Boot Recommendations

Up Dog

New member
I'm in the market for some new winter hunting boots. Cost is a concern, but so is quality and warmth. I know you can't have it all. So, what are your recommendations?

Thanks

UD
 
Well, I won't be of much help cause I'm in CA; and I don't really need warm boots. But, I will recommend my Wolverine Scouts any chance I get. I got them at BPS last year, tried on a bunch of different boots, various prices, brands; etc. The Scouts weren't originally my first picks, but after trying them on and walking a bit with them; I was sold. They are so comfortable and light. They are plenty warm for where I hunt and at the end of the day; my feet feel great. Also, with the price of some of todays boots; $100 isn't much. I LOVE the pair I have A LOT.


Arden
 
OK I have bought at least a dozne different boots, and currently I still have an wear 3.

I have Danner prognhorns, not insulated that I wear all the time, for up land, and even fishing, and I love them. They were the last of the 3 boots that I bought, and had they been the first I would have simply bought 2 more pairs with different insulation values. And the ankle support is great, I hurt my ankle from a bike crash a while back, but these are good enough I can comfortably scramble up and down rocks all day in comfort.

The other boot I have is a discontinued browning. Sorry I can't rememeber the model, but they are 400grns of thinsulate. And the more important thing is, they are extra wide, though I have a normal sized foot. They sent me an extra wide by mistake, but after putting on thick sokcs they fit like a glove. Even with such little insulation, I'm still good to call in them down to about -25 C, with a good pair of socks. And even in dress socks, I still sit in a goose blind all day with these and have no problem.

The last pair I kept is, the Saskatchewan modle pac boots made my cabelas. Like all pac boots they are heavy, and hard to walk in. But OMG they are warm. At -40 they are still almost to warm. I always wear dress socks when I put these on, and when II say dress socks I mean the nylon thin ones at that. I am sure there has never ever been a day cold enough where I couldn't stay perfectly still all day with these on and get cold feet, they are simply that warm. I know I have spent the last few sentances saying how warm they are, but I really mean it, they are made for people calling in artic fox, and polar bears above the artic circle.

On and PS, driving a standerd import with the small little petels, with pac boats on, is a skill all buy its self, and should not be attempted for the first time on public roads.
 
Oh ya since your in PA. Go buy ypur self some Danner pronghorns in 4-600 gram thinsulate, and some quality socks, and you will be fine.

And try it on with heavy socks before you walk out of the store with them. I have hunted in exteem cold for most of my life, and one thing I'm sure of is that quality socks, in a proper fitting boot is really what keep your feet warm.
 
I've got some Danner Pronghorns I wear when it's warm out and I might have to do some rock climbing where I'd need ankle support. Most of the time I like Lacrosse rubber boots, I have a few different pairs for deer, turkeys, upland, ice fishing etc.
 
Another vote for Danner Pronghorn's. The cheapest place I have found them is Dale Hollow Outdoors for $130.99 for the 800 or 1000 gram insulated 8" boot. I wear mine daily all winter and the pair I have not are going on their 4th winter.

If you want a rubber boot, look at the Muck Boots.
 
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I've gone thru quite a few boots over the years and the best all weather hunting boot I've found is Cabelas' "Meindl Hunter". It's a insulated, waterproof, leather boot w/vibram soles. It was recommended to me by several members of our state's F&G officers. It's been a great boot! It's going to cost you a little more $ but you'll never look back once you've used them. Good luck
 
If you have some cost concerns then explore The Sportsman Guide, they have lots of name brand boots at great prices.

With the above said, I promise you there are some things to skimp on some things to not skimp on. I have spent a good portion of my adult life humping many miles of different types of terrain. I wear Chippewas Ultimate Loggers, once broke in they are great.

Do Not Skimp on good Boots, period.
 
Has anyone tried the Irish Setter Rutmasters with the exoflex design? $139 with 800 grams Thinsulate doesn't seem to bad.
 
Schnee's Pacs. These are pacs you can actually walk in and they're rebuildable. Just my $.02 worth or less.
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You need to let us know what kind of hunting style you're going to be doing. Are you going to be sitting on stands for a long time, or doing more hiking? If you're sitting for long periods, you'll want an overly insulated, pac type boot. If you're going to be hiking and walking more, one of the higher topped insulated type boot would be better. The Meindle's are very nice and you might want to check out the Lowa's. I have this pair and they work great for fall moose hunting or where I'll be walking.

http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=2108860492&Category=2&Type=M
 
I have some danners with 1200 grams of insulation and gortex. I love them. They are the warmest boots I have ever had that you can walk in. They fit like a Hiker and you can actually hike in them without your socks ending up at your toes. They are very comfortable and warm. I Have had chilly toes in them when sitting on a stand near or below 0 degrees but that is colder than I think they were intended for. I use these as my winter boots And I use them when I need to hike and have warm feet.
 
i dont know if you can get them over there as easy as here but i prefer to use ex-military boots myself with a good thick pair of wolly socks on!! the way i look at it is if they are good enough for the military to use then they are good enough for hunting in!! good, solid boots at the right price!!
 
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Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll start looking into them. Currently, I have a pair of 18" Lacrosse rubber boots, uninsulated. I really like them but they don't do anything for the cold and they don't offer much support. I'm sure, with the suggestions made, that I'll be able to find something suitable. Thankg again.


Originally Posted By: snowcamomanYou need to let us know what kind of hunting style you're going to be doing. Are you going to be sitting on stands for a long time, or doing more hiking? If you're sitting for long periods, you'll want an overly insulated, pac type boot. If you're going to be hiking and walking more, one of the higher topped insulated type boot would be better. The Meindle's are very nice and you might want to check out the Lowa's. I have this pair and they work great for fall moose hunting or where I'll be walking.

http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=2108860492&Category=2&Type=M



Those lowas looked good until I saw the MSRP. $400 isn't in the cards at this time. LOL.

I do a lot of mountain hunting. So its up and down steep slopes, over rocks and logs, through streams and puddles, and sitting it the bitter cold. Ideally, I'd like a boot that is light, offers good support, warmth, durability, and a rugged sole. I'm going to head out to my local sporting goods and shoe stores and start trying on a bunch of boots...and also pick up a few pairs of thick wool socks.
 
Don't forget some nice liner socks to go under those thick wool socks. The liner will prevent blisters and will transport sweat from the feet to the outer socks; where if you have chosen good wool outer socks and good boots the moisture can move out and away from the feet. Dry feet are warm feet!

Boots aren't anything to scrimp on, buy the very best you can. They'll last longer and make life much easier and your valuable time outdoors safer and more productive. Some good boots to look at for your uses would be Kennetrek, Miendl, Lowa, Hanwag, Schnee's, Whites, and American made Danner.
 
I just got these 3 days ago..
Cabelas
I was out in drift snow up to my knees and sitting on and off for about 5 hours in 15mph idaho winter wind..warm!
My local Red Wing shoe will tailor the boots if there are any defects..etc..they will also re-sole the boot so i was sold on that part aswell.
I wore them with a pair of smartwool socks,wool is key!
 
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The Irish Setter by Redwing that have Gore-tex and 800 Gr's of Thinsulate are great boots with no break-in needed. Gander had a great sale on them (on line).
 
I have been wearing the danner pronghorns for a long time great boot. I also have the cabela's outfitter in 1000grm keep the oil to them they are great.
 


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