What works best for fall hunting: angle-fit hip boots or Gore-Tec waders? Like to hear any thoughts or recommendations. I have done a caribou hunt and bear hunt (boat) in angle-fit hip boots, but have never hunted in Gore-Tec waders. This will be for a September moose hunt.

Thanks

If you have a wet season the gore-tex pants or full waders are great as they take the place of rain pants and even allow you to sit in puddles.
they are also warmer, which is usually another good thing. But in seasons like this last spring hunt on the peninsula, where it was hot and never rained, hip boots are preferable.

And September is the wettest month on the peninsula.

I've used both myself and have come to prefer breathables. Two Novembers ago I hunted deer on Montague Island. I bought a pair of cheapo $125.00 breathable waders for the trip. We hiked 3-4 miles a day and went through a lot of brush. About day 8 I had literally worn an elongated hole in the left leg down by my knee where the wader flexes while walking. Other than that, they kept me warm and all the benefits 458WIN mentioned were there. Maybe a higher quality wader would have stood up to all the walking.

So, if I plan on doing a lot of walking, I'll put a pair of breathables and lightweight wading shoes in my pack and just pull em out for deep water crossings. I've worn Lacrosse ankle fit hip boots for years and my only complaint with em is that your feet will get really sweaty and drying em out is difficult in a cold camp. They're pretty tough, although I have gone through several pairs normally from bustin brush where I'll get a penetration in the legs.

So, for hunts I would rather carry breathables in my pack than ankle fits. If you are sitting for a while in the rain and don't have rain pants with you, the breathables work great. The ankle fits on the other hand, allow your thighs to get wet if you wear em that way, unless you have a long rain parka to cover your exposed thighs. A buddy of mine likes to wear breathables and tennis shoes as they are really lightweight and comfortable.

So, what I now wear is a goretex jacket and pants with Lowa boots and breathables in my pack due to their comfort and light weight. I'll only put the breathables on if I need to or if my goretex pants are soaked and I've got em hangin somewhere to dry.

MHC_TX

I would check with my outfitter before buying either hip boots or waders. If your hunt is in a alpine area or forested area it might not be very wet so there will be no need for anything other than hiking boots. Hip boots and waders are both heavy and noisy. I hunted moose for 22 years when I lived in AK and never wore hip boots once I had left the boat or airplane.

Mark

I have been guiding and hunting moose,brown bear,grizzly bear and caribou for 35 years,,95% of the time in ankle fit hip boots!

I've used both on 3 trips in the Alaska range and 4 trips on the peninsula. Waist high breathables are cooler in warm weather and lighter weight. The key is using a boot with good lugs and a good fit. Stream boots for fishing aren't too good for climbing. Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by waterrat:
I have been guiding and hunting moose,brown bear,grizzly bear and caribou for 35 years,,95% of the time in ankle fit hip boots!

I agree ankle fit for me. Esp. moose hunting most breathable are noisy they swish swish as you walk. Ankle fit waders are quiet and comfortable. Now if they would hold up like the older
Lacross ankle fits.

quote:

Originally posted by kk alaska:

quote:

Originally posted by waterrat:
I have been guiding and hunting moose,brown bear,grizzly bear and caribou for 35 years,,95% of the time in ankle fit hip boots!

I agree ankle fit for me. Esp. moose hunting most breathable are noisy they swish swish as you walk. Ankle fit waders are quiet and comfortable. Now if they would hold up like the older
Lacross ankle fits.

I squirreled away a few sets of LaCross Hip boots a few years ago as I came upon a good deal on them and this spring broke out my last set of USA made boots. Even when I was wearing them every day they would last a few years and I have sets in camp that repeat clients leave that are over 20 years old and still in good shape.
You are lucky if the new made in China boots last one season as they check and crack ! I have seen new in the box boots sitting in stores that were beginning to show "weather check" cracks.
I wish at least that LaCross would offer two versions. The cheap Chinese made models and an American made version for even double the price.

Today I received a pair of the Cabelas Wader Jeans. My neighbor wore them while duck hunting with me this spring and intends to use them for everyday wear during the fishing season now upon us.

