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Halton Region
Every 7-10 years I struggle to decide on a new pair of boots.

I hunt turkey in Southern Ontatio and Deer/Moose/Blackbear in Northern Ontatio.

So looking for something warm, waterproof, durable and that will last a while, as I absolutely hate shopping for them.

Anybody bought anything in the past year or so that they are really happy with and would reccomend?
 
I've mostly been wearing Mucks the last few years, as I have a wide foot and struggle to find a comfortable lace up boot.
 
I've had good luck with Irish Setter Elk Trackers, they are a bit heavy but pretty tough. For bird hunting I have a pair of Irish Setter upland boots with the moccasin toe that are light and comfortable.
 
imo you need more than pair of boots. i have danner pronghorns for winter hunting, theyre nice and warm and great for walking and stalking, rubber mucks for muddier/wetter weather. and regular arcteryx hiking boots for spring hunts.

however, i hate my mucks and will never ever buy another pair. when i replace them ill be getting irish setters. my mucks are uncomfortable, my feet are always cold and they hurt after even a short walk. and no its not the sizing, ive been through three sizes and different sock combinations.
 
I use Bogs. They seem to have a better footbed than Mucks and are more comfortable. I do a lot of upland hunting and can walk most of the day in them. My first pair lasted 3 years of fairly heavy use before they had to be replaced. I now have 2 pairs in different warmth ratings.
 
Hi SCS,
That combo of uses you specified for season and terrain, and how far you will be walking, is a tough one to meet all requirements. I recommend a two boot system with a hunting boot in leather/synthetic, and a higher cut pure rubber boot for northern swamps and wet snow:

Hunting Boot:
I recently had to retire a cherished pair of Irish Setter boots that provided superb and hard service over many years, and the leather on the uppers finally gave out. I got my money's worth and then some. I can't recall the model name, but on IS's current website they are closest to the "Gunflint II". Mine had 800g of Thinsulate, whereas the new ones have 1000g.

They were however getting quite heavy for long walking grouse hunts (I am getting older and slowing down), where I might walk maybe 10 km per day, so I looked for something lighter, and last year purchased the Iris Setter Vaprtrek LS. Did some grouse hunting in them and they were much more comfortable for walking long distances. Waded some water and the waterproof membrane worked. Never tested them yet in cold snowy weather.

The Vaprtrek's have a thin synthetic outer shell which is much lighter than leather, but I have no idea how well they will hold up to heavy use in the bush with sharp sticks, rocks, and general abrasion. I somehow doubt they will last as long as quality boot leather uppers, but we'll see. The lightness of them for my purposes is worth the experiment.

I find Irish Setter fits small. So I needed to go up a half size, and I needed the double EE width. Look for the "E2" code on the tag for the double width.

Rubber Boots:
I am a big fan of Nokian rubber boots with the felt liners and the top cam buckle quick adjust cinch strap. The cinch strap helps to reduce/eliminate heel slip and blisters, and keeps debris out. I have used various models over about 30 years. Some of them have deep grippy lug sols that can use metal stud inserts for ice if you need them. On their website, closest to what I have used are the Finnwald and Kaira.

I often remove the Nokian felt liner and custom adjust the fit with an insole and 3 layer sock system: thin wool one inner, medium thick wool/synthetic in the middle, and a heavy duty wool sock on the outside. I find it easier to dry layers of socks than a felt liner. And the multi-sock system seems to breath somewhat better and wick moisture towards the outer sock better.

Another great rubber boot company with felt liners is Acton Boots, a Canadian company. Again look for the cinch strap or top cord tie to provide that tight leg grip, debris seal, and reduced heel slippage.

I am a difficult fit, and many times over the years a purchase of shoes or boots that ended up not fitting well is donated free to the local used clothing depot. I know that a person in need is going to find those lightly used boots or shoes and that will make a difference in their lives. In my town we have alot of folks down and out on their luck, and I am happy to donate footwear that will keep them warm and dry.
 
I have 2 pairs of Bogs boots now. One camo and one black. The black ones are rated for colder and are roomier so I can put some bama booties in them. I’ve been really happy with them. I do have a set of Danner Acadias if I need a set of walking boots, but I’ve been surprisingly happy with the bogs!
 
Currently running Irish Setters with 200g thinsulate for fall/spring boots. Muck arctic Pro’s for the winter months, and crispi gtx for summer boots, it’s pretty crazy to have that much money tied up in footwear but it’s nice to alternate between pairs throughout the year, should be good for a few years before having to replace any footwear.

Also if your willing to drop the coin on crispi you won’t be disappointed in the comfort, By far the comfiest boot this guy has ever laced up!
 
Bought a pair of Irish Setters over 25 years ago that was dropping that model but they were 13B's and I still have them for dry days.
Have used Danner Acadia in standard, 200 Gram and 400 gram because they are available in narrow widths.
Lucked on to a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters in 13 narrow but they are a little short so got a second pair in 14B with 600 arms of Thinsulate.
These are substantial go any where boots. When I say lucked on, they were $236 delivered so I have two pair for the price of one.
 
Another vote for Irish setters. Have gunflint 2 for late season, no issues and I walk in some rugged stuff. Spring to late summer have
Irish setter blackbear boots, and I can walk all day in them. Used to always use cabelas outfitters, but they are no more unfortunately.
 
I've mostly been wearing Mucks the last few years

I've been wearing Mucks for years now and like them a lot. I took 2 pairs to NFLD with me last fall moose hunting. One of those pairs went to the Yukon 10 years ago and got worn a lot in between.
 
I rode a pair of Danner Canadians for 14 years before they were un repairable and went with the Zamberlan Wasatch as my new boot of choice. I switch between them and a set of Muck Arctic depending on the weather and if we are pushing bush or still hunting.
 
Thanks again folks.

I'm going to retire my Mucks as I bought myself an early bday present and picked up a pair of Irish Setter Gunflint II boots.

I will look at picking up something lighter for spring I suppose....but for now this will have to do!
 
I'm still wearing Cabela's 15" high , 1200gram insulated , Pinnacle front zipper boot after a decade.
Sucks that they discontinued these about 4 or 5 years ago as they have served me well and have seen lots of mild to severe weather and always keep me warm and dry
I still haven't found "the boot" I want to replace them with and I've looked pretty hard and seems no one makes a boot like this anymore.
I won't spend a dime on anything Irish Setter after the Vaportreks I bought a few years ago literally disintegrated after one hunting season..... total garbage and made in asia.
 
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