I hunted in a pair of Meindl Alaskans (for Cabelas) last fall and they were NOT waterproof as advertised. We hunted in rain and wet ground for most of the hunt and my feet were soaked day 2 thru 8. I had to take the boots and socks off every night and hand dry them over the fire.
I had hunted with them previously in Alaska with better luck (probably cause there was very little rain!) Not great quality from an expensive boot.
I've looked at the Danner Pronghorn and the reviews seem to point them being a leaky boot as well.
I've also heard good things about Schnee's pac boots but haven't heard much about their lightweight mountain type boots...and I've never hunted in either.
I do 100% of my hunting by foot, mostly long hikes into wilderness areas, so I'll need a comfortable, relatively light boot that is truly 100% waterproof.
Thanks in advance for the help.
The way you describe your hunting I'd say the Kennetrek hiking boots would be the ticket. Pair them up with some nice Gaiters and you'd be set for a bunch of weather scenarios. Very waterproof, long lasting. There are 3 models in diff weights you can choose from that are the hiking variety in diff heights. Spendy though. If you only used them for hunting I'd say they would last and last though. They are well built.
never hunted elk, but ...
for light to medium trekking in wet slop, i love my 8" llbean boots w/rubber bottoms and leather tops. the boot tongue is stitched to the boot sides for a full waterproofing for the whole boot height. made in the usa and priced right. i prefer the uninsulted version. most folks have "ankle biter" issues with bean boots that's easily and totally resolved with a strip of leather boot heel insert.
for medium to hard mountainside hiking i love my hi-tech ultra lite altitude waterproof boots.
I've got the Meindl's. They were waterproof for the first couple years, but now one of them isn't.
I hunt in LaCrosse burley's in Colorado. Tuck your pants in and they stay dry and no blisters on your feet. Wore leather boots out there the first time and had wet feet and blisters.
Asolo 520's with Goretex lining. I have hunting with a pair for 3 yrs now. They are comfortable right out of the box, will take extreme abuse, and I have put them to the test here in rainy Oregon. I even walked through a shallow creek and stayed dry. I found them on sale and bought a back up pair! Good ankle support for packing out in the high country.
Irish Setter Elk Hunter model with 600 grams of Thinsulate. 4 years of leak-proof, hard service for me. I do take the time to clean and oil them.
I've had my pronghorns for four years, no problems at all. I love them, light, good tread design, good support and absolutly no wet feet and several choices of insulation. Maybe I just got a good pair but they have served me very well. One of the best things about them is they seem almost pre-broke in..very comfortable from the start.
Try the Wolverine Crowleys! I love mine! Ive hunted Black Hills turkey(Run & Gun or Bow), and they are waterproof, lightweight, and have good support!
you might take a look at the Muck brand boots. I bought the muckmasters. they have lasted years for me and I live in the foothills of colorado and have really abused them. They hold up great.
Just to show that everyone has a little different experience I'll add my 2 cents. I have used Cabela's Outfitter boots for years. The same pair has hunted Idaho and Colorado for several seasons. I've used them some here in MN hunting whitetails too!
I've never had wet feet from leakage. I'm not sure how many wet days in a row I have worn them but I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. One of my hunting partners bought a pair at the same time and returned them. Another that I hunt with has a different model of Cabela's boots he swears by.
Only experience will tell you what works well for you. There are lots of good boots out there and you can find someone that has had a bad experience with any one of them.
I have had good luck with the cabelas gore-tex silent stalker sneakers. I like a light weight boot to cover ground better but they need to be super quite,water proof and plenty of support. This is one of the better ones I've come acrossed. The scent lock feature dosn't matter much to me but these are made for the elk hunter IMO. I have the pronghorns and love them but they are alittle heavy and alittle loud for me. Some people like a real ridged boot but I like a boot I hardly notice thats even there. Danner dose make one of the best most durable boots out there IMO.
The best boot is the one that fits your foot. If it's raining the whole time you're hunting, no amount of GoreTex will keep you dry. If it's just dewy in the AM or the occasional shower, any boot with GoreTex will work. Personally, I've had good luck with Lowa boots. HanWag has a good reputation if you want custom and are willing to spend the money.
