Hunting Boots.. good, bad, ugly.. Lets hear it.

[rattlereel]

I have liked my guide series boots from gander. I work concrete and they have made it over a year and are still super comfortable and water proof(unless it is too deep).

These are also my hunting and fishing boots. Last year I was on Red lake when it was -15 with the wind blowing, the only thing that didn't get cold was my feet.

[Rotwieler]

i haven't had a bad pair of Rockys yet. im on my fourth pair. bear claws are nice for walking and early season bow hunting, and for in the stand in Nov. i like my blizard stalkers.

[vister]

I forget the name of the boot, but made by irish setter. 800 grams, gortex. Darn nice and comfy boot. less than 120 i believe, at gander.

[NELS-BELLS]

I'm on my third pair of Rocky Bear Claws and my last pair is finally on its last leg. I'm willing to try something else and I'm thinking of only going with 400 - 600 grams thinsulate instead of 800. One of the things that I like about my Bear Claws is that the top laces are looped so that I don't always have to lace them up. I just slip the boots on when I'm in the yard or around camp. I have the ends of the laces knotted so they don't slip back thru the loops. Most other boots you have to lace them up to wear them.

Nels

[Gadgetman]

Danner Pronghorn (no zipper) 400 gram insulation. I have wide feet and havent found a boot that is nearly as comfy or light. First pair lasted nearly 6 years and they have no break in period, and dont turn my feet or socks red...

[The Yeti]

Well. I finally made a decision. I bought a pair of Danner Pronghorns at Cabelas today. Unreal how comfortable they are compared to all the other boots. The Cabelas brand boots called a "Bruin" was a nice boot too. Same feel as Bearclaws, but I had to go with the Danners.

[Weed Shark]

Yeti,

Sounds like a good choice. Did you take them out for a long spin yet? Good looking boots; hope you didn't get any mud, or a scuff, or a blade of grass stuck on them.

[Steve Foss]

Yeti, I've heard nothing but excellent reports of Danner boots for years and years. You should have them a long time.

I've been a budget boot buyer for most of my boot-buying life. Just the way I can afford them.

I bought a pair of Cabela's 800 gram thinsulate boots with leather/goretex and waterproof rating 10 years ago for $50 in the bargain cave of the EGF store. These were a bit over $100 new, and had just been discontinued. Black lug sole, stitch-down construction.

I have put these boots through heck these last 10 years, and they are still in great shape and provide excellent support (less waterproof than they used to be) and warmth.

Last year I bought a pair of Irish Setter 1,200 gram thermolite boots, also waterproof combo of leather/goretex and stitch-down construction. Not because the Cabela's boots had worn out, but because sooner or later they will, and I wanted a warmer boot and wanted a season to break them in.

Well, I wore them for the last weekend of deer season last year and those Irish Setters didn't need ANY breaking in. Great support and warmth and no sore feet/blisters after I put nearly 20 miles on them in their first three days.

All Irish Setter boots are now made in China. I prefer a U.S.-made boot, but have rarely been able to pay U.S.-made boot prices, and I would not have been able to afford Irish Setter boots made in the U.S. These Irish Setters cost me about $120. Has the qaulity dropped along with the price now that they're made overseas? Don't know, and of course, not owning Irish Setter boots before I'll have nothing to compare them with regarding longevity/quality. We'll see if I get 10+ years out of these like I have the Cabela's boots (which also were made in China).

Now, with both pair in use, I'll have the lighter boot for mid-season and the heavier one for more winter use, and that'll take the load of both boots for the next few seasons until the Cabela's boots wear out. Should extend the lives of both pairs that way.

Boots are like hunting knives and camo. You can never have enough different types.

[MuleShack]

The Cabelas boots made by Meindl are very well constructed and comfortable too.

I have a pair of the 7" Perfekts and am looking at getting the 10" Winter 800's.