Re: Best Boots?

20 December 2004, 06:48

Mikey B

Re: Best Boots?

Quote:

Blue,

For the most part, I respectfully have to disagree with your statement. I spend considerable time outdoors during the winter months (hunting, fishing, research) straight north of you in Manitoba. The only time I even need a insulated boot is if we are either sitting on point for hours on end or am ice fishing - which generally involves transport by sled/quad/truck/aircraft. If I am doing any type of physical activity I find a well constructed leather hiking boot with poly & wool socks is more then sufficient for tempatures reaching -40. The biggest mistake most people make is purchasing a boot that is over insulated (ie Sorel/Rocky rate at -60) thus any activity causes the foot to sweat - and ultimately FREEZE once the activity is discontinued for more then a couple of minutes.

While the terrain in MB/MN may not warrant the technical ascent boots many of the BC hunters prefer - given the local terrain - but these guys often experience the same tempatures we do on the Great Plains.

I find that when I am exposed or stationary (from a tree stand or across open fields), my feet quickly get uncomfortable in a regular boot. But with our Manitoban weather, I was pushing bush in a long-sleeved T-shirt, hunting vest, and some sneakers this year...

Have you tried the Irish Setter brand available at S.I.R.? They are supposed to be amazing, but I can't justify the price tag when a good pair of Columbian or Baffin boots are about $100 less.

17 December 2004, 16:07

kutenay

That is correct and slipslidin' away in rubber boots will absolutely ruin your feet, ankles, skin and general disposition, not to mention wrecking your hunting trip. So, go with either Cabela's "Outfitter" boots, which come in various widths up to about 5E, or, if at all possible, buy custom boots lasted to your own feet.

There are custom boot makers in the USA, one in particular in Oregon or California and the following in B.C. who make superb footwear and will ship to wherever....workboots.com...this is Viberg of Victoria, B.C. and their boots are much like White's of Spokane, WA. They make the boots that most B.C. "bushapes" wear and have models for about every use, the prices are very reasonable.

Then, there is Charlie and he is....hikingbootshandcrafted....and Charlie is THE BOOTGOD! His prices start at about $725.00 CDN and the boots are genuinely worth it. I have pretty serious orthopaedic problems and have been called names, such as "Kermit the Gimp" all of my life due to my limping perambulations, but, at 58+, I still solo backpack into the B.C. mountains and this is due to wearing "GOOD" boots, it pays off.

I cannot recommend Charlie too highly, it seems that a number of people on the very few firearms forums I participate in have bought boots from him at my instigation and now frequently p.m. me with thanks and requests for further advice on mountain hunting gear. Maybe "Ol' Kutenay's Advice for the Hungover, Spavined, Hillwalker and Lovelorn" might be a regular column possibility in newpapers nationwide.....I ain't Abby or Anne, but, hey, for their kind of bucks, I'd damn well try!!!

For wider "pac" boots, one might try White's or Hoffmann's, somebody here should have their websites.

18 December 2004, 03:52

LAWCOP

I am presently wearing a pair of Danner Ft. lewis "Go devil" insulated boots. I am now wearing them for the sloppy weather time in Michigan to save my "goin to court" shoes.
they are over 20 years old.
I wore them primarily when I was a street cop in the winter time. Cold, wet pavement, which is tougher on a boot then walking hills IMO. You want footing problems, try walking through broken and demolished building slag and remains and see how they will tear a boot up. You wear them in the car for hours then find yourself outside in 0 temperatures for hours becaause of some incident.
They have been resoled 3 times.
I also wear them for motorcycling in the spring and fall when the riding is cold and wet.
The only "extra" I add to them is a Rocky gortex linner sock for extra wet protection when it is REALLY raining . Otherwise I load them up well with Snoseal about twice a year and they work fairly well.
They hae worn extremely well.

18 December 2004, 03:51

.44

I am going to "radium springs" (spelling?) or near there 6-1-04 for a Black bear hunt.
I have some boots but I don't think they are up to it. Where I live a white Christmas means it finally got cold enough to scrape a little frost off the windshield.....
For that time of year and terrain does anyone have some moderately priced suggestions?
Thanks...

18 December 2004, 09:08

kokdyer

I have had 6 pairs of Danner lace to toe military and hunting boots. I wear a pair of danner Acadia's everyday at work, and a pair of 200 gram insulated Danners almost all the rest of the time when I am not at work. I live in them.

I have owned Rockys but hated them.

I don't have very wide feet, but I have huge calf muscles so I can't use boots taller than 8 inches. Danners are not very wide, if you have wide feet even in EE.

18 December 2004, 08:51

LAWCOP

Quote:

Lawcop

Just put a little Snoseal on those "goin to court" $280 Allen Edmonds Park Avenues. Shouldn't be a problem.

Blue

NOPE, actually the "goin ta court" shoes are boots also. Plain toe black Red Wing Wellingtons, the tall ones. Tall as a cowboy boot but a regular sole and heel.

All I wear are boots because my ankles are so screwed up from sooooo many different and varied injuries dating all the way back to high school.
My wife stoped buying shoes for me when she finally realized they never get worn, no matter how "stylish" they are.

Gotta have good lookin shoes in court though, WHY, I don't know it's just one of the rules.

personally, I think we could meet out "justice" just as well wearing comfortable jeans, sport shirts and my OTHER Red Wing slip on boots, but hey, ya gotta look the part I guess.

19 December 2004, 00:20

shootaway

Fall hunting in the north east-cheap rubber knee-high no liner boots. Walking in the snow-sorel caribou.Hiking or hunting in the mountains(no snow)-light weight hiking boots,Asolo are very good.

19 December 2004, 07:03

stubblejumper

Quote:

Anyone heard of Schnees boots? How do these compare to all leather

Both myself and my father have worn schnees boots for many years in really cold weather.They are very warm and provide very good support and durability.

18 December 2004, 22:59

yankees

Anyone heard of Schnees boots? How do these compare to all leather?

17 December 2004, 19:50

tikka300

Quote:

Moutainboy

Viberg will make custom boots, but they WILL NOT make them with any higher insulation that 400 gram thinsulate. I don't know about B.C., But I do know we need more than that when it gets 20 below on the winter beaver line here in Minnesota!

Blue

Blue,
For the most part, I respectfully have to disagree with your statement. I spend considerable time outdoors during the winter months (hunting, fishing, research) straight north of you in Manitoba. The only time I even need a insulated boot is if we are either sitting on point for hours on end or am ice fishing - which generally involves transport by sled/quad/truck/aircraft. If I am doing any type of physical activity I find a well constructed leather hiking boot with poly & wool socks is more then sufficient for tempatures reaching -40. The biggest mistake most people make is purchasing a boot that is over insulated (ie Sorel/Rocky rate at -60) thus any activity causes the foot to sweat - and ultimately FREEZE once the activity is discontinued for more then a couple of minutes.

While the terrain in MB/MN may not warrant the technical ascent boots many of the BC hunters prefer - given the local terrain - but these guys often experience the same tempatures we do on the Great Plains.