I dont know what to do.
I have tried many boots from cabelas, and all of them hurt. I have the danner pronghorns on know, and they just dont feel like I could be in them all day. I even have the smart feet inserts. They dont feel conftorable, and the right foot always feels looser.
I am going to pull my hair out on what to do.
I am going black bear hunting with Jim Shockey in may, and Desert mule deer hunting the next season, and I need a good pair of boots.
Any advise is much appreciated.
Tanks,
W.

custom boot maker. Whites, nicks, etc... i'm sure there are others.

Wesco boots can be hand made for each foot , in my opion one of the best shoes ever made and there rebuildable when you wear them out. Just my two cents Bill

Have you trie camp mocs?

Try the Lacrosse camp mocs or the Alpha Lite Mocs at a store if you get a chance.

Good luck

Reloader

Are you overweight? Do you have any structural problems with your feet? It's strange that you are having such a hard time finding boots. Good luck.

yeah, it might not be the shoes. perhaps you could benefit from orthotics?

Danner Pronghorns are Chinese made if I'm not mistaken. My Danner Strikers are Chinese made and are POS. My Danner Acadias (sic?) are USA made! I were them everyday on duty 8-16hr shifts w/ no problems. Go try some USA Danners.
Robert

What will fit one person won't fit another, probably why there are such vaired opinions on boots. I really like kennetreks.

the chef

Woodsie: FWIW, I too have trouble finding boots that fit. I have a narrow foot and most bootmakers no longer offer narrow sizes, an effort to limit the lasts they need(reduce inventory?) or, if they do, their offerings are limited. Also, your black bear hunt may call for a type of boot different than needed for the desert mule deer hunt, what does your outfitter suggest(as to type)? My sggestion is not to restrict yourself to the better known brands and catalog houses- but research as much as you can. For my sheep and goat hunts I started looking at mountaineering boots in narrow sizes and ended up with a pair of $400 Lowas from REI. I do not like to shop REI because of their anti-hunting stance- but it was where I could try them locally and not have to pay return shipping charges if they did not fit. I also used this site and got input. By the web you can also see what the different makers offer. As for custom, I considered that also, but I read here and elsewhere of too many who had bad experience with that route as well. Do whatever it takes to get what is best FOR YOU. Bad boots can spoil a hunt.

RVL III, from what I have seen recently on dealer shelves, it seems that all the Danners are made in China. Are any still made in Portland? Jim

Merino wool socks from REI or equal and Rocky Boots!

Meindl (German made) boots from Cabelas. They are on the expensive side but they are well worth it. I used to get blisters on the back of my heels with every other boot but have no problems with my Meindls. My pair is going on 4 years now, and I have taken them to Kodiak all the way to South Africa. I cant recommend them more!

HAN-WAG or Kennetreks are my boots of choice. Especially like fit of HAN-WAG and they are a little pricey.

Mr. Dider,
Go to Danner's web page...look for the American flag to find the USA made boots.
Robert

Just got a new pair of USA made Acadias! Wore them and entire 8 hour shift in the jail (read concrete floors) with no problem. My first ones were killing me after 4 hours, then after 8 hours the second, then no problems after that.

After 5+ years it was time for a new pair. As soon as the new ones are broken in the old ones get sent back for "recrafting" as they say on their web page. I think I only need new soles on them.

Loosen up and spend some of that moldey money...have a pair of boots custom made. There are alot of companys making custom handmade boots here in America that do an outstanding job.

I've had good luck with Westco and Whites boots.

Usually one foot is not exactly the same size as the other.

You only have two feet, take care of them.

Good luck.

try thias site;
www.backcountry.com
loads of top end hiking & mountaineering boots. Very good stuff.

I seem to have better luck with quality hiking boots than those boots marketed as "hunting boots"

there are boots that look like they would be good in the mountains, and there are boots that "are" good in the mountains.

I just ordered a pair of Mammut Mt. crest backpacking boots----they are leather lined. So far I like them-----only had them a two days.

I have narrow feet so I get your frustration on lfinding shoes that fit

best of luck

unless its -0 or below that i wear rocky birdshooters,2.6 lbs a pair and as tough a boot
as i've ever used.
i've hunted sonora,colorado,wyoming,new mexico
all species, all terrian,all weather.
uninsulated,waterproof,and a sole that sticks to any ground cover.from the rocks and cliffs of sheep country to the plains of antelope country.i couldn't reccomend them more,than my personal use thru the last 5 yrs of fairly rugged use.

quote:

Originally posted by woodsie:
I am going black bear hunting with Jim Shockey in may,

Lucky Bastard. Oh, oh sorry about that..

I bought a pair of Rocky boots FIVE years ago. Still wonderful.

I asked the guy at the boot department of a large (now defunct) sporting goods store, "Which boots have you had the LEAST complaints about?"

He pointed to the pair I bought.

I have too many years in retail...

