Hunting Boots

12 September 2007, 23:12

WyFLyGuy

Hunting Boots

I posted this in a different area of the site, but figured I'd put it here as well to get more opinions.

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?

13 September 2007, 00:55

JTEX

WyFlyGuy,

In my experience socks make a big difference in how boots work for me, and in my experience not many people pay as much attention as they should to the socks they use. I like to use Smartwool socks with a liner sock under them made of silk or very thin polyester. This would most likely eliminate the tendency of you boots to cause blisters if they fit you well. Much cheaper than new boots.

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13 September 2007, 18:16

Slowpoke Slim

Just to add my 2 cents,

About socks, NEVER wear cotton or cotton blend socks! They are blister generators! A pair of real silk socks under your "bulk" sock, usually a wool or wool blend sock is best.

Also, your boots need to fit well from the very first day you put them on. None of this "breaking in" bullshit. If they don't fit in the store, don't buy them.

Blisters on the heel are from boots that don't fit. You must be able to walk without the heel moving in the heel pocket of the boot. Whether you are on level ground, or going up or down an incline or decline.

Most good hiking boot stores have a ramp you can walk up and down when you're trying on new boots. Spend more than a few minutes walking around in your boots before you buy them.

I have a pair of Red Wings, and a pair of Solomans that fit really well. You don't have to spend $300 to get a good pair of boots. BUT, even a $300 pair will cause blisters if they don't fit properly.

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13 September 2007, 19:06

WyFLyGuy

Thanks for all of the replies!

I do wear a good pair of socks over a thin liner sock and, as has been said, the results are great. I think the last pair of boots I got were a little snug - hence the blisters. That's why I'm looking to get new ones and I'd like to avoid that again.

Thanks again for the advice! Keep it comin'.

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14 September 2007, 07:49

Teat Hound

quote:
Originally posted by JTEX:
WyFlyGuy,

In my experience socks make a big difference in how boots work for me, and in my experience not many people pay as much attention as they should to the socks they use. I like to use Smartwool socks with a liner sock under them made of silk or very thin polyester. This would most likely eliminate the tendency of you boots to cause blisters if they fit you well. Much cheaper than new boots.

Agreed!!! Back in the ARMY, we would wear two pairs of socks in the cold and wet times, and when walking a lot. A pair of non-cotton dress socks underneath wools socks was the trick. I've walked miles and miles this way.

BTW, Danner boots were the preferred boots in Germany, where cold and wetness were concerned. They tended to be a little nicer on the feet in the long run.

Boots are one area I don't skimp on (a lesson I just learned regarding Optics).

-eric

" . . . a gun is better worn and with bloom off---So is a saddle---People too by God." -EH

14 September 2007, 10:05

jetdrvr

I have a pair of Cabela's Silent Stalkers. They have two African trips on them, with a lot of hard walking and Buffalo stalking, and some Texas, Alabama and South Carolina deer hunts as well. They wear well with a good pair of marino wool socks. They cost around seventy bucks. I have boots costing many times as much, but I have found these to be the most comfortable to wear and walk in for hours at a time.

14 September 2007, 21:19

yukon delta

The combination I have used in Alaska for the last 5 years (same pair of boots) is Meindls with Smartwool socks. I have no idea how many miles are on these boots but they just started to have the rubber sole pull away from one boot. I am going to have them resoled this winter and keep going.

Alaskans are quite particular about their boots and you will see Meindls quite often. Not the only good boot out there but a very good one.

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18 September 2007, 13:18

ldkier

Have a pair of Danners with the old laminated GORE-TEX Insulation,1980 era. They have served me well.
Agreed on the sox!!!! ALWAYS wool combined with syntetic or silk liners. Cotton kills, sucks, or whatever. If I were to buy boots on my budget, I'd look to Danner. Now, if I, had bucks to spare, I'd be looking pretty heartly at the Russell cataloges for a pair of "Sheep Hunters".

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18 September 2007, 15:28

Rodney H.{500Jeffery}

Take this from a guy who has experienced first-hand. While training for the 100mile march in Nijmegen 1989 I had developed alot of the same problems, first I started with military issue wool socks at great failure along with half-dollar size open blister on heel. Soon I changed to athletic type nylon socks which could be pulled up tight and eliminated blister problims---could not bring myself to wear womans nylons as other soldiers advised. From experience in training and other situations I've learned that a combination of tight fitting athletic nylon socks, and then a second layer of wool socks is way to go for long distance hiking/marching. R.

