What hunting boot to buy ??

Jacky,

Drive up the road to Vernon and go see the guys at Fishers Hardware and try on a pair of Meindls. If you do a lot of walking, from river bottom to alpine, you'll appreciate that quality of boot.

RC
 
Ive got Rockies and am very happy with them. They are the heavy winter boot type and keep me warm and dry. I actually broke through some ice on the lake this fall hunting coyotes and my legs were wet but my feet were warm and dry.:D
 
I think this year I'll be buying a set of Irish Setters for general hunting.

For true Alpine hiking, I have a pair of 10 year old Zamberlain hiking boots that just keep going and going.

One thing that bugs me with all these GoreTex boots on the market is the number of seams. My Zamberlains have exactly 2 seams in total, and don't leak water at all.

Simple is better when it comes to waterproofness.

EDIT: I was just looking at the MEC website. The Zamberlains I have were called Civettas, but it seems the same model is called Baffin RR, and they're on sale for $199.
 
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The only Rockys I woudl consier is the cold weahter tpes, where you don't walk much. therwise, i think they suck.

Miendals are awesome, especislalyin the mountains.

My feet are wide and screwy, so I just bought some Van Gorkum custom booots for $900

iberg makes semi custom boots,a nd thier :insulated hunter" is a very good "general purpose" boot, but it is not a mountain boot, with serious ankle support.
 
Gatehouse said:
The only Rockys I woudl consier is the cold weahter tpes, where you don't walk much. therwise, i think they suck.

Miendals are awesome, especislalyin the mountains.

My feet are wide and screwy, so I just bought some Van Gorkum custom booots for $900

iberg makes semi custom boots,a nd thier :insulated hunter" is a very good "general purpose" boot, but it is not a mountain boot, with serious ankle support.
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Finally someone who knows good boots :D

Being an avid sheep hunter and apline climber I have used many types of very expensive mountain boots. Good alpine boots and cheap dont go in the same category.

I have owned a few pairs of Meindels and they are avererage boots but in rough country they dont last very long. I myself will never own another pair of them.

Out of about the fifteen different pairs of alpine moutaineering boots I have owned my two favorites are the La spotiva Nepal Extremes and my current boots the Scarpa Cerro Torre(which are no longer made :( they have a new version now). Both of these are between $400-600 depending on where you buy from and worth every penny.

For alpine hunting in rocky, rough country get yourself a good Mountaneering boot, your feet and ankles will love you for it.

Or you could get yourself a set of rubber boots like someone else suggested and spend lots of your hunting days in pain :p :D
 
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crazy_davey said:
Or you could get yourself a set of rubber boots like someone else suggested and spend lots of your hunting days in pain :p :D
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A good pair of rubber boots have their place in a sportsman's list of stuff. I have a good pair that fit well and are very light. I wouldn't use them for everything, but I wouldn't be without them either. I took a pair with me to the Yukon as backup and was glad I did. :)
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Danners all the way. Some of the Cabella's house brand boots are nice too. For the buck.
 
i too love the high country and nothing compares to the support, and comfort of the danners. plus they last. spent approx 15 days during the back half of sept this year out a cadomin, the snow was very deep, the creeks very deep....my feet.....very dry and very warm. spend the money
 
I bought a pair of Irish Setter Ground sensing boots a couple years ago. Very light boot, warm and really lets you "feel" the ground under your feet so you break less twigs and stuff walking out. I really like them.
 
I have owned a few pairs of Meindels and they are avererage boots but in rough country they dont last very long. I myself will never own another pair of them.
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Crazy Davey: were you wearing "real" Meindls or the "Yugo" version that Cabelas sold? Just curious as I've got a pair of the Nepal Pro boot and I'm 6 or 7 years into them and they're still going strong. They've seen a lot of mileage from Coastal swamp to moose hunts and a couple of sheep and mule deer alpine hunts. But I look after them too (not saying you don't!)

They are one of the few boots I've owned that required no break in and I don't feel the need to take them off at camp after a really long day. I also have a pair for work with the "safety" toe and going from Danners to Meindls I'll never go back.

My buck and a half. :)

RC
 
Tuffcity said:
Crazy Davey: were you wearing "real" Meindls or the "Yugo" version that Cabelas sold?
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Yes they were real. Anyone who spends time in sharp rock all day will find out real quick what boots will last and what wont.
 
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I have crap circulation in my feet and I deer hunt so I have a real problem. When you are walking your feet are steaming and after a short sit they freeze. I use Irish setters to get to the stand and put on a pair of US army surplus "mickey mouse boots" at the stand. They have insulation sandwiched (sealed) between rubber so it never gets wet and loses its insulation value. You can get water in them and they will still be warm. The down side is if you are walking your feet will be boiling and look like prunes.

Brian
 
I bought a pair of hiker hieight Meindels this year and I am impressed. No, I haven't slid sideways on rocks too much yet so can't comment about durability, but man are they ever nice on the steep stuff :cool: Break in time=zero and they're light but tough..
 
I love Danners. I'm on my second pair. I originally bought a pair(ft. lewis) in 94, they did me good until 2000. (had more years in them but i bought a new pair of acadias). I need to get this set re-outsoled, and they should be good for a couple more years, no problem. I'd recommend trying a pair of EE's though, as they can be a bit narrow... but then again I have wide duck feet.
 
I've had a pair of Danner Ft Lewis boots for about 9 or 10 years now and they are outstanding in my opinion. They have been my constant companion while hunting. They are starting to get a little beat up now and I think they may have to be retired soon. I'm thinking that I'll go with a pair of Danner Canadian hunters next. They seem like an exellent boot (cost enough anyway:eek: ) and look like the same height as my Ft. Lewis boots. I'm wondering though if the air bob sole is really self cleaning like they claim and is it as rugged as the vibram?
 
Another vote for Irish Setters.

I used mine (Elk Trackers) for deer hunting in New Brunswick and Alberta this fall and they kept my feet warm and dry, even in extreme cold while sitting (-26 C before windchill:eek: ). The Elk Trackers have an all-leather upper which allows you to grease 'em up to give a second layer of waterproofing.

I pounded em, slogged em in mud, rocks and dirt, and they still look great and feel comfortable. The deep lug air bob sole works really well when climbing or in slippery terrain, and I did not have problems with the sole becoming clogged.
 
I have to vote for Filson HIghlanders. Quite expensive although really well made. This is my third year for them and I love them. They are super comfortable and extremely well made. Insulated with wool.:)
 
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