Hunting boots

J

jon1985

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Location
Carleton Place, Ontario
This was my first season deer hunting and with all the equipment I needed I skipped boots and figured my winter bogs would suffice. Well my feet were warm enough but after a day of walking my knees were very unhappy. This year I need proper boots.

Ideally I would have a pair of insulated and a pair of uninsulated but we will see how the budget is in thw fall. Right now I am looking for a pair of unisulated but water proof boots so that we can do some scouting and setup trail cameras in the next few weeks.

What are peoples thoughts on boots?

Thanks
 
I use insulated boots with the neoprene uppers, they fit nice, are not heavy to wear all day, and give me pretty good support. I got mine at Bass Pro a couple seasons ago and they are still in great shape.
 
Meindl makes a good line of leather lace up waterproof gore tex boots. they have insulated or uninsulated models to choose from. the treads and traction seem very good as well as the ankle support. they also have regular or wide models and they are not heavy or bulkey. haven't used them a whole lot yet so cannot say anything about durability. I also put in a different footbed but do that with any footwear I spend long hours in, it makes a big difference for knee alignment. got mine at cabelas on sale for a little over 200. insulated can run up to 400 when not on sale.
 
I bought a pair of 200gr elk trackers last fall, they are great. I went knee deep in the creek in December and the only water that got in was from the top, they are light, warm and dry. Love them, well worth the investment.
 
There is no magic shortcut to making good boots, good quality costs more, but just paying a high price doesn't guarantee good build quality or good fit. Marketing and advertising costs a lot and that is also built into the price. When you see something endorsed on TV, e.g. hunting gear on an outdoors program, you can hope the people endorsing it really have found the gear to be good, but you can sure they getting paid to tell you, truth or not.

We're all individuals, feet vary and boot makers have different ways. Mail order/online deals can be good but if you don't try them on you can end up with a boot you can't use. E.g. I've given up even trying on Rocky boots because I never found a pair that fit well, no matter what their quality, I can't use them. By my standards Timberland are good enough quality for the price, and Timberland's boots have always fit me well so I'll take a chance ordering them online if it's a deal.

If you are only going to use them for hunting they should last many years, maybe all your life depending on your age. (Or not depending. See my sig line.) That might suggest to you that you shouldn't pay a lot because you won't use them a lot, but to me it can also say get the right ones, pay for the quality, because you are going to be stuck with them. I have a pair of a Cabela's-labelled Meindl boot. Normally they are a low price for Meindl but still high for me. I got mine in the Bargain Cave for $100 less than normal, (nice having a store local.) They are well built and the fit is good. It'll take me years to get my money's worth out of them but it's in there.

Late winter and spring can be a good time to get the insulated boots as retailers try to clear out stock to make room for summer stuff. I like to shop local for footwear so I can test the fit, and if I don't buy them in the shops wear I can try them they might not be there next time. But then I also like the deals that online shopping offers. When I find a good work boot I'll often look online for a bargain on a second pair, they'll last longer if I wear two pairs on alternate days than if I wear out one pair and then get another.
 
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I bought a pair of the 400gram of insulation from cabelas and they have been pretty good for two hunts. If you get them on sale even better. I broke my left leg twice badly ( kicked in half by racehorse and 2nd time dragged by racehorse, good story) . Anyway I need a good supportive boot and these have been great. I would without hesitation buy them again. These fit like hockey skates for support and allow me to comfortably treck thru the woods on drives without fear of twisting my ankles. Also they are waterproof up to a few inches allowing you to cross those beaver dams etc..id give them a 5 star review.
 
I firmly believe that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Good walking/hiking boots are generally not very warm and won’t do much if you’re sitting on stand and good stand boots aren’t any hell for walking. I use Meindl/Hanwags for walking and insulated rubber Lacrosse boots for sitting. I take both hunting and use/switch out as needed,

Patrick
 
I walk a lot hunting ( Upland and deer) and Elk Trackers ,though not light ,give a lot of support and last me about 5 to 7 years. They are water proof and due to goodyear welt construction are supportive , I tore my ACL years ago and my knee will throb if I'm wearing running shoe type hunting boots.
 
hunter5425 said:
I walk a lot hunting ( Upland and deer) and Elk Trackers ,though not light ,give a lot of support and last me about 5 to 7 years. They are water proof and due to goodyear welt construction are supportive , I tore my ACL years ago and my knee will throb if I'm wearing running shoe type hunting boots.
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Thats my problem, 2 badly damaged ACLs that im waiting on a doctor to fix. Ill look into them.
 
jon1985 said:
Thats my problem, 2 badly damaged ACLs that im waiting on a doctor to fix. Ill look into them.
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I've worn a lot of different boots over the years, from working different construction jobs to motorcycles to snowboarding and just for casual wear and the Irish Setter elk trackers are probably the first boot I've put on that felt like it was already broken in.

My pair were as comfortable to wear the first day as they are right now, the only thing I would like is more ankle support like in a true hiking boot but I don't use them for alpine hiking. They are perfect for Hunting, I do a mix of hiking and sitting and they are super comfy. I wish the store I got them from had the 400g insulation, I had 200g or 1000g to choose from. My feet run hot to begin so when it gets into dec and the temp drops I wear a thicker wool sock if I'm going to be standing around or not hiking and I'm always warm, if I'm doing anything active a reg sock and the 200g insulation is plenty warm.
 
9.3mauser said:
Why so much walking?

I just use Muck chore boots big enough for 2 pairs of wool socks. Very cozy.
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Pretty much my question too.

I have used mostly my work boots from the Military while hunting. Ranging from Grebb Mk3's to Baffin Drillers (-80C rated, IIRC, bulky, tall, warm!) pac boots. And my sneakers. And my Blundstones. And my Military snow boots. Whatever suits the weather, really.

And if all you ever wear is ballet slippers, or the equivalent amount of weight, putting on a set of boots and going for an 8 hour+ walk, is gonna hurt. Dumb is supposed to hurt! Wear the boots and get used to them, and they essentially disappear. Live in them a while. It will help break them in, form them to your feet, and prevent you getting blisters while walking in the sticks.

If you are walking and it hurts, walk less, look around more, and concentrate on the decent areas. That's from a guy with pins in his back and a couple bum knees, eh. Most of the time if you are moving, you are like to be walking right past the critters.
 
I have had my Irish setter boots over ten years. I will get another pair, if these ever die. I have had my toes completely covered in ice, 5cm shell all the way around. I didnt notice till I got up to walk.
 
So, never found any boot I could wear all day, everyday and not complain. My feet sweat...my boots need to dry. Your mileage may vary. I have Mucks, and $500 boots...I try never to wear more than 1/2 day.

Lots of good experience shared already, but you cannot go out with ####ty boots or clothing. And socks matter!

Good luck.
 
I bought the "Cabela's 800-Gram Ultralight Hunter Boots by Meindl" and they have been very comfortable to walk in during fall grouse and winter hare hunting. I do most of my hunting on rarely-cleared trails so I don't have to do any kind of bushwhacking, but I do sometimes have to stomp through knee-high snow for hours. I have submerged my feet in puddles accidentally more than once and never got my socks wet. They are fairly warm in winter but would double up on socks or bring a heater pad if toe warmth is really a concern or if you'll be out for more than a few hours in blistering cold. I think they are on sale right now at Cabela's and are backed by their name brand warranty. I've had mine for 3 years and they are in pretty good shape still so I am a happy customer!
 
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