Looking for decent inexpensive hunting boots

[Aabradsh]

Hey guys

I’m in the market for a half decent pair of hunting boots, but don’t want to break the bank (maybe $200-$300 range?). I’m looking at a pair of Cabela’s Iron Ridge 400g leather hunting boots. These have a 4/5 star rating and seem of good quality for the price.

I generally will be using these for a week of whitetail hunting and a few grouse hunts, mostly eastern and NE Ontario.

Experience with these or similar options in this price range would be appreciated.

 

[HOSSONE]

I’m not sure of the quality these days but I had a pair of Irish setter boots that were well priced, super comfortable and decently warm as I always struggle with cold feet. They lasted many years and were one of the best pairs of lace up boots I ever owned.

 

[Wallenstein]

I have been using the basic Cabelas' Hunting boots for several years and they have lasted well.

Use them for Hunting, Hiking and just about anything else.

Comfortable, even on a long day.

As much as Cabela's is very expensive these days and some items are plain garbage, the Boots are good.

 

[45ACPKING]

I will never buy Irish Setter again..... 2 pairs of 200+ dollar boots absolutely failed after one season..... maybe thier higher end stuff is decent but I have never in my life gone through footwear like those 2 pairs of boots.
I also grabbed a pair of the cabelas branded boots before last season..... held up great. Not sure what the name of them are but they are camo fabric and leather support. Decent light weight boot.
Years ago I had a pair of Cabelas branded fully insulated Pinnacle , zipper front "snake boot" style boots. Incredible those were and it pained me that Cabelas disconitued them. Wish they would make those again

 

[LawrenceN]

I bought a pair of the classic Kamik boots one fall when I got to the hunt camp and realized that I'd left my boots at home. I went to the local Canadian Tire and spent a whole $55. (at the time) on a pair of Kamik boots. We've all seen 'em, the ones with the removeable felt liners, and rubber uppers attached to the leather. Those cheap suckers lasted me for near on 10 yrs. before the rubber split and started to let in water. I have another pair of cheap offshore camo boots I picked up at Walmart. They're on their last legs but they've served me well for over 15 yrs. You don't have to spend big money to get good warm footwear, is all I'm sayin'.

 

[wheelin_ca]

I bought a pair of the classic Kamik boots one fall when I got to the hunt camp and realized that I'd left my boots at home. I went to the local Canadian Tire and spent a whole $55. (at the time) on a pair of Kamik boots. We've all seen 'em, the ones with the removeable felt liners, and rubber uppers attached to the leather. Those cheap suckers lasted me for near on 10 yrs. before the rubber split and started to let in water. I have another pair of cheap offshore camo boots I picked up at Walmart. They're on their last legs but they've served me well for over 15 yrs. You don't have to spend big money to get good warm footwear, is all I'm sayin'.

me too... comfortable, maybe not the greatest for hiking but if it isnt cold enough for baffins I usually have my kamiks on -10 to +10

 

[45ACPKING]

ya you know something.... I got a pair of those Kamiks for christmas a few years ago and I wear those alot too. All winter ice fishing for 2 years (with extra socks) . I put so many treks on them I wore out the liners in the heels so grabbed a pair of better liners from the local sporting goods shop. Haven't tried them yet but will be taking them on my moose hunt for sure.

 

[Butcherbill]

I have two pairs of Irish Setter elk trackers, the 200g and the 600g insulation models. This is year 7 on the 200g and a resole job this spring, the last 3 years I have used them for work and hunting. The 600g I bought for work last winter as we were cutting in the snow till late nov, I have zero complaints about them. They were under $350-375 cad, after 7 years with the first pair I can say they owe me nothing and earned every penny and then some that they cost me.

 

[remyltr]

I have two pairs of Irish Setter elk trackers, the 200g and the 600g insulation models. This is year 7 on the 200g and a resole job this spring, the last 3 years I have used them for work and hunting. The 600g I bought for work last winter as we were cutting in the snow till late nov, I have zero complaints about them. They were under $350-375 cad, after 7 years with the first pair I can say they owe me nothing and earned every penny and then some that they cost me.

same here
bought a pair of 800g elk trackers back in 2013
best pair of boots ive ever owned.just had mine resoled last year for 200 dollars.
basically got a new pair again.

OP
you can find decent second hand elk trackers of FB marketplace

 

[Butcherbill]

same here
bought a pair of 800g elk trackers back in 2013
best pair of boots ive ever owned.just had mine resoled last year for 200 dollars.
basically got a new pair again.

OP
you can find decent second hand elk trackers of FB marketplace

They are the most comfortable leather boots I’ve every owned, both were basically broken in from day one. I have a pair of leather caulked boots that took a year or two to break in fully, they were brutal.