Like Randy Morin said, go Kennetrek! I have a jillion miles in mine, creek crossing, hunting out of my canoe, snow, muddy slop, etc, kennetrek all the way!
Bob.
Boot care is often the big factor in life and effectiveness of a good pair of boots. Storing them wet and/or dirty, not following the manufacturer's recommendations for treating, and improper drying will all kill a good pair of boots. It doesn't matter who made them.
I have a 10 year old pair of handmade Vibergs that are on their third resole, and have been worn for at least 200 days a year in any and all weather for all ten of those years. Another guy i know has a 30 year old pair of Dayton loggers (similar to White's) that have spent all of the time in the bush year round (Forestry Service Tech). The common factor? Good quality, hand built boots that are treated with respect like any other piece of valuable equipment.
Danner has several with GoreTex, but with any boot, cleaning, proper drying and treating with the right product is essential.
It is not always possible to use a boot dryer while hunting, but if you stuff newspaper in the boot it will soak up moisture. I wear a light wool or synthetic sock then a medium or heavy weight wool sock to wick moisture.
I follow the manufacturer's care instructions as much as possible to get the best from my boots.
I like Danner Explorers or Santiams. Look for "Made in USA" (Only a few models) and not the Imported ones. They're a bit more $$'s but worth it. US Armed forces use a lot of them (Danners) as well and that's good field testing for me.
Man, so much good information in this thread.
So i have to put in my opinion also. This is one subject near and dear to my heart. Hang in there, I have a of advise.
Your feet are your number one concern. You already know that! Whatever boot you buy, needs to fit your feet well and to be "broken in" so that you can have healthy feet at the end of a long days hike/hunt, or for that matter multiple days hunting. Try on as many pairs as you can, put a boot on and walk around the store for as long as you can. The last boots I bought I wore, in the store, for over an hour before I made a decision.
The boots you mentioned, Meindel Alaskans, Danner Pronghorns and Schnees Pac boots are in different categories. Meindel boots are one of the better boots built. I have worn a couple of different pair for over 14 years. If those Alaskans are leaking, you have to look at a couple of things. If in fact they leaked and are defective, Cabela's has an excellent policy on their products. Call their customer service and ask to have them replaced. Thats if you haven't worn them in such a way as to damage the boot.
As stated by Daz, boot care is another important issue. Consider testing your boots when you have some spare time. Set them in the sink or the tub and see if water gets inside. Oh yeah, do the boot test in the sink when the wife is out of the house, this test doesn't sit well with most spouses. Trust me on this point !
If you are keeping the Alaskans and they leak, try and find the area that may be leaking, Is it damaged ? If not retreat them with something like "Sno Seal". This is one of the best "weather proofing" protectants i have every used. Its relatively inexpensive and lasts a season long. Wash the boots first and let them dry naturally. Hey, this reminds me, on your last trip, if you dried your boots over the fire and you got the boots to hot, you may have damaged them. Check the boots over really well.
There are many good boot companies out there,Kenetrek, Schnees, Meindel, Lowe, Vasque, Solomon, Zamberlan, Scarpa, Garmont, Merrel, Cabela's, Danner, just to name a few.
I would look at what you have first, get them replaced by Cabela's. Next, retreat what you have, and then as Randy said, combine a good pair of gators with your boots. The gators will help prevent moisture from getting in.
I spent 9 days in Manitoba last October guiding duck and goose hunters and most ever day i was in my Kenetrek's, rain pants and Kenetrek gators. I went in the marsh up to my knees on three occasions and never got my feet wet. My pants and legs were wet but not my feet.
Hey, just to give you an idea. I live and work in boots also. I have owned a pair from just about every manufacturer there is. Currently i have 9 working pairs of boots that i trade back and forts on.
My favorites are Kenetrek, Cabelas, Lowe and Schnees. These companies are not only well made but have excellent customer service.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Lowa boots + Kenetrek gaitors has worked for me
I'll have to throw in my 2 cents worth for the Kennetreks also, hard to beat em'.
