[BrainOnSigs]

I realized that I needed to upgrade my gear for future cold weather hunts out west. I am set for clothes. The last piece of the puzzle is a pair of dedicated hunting boots. I keep seeing Irish Setter boot products (part of Red Wing Shoes) getting great reviews.

This is the one I was looking at.


Irish Setter Mountain Claw hunting boots (http://www.irishsetterboots.com/irishsetter-shoe/2883-irish-setter/2883-irish-setter-mens-mt-claw-xt-brown-worn-saddle)

Any thoughts or brand reviews?

[schlockinz]

Go to a store, try on every boot, go to more stores, try on every boot, buy the most comfortable one.

[MCgunner]

Down here, if it ain't waterproof and snake proof with knee high tops, I ain't interested. :D The snake proof thing has already paid off a couple of times. Buzz worms are thick in the spring down here.

[dakotasin]

i run meindl's and am happy w/ them. i mostly got them because they weren't made in china, and ended up being happy. a pair of ultimax wool socks and i'm good w/ these boots to sub-zero...

[okierifleman]

Exclusively Danner, they will last forever and are the most comfortable boot I have ever worn.

[ArmedBear]

I think it's important to recognize that different boot companies use different lasts and have different design philosophies. They fit different people differently.

Danners might be the best boots in the world, but they dont' fit my feet. It's unfortunate, but it's so. The same might be true for you with Irish Setters (a Red Wing brand BTW, and Red Wing has a solid rep), Brownings, Wolverines, or whatever you can name. Opinions will vary, and some last longer than others, but objectively, they all make perfectly good boots, especially for a Floridian that won't be wearing them daily for half the year. It's not like you'll wear them out real soon. Irish Setters are great boots -- IF they fit you.

I often go out in my Asolo TPS 535s. Those and the Gore-Tex versions are IMO some of the best boots around -- if they fit YOUR feet.:)

But they're not insulated. I have 600 gram Thinsulate, Gore-Tex Wolverines that have worked well for me in the cold.

Note that there's a huge difference in what your feet need if you're sitting or standing in cold wind, versus hiking around actively while it happens to be cold outside.

Meindls are good boots, too, of course.

This company in Montana isn't cheap, but they've got what you need: http://www.kenetrek.com/

I'd go try some on, if I were you. That's step 1.:)

[Fremmer]

I hear good things about Irish Setter brand. I think you really need to buy the boots from a store, so that you can make sure they fit (not too tight!) before you buy. Some brands will fit your feet better than others. I'd love to buy Danners, but they are just too narrow for my toes. So I'd buy them in person and not over the internet.

One factor is weight. You want a lighter boot if you are going to be hoofing around a lot. You can go heavier if you are going to spend most of your time in a stand. For really cold weather (it gets cold here in the Midwest, too), I wouldn't go less than 800 grams of insulation. 800 to 1000 grams for standard hunting (some still, some stalking), more insulation if you're going to be sitting motionless in a stand most of the time. But you won't want tons of insulation if you're going to be doing some walking around.

Goretex is a must, very waterproof and, more importantly, it will breathe. Use a light polyester inner sock (dress socks work, lol) as first layer, heavy wool or wool/polyester mix as outside sock. You need enough room in the boot to be able to move your toes pretty freely with the socks on, which is why you'll bring them when you go to the store and try on boots. Lighter boots will be a blessing if you're walking around, so it's worth it to pay more for a lighter boot.

JMHO, lol.

Edited to add: Geez, me and Armed Bear almost posted the same thing at the same time. LOL!!!

[highorder]

For really cold weather (it gets cold here in the Midwest, too), I wouldn't go less than 800 grams of insulation. 800 to 1000 grams for standard hunting (some still, some stalking), more insulation if you're going to be sitting motionless in a stand most of the time. But you won't want tons of insulation if you're going to be doing some walking around.

I wear Matterhorns with 200g of Thinsulate. They are great for walking, but I wouldnt want to sit for 8 hours in sub-freezing temps. I used to have a pair of Sorels with 800g of insulation, and my feet were sloppy sweaty by the time I reached my blind.

