Your hunting boots?
- Thread starter andrewdl007
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35 Whelen
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Lace up Bean Boots here for most all hunting where lots of walking is involved. If it's cold out or I'm hunting the mountains, I add wool socks.
Today I went on a trek looking for squirrel on the creek north of the house. Without thinking I pulled on my crepe sole work boots and took out with a full size bolt action .22 LR slung over my left shoulder and my Uberti SA .44 Special on my hip (there's plenty of hogs on the creek) Well, 4+ miles later my feet were screaming "why didn't you wear the Bean Boots!
35W
Today I went on a trek looking for squirrel on the creek north of the house. Without thinking I pulled on my crepe sole work boots and took out with a full size bolt action .22 LR slung over my left shoulder and my Uberti SA .44 Special on my hip (there's plenty of hogs on the creek) Well, 4+ miles later my feet were screaming "why didn't you wear the Bean Boots!
35W
For most hunting in CA you need UNinsulated boots. For 90% of my hunting I wear a pair of Goretex Rocky boots with a lug sole. For hunting in snow I have a pair of 400 gram Chippewa Thinsulate boots with bob soles. I also have a pair of pac boots that I inherited from my Dad, but I've never hunted where it was cold enough to warrant wearing them yet.
CApighunter
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- Jul 5, 2012
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- 152
If I'm gonna be doing a lot of walking over rough terrain, I'll wear my Columbia 8 inch hiking boots. Served me well on a 100+ mile backpacking trip. If its just a little walking on flat ground I'll just wear my Ariat Roper boots that I wear every day.
Deadeyejedi
Member
Had a pair of 1000gram rocky hunting boots for ten years they stayed water proof and were comfortable from day one . When it came time to replace them I thought I would buy American so went with danner what a mistake two seasons and they're still not broke in they rub my right ankle raw after a long day of hunting. My son took over the old Rockies and loves them .go figure
35 Whelen
Member
I've found that my hunting boots have to be a series of compromises. I want traction, but boots with heavy lug soles are noisy to walk in and when I elk hunt I don't want lugs hanging up in the stirrups if/when a horse/mule spooks and things go south. I like warm boots but insulated boots are heavy.
As I mentioned earlier, I found the original LL Beans to be a good compromise. They're light and easy to walk in, they're not insulated, but good wool socks remedy that. They're relatively thin so they slip in and out of stirrups easily. They're not much good in the area of traction, but I can usually overcome that problem by choosing where and how I walk.
35W
As I mentioned earlier, I found the original LL Beans to be a good compromise. They're light and easy to walk in, they're not insulated, but good wool socks remedy that. They're relatively thin so they slip in and out of stirrups easily. They're not much good in the area of traction, but I can usually overcome that problem by choosing where and how I walk.
35W
Ha, Lowa Tibets are indeed awesome. I have some and love em.
I also use Kenetrek boots. I am sold on mountaineering, goretex type boots with gators in almost all conditions. You never know when you may have to pack out with 120lb over loose scree
Of course I am kind of a gear junky.
I also use Kenetrek boots. I am sold on mountaineering, goretex type boots with gators in almost all conditions. You never know when you may have to pack out with 120lb over loose scree
Of course I am kind of a gear junky.
Captcurt
Member
Danners. I have tried others and always go back to Danners.
I like the thorogoods too. Used the uniforms for work & pretty mutch all outdoor activity. Haven't been able to replace them, Sears had another brand by then. For cold activities I believe I have the best boots ever made. The name eludes me because they are from 1994-5. If you saw the movie Fargo, every one wore them. Eight winters in the alps, cutting wood, hiking, sledding.....well everything. They still wear like new and I've probably been out in -10º for 4+ hours at a time without a problem. Old style water proof using bees wax & hair dryer.
Crazy way life goes, the one time I had to over night on a glacier they weren't on my feet. Summer
Grumulkin
Member
When I hunt, I frequently use Crocs; camo of course. If it's muddy, I may wear an old pair of running shoes or possibly rubber boots.
ironworkerwill
Member
I'll third that! American heritage style work boot light, strong, and comfortable. I know it's a work boot,but, they do good job! I have a pair of Rockies that cost more than these do and I hate them.
I also had a pair of Thorogood Hellfire boots I had to have for work. One of the best boots I've ever worn. Fireproof, waterproof, zipped up, cool in summer, and warm in winter.
I wear my LaSportiva Fuegos wildland firefighting boots as much as I can. Packing out 100lbs of meat in rough country isn't a whole lot different than humping a firepack, chainsaw, and two dolmars on a fire.
When it gets colder I switch to my insulated Allegiance footwear boots. You guys that like thorogoods might like them:
http://www.afboots.com/
My absolute favorite "boots" are a pair of minimalist running mocasins by Softstar: http://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-shoes/original-runamoc-suede-chocolate.html
The mocs are great for stealth and long range stalking without too much weight. Obviously, they get wet and are cold. Bonus: they look funny and your friends have something to laugh at. They stop laughing when they see the bear and deer I've been able to stalk and harvest in those goofy looking moccasins!
