Hunting Boots

[Irving]

Tim, I'd actually agree with you and I mostly don't have to deal with moisture during my September hunt. However, one rain storm and every pair of boots I've had gets soaked and takes says to dry out. I do want good water proof boots for the later hunts though. In September a wet boot is uncomfortable at the most, but in deep snow, you can't be getting wet.

ETA: In fact, last year I brought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers just for stalking, but I had a bad pair because the top split all the way open after only one day of walking around.

[TRnCO]

TR, I know you put on a metric shit-ton of miles on your footgear, but those boots are getting terrible reviews on Cabela's.

I see that, but the pair that I've had for the past 3 or 4 seasons now have done better than others that I have tried in the past, good enough that I brought a new pair just because I wanted new, and a taller ankle, for my up coming trip.

I tried a pair of Danner before I made the switch to Mendyl, and they did good until they fell apart on me. Maybe I needed to treat the leather on them to make them last longer, IDK. But they were comfy and worked well, but just didn't last very long.
Years ago I was a Rocky boot fan, but I don't know what they changed, the last pair I bought of them sucked for keeping my feet dry, from day one. Won't go back.

[Little Dutch]

This thread makes me wish I had a spare set of Danner's. I'm bummed on the reports of lower quality and dropped styles.

I've been using the same set of boots for hunting birds and elk, cutting firewood, hard hiking, and even snowshoeing, for around a decade. I treat the leather on mine several times a year though. No issues at all yet, but they'll give up eventually...

[Irving]

So Gore-tex is the key to water proofing? I figured rubber and leather (with nikwax), but I don't know.

[Little Dutch]

My Danner boots are leather, and Gortex, and probably have Nylon in them (Nylon is in the description of the new model boots at least). They are as near 100% waterproof as I've seen without going to full rubber. So I think a lot of it depends on how well they are assembled.

I don't recall which style mine are, but they look similar to those in the link below. Just to give you an idea.
https://www.danner.com/men/hunt/east...rown.html.html

[Grant H.]

Any particular model?
Any place local to try on?
What are your reasons? Can I assume you work in them?

These are what I wear: https://www.carolinashoe.com/CA8528

Whitesides in Brighton is a great place to try on just about any variety of boot you want. They have hundreds of different boots in stock at all times. Good pricing too.

Yep, I work in them. Have spent 18+ hours in them.

These have been the longest lasting boots I have owned. I can destroy a pair of Keens, Ariats, Justins, Redwings, Double X, etc in about 9-11 months. These have lasted 16 months for me.

They are also comfy for 12+ hours on a tower, even though there is nothing comfy about that.

[davsel]

Columbia BugaBoot - More of a cold weather boot - light, warm, waterproof, great tread. I've hiked many miles in these with no complaints.
Figure they have a warm-weather equivilent worth checking out.

[Grant H.]

So Gore-tex is the key to water proofing? I figured rubber and leather (with nikwax), but I don't know.

Properly treated and maintained leather is waterproof.

Bick 4 is a great conditioner and water repellent.

[brutal]

I see that, but the pair that I've had for the past 3 or 4 seasons now have done better than others that I have tried in the past, good enough that I brought a new pair just because I wanted new, and a taller ankle, for my up coming trip.

I tried a pair of Danner before I made the switch to Mendyl, and they did good until they fell apart on me. Maybe I needed to treat the leather on them to make them last longer, IDK. But they were comfy and worked well, but just didn't last very long.
Years ago I was a Rocky boot fan, but I don't know what they changed, the last pair I bought of them sucked for keeping my feet dry, from day one. Won't go back.

Makes one wonder if they have runs assembled by the lowest bidder... One of my Elk hunting partners swears by the Rocky's.

I looked and it appears I bought these boots in 2012. So only going into 7th year in them.

The current Pronghorn looks nothing like mine, no rubber heel/toe caps. Which may or may not be a good thing as I've had "rubber" toe caps shred on other footwear. Seems I have a "GTX" model but all the GTX I can find now are not insulated.

With us hunting 1st rifle Elk now more than before, I could probably get by with a 200G boot. On warm days and short hikes, I will even wear just some mid length waterproof Merrell hiking boots.

These do need oiled:

[Irving]

Excellent suggestions so far everyone!