[Fremmer]

Yep, it depends on the feet. Some people sweat more, some less. And it always depends on how far you have to walk, too.

[Ed Harris]

No one winter hunting boot is best. Which type of boot you need depends upon the terrain and type of hunt and mode of transport. Do you need to walk in cold-dry-rocky terrain, slog through wet snow, dry snow, ride a horse, snowmobile, work on snowshoes? Use cross-country skis?

For foot travel in rocky, cold-dry country a mountaineering boot and gaiters are a good choice.

For foot travel in the cold-wet Pacific Northwest a Pac-boot with removable boiled felt liner and traction sole is better.

If you must travel on horseback or in snake country your needs will be entirely different.

If you will be on snowshoes or skis, you will need still something else.

If you haven't been on a western hunt before, follow the advice of your outfitter.
Get your boots early enough to wear them alot, so they are thoroughly broken in and be sure they are comfortable.

Also have a comfortable pair of lighter weight shoes to wear around camp while your hunting boots are drying out.

Also recommend a boot bag for carrying the boots, to keep the rest of your pack and gear clean.

[Blue Brick]

I use Coleman, sold at Big 5.

[~z]

I have tried several over the years and have been very happy with my new Rocky Blizzard Stalkers. http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4594/1600FQ0007454/Rocky_BlizzardStalker_Waterproof_Winter_Boot/
I spend about equal time walking and sitting to glass. These boots are a happy medium for that. They would be too hot to walk all day in. But again as said, feet are different. Try on as many as you can, but em big and carry extra socks on the hunt. Another piece of advice: throw them in the bottom of your sleeping bag overnight. Makes the mornings much nicer.
~z

[f4t9r]

Go try those boots on. Like the fit, BUY THEM.
I like both Irish Setters & Danner

[highorder]

Also have a comfortable pair of lighter weight shoes to wear around camp while your hunting boots are drying out.

Absolutely.

"approach" shoes, or "camp" shoes are crucial so you can get out of your boots, and dry them out.

[paintballdude902]

id look into lacrosse i have a set with gore-tex liners and they have never let me down, i payed like 80 bucks for them on sale from cabelas. they now have atleast 100 miles on their soles since i hike 10 miles a week during hunting season and now that im in the mountains ive been hiking atleast 5 a week since i got here so just since i moved here ive done over 40 miles in them

im goin on 2 years now and the only time ive gotten water in them was when i wore them whitewater rafting (i know stupid but i dont own tennis shoes) and the water filled up the raft

[bad_aim_billy]

ditto on Lacrosse, and ditto on trying lots of different models in a store

[RoostRider]

Take the advice of experienced hunters in your area....

What works GREAT here as a hunting boot in MN might very well be HORRIBLE in FL... It's pretty cold in Northern MN during hunting seasons (it snowed, and stuck, here two weeks ago), I bet it's LOTS warmer there... just a hunch... lol... same goes for your swamps vs ours (depth, temp, amount of bog vs water, etc...)

A guy who has been through what you are heading into will have a better idea for you.

[oneounceload]

I have and use 2 pairs of boots...USA-made Danners - one with 200 gram and one with 800 gram insulation. Have had one resoled by Danner. I'm not a big fan of Chinese boots - I prefer the siing of US-made boots. If I could manage it, I would also look at Gokey hand-mades from Orvis or Russel's. Boots are more important than your rifle when climbing those Western mountains

[bswiv]

"especially for a Floridian that won't be wearing them daily for half the year."

Don't know exactly what that means? Bow season starts in Sept. & Turkey season ends in May.......we can hunt hogs all year......? And while we do not have the rocks and it surely does not get as cold you do need good boots to keep the water and the snakes and the briars off of you.

What was said about "different lasts" is correct. I've high insteps and narrow heals and some boots just do not cinch up snug comfortable. Mine end up always being ones with a lot of laces so that I can adjust them.

