OK I am already planning for next year and I havent even finished this year. I am planning an elk and possibly if I get drawn moose hunt to Idaho for next Sept. I am looking for the best pair of boots I can find, I have hunted this area for whitetails for several years now but I think this is going to be a different type of hunt. This is going to be more walking and hiking instead of mostly sitting and waiting. I dont think I will need insulation this time of year but I dont know so if you think so let me know.
Some things I am looking for:
1. Comfort, lots of padding and can walk a long ways without killing my feet.
2. Waterproof.
3. Ankle support, need lots of this as I have really bad ankles.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated. I wont say money is no object but I am willing to spend money to save my feet and I am willing to spend money to get good quality and comfort. Some of you people who live in this type of country HELP please.
For an uninsulated boot look at Bates M9. They are only about $140.00. Just type in Bates Boots and go to thier website. Best boot for the money in my opinion. Wear some wool socks and a pair of polypropolenes. That should keep your feet warm down to 50 deg.
Russell Moccasin Co. will custom make for you! $$$$$
Well 50 degrees is not going to get it in Idaho in September. Most years we have temps in the teens. I like the Cabela's elk boots with the 10" tops. Jason and I both have had a pair for quite a few years now. They are the most comfortable boot I have ever owned.
Mike
danner boots are top of the line, made in usa. i don't think they still make the model that i own, but their elk hunter line is very similar. i've found that most boots that are heavily padded usually aren't very durable. they're very comfortable for a year - wolverine is a good example of this - and then they just fall apart. redwing is another top quality boot made in usa, and maybe even a little more comfortable than danners, and just as durable.
Are you backpacking for elk or truck camping?
The amount of weight on your back could dictate your boot.
If I'm not mistaken, only certain models of Danner (Santiam) are made in the USA but that's not to say the other models aren't nice boots. The best thing about Danners is the availability to try them on locally before buying them.
Can't speak for Idaho, but I am welded to my Danner pronghorns. You can get em in 400 gram insulation or 1000 gram.
Asolo TP 535 all leather non goretex boot. Fits right out of the box.
QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut:
Well 50 degrees is not going to get it in Idaho in September. Most years we have temps in the teens. I like the Cabela's elk boots with the 10" tops. Jason and I both have had a pair for quite a few years now. They are the most comfortable boot I have ever owned.
Mike
I never elk hunted and it shows. Teens in September is cold. But if you ever need an UNinsulated boot look at Bates.
If you want the best summer boots check out the Danner Jacyl. I have tried to wear them out on numerous hunting trips plus 4 67 mi. hikes up Mt.
Whitney and cant seem to do it
Danners here also.
I have also had good experience with Danners in the past, but my current elk hunting boots are Meindl's from Cabelas, and I like them even better.
I broke down last year and bought a pair of Lowa Tibet boots. They are expensive, but worth EVERY penny IMO. I use them for everything but they were designed more for backpack hunters (covering alot of vertical or mountainous terrain). They have tons of ankle support and felt like I had been wearing them for yrs after about 4 hours of walking around the house.
I've owned a lot of Danner's over the years and currently have a pair of uninsulated Pronghorns that I like. Vasque also makes some very good hiking/hunting boots. Temps in the teens are no problem for uninsulated boots as long as your feet are dry (waterproof liner) and you're moving occasionally, not stand hunting.
Howzit Scott,
Right now I'm wearing a pair of Cabela's Full Draw boots. I like them because they're non insulated, water proof, light, and Vibram soled (soft)----good for stalking.
The only problem that I have with them is on lava. Lava loves to chew up boots--- any boots. I have hunted in them for the last six months and am thinking of ordering up another pair. Although six months may seem short, here in Hawaii I hunt almost every weekend. Most of it in lava/forest. For "me" they fit well while wearing double socks. On some hunts, I've managed to put eight plus miles on them in a day and my feet/legs felt fine the next day.
Forgot to mention that they are reasonably priced,'bout a hundred bucks.
Aloha,
Mark
danner jackel are waterproof and light as. and i am getting a pair as soon as i land in the states next year. :thumbsup:
Thanks guys for all the input. I have a pair of Danners and really like them so I will probably look into a pair of uninsulated. We will be camping in the back country but will be able to set up camp from an ATV so all I will be packing is a daypack and my bow but we will be walking into our hunting area and covering a lot of ground.
I'll second the meindl's from cabelas. The wife and I both have them. Great boots!
Danners :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
David
If your on flat ground in Idaho; your probably on a road. You need ankle support - because half the time you will be walking on the side of a slope somewhere.
I wore out a pair of kangaroo skin boots in one season - not the bottoms of the boots- but the sides.
I would take whatever pair of boots you have broken in and are used too.
