Hunting Boot Recommendation

Any recommendations on a good quality hunting boot? I currently have a pair of Irish Setters (gore-tex 800gr. insulation) which have a lot of miles on them and which I've been very happy with but I'm always open to others. I've owned Rocky, which unless things have changed were great and are now crap, Gorilla and Wolverine. It doesn't look like Wolverine makes hunting boots anymore. I have Timberland hiking boots which are fantastic but it doesn't look like they making hunting versions either. TC

I usually keep an eye out in clearance section at SAIL when I need new boots. That's how I got my 2000gr. Irish Setters for $80 a couple years ago. Discontinued boots can still be good boots. Check frequent as available sizes are usually limited once they go on clearance.

Had a pair of Danners for many years, very comfortable and durable. I currently have Irish Setters, just as comfortable but may not last as long as the Danners.

I would recommend a pair of Danner pronghorns. I have a pair now that I have used for 10 years and they look beat up, but still comfortable and waterproof. I have tried others but they just weren’t as comfortable and leaked water after a few seasons. Just bought another pair of Danners for when these ones quit.

I have three pairs of Danners, one pair of Cabelas rubber boots, one pair of Kamik no insulation but one size too big for thick socks, one pair of Kammik with an insert which I replaced with the military wool insert, one pair of lacross Alpha Burly.

I wear them all at various times throughout the season but if I had to pick only one pair I would go with a pair of rubber boots one size big to add thick socks as required.

I get about one year out of my rubber boots if I wear them all the time (scouting and hunting), the develop cracks at flex points. My oldest Danners are 15 years old and still in very good shape.

One feature of my boots is the height, the higher the better for walking through swamps.

Have a pair of LaCrosse Alpha Burly 800 gr-developed cracks after 8 years of seasonal use on the stand.
Have a pair of LaCrosse Grange non insulated boots for early season hunting,took it to some tripos too,doing all scouting,tree preparation and then some.Can wear heavier wool sock if needed in this boot.Bought this on in 2005....
Easy to walk in them ,easy on the feet,knee high booth both of them.
So-i am all LaCrosse.
Period.

All boots mentioned must be good as they have served their owners well.
BUT if you want the absolute best. Schnees .
Be forewarned,they are not cheap,but the best never is.

I likely have 4 pair of Nokan boots in my basement and a pair at camp. They used to be the best. Now they are garbage. The last 3 pairs have just fallen apart in no time. This fall I didn't even get 2 weeks out of new pair before the seams let go. Too bad I loved their design. No more Nokan boots ever. I bought a pair of Irish setters and they are good so far.

I have a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters with 1000 grams of thinsulite. I bought them from Lebarons when they were going out of business.
Best boots I’ve ever owned

Roe+

I just use the stuff i get from work. With the right sock combo, my feet stays warm.

Sent from my LG-H933 using Tapatalk

Have to go +1 on Irish Setters.

I have a bit of a boot problem. I own far too many. From LL Bean boots, to Danners, to rubber boots, and military surplus jungle boots. I own a ton.

There usually isn't one "do all" boot, but some come close.

Upland hunting, with lots of kms, and rough terrain? Usually my Danner Tanicus', alternating with a Jungle boots and a couple of changes of socks.

Upland / mixed hunt, bottomland, and wet areas? Bean boots, or rubber boots.

However, my Irish Setter wingshooters with 400gr of Thinsulate and a decent treatment of mink oil tend to get the heaviest rotation.

I work in the bush so basically wear the same work boots to hunt. I do have a pair of Irish setter elk hunters that I find too hot to walk in and a pair of Danner that are really comfortable. Ya I have way too many boots.

I've been using Dakota's and JB Goodhew,but,they're weight is starting to bother my legs if I'm out all day. After I get home and sitting around in the evening,the old legs are so sore I can hardly walk. I'm looking for light weight and waterproof with a good tread. So far,no luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by trimmer21

I've been using Dakota's and JB Goodhew,but,they're weight is starting to bother my legs if I'm out all day. After I get home and sitting around in the evening,the old legs are so sore I can hardly walk. I'm looking for light weight and waterproof with a good tread. So far,no luck.

---

The trouble with lightweight, means the materials aren't up to being waterproof. It's always a trade off.

As I mentioned, I wear a lightweight duty boot, or jungle boot, and just change socks and boots....amazing what a fresh pair of boots, and socks will do mid-day...

I have two pairs of Irish setters wingshooters. Insulated and uninsulated. Had both pairs for at least 5 years. Wear them all the time for hunting or hiking. Comfy boots but can be slippery on wet rocks. Both still look new as I apply mink oil quite often.


Have a pair of Cabelas high cut waterproof boots with the ratchet type laces on them. Very warm and I've put a lot of miles on them the last few winters, had to reglue (shoegoo) the rubber soles back on this winter as they were ripping off. Still waterproof now but kinda disappointed as they were $300 boots.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

My purchase will have to wait until summer but after checking out various boots that my local retailers sell (and my budget) I'll be going with Irish Setters, Just no sure exactly which model. TC

I wear Muck Rangers for the turkey season, and a pair of insulated Mucks for waterfowl in the Fall. Great boots; they've worn well over the last 6-7 years and seem like they'll keep going that long again or longer. I much prefer this style of boot over lace ups as I always seem to end up needing to cross a creek or bog.

-Nick

Gator Waders Everglade 2.0 Insulated. On the coldest day this past winter my feet were toasty warm in a pair of thin sport socks

re: Irish Setter lace-up leather boots like elk Hunters. My advice is to advoid the 1200gram insulated versions if you plan on being mobile and walking a lot in temps above freezing. 1200 was way too hot for me. Feet would be burning up and sweated, no matter what socks I used. The extra thickness in the heel region padding is also prone to heal wear. Within months I had a piece of the padding wear out in the heel, basically making the boot unusable. I haven't had this problem with a thinner pile boot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fenelon

re: Irish Setter lace-up leather boots like elk Hunters. My advice is to advoid the 1200gram insulated versions if you plan on being mobile and walking a lot in temps above freezing. 1200 was way too hot for me. Feet would be burning up and sweated, no matter what socks I used. The extra thickness in the heel region padding is also prone to heal wear. Within months I had a piece of the padding wear out in the heel, basically making the boot unusable. I haven't had this problem with a thinner pile boot.

---

I've always been a fan of 400-800 gram, and then just wearing a winter weight, or lighter wool sock depending on conditions.

I have a pair of Danner Men’s Tachyon and Dakota's. Both are my favorites. I've got a full hunting season and my shed season started in them and they have been as good as anything I've used in the past.
A list of best tactical boots here- https://wildlifeactionplans.org/tactical-boots/

Mucks if it’s wet and Meindel if it’s not. If I had the funds I would own a pair of Le Chameaus.

400 gr Irish setters all the way. Had the same pair for 15 yrs. Gore Tex isn't what it was but really comfy. Use boot blankets in extreme cold.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk