hey fellas,
i need to invest in a seriouse pair or hunting boots, right now i use my knee high muck boots for most stuff but they are not going to cut it next year when i hunt some more rugged terrain in the back country of the adirondacks. I need a boot that can handle, snow, mud, rocks, and a goodly amount of water, and through all of it stay dry. Im gunna be looking around on cabelas but if anyone has any recomendations id really appreciate it. any thoughts?
-cory
You might want to look into the Danner Canadian 10'' 600 Gram boots.
I second the Danners. I have the 8" Elk Hunters non insulated and the 10" Canadian 600 Gram insulated and love them both!! I dont think I will ever find a better boot than Danner!!
Cabela's Elk Hunter. Worth the high price.
Danner, but make sure you get the American made models and not the Chinese junk. Go with the all leather models for max waterproofness. Gore-tex does wear out over time. They will last you years if you take care of them.
Bought a pair of Danners last year. There's been times when the only part of me that was dry was my feet.
Schnees Hunter II pack boot. 13 inch.
I swear by them and I hunt in some of the most rugged terrain on the planet. I cannot say enough nice things about this boot. Bought my first pair last year and never looked back.
Oh yes, I agree with Stumpknocker on Chinese junk. Avoid it. Avoid like the plague. It is garbage.
Robert
I sure like the Asolo 530s. I have put them through a lot, out here in Oregon, and they have held up. Walked through shallow creeks without any wet feet. Never really had to break them in, great right out of the box.
Second for the Schnees. You get what you pay for and they are the best boots I've ever worn, hands down.
Schnee's Sheep Hunter GTX's by Lowa. Excellent boot....they're what I wear when elk hunting. Condition them with Nikwax or Snowseal and your feet will never get wet.
Brett
Can't say enough good about the Asolo TPS 535 hiking boot-everything that Snag said; and excellent grip when the going gets really iffy-like steeps and loose surfaces.
I like the schnee as well. I only have owned one pair but had them for 10 years. I heard they were sold, but still looked after by the old owner! Shawn
Try the Meindel Perfekt Hunters, sold at Cabelas.
Schnees has an American-made pak boot (sold direct from Schnees) and a chinese made pak boot (Sportsman Series sold at other retailers like Sportsmans Warehouse).
At first glance they look the same but they do NOT feel the same.
Cabelas Alaskan Hunters by Meindel are by far the best heavy duty hunting boot I have owned. They are not cheap $275.00 or so but they are well worth it. I have two pairs of $500.00 custom boots and niether of them are as good as the Alaskans.
I'd find any pair of medium-weight all-leather hiking/backpacking boots that is comfortable on your feet and not too stiff in the sole. Waterproof them well several times with NikWax or something similar (the rub-on wax kind, not the spray on stuff), and then get a pair of OR (Outdoor Research) Crocodile Gaiters. Make sure you get a good size that fits tight around your boot and put them on as directed, looping underneath the boot after yout attach the velco down your shin.
I was a backcountry ranger in Alaska for years and I promise you can't beat this combo. You can cross streams and everything (as long as you step quick and have fitted the gaiters to your boots well). Plus you can ditch the gaiters quickly when the hiking isn't wet and muddy, and clean them easily.
You get adaptability, good ankle support, and this will be way less "clunky" than a lot of options. Look for italian or american made boots, without gore-tex if you can find them. I like Garmont boots, but there are several other good brands as well.
Another nice thing to include in this system is thin poly-pro "sock liners" under your normal Smartwool-type socks. These will help wick moisture and prevent blisters, and if your feet do get wet you honestly won't even notice.
Check it.
I don't think most of you guys didn't read the original post. It says a knee high boot. Most boots mentioned are not knee high. I don't know what the Adirondacks are like, but if there's a lot a water I'd go with a LaCrosse rubber boot with the insulation choice of weather in mind from Cabelas (uninsulated to I believe 2000 grams). If your walking all day these are not as good as the knee high Schnee.
Bowmania
I have a worn out pair of Herman Survivors, old good one's. Leather out side with a leather lined inside. Of course they were great boots so they decided not to make them anymore!!! Does anyone know of a boot made that is simular in this description, Leather outside with a leather lined inside.