As stated you need to try a bunch of them on, and do it with the socks you will be wearing.

And if waterproof is a big deal Gore Tex has a longer warrenty than most of the other stuff..............but none of it will last more than a couple of years at best if you use them a lot.......like we do here in Florida.

[atblis]

Can you still get USA made Danners? If so, where?

[ArmedBear]

And while we do not have the rocks and it surely does not get as cold you do need good boots to keep the water and the snakes and the briars off of you.

Yes.

However, you don't want the same boots for cold Winter hunts in the West. Trust me, you really, really don't.:)

I'd spend the most money on boots I was going to wear several times a week for much of the year (durable, waterproof-breathable snake boots, uninsulated, it sounds like for you).

I'd just make sure that the Western Winter boots are appropriately insulated, comfortable and fit right. Decent, warm boots that are plenty durable enough for a week here and there can be found for a much more reasonable price than boots that last through hell and high water.

[Rembrandt]

Muck boots......keep the feet dry, warm, and high enough tops to cross streams. Easy to get off and on.

http://www.muckbootcompany.com/products/WDM-MOBU

http://www.muckbootcompany.com/images/WDM-MOBU_tn.png

[gunmn74]

I have great luck with Rockies and Brownings.

[Fremmer]

I like the Brownings I have. warm and dry.

[kentucky_smith]

I've got a pair of Irish Setter upland boots. After 3 seasons, still love them.

[jmr40]

I usually wear hiking boots. Currently using Lowa Banff"s, but have had good success with Asolo and Vasque in the past. If I need a taller boots Danners are the cheapest boot in the long run. Just be sure to get the ones made in the USA with sewn on soles. They will be $200+ unless you can catch some on sale somewhere. My last pair cost $160, but I wore them 13 years.

[hunter25]

Danner boots have worked out the best for me.
Cold is a relative thing. Here in the western Colorado mountains it's about 30 to 40 degrees in the morning right now and up to 70 in the afternoon. My boots are uninsulated and are comfortable down to about 15 degrees if you are hiking most of the day.
400 gram thinsulate is the most I have ever needed if I keep moving fairly often.

[T.R.]

The so-called Tactical Boots are quite comfortable. Wear a pair of wool socks for cold weather.

TR

[T.R.]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/boots.jpg

So-called Tactical Boots are great for hunting. Wear a pair of wool socks for cold weather hunts. I bought a new pair of MAGNUM boots on eBay for $15. plus $12.50 shipping. They're great!

TR

[MCgunner]

http://www.academy.com/images/products/220/0547/0547-02157-0003-t1.jpg

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/footwear/mens/hunting&start=0&selectedSKU=0547-02157-0003

Mine are real tree pattern, but if you need a snake boot, I highly recommend Magellan...Academy sports and outdoors, 90 bucks. Very comfy, as dry as rubber, yet they breath. They're absolutely PERFECT for south Texas. They're pretty warm on 40 degree days in the stand, about as cold as it gets down here, too, but I wouldn't wear 'em in Alaska or anything. They aren't insulated other than the materials of construction. They are very tough boots. They are a little hot on a 100 degree day, but then about anything is. :D

[tcrocker]

I love LL Bean boots. Got my first pair last year, for warm weather and got a cold weather on this year. They are soft light and they dont make a lot of noise walking in the woods.

[Tim the student]

Whatever you get, I have learned that boots that are not broken in suck in the worst way.

I recommend you wear them until they are broken in, and then wear them another hundred miles or so until they are really broken in.

[shooting time]

Don't buy rocky boots the last 2 pair i have had had the soles just melt for no reason it seems after a few years the rubber breaks down and the soles just crumble off leaving a tar like substance on everything you walk on including you kitchen floor.I contacted rocky and they will not respond about it .Also I googled it and found others have had the same problem with them.