I'm not sure I'm that committed, but then again I haven't tried 'em on yet. As of this afternoon, I thought I'd wear them on rainy days fishing, every day while jet skiff fishing and if they're good, during this falls moose hunt.

The reviews seem good and some mentioned use while moose hunting.

I'll certainly post my impressions here after a little use.

Scott,

I've been telling people you were kinky all along and here is the proof. Rubber pants.......

I haven't been through the bush in Alaska, but I fished in sub zero temps for steelhead, trudging through ice and snow and many days beating the brush on many trout rivers, and for me a pair of Simms are irreplaceable. This would be my choice,

http://www.simmsfishing.com/sh...uide-pant-wader.html

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
What works best for fall hunting: angle-fit hip boots or Gore-Tec waders? Like to hear any thoughts or recommendations. I have done a caribou hunt and bear hunt (boat) in angle-fit hip boots, but have never hunted in Gore-Tec waders. This will be for a September moose hunt.

Thanks

I went on mid season September hunt one of those very early cold snaps happened, no heater in tent could not even get my frozen leather boots on. Stayed in my ankle fit boots the whole time I was hunting warm and comfortable and quiet.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Scott,

I've been telling people you were kinky all along and here is the proof. Rubber pants.......

Kinky,.....REALLY,......

For your information my virginity is intact and I happen to be saving myself for that special someone. I believe in the Sanctity of ones body and excepting the occasional LSD trip I am as pure as the driven snow.

So, another feller here in town says he's on his third season in the Cabelas wader jeans and likes 'em real well. I was going to wear my breathable, (no rubber,) wader jeans out net fishing tonight but the 25 mph winds canceled that.

Another option is a compromise and you could go with something like the Chota "hippies", which are goretex hip boots with neoprene booties. I think Cabellas carries them.

Which boot do you recommend for hunting with the Gore-Tec wader option.

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
Which boot do you recommend for hunting with the Gore-Tec wader option.

You should ask your guide

But you can wear almost any shoe or boot you wish but they will need to a one or usually two sizes larger due to the thickness of the neoprene foot layer.
When I want ankle support I wear a pair of military surplus boots but most of the time I am happiest in a pair of running shoes.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:


You should ask your guide

I would if I knew "who" that would be. I know the outfitter.

quote:

...most of the time I am happiest in a pair of running shoes.

If you learn to shoot and you wouldn't need running shoes.

That's gonna cost me.

Unless I am trying to keep up with my daughter I usually only have to run in order to catch up with wounded game so I can get close enough to use my 458

I put the smart-assed clients with her anyway.

I have two daughters...I'm used to being led around by my nose ring. It'll be just like being at home.

Phil's daughter

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
Another option is a compromise and you could go with something like the Chota "hippies", which are goretex hip boots with neoprene booties. I think Cabellas carries them.

This is what I use; I can't walk 100 yards in hip boots without getting blisters.

Friends,

I've used the Cabela's wader jeans for a few trips now am satisfied. The waders seem water proof, cool/ yet warm enough, and when I though I needed to wade across a small stream river,....tall enough. I intend to use them during this falls moose hunt.

Chota also makes a wader boot with air bob soles that are pretty decent if some wasn't have to hike a mountain. I'd pair them with some Simms waist high waders.

I wear the ankle fit LaCrosse when boating around/bank fishing and I have a long Helly Hansen raincoat.

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
Which boot do you recommend for hunting with the Gore-Tec wader option.

In times past I used old army surplus jungle boots with my wadders because of the weight and tread, I now use the simms wading boot but took them down to the local shoe repair shop and he replaced the bottoms with vibrim soles which are a big improvement in traction overall which helps with hill climbing, wet grass and mud in general.

I hunted moose last year with a borrowed pair of Cabelas Tndra boots.
They sell for $169
Nice thing they are like a regular boot with a fold up wader attached.
Very light weight alternative to hip boots.
Also the boot part is built like a hunting boot for comfort and traction.
Not a sheep hunting boot but Moose it was great.
Shot my moose in the down side of a beaver dam.
Rolled up e waders and never got wet.
Try it
Larry