Would appreciate a recommendation from those that have these boots. Should I order the 8" 400 gr or the 10" 600 gr? Primary use will be elk in the west but also will use here at home. I am worried that the 600gr would get hot in the 15 - 30 range that I experience most in Ohio. I like the taller boot but they are heavier, so I would like to hear your thoughts. By the way, Cabelas has them on sale now.
Thanks in advance.
Jason and I both have the 10" 600 gram model and absolutely love them. We use them primarily for hunting with temps from 0 to 70 degrees. I wear cotton socks in the higher temps and wool in the lower. They serve us well from the high rock country to the tundra of Alaska. If I ever wear these out, I'll buy another pair.
Mike
These are awesome boots. I have the 8" uninsulated and the 10" 600 gram. For me anything below 40 degrees I wear the 600 gram and vary my sock thickness. From walking all day to sitting in a stand I have hunted in Michigan with these boots and have never once had an issue. With good quality wool socks in different thicknesses I would not hesitate to buy these for hiking the mountains in 15-30 degree weather. :thumbsup:
Best boots I ever owned. 8 in uninsulated. Worked perfect during elk season 20-80 degrees.
Weight and ankle support are important in my hunting. I use Cabela's boots, by Danner (200 gram) and a their Premier Upland boot (discontinued), in 200 or 400 gram. The Danner are lighter than the ones you are considering and not all leather.
I would use uninsulated for warm weather, and insulated boots when it is at or below freezing all day. I also walk, and do not sit for long periods. If sitting, in a tree or ground blind, I would consider even more insulation.
If your hunting steep and/or rocky terrain, that might influence my decision toward a stiffer boot with better support.
It is hard to find one pair that works well in all types of weather and terrain.
I use one pair of Marino Wool light weight, or all polyester sock and either a medium or heavy weight sock. My boots are the same size, as my street shoes. Their boots compensate for insulation and medium socks, but check first.
I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP boot waterproofing, or Montana Pitch Blend.
I have the 10" 600 gram model and absolutely love them. I have bad ankles and the support of the 10" does the trick.
I have owned many pairs of Danners, recently tried the Cabelas outfitter 10" 800gr and they are every bit as good as Danners. Found them on sale for $149.00....PR
I have the 8" 400gram Elk Hunters and love them. I have used them for deer hunting on stand in 20deg weather and turkey hunting in 80deg weather. Use thick socks in cold and thin cotton in warm. They are extremely well built,so well in fact that it did take a while to break them in but once there they are super comfy. Dont make the mistake I made by wearing short ankle socks cause you will end up with a blister where the boot meets your lower leg. BTW, they are one of the few boots made by anyone that is still made in the USA.
I have the 10" 600 gram and love them! I have hunted for the last 12 years (every season for at least 30 days a year) from Colorado to my own West - By God - Virginia with these same boots through all seasons! You can't beat em'! Consider that a well insulated boot should hold your foot at a regulated (constant) temperature... even in warmer conditions. BTW... These boots are bullet-proof and wear well!
Thanks! I think the 10" will be the ticket. I just want to use them sometimes in the spring for turkey or early deer and was worried they might be uncomfortable if walking a lot.
I had the 8' 400's and they were great elk boots. I literally hiked them until they fell apart.
It has been 8 or 10 years back, but I do remember them being on the heavy side. I think the 10" would be even worse.
Again its hard to recommend a do it all boot.
Sittin' whitetails in Nov is a very different beast than hiking mountains for elk.
Make sure you try them out first. I have a pair and they give me the WORST blisters on my heels. I ordered mine, but I should have put them on in the store and done laps for about an hour. If your heel feels warm, DON'T get them. I took them into the back country last summer and spent the next three days limping. I've never had a problem like that with boots before, so the fit of these must be a little unusual. The construction seems good and mine will last forever because I'll never wear them again. They are size 11 and I'll give you a great deal if you want them....
I have had 2 pair of the Danner Antelope original style, most comfortable hunting boot ever. Almost don't need any break-in. The 3rd pair of Danner Antelopes I bought were the ones with the rubber toe covers. The worst pair of hunting boots I have ever had. They took me 6 months to break in, so stiff and uncomfortable could only wear for a couple hours at a time until broke in.
I'm on my second pair of Danner Sierra's. They are 200 gram. I've used them on two elk hunting trips and several whitetail hunts over the last 7 or 8 years. I prefer less insulation compared to more, especially for elk hunting. I've found that my feet stay warm with less insulation and a good pair(or two) of wool socks.
I've had a pair of 400 gram, Cabela's Elk Hunters by Danner for over ten years in fact probably closer to 15 years. In that time period I have only missed one elk season. I love the boots. Very good support, both arch and ankle. They are also lace-to-the-toe boots so you can snug them up for steep country. For dry ground, rocky terrain I wouldn't want anything else - great traction. For wet ground they're pretty good. The one area that they lack is in snow/ice traction. The knobs are too stiff for good snow/ice gripping. My LaCrosse Iceman or Schnee pacs are both much better in snow and ice than the Danners. All that said, my Elk Hunters are the only boot I wear during archery elk season in Colorado.