18 September 2007, 20:56

L. David Keith

WyFlyGuy, you might not believe me but I use Bates tactical boots. My SWAT friends told me about them so I bought an uninsulated pair and wore them to Africa. Now, many of my friends/clients wear them. They are half to a third of the price of all the "brand name" boots I own. They come in black only but you can get insulated and water proof styles. They lace up and zip up the side for easy on, easy off. As with any new boot, break them in before you take off hunting. You'll find Bates at Bass Pro Shops etc. Also, never leave on a hunting trip without taking a tube of Preparation H. This medication is the best thing you can dress a blister with. It stops the burning and will heal a blister faster than anything I know of. Does wonders for other things too

Good hunting, David

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18 September 2007, 23:16

GrosVentreGeorge

I have to say that my Danner frontiers are the most comfortable pair of boots I own. Just recently a friend of mine purchased his own pair based on my recommendation and he feels the same way. They are made out of country and if that's a problem for ya then I would recommend the Danner Grouse or Raptors. Another friend has both of these one insulated and one not and loves them both.

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18 September 2007, 23:17

larrys

The pair I have that fits me the best, and has the most wear are Northlakes. They are just like the Danners. I don't know what will happen to the quality since Rocky took over so many of the brands (Northlake, Georgia, Durango, Lehigh) and Rocky does not work for me at all.

Danners are always a good bet. +1 to all the comments about socks.

Larry

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18 September 2007, 23:22

GrosVentreGeorge

quote:
Originally posted by wapiti7:
I am looking at the danner "Full Curl" boots. Anybody tried em?
Iv'e had the danner elk hunters for 7 years, best boots I've ever ahd, but I need a lighter pair for early fall.....thanks....wapiti7

I had another friend who wore the full curls as a work boot. Lot's of hiking involved in his job. They didn't last a year. I think as a light hunting boot they should be fine, but wearing them day in and day out was to much. Plus there was a lot of digging involved and it was often easier to kick the dirt and rocks back into the hole.

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25 September 2007, 10:01

cobrad

I gave up on "hunting" boots a couple decades ago. I use gore-tex backpacking boots by mountaineering companies like Asolo, Vasque, La Sportiva, etc. They're light, offer superior torsional rigidity, and are meant for serious walking. I use even burlier mountaineering boots for the steep country here in central Colorado.

25 September 2007, 22:19

Reloader

Seems like Danners are the crowd favorite.

I, OTOH, like Rockies for cold or cool wet weather.

For warm dry weather you can't beat Dr Martins industrial line IMO. Their non-insulated industrial boots come in steel toe or w/o steel toe. I buy the non-ST and they are great for hiking in weather above 30-40 degrees in dry climates.

Good Luck

Reloader

25 September 2007, 23:28

Kensco

I had a great looking pair of Danner's that generated quarter-sized blisters on an elk hunt, and again on a cape buffalo hunt, after a very short walk. In addition to socks being important, be sure you buy the right size boot. I think I bought too small a boot last time.

Yesterday I went to Cabela's in Ft. Worth and bought another pair of Danner's; 6" TFX. They were about $150. They look good and feel very good. I bought ultimate wool socks. They will be my cape buffalo boot next year.

I like Rocky boots. My biggest waste of money was a pair of Brownings years ago. They looked great....then fell apart after a hard season of blue quail hunting. The leather was ripped to shreads on the toes.

04 October 2007, 19:46

Mike Haney

got a question for yall regarding socks. what do you do in warm weather? still nylon w/ wool? thats what i use in colder weather but always thought it would be too hot in warm weather. ive been using the under armour socks and they are pretty good, but still cotton.

most of my hunting is in FL and SC so its warmer weather.

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07 October 2007, 17:39

fireball10x

quote:
Originally posted by PWN375:
Cabela's Outfitter series of boots are very good moderately priced boots. Very similar to Danners in build and quality. Remember to lace them tight in the morning before beginning any climbing or decending.

Perry

I agree I have a pair of outfitters for 7 years now and they have the wide widths, I need a EE and from the minute I got them they fit like a glove.And I really used these boots hunting,welding,fishing for brook trout standing in the stream!I'm thinking of getting new soles for them,and I'm going to get another pair.Treating the leather every month is about the only thing I do to keep them in good shape.I've tried alot of brands and most of them lasted about a year,I thought Rocky cordura boots would outlast leather and they were shot in a year.

10 October 2007, 19:30

KSTEPHENS

for about 4 years i bought at least 2 pair of boots a season.

i had a neighbor down the road whos dog was in love w/ my white boxer, baby.
he would come up to the house and steal a boot and then take it home and hide it.
so i got into the habit of just leaving the lone boot on thier mailbox with a bill and they would write me a check and drop it off.

after testing and evaluating many various sets i can say that i dont see a piss ants worth of difference between any boot designed the same way.
I dont like rocky cause they tend to tear up on the bottoms from coarse 4 wheeler foot rests and climbers w/ rough platforms.
i now stick with the cabellas 800gr. auqashield.
they are light, waterproof and keep my feet warm as i need them to be.
i keep rubber boots around for certain wet weather stand hunting, but being short even the 16" rubber boots rub the back of my knees.

one addition i would almos say is mandatory is Woolies inersoles. they keep the bugs out and the warmth in.
the first thing i usually do is replace the laces with paracord and pull out the crappy inersoles.