You've got to find some that fit right and provide good support. I like my Asolos (Sassalongs fit my foot) when there is no snow or no more than a couple inches. If the snow gets deeper I wear my Danner Frontiers. Both boots are goretex and I haven't had a problem with either boot leaking over several seasons.
Most good brand leather boots are waterproof for a while. I've tried many brands and have never seen a leather gore-tex boot that would not leak evetually. If it is not rubber it will leak.
Gore-tex booties are Gore-tex booties and, for me, they ALWAYS have leaked after even short periods of heavy use. My preference now is for regular leather. I get wet, but I'm still comfortable and my boots dry during the course of a day.
I several different pairs of Danner's (Pronghorn) is one. I also hunt Idaho Elk, backcountry for 30+ days. I've NEVER found a pair of boots to be 100% WP OUT of the box. My feet have not gotten wet in the Danner's, I've had the pronghorns now 5 years, the other pair (Elk something) for almost 10 years, I clean and treat them with NO-SNOW once or 2x a year. Gaitor's is must in the backcountry.
QuoteOriginally posted by JJB2:
...my feet were soaked day 2 thru 8. I had to take the boots and socks off every night and hand dry them over the fire. ...
Alaska is the ultimate testing ground for waterproof gear, that is for sure.
I wonder if there was another issue involved besides a leaking boot. My Meindl's are a very hot boot. ie they do not breath well at all and if I do not take them off during the day there is a build up of moisture from simply not venting out the moisture from sweat. Enough so that the boot becomes "wet" on the inside. If I didn't now live in Colorado and hunt where its dry air a lot of the time, I think it would be difficult drying the boots out.
The more I sealed the leather the worse it got too. The more active I was also impacted how wet they felt.
Over time, like the two days you describe, might well have made my boots behave like a leaking boot.
Mine never leaked in river crossings or crossing muddy/wet parks (yes there is wet out here!) I've owned two pairs and they both were waterproof. 12hr days guiding elk hunters in wet snow covered grasses for a week was one test they passed. It was like walking through foam all day.
Just a thought.
Joshua
oops...
I love my Bean boots but they are not the ideal boot for rocky climbing. You may take a look at Chippewa boots, most made in the USA. It will say on their site if the specific boot is American made. Good boots, waterproof and tough. They do need some break in, love mine.
Anything Danner or Merrell, I hunt a lot here in the west and they are both great boots.
jhg, the Meindl's didn't leak in alaska and I bear hunted hard in them for a week - crossed creeks, hunted the mud flats, got em pretty wet. They leaked in Colorado last fall. When I got back from Alaska I cleaned em up and retreated them. Our week + in Colorado last fall was wet. muddy and the boots leaked constantly, no matter how dry I got em the night before. I agree with you on them being hot...really hot, but it wasn't perspiration, it was water coming in. They leaked around the rubber/leather seems and where the toe creases from walking, also up under the laces closest to the toe.
Jack and all the others recommending the kenetrek boots - are you wearing the grizzly pac boots with the more agressive sole pattern or are you wearing the leather mountain boots or hiking boots?
Thanks all for the great feedback. I really appreciate it. I've always invested in boots first, as my feet are priority #1. I learned that at age 11 freezing in a deer stand in some store bought "winter boots". Year #2 found me in a pair of Mickey's and since I've always worried about my feet first and the rest later. Needless to say I was very disappointed that my Meindl's didn't perform last fall they way they did in Alaska.
I was refering to the "Hiking" boots as stated in my original post.
I do mostly elk and sheep hunting and do it all in my Lowa's. The meindels and kennetrek are very similar in design to the Lowas and I think any of them would be top notch. They are a little heavier than a pronghorn or vasque but in the steep country they keep your ankles in place and can take a whooping. I use to go through a paire of boots every year (danners/vasque)due to the rugged country (mainly rocks) but I've had the same pair of Lowa's for 4 years now and still have a few years left in them. Thats after countless elk hunts and 5 sheep hunts. I know the Lowa's are usually for a wider foot and I beleive the Kennetrek might be more suitable for a narrower foot. Check with your local store because I beleive you will want to order 1/2 size bigger on most of the above mentioned boots.
