Boots

Irish setter were the worst boots i had, to much stitching down the sides of the boots. Lowa has been my best boots. Still going strong on Lowa tibets. No stitching down the side of the boots, just at the heal. They also have the rubber rand around the boot which protects against scuffs and helps against moisture. They are a stiff boot, which I prefer.
 
I'll put another plug for Danner's, on my third or fourth season and they have been awesome. 400gr insulation has been good in the cold weather and my feet have never been wet in them.

Yes, make sure you have the room for big wool socks. To tight will just make your feet colder.
 
Lowa. Expensive up front but worth every penny. My first pair, Lowa Combats, are on year 5. I wore them for work daily from Apr-Nov plus recreation. The bottoms of the soles are nearly worn to nothing, but the rest of the boot is still holding up well. After moving to the prairies I wanted something warmer during the winter so ended up with a pair of R-8 thermo’s, now on year 2. They haven’t seen nearly as much use but no problems to date.

For a less expensive option I had several pairs of Keen hikers I absolutely loved. Felt like wearing slippers. They were no longer waterproof after one season and were totally destroyed within two years. Didn’t wear them at work either.
 
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I'm partial to Irish Setter brand of boots. I've got a pair of their old Upland boots that I've had maybe ten years? I do take care of them so they seem to last. I've also had a pair of their Elk Tracker boots for cold weather but someone lost them(me) when we moved into our new house. A few others including myself run UA speedfreaks(older model) for upland bird hunting and they have last very well.

A note on the latest Irish setters though. They don't seem to be the same. My wife bought a pair last year for hunting and some seems have started letting go. Maybe it is a one off I'm not sure but reading other reports, they echo our findings.

I would like to try a pair of Lacrosse lace ups and slip on boots next year.
 
Have used Danner 200 gram insulated for 30 years of upland gunning here in the east and for a few years of Sask and Montana adventures with a Brittany and four Setters. The first pair lasted about 10 years. I then purchased two pairs at the same time and alternated ... one pair AM ,one pair PM.......Am still using them.
 
After wearing out my Irish Setter's(they were the cheaper, lower end models, but decent for the cost) I have taken to just using one of my pairs of mountaineering boots. They can be a bit stiff if you aren't used to them, but rugged as hell. I only have experience with Scarpa's and Sportiva's, I find the Scarpa's fit my feet better but would highly recommend either company, but I think a lot of that depends on what kind of terrain you hunt regularly.
 
Danners have been the best boots ive owned. I did have a pair of the old redhead 8" treestand 1000g thinsulate with the leather upper thickly sowed to the sole. They lasted me 8 seasons and i still wear them although theyve seen better days and the leather has cracked and torn. Walking thru a clover field in a damp morning my feet get wet but quickly crossing streams i stay dry. The newer version is glued together.
The danner pronghorns ive bought to replace them are great. Little warm for spring time hunts but comfortable and wear well. Great traction on wet rocks. After i tore my achilles tendon i looked for a warm waterproof boot with plenty of ankle support and of what i found in the southern half of ontario i chose the danners
 
Schnee's are another brand worth taking a look at.

Edit to add: I have 3 pairs of boots that regularly get used depending on the conditions. I'm headed on a moose hunt tomorrow and I will be bringing all three pair.

First is a pair of Hiking boots, great for early season day trips, and they're great to drive in compared to my other options.

Second is my Cabelas brand non-insulated hunting boots. I don't know exactly what model, I bought them in the states on sale last year. Regular price on 'em was at or just over $100USD, I bought 'em on sale though. I can drive in them but prefer not to, not enough flex in the ankle for driving any length of time, if I don't have my hiking boots with me I usually have runners in the truck for driving, as I don't leave the house wearing my hunting boots. So far they have been waterproof but we'll see how they hold up this year.

Third are my Kamik Icebreakers (rubber boots with felt liners). These are my cold weather/super wet conditions boot. Late season hunts often involve either torrential rain or very wet snow, so something like this is a must for me. Can't drive in them worth #### though.


One of these days I want to buy a good mountain/backpacking boot, something like a Schnee's Beartooth, but I haven't found space in the budget yet.
 
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I just wear Muck boots. Fieldblazers if its warmish, wetlands if its cold. Granted I'm not hiking up mountains, just day trips on the wide open prairies here.
 
My first set of Elk trackers were an excellent boot and lasted many years , but i took care of them. My second pair blew out on the side as the leather was far too thin , I got them repaired by a local shoe guy an they're still waterproof. I don't know if I got a lemon or if the quality has dropped, currently for upland hunting I have a pair or irish setter upland boots that are lighter and have held up so far.
 
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