When it gets colder I switch to my insulated Allegiance footwear boots. You guys that like thorogoods might like them:
http://www.afboots.com/
My absolute favorite "boots" are a pair of minimalist running mocasins by Softstar: http://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-shoes/original-runamoc-suede-chocolate.html
The mocs are great for stealth and long range stalking without too much weight. Obviously, they get wet and are cold. Bonus: they look funny and your friends have something to laugh at. They stop laughing when they see the bear and deer I've been able to stalk and harvest in those goofy looking moccasins!
788Ham
Member
Danner's with their rugged sole, I quit buying cheap imitations years ago. Unisulated for summer and fall wear, another pair of Danner's insulated for winter time outings.
WayBeau
Member
Depends on what the hunting is, but . . . .
-Whitetails/turkeys in the fall/winter = Danner Canadians, leather, gore-tex, 600g Thinsulate
-Turkeys in the spring = 6" L.L. Bean Boots
-Ducks = Cabelas neoprene chest waders
-Whitetails/turkeys in the fall/winter = Danner Canadians, leather, gore-tex, 600g Thinsulate
-Turkeys in the spring = 6" L.L. Bean Boots
-Ducks = Cabelas neoprene chest waders
jogar80
Member
Chippewa snake boots, insulated and waterproof. I use them for all hunt seasons.
T.R.
Member
For the late season I love my Rocky boots. They're just as warm as my former Sorels but a little lighter and less bulky, too.
TR
TR
I stumbled across these two seasons ago at Bass Pro. Wasn't looking but I had been thinking about finding an early season upland bird boot, one I could hike in all day long and survive the experience. Came across a pair of Under Armour lace ups.....didn't even know UA made boots at the time. They are the most comfortable boot I have ever owned, simply amazing. I have plowed through bogs in snow, ice, water about 4-5" inches deep, never a drop inside the boot although they are not advertised as waterproof. When it gets below 0degF, I stick a warmer on top of wool socks and keep right on going. Think I paid around $120 for them, on sale. Best unknown I ever fell into.
Meindl 7in. non insulated and waterproof perfekt hiker from Cabelas, for early season and the 10in. perfekt, also from Cabelas, insulated and waterproof for late season.
These are pricy boots but are by far the most comfortable and best waterproof boots I have ever worn. The 7in. hikers I have are 10yrs. old and are still in good shape and very waterproof, and I have worn them a lot in those 10yrs., the 10in. I have are only 2yrs. old and are in very good shape also.
Alan
These are pricy boots but are by far the most comfortable and best waterproof boots I have ever worn. The 7in. hikers I have are 10yrs. old and are still in good shape and very waterproof, and I have worn them a lot in those 10yrs., the 10in. I have are only 2yrs. old and are in very good shape also.
Alan
gamestalker
member
In the years prior to Gortex, the only option was a pair Sorel's, which are heavy and uncomfortable as it gets. Feet stayed dry, but at what cost. Now days I don't buy a pair of boots unless they have a complete inner booty of Gortex and Thinsulate.
I have an old pair of Danner's with the Gortex and Thinsulate, probably more than 10 yrs. old. That pair of boots has never leaked, and always keep my feet warm. I like them so much, that I had them resoled last year rather than wear my newer pairs. The thing about Gortex is even if water does get in over the top of the boot, they will dry out extremely quickly cause Gortex won't absorb moisture, it expels it.
Bottom line is this, when it concerns boots, you get what you pay for. Bargain brand boots will not keep your feet warm and dry, and you'll often have blisters after a a day of hunting to add to your misery.
GS
I have an old pair of Danner's with the Gortex and Thinsulate, probably more than 10 yrs. old. That pair of boots has never leaked, and always keep my feet warm. I like them so much, that I had them resoled last year rather than wear my newer pairs. The thing about Gortex is even if water does get in over the top of the boot, they will dry out extremely quickly cause Gortex won't absorb moisture, it expels it.
Bottom line is this, when it concerns boots, you get what you pay for. Bargain brand boots will not keep your feet warm and dry, and you'll often have blisters after a a day of hunting to add to your misery.
GS
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Depends on season and weather conditions. I have at my disposal a pair of un-insulated rubber boots (don't remember the brand), a pair of lace-up leather boots with Gore-Tex liner and thinsulate insulation from Cabela's, and an oversized pair of heavy insulated pac boots inside of which I can wear an extra layer of wool socks and a pair of toe warmers and still have room to wiggle my toes. Think I got them from Cabela's, too. The middle pair gets the most wear.
boots are an essential part of your gear when you spend a lot of time outdoors. I've learned really quick to invest in some good ones. usually in the fall i wear a pair of wolverines. I like them light, comfortable and waterproof. I also like to wear them higher above the ankle and tuck in the bottom portion of my pants. for colder climates, i got me some heavy insulated construction boots. not the most comfortable but sure is warm. i also don't do as much walking in the winter so it's okay. i'd stay away from steel toes unless you plan on hunting off the road/trail.
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