I recently re-read "Elmer Keith's Big Game Hunting", written in 1948. For boots he recommended custom Whites Loggers. Expensive, but worth it. Cost $20.00

That would be $211 today.

Ski+3
Whitefish, MT

And the huntable population of most species of game animals in 1948 was a small fraction of what it is today.

Good boots, but heavy.

Dave

I would mow yards if I could find a pair of good boots for $215.00 dollars.

I have worn the same since I was 14. They are truly perfect. The company that made them must have been out of business when I got them. I have never seen the brand anywhere.

Thick heavy canvas like material at 1200 grains. Just perfect. I could stand in an ice cold running creek in them. As long as the water was below the opening of the leg I was fine. These keep me warm. The canvas is starting to have holes worn through after all these years.

Boots at the stores are simply garbage. I bought my wife a pair of LaCross. The soles feel off after one day of light wear to break them in.

Heym:

I need a good reliable man to mow once a week.

George

Good old days are her and now when it comes to hunting, even international
I always liked Elmer’s comment about Zane Grey not paying him rest of the money after hunt...he said he would shoot him.
Pretty funny shit, but I also heard he was down right prick in his days of outfitting...well, met few when I was guiding in my young days ...some things don’t change...

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Heym:

I need a good reliable man to mow once a week.

George

Colorado is a long way away. Maybe, if they start selling drone John Deere’s, I’m your man.

For me, the good old days meant freedom to hunt just about wherever you wanted, without pages and pages of rules, restrictions, and regulations.

Those days are gone forever.

BH63

That's been awhile Buff!

George

Whites are more like $400 today, and still worth every penny...You can't wear them out because white will restore them..A fellow I know fairly well found a pair at the city dump and they were trash, white rebuilt them to as new..USFS firefighters are required to wear Whites or were, probably still are..

There are far better fire fighting boots than Whites now.

Though they are still popular with firemen.

Everyone has different feet. Whites are torture for me.

BWW

And what are the better boots today?

quote:

Originally posted by TCLouis:
BWW

And what are the better boots today?

Many today have gotten away from the high heeled boots like Whites and gave gone to a more heavy hiking boot style. The reason being they offer far better support and less chance of twisting your ankle with their lower heels. I know I have a pair of Whites Smoke Jumpers.

The problem is getting a pair that's certified by the Forest Service and made out fire retardant materials. Even Whites makes that style now too along with other companies. Just because a boot was good back in the old days doesn't mean there aren't better choices today.

Whites competitor, Currin & Greene was a heck of a good boot maker. Had them make a last of my foot. Well fitted boots were a phone call away. Too bad their gone.

Dave

Friend of mine and Elmer fan brought a pair of those up to AK to do a caribou hunt with me. He could have picked a worse shoe but I don't know how. Those Whites and spongy tundra do not mix well. Next trip he listened to me and had some modern hiking shoes. He did much better with less time laying on the tundra and more time walking/hunting.

Mark

Still waiting for the name of a boot that is as good or better that is available on the market.
Not a "White's" supporter, just looking for as good or better producer of boots currently available.

Would like to get a good pair of boots for lasting me the rest of my days afield.

It makes no difference The Forest service requires firefighters to wear Whites and gloves the Helicopter guys are issued made form Elephant Penis leather and are fire proof to a certain extent.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
It makes no difference The Forest service requires firefighters to wear Whites.

Not any more Ray. Besides several brands are approved besides Whites.