I’ve been on the fence with buying a pair of Mindel’s and I likely will at some point for wildfire work, the rubber welt around the lower of the boot is a nice thing when you’re walking around in mud and ash all day. It’s about the worst environment you can put a leather boot through, that said my elk trackers handled it well the last couple years of work in old burns and on the fires.

For what it’s worth, I paid attention to the boots people were wearing on the fireline this season. The two I saw the most of were Meindl’s and Scarpa’s, there were a bunch Viebergs and Elk Trackers. Vieberg no longer makes a logger, wildfire lineup unfortunately. They seem to just be catering to the hipster douchebag crowd now.

 

[mcaswell]

I'm with the cheap boots crowd. I have a $60 pair from Walmart that are the most comfortable I've had in ages. They've got 50km or so on the odometer, and are holding up just fine.

 

[Mr.Rigpig]

I needed a pair of boots before our elk hunt this year. I went to cabelas and they had a good sale on, $99 for 400 gram insulated iron ridge, and $109 for the same in 800 gram. I grabbed a pair of each, so I should be good for hunting boots for a long time. As to how they did, I have not wore the 800s yet but I put a lot of miles on the 400s and have zero complaints, other than I should have wore them a bit more before the trip. I only had a couple hours in them prior to leaving. They seemed to just get better every day they were worn, traction was good, comfort was good, and feet never got wet. Can't ask for much more than that for a $100 pair of boots. I initially went there planning on a pair of elk trackers but I simply could not ignore the price difference.

 

[Declared Bishop]

I needed a pair of boots before our elk hunt this year. I went to cabelas and they had a good sale on, $99 for 400 gram insulated iron ridge, and $109 for the same in 800 gram. I grabbed a pair of each, so I should be good for hunting boots for a long time. As to how they did, I have not wore the 800s yet but I put a lot of miles on the 400s and have zero complaints, other than I should have wore them a bit more before the trip. I only had a couple hours in them prior to leaving. They seemed to just get better every day they were worn, traction was good, comfort was good, and feet never got wet. Can't ask for much more than that for a $100 pair of boots. I initially went there planning on a pair of elk trackers but I simply could not ignore the price difference.

I got the 800 gram ones for $109 this year for my first hunting trip. I suffer from cold toes, so I always go a bit overboard with insulation and socks. I am super happy to hear you have had a positive experience with them, gives me confidence!

 

[Mr.Rigpig]

I got the 800 gram ones for $109 this year for my first hunting trip. I suffer from cold toes, so I always go a bit overboard with insulation and socks. I am super happy to hear you have had a positive experience with them, gives me confidence!

I've had very good luck with the costco merino wool socks, I pretty much wear them year round.

 

[Declared Bishop]

I've had very good luck with the costco merino wool socks, I pretty much wear them year round.

yeah i picked up a couple pairs of those at Cabela's at the same time as the boots, they were on sale for $12.99 a pair I think

 

[kjohn]

I have three pair of Irish Setters, one each of 200, 600, 1000 whatever. I wear them for when I work part time. One pair is well worn, probably at least 10 years old. The 200 and 600 I alternate each day. I very seldom wear the same pair two days in a row. Love those boots.

 

[lespaq9]

Merrill

 

[SuperCub]

I have been using the basic Cabelas' Hunting boots for several years and they have lasted well.

Use them for Hunting, Hiking and just about anything else.

Comfortable, even on a long day.

As much as Cabela's is very expensive these days and some items are plain garbage, the Boots are good.

I'm on my 2nd pair of those. They were just on sale for $99 but none in stock in my size. I like them.

 

[45ACPKING]

The irish setter elk trackers do seem to be excellent boots. I have friends with those.
I wanted light weight deer stalking boots for rugged country and due to my friends having nothing but good things to say about Irish setter boots in general..... I bit the bullet that year on a pair of VaporTreks. I actually bought two pairs , insulated and non insulated.
After two trips the uninsulated boots that were supposed to be waterproof..... were no longer. The seems where the leather and syntheitc materials were failing. The insulated ones lasted the season but when I went to use them the next year , they were showing cracking along the same seams as the uninsulated boots. So a waste of over 500 bucks after tax and a very bad review from me on irish setter boots ever since

 

[Declared Bishop]

I needed a pair of boots before our elk hunt this year. I went to cabelas and they had a good sale on, $99 for 400 gram insulated iron ridge, and $109 for the same in 800 gram. I grabbed a pair of each, so I should be good for hunting boots for a long time. As to how they did, I have not wore the 800s yet but I put a lot of miles on the 400s and have zero complaints, other than I should have wore them a bit more before the trip. I only had a couple hours in them prior to leaving. They seemed to just get better every day they were worn, traction was good, comfort was good, and feet never got wet. Can't ask for much more than that for a $100 pair of boots. I initially went there planning on a pair of elk trackers but I simply could not ignore the price difference.

you have been living rent free in my head over the idea of wearing them to break them in, so here I am typing with them on my feet...