I too like the L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Boots in the 10" version - but I would make a distinction between the Maine Hunting Shoe and their "Bean Boots"... they're not the same. The Maine Hunting Shoe uses a softer rubber more suited for woods wear as well as a different (waterproof) leather than the "Bean Boot".
I never had a problem with the seam that Rob mentioned... could just be different ankle anatomy... I also often wear orthotics that raise my ankle above that seam.
That being said though, I know you (the OP) specified you wanted something for long hikes and my feet wear out a little sooner than normal in the ME Hunting Boot (there's just not as much support with them). I can't give you a personal review, but I've been eyeing up the L.L. Bean Cresta Hiking boot for just the same purpose.
Were you wearing good gaitors??? Regardless of the boot you need a good Gaitor to keep your feet dry elk hunting. I have worn Browning (yes 20 years ago they made an elk hunting boot), Danner, Schnee, bean boots, and now Lowas. They all have their place. But all would get my feet wet without good goretex gaitors. my 2 cents.
I SECOND JACK,,,,GOOD LUCK
I have a pair of danner elk hunters and a pair of aslo's that I just bought this year. They both leak, bad. My feet get wet even while walking in wet grass. Dont seem to matter what I treat them with(snow seal,mink oil,silicone spray etc). Both are gor-tex lined.Iam thinking of trying a pair of muck boots,just dont know how well they are for rough rocky elk mule deer country.And long hikes.I use a pair of russell moccisons for hunting pigs in texas and they dont claim them to be water proof but they are much more water resistent then any of the gore-tex lined boots ive tried.
I'm a probghorn fan as well. Never had a leak yet and the boots are 5 years old. Very comfortable.
I've been Elk hunting in Schnee's for about ten years. Only rebuilt them once, and by far are the best wet weather boot I've found. Get the 16", tuck your pants in and you dont need gaiters.
i recall a story about someone planning a trip to alaska -a four month stay to hunt different game, they came down to the baffins rubber boots.
cost wasnt even a issue but the fact they could take out the liner and put a dry one in or even just take them out to dry over night. like the other post said boot care is everything if boots r just a little damp your feet will freeze too easy.
plus rubber boots will give u awesome scent protection add some baking soda if needed.
Tommy
I have put many miles on Danner Pronghorns and the only ones that have leaks are the ones I have worn out. I will get a pair of the newest version for this fall and hope the tradition continues. Having more than 1 pair of boots to hunt with is a big help, switch up ea. day. Clean them, dry them out and treat with a quality product regularly and they last as long as you can expect in rough elk country (several years). I haven't ever had a problem with the Danners but I have had some other brands that leaked from the start. Break a new pair (whatever brand) in the old fashion way, put them on, walk through as much real wet stuff as you can find, pond edges, creeks, the kiddie pool, whatever. get them soaked to the core and make sure you didn't get a pair that got a bad liner. Then wear them until dry or close to it. If they have a problem trade them in before you find out in the hills. The gaiters are a plus in the real wet stuff and they insulate the legs too and man I love those Smartwool sox. Good luck and keep those toes dry and comfortable.....especially in elk country!!
Try the Oboz hiking boots,100% water proof, no blistes out of the box, great boot!
Wow, I can't believe you guys have had good luck with Pronghorns. My friends and I have never had a pair that didn't leak. Although I've never had problems with Danners made that were made in America. But that said my favorite are Kennetreks.
I am a Danner Pronghorn fan. wear them with lite to medium wt. wool socks and a pair of goretex gatiers, for when it gets real wet. Use good leather dressing like the one that Whites boot co. puts out. I have made seven trips to colorado,and these boots are still good to go. PS I have climed all over the maroon bells and the mesa delta and I just can't figure out how you guys do it in rubber boots,I just can't imagine doing it.
Dry out your boots at night with chemical handwarmers (the ones you actually light). Dry boots every morning! :bigsmyl: