I know there has been a LOT of discussion regarding boots here and I have found it very informative. I hope that you can help me out.

I am looking for a good, comfortable pair of hunting boots. I tend to hike quite a bit when I hunt. I hunt mostly mule deer and elk in the Rockies, so they need to be fairly durable. Last year I came home with quarter-sized blisters on each heal after one day and I'd like to avoid that. The other kicker is that I don't have a lot of money to spend on the high end boots.

Now to my question.... What boots do you think are the best value for your money? Is one brand better than another (Cabela's, Rocky, Wolverine, Browning, etc.)? Any suggestions?

Lowa Sheep Hunter GTX. go to shoebuy.com

the best value for the money is the boot that fits your feet perfectly, keeps them warm, keeps them dry, lasts a long time, and is light, light, light.

I don't think they are the best value for the money, but I use the Cabela Canadian Hunter by Meindl, only becasue it seems to accomodate my wide feet better than other boots I have tried.
My only complaint about them is that they are heavier than I would like them to be.

If you have the money, a pair of custom made and fitted boots from Lathrop and Sons might be in order. www.lathropandsons.com

The Lowa is entirely too stiff for my taste.

I'm looking at a pair of Cabela's Mountain Hunters.

I highly recommend La Sportiva Tibet Anfibio. I paid about $200 AUD a few years ago, found these boots to be a extremely comfortable for all my hunting needs - from carrying heavy loads in remote mountains, to shotgunning rabbits in flat country.

I love my Danner proghorns. That said, anyone have a pair of Danner Radicals?

Im thinking of getting a pair.

Take a look at Danner Rainforest or Super Rainforest. They're constructed a bit better than many of Danner's other offerings.

go with the HAN-WAG and you won't be disappointed.

quote:

La Sportiva Tibet Anfibio

I had a pair and loved them, but I destroyed them also, but hell I am 6'8" and 290 pounds. That can be tough on boots. I wear custom built Wesco Firestormers. Man they are comfortable and tough as nails. Easy break-in too. Mine are 12" lace to the toe with rough out leather and kevlar stitching. Water resistent and fire resistent....Then again I am also a fireman and a biologist so they have several duties other than a hunting boot.

http://www.westcoastshoe.com/wesco/product_item.asp

I have just finished a full season of hunting/guiding in my new boots. First, I bought a pair of Cabela's Mountain Hunters as I had a pair about 10 years ago. I sent them back as the new tongue system was uncomfortable on the top of my foot.

I then ordered a pair of the Cabelas "Perfekt" 10" hunting boots by Meindl. Other than an annoying initial squeak, they are outstanding and I hiighly recommend them for hunting in the high country of Wyoming.

P.S. The squeaks can be taken out with baby powder followed by a complete saddle soap job.

What about White's?

quote:

Originally posted by bshooter:
What about White's?

Excellent, but you need to be an old fashioned boot wearer. Like the Wesco s they are a typical turn of the century logging boot that I love.

I really like my Whites, but I'm old and I still hike sticks once in a while, so I need them for that. I've got Danners but they seem like a heavy duty slippers in comparison. I might have to try some Meindl's or Lowa's for chukar hunting. Thanks for all the info from all those with experience. Don't mean to steal the thread

I have a pair of Meindl boots. They are good in my experience / opinion for soggy, wet Scottish Highlands type conditions. Maybe they would be good for Canadian and Alaskan conditions, being waterproof etc.

I think the Meindl "Dovre Extreme" are very good.

I also like the look of Lundhags "Professional" high boot. I think they are similar to American Pac boots in that they have a rubber boot / foot part and leather shank / upper part.

I do not have personal experience of wearing them, but I have met professional stalkers / hunters that do. And they sing the praises of Lundhags. The only problem is these boots are rather expensive in the UK - circa £220 - £230, or about $470 USD.

I believe "La Sportiva" boots, shown in Sealand catalogues, the ones with kevlar toe and heel protection are a good boot. I have read they were designed for Scandinavian conditions.

I've been debating the boot question too- I've a old pair of Danner boots (leather uppers- uninsulated- refitted with air-bob soles) that I really like when its dry- but they are a bit stiff- anytime you step on something it's going to break and make noise. I hunt when there is snow on the ground in a pair of Shnees boots (leather upper, rubber bottom) that I like for their weather resistance, and level of inuslation - not too much not too little. But, we do a fair amount of steep lodgepole sidehills, downfall hopping, etc. I'd like a boot with more ankle support, but not so stiff as to be an issue with noise.

John

Meindl Perfekt Hunters, distributed by Cabela's work pretty good for me. These are a tough, trail-ready boot that, at least for me, required zero break-in. They have 400 grams of thinsulate which should theoretically make the boots warmer in cold weather, but my feet still got cold while sitting still on a stand in Oklahoma in about 24 degree temperature this fall. They don't get too hot hiking when it is warm. They are solidly built and work well while carrying a heavy load. I'm very satisfied with my boots, although I was hoping for better performance when it was cold. I guess I need some other kind of boot to keep my feet warmer when it is really cold. I bought these for elk hunting, and I figure they would keep my feet warm down to 0 degrees, provided I wasn't sitting still on a stand for an extended period of time, and I didn't anticipate sitting too long while elk hunting.

........In Southeast Alaska I wear corks .,., Spelled [caulks] My favorites are Viberg , made in Victoria BC ., For snow conditions befor snow shoes are needed I wear Hoffman leather top rubber bottom corks ....I prefer the #2 Redwood cork, but the single 0 works fine also ....This winter I started wearing a pair of the Hoffman Predators .....They have Air Bob soles with6 corks spaced around the sole and are great for snow/ice and are pretty good for getting around in the fell and bucked ...They are very good for the Matanuska River valley type country ...

In my quest to find the right boot, I have spent much money and sore feet. I have found a boot that fits the needs of us(hunters) Its made by Scarpa. Great boots, triple kevlar stiched, foot box is not to narrow and extremely rugged. The model is either the Summit Gtx or Liskaim. Either one you will not be disappointed in. I have tried both Lowas and Meindels. Dont care for either of them, they get "soft" to quick. A boot that can hold up to coming down the hill w/ a heavy load on your back is something one should take serious.