[Oddman]

I also have a pair of Rocky Mountain camo. boots with 800 gr. thinsulate. The boot are marked "Made in the U.S.A." inside and on the bottom. They were a gift about 3 yrs. ago. I have worn the boots maybe 8-10 times. I went to wear them a couple of day ago and the heels fell apart on both boots. They crumbled into countless pcs. of black rubber particles. I have never had this happen with any other boots. After checking, Rocky Mountain will only warranty their boots for one year with original sales slip. What great customer service !!

[higher4hockey]

I have two pairs of Irish Setters, one with 2000 gram insulation, another pair with zero insulation. I love them both. Irish Setters are a good choice.

[oneounceload]

Can you still get USA made Danners? If so, where?

Yes, but you have to look at the various models - they seem to be like New balance - both still make a portion of their boots here in the USA. Many famous brands no longer do.

IF you have feet outside the norm, then some custom boots from Gokey or Russell might be just the ticket - not cheap, but very well made and dependable

[Phone Guy]

Danner Pronghorn! They are the most comfortable boots I have owned. Do not get the zippered side ones. Gortex is a must. I am not sure where you are planning on hunting but I hunt Colorado, Wyoming and California. The Danner Pronghorn in the 400 gram thinsulate work great for me. I would not purchase a pair of boots that you can't try on first.

[dmazur]

I like these for Western conditions that are either cold or wet (or both.)

Schnees insulated pac boots (http://www.schnees.com/product/2642/schnees-insulated-pac-boots)

Spare liners are available and I recommend a pair of them.

[countertop]

I had Danner boots years ago and they were pieces of junk. I've worn the same pair of Merrell Wildnerness hiking boots (actually, of-piste boots) for a good 15 years. Tough as rocks and fit my feet perfectly.

I also have LL Bean Duck boots, which I wear if its very muddy or wet or stuff like that.

[Uncle Mike]

Don't buy rocky boots the last 2 pair i have had had the soles just melt for no reason it seems after a few years the rubber breaks down and the soles just crumble off leaving a tar like substance on everything you walk on including you kitchen floor.I contacted rocky and they will not respond about it .Also I googled it and found others have had the same problem with them.

Amen!
I used to buy rocky's, we would plan a road trip to Ohio and buy the 'seconds' or whoops models from the plant itself.

Since rocky has gone china, I have gone elsewhere!

The rocky customer service is awful at best, and their quality of materials is worse yet!

...don't know what I'll get next, but I do know they wont be rocky brand!

[Supertac45]

Danner boots.

[kevin g]

If your going out west that means your going to do alot of walking, climbing, etc. get a good fitting boot with a high top for ankle support. Most important is to stuff some toe heaters in your pocket, then if you want to sit for a while, they'l make any boot toasty warm.

[blackops]

There are many jackets and pants I can do without, but if my feet are hurting I am miserable. It all comes down to your foot and the application. Some guys have narrow feet some have wide. Some guys hunt in the 30's some hunt in the 80's. As already mentioned, go to your local shops and try some boots on. Find something comfortable. Then the weather dictate what gram you need. My personal favorites are Wolverine and Danner.

[wilkersk]

I made the mistake of wearing a pair of leather Navy flight boots on a fall hunting trip some years ago. My feet were so cold, I was literally in pain. It was a week long trip for deer and elk in the Blewett Pass area in Washington State. I wound up driving into Ellensburg to get boots. Found a True Value, or Ace Hardware store that had Wolverine brand boots.

I bought a pair of camo type high top hunting boots that were advertised as being waterproof, with Thinsulate insulation and vibram soles on sale for $89. One of the better snap purchases I've made.

I know that Wolverine brand are K-mart quality. But, that pair of boots worked great, and for a lot less $$ than the big name stuff.

[blackops]

I know that Wolverine brand are K-mart quality

K-Mart quality?? Not in my opinion.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Sunday I hunted with Irish Setters with 1600 grams of thinsulate in thick snow all day and temp hovering just below freezing most of the day - my feet never got cold, even though my hands did (with two pair of gloves on). I forget the model of the Irish Setters, but it's their 1600 g boot.

