I'm getting ready to buy some Lacrosse Big Chief boots for an Alaska hunt for my wife and I next fall on Kodiak. Time will be in November. I would also use them for future moose trips.

Question:
Should I get Insulated or Uninsulated?

Choices:
Uninsulated - you can always layer underneath
Insulated - it's not that warm

 

I am done with the LaCrosse and the other Chinese boots. I recently purchased a pair of Servus rubber boots, made in the USA and they feel great and appear well made. I am going to purchase a pair of the hip waders as well. I have hunted on Kodiak in LaCrosse uninsulated ankle fits in both the winter for deer and spring for bear, they work.

I hate Lacrosse hip boots they are too hard to get on and off, I used them for several trips. My last trip and this year I will be using Cabelas bog busters. My last trip I wore them everyday and had no problems, easy on and off also.

Below is was copied from Phil Shoemaker's website.

Boots: 1pair camp shoes and either 1 pair of un-insulated, ankle-fit hip boots ( For Bear season I recommend insulated ankle-fit hip boots) from LaCross, Cabellas or Ranger. - or -- another popular item is gore-tex pant waders like fly fishermen wear. Get the ones with a stocking foot and you can wear any hiking boot or running shoe over them. These can be worn everyday and negate the need for rain pants as well.

quote:

Originally posted by aktoklat:
Below is was copied from Phil Shoemaker's website.

Boots: 1pair camp shoes and either 1 pair of un-insulated, ankle-fit hip boots ( For Bear season I recommend insulated ankle-fit hip boots) from LaCross, Cabellas or Ranger. - or -- another popular item is gore-tex pant waders like fly fishermen wear. Get the ones with a stocking foot and you can wear any hiking boot or running shoe over them. These can be worn everyday and negate the need for rain pants as well.

And they are very comfortable. I've worn them all but sleeping on 10 day float trips. If it's nippy a thin layer Merino wool under them and you're set.

I bought a pair of the big chiefs and had to send them back due to crappy workmanship. Made in China!! Bought Cabellas Tundra hip wader which worked okay till the temperature dropped and they were frozen stiff in the morning. Also the speed laces sucked and kept coming undone due to the brush pulling at the strings.