desert accessories...

Depending on the snake situation, of course, I like these things with part-mesh light hikers when it's hot and in terrain where I don't need 9" boots:
http://www.rei.com/product/697872

http://media.rei.com/media/697872_1907Prd.JPG

Highly recommended for places with sand and wind-eroded rock grit all over the place. Without them, I always end up with sand and rocks in my shoes within 5 minutes of starting to walk. With them, I have none after several hours.

[Bwana John]

Danner Kletterlift 9" uninsulated leather/cordura boots.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0005234811477a&navCount=1&podId=0005234811477&parentId=cat601926&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601926&hasJS=true

[JesseL]

I noticed quite a while ago the the boots that always seemed to last the longest for me when hiking in the rough country, had triple-stiched seams. Single and double stiched boots always seem to fall apart within a year.

It's just something useful I've learned to look for.

[armoredman]

5.11 tactical series boots work well for me.

[ID_shooting]

My old pair of GI boots have served me well. touch of Kiwi and they look good enough to go out to dinner in. I have just about wore out the three pair I left with , time to find a good supplier.

[eliphalet]

Got a pair the military used in about the Desert Storm time frame. They have been a good hot weather boot.

[buenhec]

What brand are those GI boots, I have heard buddies call them desert boots but they do not know the brand.

[ArmedBear]

I noticed quite a while ago the the boots that always seemed to last the longest for me when hiking in the rough country, had triple-stiched seams. Single and double stiched boots always seem to fall apart within a year.

Quartz, I think. Grinds up the stitching when you walk. Mixed with the sand.

It also helps to wipe off the boots with a damp rag every time you wear them in the field, making sure to wipe in the stitches, nooks and crannies. Of course one night having to feel my way down a rock mountain in the dark killed a pair in an hour and a half. I'm talking about wear over time, not a good one-time thrashing. Not much you can do about that.:)

[Lennyjoe]

I have a pair of 9's in the desert camo GI issue boots if anyone wants to make an offer for them. They are not wides so they are uncomfortable for me. Only wore them once.

[dullone]

I use these http://www.altama.com/Tp1/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=4156

Am very happy with them. The heat barrier really helps, the soles protect from the sharp desert rocks and my feet do stay cooler and drier.

Winter? We really don't get too cold here.

[AZTOY]

Remember combat boots are sized different !

I wear 11's in sneakers and 9w's in combat boots.:confused:

[dullone]

I've got a pair of Altama in jungle and a pair of deserts, both size 10 which is the size of every other pair of shoes i own. It may be a "Brand" thing, but certainly not a universal condition.

[hrgrisso]

I bought a pair of Danner Pronghorn's a year ago for a deer hunt in northern Arizona. I can survive most temps but if my feet get cold I'm a dead man as my body temp seems to regulate through them... :scrutiny:.

I bought them because of the Gore Tex lining etc. Good cleats/claws on the bottom so rocks are not an issue. They are pretty darn thick so I'm not really scared of snake bite when I also wear briar pants.

All in all one of the best hunting gear purchases I've ever made. Summer Winter Whatever!

[Big Az Al]

The pair I got, I want to say when I was 14 years old, are finally so thread bare that I don't dare where them out in the country, darn it all any way!

I know another pair is at the top of my wish list, 32 years, another set like that and my son will be taking care of the old man, the way I have been taking care, of my dad the last few years, before they wear out!

[eliphalet]

What brand are those GI boots, I have heard buddies call them desert boots but they do not know the brandSorry I don't have a clue, I bought them at a surplus store, slightly used and cheap. All I know is they have what looks like military writing like size etc. I would call them "desert boots" tan roughout leather and nylon tops, and are USA made, wish I could tell you more.

I do know Danner make a good looking boot that looks like a military "Desert boot" but they don't come cheap.

[ranger335v]

Wolverine leather boots are the toughest I've ever used and I've tried quite a few. They don't advertise much so they get overlooked a lot, except from those who know about them.

The military sort of taught me how to break in new leather boots almost immediatly (it wasn't their goal but it did work out that way). Get them boots soaking wet and wear them until they are dry. Creek stomping for several minutes is good, an hour is better! Then keep moving until dry.

The softened wet leather will stretch at the tight places, become flexible at the bending points and will keep those qualities IF worn until dry. After drying, treat them with Kiwi Mink Oil and you will be ready to hunt.

[quicktime]

I am currently wearing the short 5.11 zipups over here in the desert and love them for the hot weather. When the cold comes I will switch over to my Converse desert boot that is a little heavier.

[coelacanth]

Their last is the most comfortable for my big wide and slightly flat feet and they breathe well in hot weather. Art Eatman is right about the Russell boots but I prefer something with a tough vibram sole if possible for durability and protection from thorns. I had an acacia thorn go through a crepe soled boot once like it wasn't even there and that my friends is NO fun at all.