It might be hot as heck here all September; and you might well wake up to a foot of snow.
No way to tell that.
Me- I buy boots online; because there is no shoe store here. I buy 600 gram thinsulate for winter; and 500 gram for the rest of the year.
'Waterproof' lasts a week here in rocky conditions - and you just cannot say where the elk will be; and what you will have to go through to get there.
Spending top dollar for boots would be kinda foolish; because Idaho is a torture test for boots; feet; legs and your heart.
After having lived here in Idaho and hunted it hard for over 20 years; my next boots will be knee high leather top; rubber bottom boots with inserts.
I don't like creeks stopping me; or cold weather; and until you have ridden a slide rock section down a hill- well you just haven't lived.
Respectfully - this 'what boot for Idaho' is a question that flatlanders cannot truely answer- until they have 'walked the walk'. Kinda like me knowing what pants are best in cactus country ..... IMHO.
:campfire:
Bates-never unless you like your socks rolled in your boot/ too little footbed to stabilize on side hills
Danners-almost any
Meindls-almost any
Asolo-almost any
Agree wwith BK, this is torture country. Buy the best you can afford, break them in properly, get really good socks-change them often during the day. I have two pair of uninsulated Danners and one pair of Pronghorns (Danner) that have worked for me for the past few years. We issued Danners.
Find a really tall hotel in your area and run the back stairs, first in your boots, then in boots and pack until you puke-daily. I live at 5000 feet and find it sooo easy to run when I go to San diego-coming back it's tough to get back in it. Altitude will get you, the dry air-less that 20% humidity- will get you. Idaho at 9000 feet could make you very sick!
I ran the USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center near Bridgeport, Ca. we tortured flatlanders for the first week they arrived. we also tested boots, bags, tents, goretex-types, socks, climbing and skiing gear. We also condcuted search and rescue ops. Often we'd find lost folks suffering from altitude sickness and dehydration. Prepare for those wicked possibilities. JMO
Brian and Roadkill
I have hunted Idaho for 5 yeras now but it was whitetail hunting mostly sitting or moving slowly and sitting some more. This will be my first elk hunt anywhere and I know we will be walking more and sitting less so I dont have a clue where to start. I have a pair of Danners and will probably end up with an uninsulated pair because I know they are tough and comfortable and with good wool sock should be warm enough.
Brian I know what you mean about the flat ground being a road and I have ridden a slide rock section trying not to get run over by the mule deer that I was supposed to be dragging but I think he was actually dragging me.
Thanks again everyone.
DANNERS!! dino
One's that fit!!! Preferably sold to you who knows how to make sure they really fit!!! I used to sell outdoor/backpacking gear after returning to the states and leaving the military... Here's what I learned from there, 10 yrs in the service, and lots of weekends walking up and down the appalachians before becoming a born-again bowhunter!!
First thing I do is take a good set of insoles(I buy the superfeet insoles- $200 boots usually come with $0.79 insoles- $100 boots with $30 insoles are more comfy) with me shopping with a good pair of socks at the end of the day when my feet are swollen.
I have a few pair of boots... but my backpacking mountain boots are a set of Scarpa boots... they are great for the tough stuff and do well with heavy loads, but not what I'd want to run around the hills with 20 lbs of gear... but make that 50lbs+ and rocky terrain and my feet appreciate the extra support...
But if danners fit, go for it! I might suggest checking out a reputable backpack type store if you just want uninsulated boots... Vasque, asolo, meindl, danner, and many other good brands are out there... all of them use a differnt last(fake foot to make boots on- find the one made for feet that are similiar to your own...
The idea is to have happy feet!!!
its my opinion that every foot is different, and every person walks differently basedon height, weight, posture etc etc
go to a Bass Pro, or a Cabela's or a store with lots of boot selection and try on every boot they have in your size - do not look at price tag if you can help it - and the one that meets what you're looking for in a boot and "feels" the best - buy it
I wore Danner Jackels this pass elk hunt in New Mexico and will continue to wear them this up coming season.I did replace the insole w/ one of those athletic gell ones and made a huge difference.
mukluks are rated to -20 degrees, but cost $170. Worth it from what I understand.
-Charlie
Whatever you get they have to fit well. And I would make sure and get a very aggressive sole. They aren't very good for stalking but in anything steep (most of the rockies) they are a must have. If you don't you will hate them and if they are smooth enough you could even hurt yourself. Gary
I vote for the Meindl's by Cabela's. This is my first season with them and I spent a few days in southern ohio hills rough stuff in snow and rain great ankle support and never had any trouble. Feet stayed nice and dry with a smartwool liner and sock. Had to by one size smaller for a good fit. Had a pair of Danner pronghorn's, ankle(boot) broke down to soon.