Hunting boots

TAS25

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Jan 29, 2021
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What does everyone use for hunting boots and in what conditions? I need a new pair come fall and want a good few pairs to check out
 
I have always used Rocky boots. I believe my current pair is 800 grams, good for central VA in December (20-ish degrees). They hold up well, and are comfortable.
 
My last boots came from Cabela's .
Irish Setter Pinnacle Waterproof Hunting Boots for Men .
These are uninsulated and light weight , great for hunting in Louisiana warm weather .
Price was $99.97 and I like them a lot ... Comfortable !
Cabela's has a jillion different boots ... if you live near a store ... nothing beats trying on boots and walking around the store boot department before buying boots ... what I love you may hate !
Gary
 
Most of the time I wear lightweight hiking boots. Keen's work well for me.


I find that most of the boots marketed toward hunters are cheaply made and overpriced for what you get. With hiking or military boots you get better quality and better value.

If I want a taller boot I do have a couple of pairs of military boots. They are the best bang for the buck IMO. Most Bellview are USA made and very comparable to the USA made Danner's costing twice as much. There are a LOT of brands to choose military boots from. I've just found Bellview to be the best quality. Be aware that most military boots are sized differently. I need an 11 Wide in Bellview boots compared to a 12 Medium with most other shoes.

I use these in hot weather. They are not waterproof, but much cooler in the early deer season or turkey season. In hot weather I don't mind if my feet get wet. These let the water drain out much like the Vietnam era Jungle boots.


Not insulated, but with Gore-Tex. I haven't worn insulated boots in 30 years. I do fine down to about 0 degrees with non-insulated boots and good wool socks.


But they do make Gore-Tex and insulated if you want them.


Comparable Danner's are over $400

 
Warm weather: Crispi WY II boots

Mid Weather: Crispi Nevada 200 gram, positively my favorite "all around" boot for hunting on the move.

Cold weather moving; Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 gram:

Upland hunting; Danner Pronghorns:

Sitting still, short hike, it truly sucks out.. an Old pair of Sorel Dominator pac boots, unfortunately no longer made.

The Crispi 11.5 EE is like made for my feet and require no break in. IF/When my Kenetreks crap out, they'll be replaced with another pair of Crispi's.

To me boots are in the same category as optics. Not a really big deal if you're hunting locally, but if you travel, there's nothing worse than your scope or boots crapping out.
 
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My last pair were Goretex Thinsulate (200 g, I think) Danners. I really like them. As you move up in boot quality they generally get lighter, which if you like to walk is a good thing.

Another boot that I love are Muck Boots. Warm, waterproof, and surprisingly comfortable for walking. They really shine in deep snow or swampy conditions. I got my first 2 pairs for moose hunts, and have since bought a couple of pairs of ankle height that I wear all of the time. Slip on is nice and quick! Once again, the knock offs are always heavier than the real thing.
 
I'm with @jmr40 in that I'm almost always disappointed with "hunting" boots. They seem to mostly be Chinese junk but with camouflage that doubles the price. I'm not generally a fan of "military" boots either, finding them pretty much the same except in tactical black or olive drab.

For my money, backpacking (or, for cold weather, mountaineering) boots are a better value. In all honesty, though, I'm finding less and less use for heavy boots, at least here in the desert southwest. Unless there is snow on the ground, I'm often in very light "sneaker" boots, or even moccasins.
 
What does everyone use for hunting boots and in what conditions? I need a new pair come fall and want a good few pairs to check out
What will you be doing while wearing these boots? Someone who is going to be walking less than a mile or so to a tree stand and then spending a November day in it needs a drastically different boot than someone who is going archery elk hunting in September.
 
US made Danners - they have been resoled a few times; but I will NOT wear foreign made crappy footwear
 
I've used US made Danner hiking boots which I loved. But when it came time for a new set I bought a pair of Crispi Colorado boots. They are outstanding boots. But they are stuff and took a while to break in. The first few times I wore them I was worried I'd wasted a lot of money I didn't really have. But once they broke in, they became my favorite boots.

For winter/deep snow I wear Schnee Hunters, 13".
 
I have a pair of Schnee’s Timberlines uninsulated, and a pair of Lacrosse Alpha Agilitys 800 gram wt.
If I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be trudging through the swamps and marshes I’m probably going for the Timberlines.
They took some breaking in, but not much and I love their support.
The Lacrosse I’m wearing in wet and snowy conditions.
 
Wore a set of US made Danners for over 20 yrs during hunting season. Here a couple of yrs ago I added a pair of Schnees to the foot locker.
 
I have twp pairs of Muck boots.
One pair is like six inches, they go just above my ankles.
The other pair are the taller boots.
Water proof and 100% comfortable.
.
I always put them on a boot dryer after wearing them.

i wear the shorter version all year.
 
Muck boots are good for the wet and are OK, with the right socks, for some of the cold.
I have an older pair of the Schnees and they still do well,a good solid boot.
The bad news is, I've had them long enough that my feet out grew them so I can't use the inserts.
With thick socks they are OK but not as warm as with the inserts.
 
Muck cool chore for fall. When it gets chilly or cold it's Muck artic pro for me. That being said I don't do a lot of walking two or from stand or while hunting.
 
Maine Hunting Shoes by LL Bean…i have insulated (in pic) and uninsulated. The uninsulated ones are 34 years old and still going strong. Dry and warm; the leather uppers really protect my lower legs.

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This is a timely thread because my 20 year old cabelas by meindel are needing replaced. I hate the idea of spending the cost of a savage rifle on boots and always fear they won't be comfortable. Especially if I have to order them.
 
I have several pairs, which one I use is dependent on the game I'm going to hunt, terrain, and weather. From snow boots to keep my feet dry to low-cut hiking boots, I have several to choose from. Socks are generally wool, maybe with nylon liners. LL Bean, Danner, Lacrosse, Rocky’s, etc. are all good.
 
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