I have yet to find a perfect stalking boot here in the UK. Most of the boots are aimed at the hiking market and are not designed with the hunter in mind. Things are improving though and we are seeing more hunting boots being imported from the States and Europe.
I am looking for waterproof, lightweight boot about 10"high with a goretex or similar liner..The real difficult is getting boots with a sole which is reasonable soft but gives decent ware. My Meidels (sp?) are great for really rough country but the vibram sole is just too hard for stalking quietly through the woods. I often wonder what the cleated Doc Martin "airware" sole would be like if they were on half decent hunting boots...
Peter
Posts: 5684 | Location: North Wales UK | Registered: 22 May 2002
Last fall, I bought what I feel is the perfect hunting boot. Now, consider that a typical fall includes archery, rifle, and plenty of upland game hunting. In other words I spend lots of time on my feet and really appreciate a boot that not only stands up to anything and lets me put on a cat-like sneak when I need to. And, light weight, gore-tex, beathable, moderately insulated, good arch support, flexible sole, etc are all a must.
Anyhow, the boots I purchased are made by Irish Setter and sold via the local RedWing Shoe Company. I forget the model, but they are leather/nylon composite with a semi-aggressive sole and a rubber scuff protector above the sole.
The price tag on these were $130 a year ago and by far better than anything I've purchased through Cabela's or other retailers.
I've had two pair of Rocky boots.The first pair the soles fell off after seven years. I currently have a pair of non-insulated, Gore-tex. I tore off one of the lugs climbing in a tree stand last fall and tore-up my feet on a recent turkey hunt. Needless to say I won't buy another pair.Hope you guys can direct us to a good boot.
Posts: 1111 | Location: Edmond,OK | Registered: 14 March 2001
It is difficult to give you good advice as you are not telling us what type of terrain you will be hunting.My favorite hunting boot is Beans hunting boot or Schnees Pacs.But if we are talking dry rocky country it will be something different depending on conditions. Vasque Sundowners are a favorite for all other conditions.
[This message has been edited by gophershooter (edited 04-20-2002).]
Posts: 610 | Location: MT | Registered: 01 December 2001
White's Boots are the best I have ever worn. They are priced rather high but well worth it. They have a web site look it up and see if they have something you like.
------------------ don't cuss farmers and ranchers with your mouth full
Posts: 2099 | Location: Missouri, USA | Registered: 02 March 2002
Found the model# of my boots. They are Irish Setter model 1848. Couldn't find a pix on their web site though.
Pete E, these might suit you well. I've had great luck stalking big game with them in archery seasons. Also they are 10" boots with a Gore-tex like liner. Water is a real concern where I hunt and these boots perform flawlessly. Good luck!
For non insulated my favorite is Asolo Fusion 90 GTX. For normal winter the rockies were my favorite till I bought the Irish setters by redwing most comfortable pair I have owned to date. I have a norrow foot and Red wing has all the sizes.
i know it sounds like that but i'm serious. for years i used some sort of high quality light boot. until i went to africa the first time and saw my PH wearing canvas deck shoes, i thought it seemed rather strange and said so. he gave me a pair on the spot and then it even became clearer why he is the PH and i'm paying him.
however when we hunt rabbits an night here in the nevada desert at night i do wear high lace up boots because of the cactus.
i like to go barefoot in night clubs.
Posts: 1407 | Location: Beverly Hills Ca 90210<---finally :) | Registered: 04 November 2001
For sheep hunting, I'll take my White's. They're on the heavy side and expensive but I know I've got ankle and arch support. Your feet conform to them, not the other way around. For moose and elk on Afognak Island, I'll wear my knee high rubber boots with felt inner sole and removable arch support. Hate the things but it's the only way to keep my feet dry. Hip boots for hunting are definitely out. Bear in Fairbanks
Posts: 1544 | Location: Fairbanks, Ak., USA | Registered: 16 March 2002
gophershooter I wasn't looking for avice, rather ideas. The terrain I hunt is close to the terrain in Maine. Rocks, Swamp, Thick bush, raspberry and blackberry cane (thorns) beaver ponds ridges cliffs to climb etc. Now add wet snow in the second week that got to over a foot deep two years ago, and you get the idea.
John;Schnees Hunter would be my choice,your conditions sound similar to where I hunt here in SW Montana.They have a website with all the variations of boots posted.
Posts: 610 | Location: MT | Registered: 01 December 2001
Like Pete E, I�m still looking for the ultimate stalking boots. For rough terrain moose and red deer hunting, I uses the Sweedish Lundhag Hunter. An old fashioned leather booth with high rubber protection on the "shoe" part, it works fine for me.
I still miss a light, and soft boot for roe buck stalking in early fall though.
I�m going to Scotland this week and will look around in Aberdeen and Edinburgh for a good bargain. A Barbour jacket is on the list by the way. About half price compared to Norway. Arild
Posts: 1881 | Location: Southern Coast of Norway. | Registered: 02 June 2000
Neoprene Le Chameaus except for summer when I wear a pair of crepe soled desert boots. The Le Chameaus are fantastic, warm dry and supremely comfortable. The sole is sensitive yet grippy and will last the life of the boot which is about 3 years.
Posts: 2258 | Location: Bristol, England | Registered: 24 April 2001
1894, good choice! I use Le C. too Very comfortable, light and flexible. I seldom use anything else except in very warm weather. I have both a neoprene pair for winter and an un-insulated pair for summer use. I use them both for hunting, fishing and working.
Posts: 544 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 27 October 2001
For all year stalking I use Haix tactical boot with gore tex or leather lined Le C. both works great. The Haix modell is also sold under the model meindel Army pro. Haix modell costs about 50% less. By two pairs of HAIX instead of one pair of meindel
I don't much care as long as they are broke in...I like my Courtneys in Africa and deck shoes also...
I usually wear a pair of Ropers Horseshoes for hunting in Idaho, they are very warm and waterproof and not very expensive..
I used to wear Whites packers and they are fine boots but just to damn heavy for me. I have never turned an ankle, but I was raised on a shale slide that makes Snuffy Smiths place look like a flat, so I must be pretty sure footed...
Very comfortable, light and flexible. I seldom use anything else except in very warm weather. I have both a neoprene pair for winter and an un-insulated pair for summer use. I use them both for hunting, fishing and working.
