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.
Hunting boot advice
- Thread starter BrainOnSigs
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hunter25
Member
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.
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.
Member
The so-called Tactical Boots are quite comfortable. Wear a pair of wool socks for cold weather.
TR
TR
T.R.
Member
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
Member
http://www.academy.com/index.php?pa...s/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.
Tim the student
Member
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.
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
Member
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.
Rocky Mountain Boots JUNK
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 !!
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
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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
member
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
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
Member
I like these for Western conditions that are either cold or wet (or both.)
Schnees insulated pac boots
Spare liners are available and I recommend a pair of them.
Schnees insulated pac boots
Spare liners are available and I recommend a pair of them.
countertop
Member
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.
I also have LL Bean Duck boots, which I wear if its very muddy or wet or stuff like that.
Uncle Mike
Member
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
Member
Danner boots.
kevin g
Member
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.
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.
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 $$ than the big name stuff.
I bought a pair of camo type high top hunting boots that were advertised as being waterproof, with Thinsulate insulation and vibram soles on sale for $89. One of the better snap purchases I've made.
I know that Wolverine brand are K-mart quality. But, that pair of boots worked great, and for a lot less $$ than the big name stuff.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
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- 13,146
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.
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
Member
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
Member
Whoa, I must be under-dressing in the sub-arctic.
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.
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
member
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
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