Take your feet and your boots that don't fit to a foot doctor. Explain to the doc what hurts and where and when it starts hurting. He can set you up with a set of custom inserts that are made for your feet specifically. It's not uncommon to have feet that are different size from each other, my right foot is a half size smaller than my left.

Anything else you do will just be pissing in the wind.

With a size 14 AA foot I, unfortunately, know a fair amount about custom boots and fitting problems---at last count I have 2 pr Whites, 3 pr Nicks, 2 pr Gary Loveless, and 5 pr of Russells (familiar w/Wesco but haven't tried them....yet). I was convinced I'd be buried in my Nicks packers until I tried Russell and now that's all I'll wear.

I've heard on this forum many complaints about them and must say that my dealings with them has not been without some significant issues, but I've also had problems with most of the other guys as well. The folks at Russell are definitely behind the times, as they don't even have a computer system; they're still just using paper so orders do get lost and/or delayed but in my experience if you stay on them (deal with Ralph aka "Lefty" only) and make them make it right they'll come through with a real nice product.

I'm not advocating their sometimes poor customer service and fit, I'm just saying that with custom boot makers I've had issues with every one I've tried. In fact, I've sent at least one pair back to each of the makers I've purchased from for a complete re-make. You wait too long and pay too much for custom boots to put up with anything less than a perfect fit, so plan at least six months to get it right (this won't work for you this time but maybe next time... .

Good luck and good hunting!!

Scott

How about Schnee's? I've heard nothing but good things about them.....it's all my buddy who sheep hunts all over the world wears. Definitely my next pair of boots.

+1 on the Marino Wool Socks. There's nothing like them...
After I found them a few years ago, I went on a binge buying different weights of these socks for fall and winter boot wear here while hunting.
I now wear the light weight Marino Wool Socks all summer long.
I'm well past the mountain climbing stage of life, or I'd have a pair of Meindl's or HAN-WAG's. So, I've pretty much settled on the Browning Kangaroo boots I have. They are very comfortable for our flatlands and have great ankle and foot support.
But, I've been seriously looking at The Danner Acadias as they are US made, and I got feedback on another Forum that they are excellent boots.

Don

Edit to add: Man can not have too many pairs of hunting boots...LMAO

I wear my Acadias with Smart Wool Steel Toe boot socks. Just a little bit warm in the summer though. I'm gonna try some Under Armour Heat Gear socks soon.

White's are the best thing I've ever tried.

They're not cheap, but I used to trash a pair of Cabelas boots every year. In the last 14 years I'm only part way through my second pair of Whites.

While I don't know if I'd call them "comfortable" as they don't have padding in a casual shoe sense, but I don't get blisters, sore spots, etc... no matter how long I walk or how much I pack in any terrain.

They're heavy and they're not waterproof but for my uses I'm sold.

There are a couple of very informative articles on boots and foot issues in the current issue of Huntin' Fool Magazine. They deal primarily with backpack hunting, and foot problems, so the articles are timely to this thread.

They recommend Kennetreck and Lathrop and Sons for quality products and service. If you have foot issues, or fitting issues, they recommend Lathrop, as Ralph Lathrop is a podiatrist who understands hunting, and both of his sons are certified podorthists. They build custom footbeds and other footwear products, and have gotten very good reviews on Huntin Fool.

I recently purchased a pair of Han Wags, fit by Lathrops. I will never buy another pair of Danners or Rockies. I am a government (USDA) trapper and guide and outfit in the fall. My boots get abused every day.

if you think his shoes are abused - you should see the rest of him

quote:

Originally posted by Cal Taylor:
I recently purchased a pair of Han Wags, fit by Lathrops. I will never buy another pair of Danners or Rockies. I am a government (USDA) trapper and guide and outfit in the fall. My boots get abused every day.

That's a good testament!!
Where did you buy the Han Wags?

Thanks in advance!

Don

HAN WAG´s for non-rebuildable. WHITES for rebuildables.
I´ve had a pair of WHITES since 1969 that have been rebuilt once. Thought they were SO expensive then, but have been so satisfied over the years. NEVER, ever had sore feet.

Another vote for Russell Mocs. I have two pair and it is all I use. I use them in snow, rain, whatever. If one pair is wet, I set them to dry out the next day while I wear my 2nd pair. I would have more of them, but the two I have have lasted amazingly for five years now.

Have some made if you need to. Have an ortho cast made and go from there. For a hunt that serious, I would.

Like Olguy, I have a narrow foot, and didn't get much satisfaction from Cabela's boots, atlhough I like every other piece of Cabela's gear I have.

I also wound up at REI, and have beeen very satisfied with the Vasque Switchbacks I purchased there. They receive mixed reviews - great fit and comfort, no break-in, but some folks don't like the durability, or lack thereof - but they've worked well for me. Bottom line is to look for what fits you, regardless of whether it is found in a hunting or a hiking store.