Hunting boots

[Allen]

I find myself in need of new hunting boots this year. I have an old pair of Coleman lightweight (cheap) boots and Rocky 800g boots. Both are 12-15 years old and not fit to use any longer. I have not looked at boots for a long time and dont know what is out there. I hunt in the south east so I really dont need the 800g.

So my question is, what do you like/wear and why? Also, what have you had problems with and why? I am not that worried about price because I tend to wear them a long time and that makes the price very low over time.

Thanks for any info

Allen

[petey]

When purchasing boots I consider a few things.

1. What will I be hunting in these boots and where?
Question 1 normally weighs heavily on the next few key components. (For instance, if I'm hunting Spring Turkey in the East or South, I don't need the same boot as I would hunting Elk in the Rockies)

1. Weight of the boot? This is almost #1 in my book. If I'm doing a lot of footin', I rarely like to go over 4lbs per pair.


2. Type of sole? Type of traction is important to me. I typically like to go with a bob sole, but when looking at the sole the hardness is a very important factor also. If you pick a pair of boots up and you can't indent the sole by pressing with your fingernail, then it's probably too hard. Nothing like wearing a pair of boots that sound like Cowboy boots walking on concrete when your steping on stones or branches. You need something that'll give a little.

3. Height of the boot? I'm kind of partial to 10" boots personally just because I like to cross creeks often and love the ankle support.

4. Material/Water Proof? Most boots, now a days are waterproof, even after a few years of use if you take care of them. I'd choose leather over Nylon anyday. With a little bit of mink oil every year, they'll last a lot longer and keep your feet dry. Since were talking a standard ol hunting boot, vs a rubber boot, these points are my key players in selecting a good boot.

5. Thinsulate? How much? To me, I like no less than 800 in the fall and winter & no more than 800 in the Spring

6. Laces? Do they hug my ankles well and give me the support I need? Will I get blisters by wearing these boots?

I've owned everything from Timberland, Wolverines, Rocky's, Danners to Cabelas brand..each have their own pros and cons.

I'm currently using a couple brands. The first is a Rocky Bear Claw. I'd never buy this boot personally for the #1 reason above. The weigh way too much for my liking. They were a gift, so I use them. The soles are soft and they have good traction. They are half leather half nylon and after 3 yrs, they are not treading water as well.

If money was an issue, I'd suggest the Cabela's Iron Ridge - All Leather. They are a spin-off of a Wolverine. I like to spend at least $200 on a good pair of boots, but these seemed like just the ticket for a price tag of $99. They are in at 3.9lbs, bob sole and 10" high with 800 grams. After 4 years they still tread water well but something has changed with the sole. When I first purchased them, they had very soft soles. Now they are hard and make a lot of noise when walking. Not sure if it was our cold weather or what, but if this is how the sole was on the shelf 4 yrs ago, I would not have bought them. They are still a good boot, with exception of the soft sole turning hard. maybe, they've fixed this issue since my purchase?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/81/19/28/i811928sn01.jpg

I used to think Wolverine was the best boot ever, until they came out with the Durashock sole. They took an already soft sole with lots of traction and turned it into a softer sole with no traction (more of a working man's sole) I haven't been on the market for the past 4 years so maybe Wolverine has fixed the issue of traction with their Durashock sole.

Rocky's -- Normally too heavy
Wolverines -- Sole is soft enough, but does it have enough traction
Danners -- Great soles, kind of big and akward.
Timblerland -- Make a good hiking boot, probably the best in my opinion, but I'm not sure about their hunting brand.

Again, at one time I used to own the perfect boot, but I have yet to find that one perfect boot that matches all criteria 100%. Ultimately, I think I'd just go try some on, see how they feel. Walk on concrete or a hard floor. If you can hear your boots on the floor(even a little), the sole is too hard. Maybe I'm picky, but that's what I consider when I'm looking.

[Allen]

Thanks for the great infomation. Most of these things I was already thinking about, but some I had not.

I dont think I will own Rockys again because of their weight and it took a long time to break them in. I will spend some time trying on different boots at the stores in my area before buying next pair.

Thanks again

Allen

[Tater]

If I had the money I'd buy a pair of Danners. They're a little tough to break in and a little on the heavy side but, once they're broken in, they wear like an old pair of sneakers. I had a pair issued to me when I got to Alaska back in '93 and still have them. I'm on my 3rd set of soles but the boots don't show any signs of wearing out anytime soon. For now I'll stick with the Rockys I picked up at Wally World last year. Also a little tough to break in but also very comfy once they're broken in. Those are my cold weather boots. I have a pair of Columbias I picked up 5-6 years ago and they are incredibly comfortable. They're actually my everyday shoes but they work great when I'm humping up and down mountains all day. JMHOs

[Swift]

I'm a long time fan or the made in USA Danners. Pricey but worth it at least to me.

[Steverino]

Hey folks, I would like to mention that in my opinion, the type of hunting that you do should also be a key consideration as well the location you will be hunting in. Petey kinda touched on this below with respect to the weight of the boot.

For most of my deer hunting in stands or ground blinds, during bow/gun seasons, I could personally care less of the boot weight as long as it provides good traction, allows me to climb safely, and keeps my feet warm. The majority of my hunts are less than a mile and a half into deep woods so heat build-up isn't a main concern.

During early season (October-to about mid November) I use rubber boots (1200 gram Thinsulate LaCrosse Alpha Burly's) and then switch over to Rocky 2,000 gram Blizzard Stalkers for the remainder or deer season on stand. If it's completely miserable (below zero with high wind chills) I go to Sorells pac style hunting boots. I will use all three of these boots also during duck season depending on the weather and conditions. If I am stalking on windy, wet days during deer season, I use a pair of Cabelas mid ankle height hikers (not sure of the model, I've had em awhile though :rolleyes: ) with rubber soles and a gore-tex membrane for water protection

For upland hunting, I use a lightweight pair of Meindl hunting boots (200 gram Thinsulate) In my opinion, this type of hunting demands a quality lightweight boot. They offer a very good traction and superior ankle support when walking a variety of conditions afield. They do take awhile to properly break-in but are well worth it, in my opinion.

Next to your shootin irons or bows, I would place a quality pair of hunting boots right on top of your important gear list.;)