What boots do you wear?

Anytime I need to go in the "field" and wear boots, I wear the old leftover ones I wore in the "field" my Army boots. I have a pair of the old black Matterhorns (resoled) from the good old days, my favorites, and a desert pair from my last deployment to Iraq 04-06. The Matterhorns are also my winter snow boots.

In warm weather, I wear a nice pair of lightweight 511 desert type boots. In cold weather, I have some Rocky's with the gore tex and thinsulate from academy. Also good underarmor winter sox. I don't scrimp when it comes to keeping my feet, hands, and head warm.

Muck boot, summer boots, hiking boots. But always bring along extra SOCKS.

Irish setter Vaprtrek, or when here on Molokai, some Browning boots I'm not horribly find of on lava rock.

I've gone to 4 different pairs of boots, depending on how I'm hunting and the temps:

Meindl Mountain Hunters: Model says it all, used them in CO, WY, MT, OR, WA and Austria
Danners: Still hunting, everywhere.
Insulated Muck Boots: good all around boot, especially when it's sloppy out.
Sorrel "Dominator" pack boots: No chit, it's probably too freakin cold to even be out here boots. I've worn them here in KS late season goose hunting more than any other place. Heavy, feel like you're wearing clown shoes, but they are warm and dry. When I wear then for deer hunting I'll hike in wearing lighter boots and change into them.

Rocky boots with Gore Tex and Thinsulate lining do a pretty decent job of keeping my feet warm and dry. Like the really thick Merino wool socks Pro Feet makes.

I’m in East NE currently. If it’s not too wet I’ll wear a pair of old calfskin ropers bc they’re so light and the well worn sole makes them about as quiet as moccasins. A couple holes in said sole are what precludes me from wearing them in wet conditions.

If it’s snowy or wet I wear my everyday work boots. Cinch WRX western work boots. They are safety toes which I need for work but with the comp toe I barely notice. The outsole is quite grippy and they’re waterproof.

If I’m in rough terrain which requires more ankle support I have some Chippewa packer style boots which I like. The heel is a bit on the high side which is great for riding. With walking you get used to it though. I waterproofed them and they’re not too bad. Really heavy though.

I’ve got a pair of cheapo “muck” boots which pretty much only get worn in the feedyard on really sloppy days. They don’t fit well enough for me to want to wear them for an extended period.

None are specifically “hunting boots” but folks have been hunting in similar boots for some time haha.

bannockburn said:

Rocky boots with Gore Tex and Thinsulate lining do a pretty decent job of keeping my feet warm and dry. Like the really thick Merino wool socks Pro Feet makes.

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I second the merino wool socks. The brand smartwool makes some good stuff. When I used to run a lot I really liked those year round.

Olon

I used to wear two pairs of socks for the extra padding but these Merino wool ones eliminate the need for the extra pair and keep my feet warmer and drier than anything else.

I go after my quarry, I do not sit in a stand or blind so I wear US-made Danner boots. Expensive but worth every penny. They have been resoled twice over the last 30 years and have climbed loose shale after chukar, scrambled over rocks and sage after mulies and walked the wiregrass after Gentleman Bob

Carhartt is all I wear
Waterproof. durable. comfortable all day wear.
I get concrete spatter on them frequently and have to wash it off. Carhartt works great for me

LoonWulf said:

Irish setter Vaprtrek, or when here on Molokai, some Browning boots I'm not horribly find of on lava rock.

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Vaprtrek for me and going about 7yrs strong.

For wet areas, Skellerup Quattro boots. Dry, I have several different ones, Hi-Tec, Keen, etc.
Winter, and they get cold here in WI, LaCrosse Iceman or IceKing. I have both.

I am in NE Ohio, so own several types.

Spring--Irish Setter Vapertrek in the green/grey color. Waterproof and very comfortable.

Summer--Oakley Summer combat boots I found new online for $40. They have the air vents and are pretty comfy.

Fall--Several types and I will explain below.

Squirrel hunting either gets the Oakley or Vaprtrek. If its wet out then the Vaprtrek wins.

Scouting gets Vapertrek or when its really wet and I have to cross streams I wear Irish Setter RPM rubber boots. These are extremely comfortable but, the top of the boot is fixed with kydex so it flops around on your calf unless wearing heavy pants. I wear these when bow hunting because you never know when you will need to cross a creek or swamp land and it also helps keep the scent down. These are going on about 6 seasons and still no issue. When it gets down to about 30-40 degrees I just throw some wool socks on and good to go.

Winter--Irish Setter Grizzly trackers. My only complaint with these boots is the rubber toe draws a lot of cold. These are maybe 8-9yrs old and I don't wear them much because of this. I was desperate for boots and found them on clearance so didn't get them large enough for thick socks. My go to for long winter sits is a 12yr old pair of Field and Stream boots that I have treated with no snow and mink oil, used roofing sealer along the soles when they cracked and they still keep me warm and don't leak. If I'm chasing rabbits I wear the Irish Setter Grizzly trackers. When I pheasant hunter I wore a pair of Servous rubber boots made by Honeywell because there was also of wet spots. They are just like mucks but lighter and cheaper. 5-6yrs until those because trash. I cant justify the cost or weight/size of mucks.

I have had Rocky stalkers, Field and Stream, and Irish Setter and go back to Irish Setter. I'll never buy Rocky again or Field and Stream. I tried a new pair of the Field and Stream I repaired about 4yrs ago and they leaked in wet grass.

100% Merio wool keeps your feet dry and warm. Don't buy the Walmart or Cabelas stuff cause its not 100% and not worth the cost.

I be had a pair of field and stream boots for a good 15 year. These are made by Rocky. they have thinsulate. I'd like to try the muck boots but I have large calfs and don't know if they will fit.

ohihunter2014 said:

Vaprtrek for me and going about 7yrs strong.

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yeah I really like them. I'm on my second pair. The last ones survived 2 years which is pretty good for boots on lava rock.

Bfh_auto said:

They won't. I prefer mucks because I have a small calf compared to my shoe size. Some of the slightly cheaper brands have a larger calf and are just as durable.

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I wish the ones who make my fire boots would make a hunting boot. Tho they would be $400

Bfh_auto said:

It's funny how people who work out of doors just wear their everyday boots and cold weather gear.

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Yeah if you buy well-made ones they really hold up well for just about any sort of activity it seems. Plus, why go through the effort of breaking in a new pair when the ol' crap kickers fit just right

With the type of hunting we do crossing creeks and wet areas, laced up type boots either leaked or took too much extra care to make them water tight. Once I found Muck's, never went back to a conventional boot again. They're easier to get off and on and stay watertight up to the calf. If hunting in cactus or drier areas use Matterhorns.

We don't have really bad winters here. Not much snow and the temps seldom dip below the 20's. I usually keep a pair or two of Danners just for the comfort and to keep dry. I have read that you should wear rubber boots to keep the scent down, but I have deer within 15 yards of me every year.

Once i bought a pair of Muck boots they are all I use. Comfortable and your feet stay dry. I put all of my boots, work or hunting on a electtic boot dryer after every use. Summer and winter. I hunt upstate New York the last two weeks of November and first week of december. Last deer season we got snow almost every day and the temps droped down below zero for a few days.