The key though, more so than the boot choice, is to buy one that's intentionally a size and a half or so too large for your foot. This gives you room to put thick merino lambswool socks on, and have some insulating room/air, AND allow enough room to put a chemical warmer down into the toe if necessary.

I also find Georgia Boot products to be an outstanding value, generally speaking.

[801sureshot]

currently own at least five major brands of boot, for work and or hunting and gotta say from experience danners are a cut above

[Gungnir]

Whoa, I must be under-dressing in the sub-arctic. :D

My normal wear in winter are Wolverines 600g Thinsulate take me down to -20F, or -40F if I'm moving a lot (or cutting firewood, working around the place etc.). After that It's my Sorels which take me down to -60F comfortably inactive (experienced, but rated to -100F) ice fishing and the like. Just wearing a wicking liner and a Bridgedale Wool sock. No problems whatsoever, and no, I don't use heat packs either.

Tad's got a really good point, try the boot on with what you expect you'll be wearing inside the boot. I normally up size mine by a half to one size depending on the manufacturer, it can take a little bit of time to adjust to having Frankenfeet.

You also need to get a boot that's appropriate, for instance getting a boot like my Sorel's isn't much use if you're hunting hogs in Florida in July. Same applies for application, Ed post #10 made excellent points.

[oneounceload]

The key though, more so than the boot choice, is to buy one that's intentionally a size and a half or so too large for your foot. This gives you room to put thick merino lambswool socks on, and have some insulating room/air, AND allow enough room to put a chemical warmer down into the toe if necessary.

That would depend on where you're hunting. When I lived in CO and NV, you were always climbing (seemed like uphill most of the time), and boots TOO large are going to swim around and give you zero support, resulting in blisters, a possible turned ankle or similar. Boots have to fit properly, just like a shotgun - the better they fit, the better you'll perform. Buy the boots with the socks on you'll be wearing - they need to fit snug like ice skates for best results

[CCCP]

I have choosen Muck model FieldBlaser. No regrets

[1prcntr]

+1 on Danner and Muck unbeatable combo

[45crittergitter]

Rockys feel great, but a while back they made a bunch with defective soles that crumbled off and they didn't warranty them. I won't buy any more.

[Bearwyo]

Danner:):):)

[WTBguns10kOK]

Try as many on as you possibly can. It's never what you think you'll like.

[pwillie]

I have Le Chemieu French made,zips on the side,best boot I have ever walked in.Made out of pure rubber,and insulated to heat and cold. I only wear standard socks,in below freezing weather.

[devildog4329]

I also have to give thumbs up to Danner and Muck.

I have had three pairs of Danners while in the Marine Corps. I absolutly loved them. I had one pair for inspections, One pair in jungle, and one pair insulated.

I still wear the insulated pair for hunting and they have stood the test. I wore this pair for my 7 month tour in iraq and they have alot of miles on them. The only bad thing about danners is depending on the style they can get a little heavy.

[Big Bill]

Try this link:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/mens-footwear-hunting-boots.aspx?c=11&s=364

[d2wing]

Be sure to get the best you can afford. I have had good luck with Cabelas Browning and thier own brand. It depends on where and the temp. I prefer leather boots with Goretex and 200 gram Thinsulate for bird hunting, unless I'm deer hunting.Then I like more insulation. Irish setters are good boots but like others said, they must fit right. I used to wear plain leather boots but it seems like I am hunting wet areas alot more nowdays. Also I need stiffer boots as I get older to protect my ankles on rough ground.

[ReadyontheRight]

I've liked my similar Irish Setters very much. About 5 years of hard use in cold, wet & muddy weather. They are not too pretty anymore, but have a lot of life left in them.

[islandphish]

White's. Smoke Jumpers.

Whoa nelly expensive, best of the best as told to me by sourdoughs and treecutters. I've definitely been envious of my buddies wearing that type of boot when my Vasque's aren't tall enough crossing streams and when my Danner's rubber gets destroyed in a single summer season in Alaska.

Completely rebuildable, customized fit, wowza.

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=29868