Hello i need suggestions from folks on boots.I do alot of walking in the woods and was wondering if anybody can suggest a top quality leather boot.I would like something better then major companies offer like rocky etc. which are made in china.I know some folks that hunt have access to the best info and gear and wonder what they find is the best of the best.thanks
Elk Trackers by RedWing
Not cheap but worth every penny
I have Red Wing, Irish Setter (made by Red Wing) and Danner leather boots. While pricey, all are top quailty names.
That sounds like a good boot.I remember seeing pics of older redwing leather hunting boots but i cant find anything these days.
Zamberlan.
Handmade Italian boots. The Norwegian welted line is rebuildable, and comfortable right out of the box.
They have been highly ranked in every backpacking/mountaineering survey for years for a reason.
Downside? The wallet is going to scream a bit.
Three answers:
Danner
Danner
Danner
(Only the US made models)
Love my Danner Acadias. I wear them day in and day out at work, get 5 years out of them, then they retire to my hunting boots for another 5. Quickest broke in boots I have ever worn.
Check out Crispi, I have owned almost every high end boot there is and these are far and away better.
Irish Setter Wingshooter for non mountain terrain. For hills, Irish Setter Elk Trackers... I don't think they can be beat, but certainly can't for the money!
I have some made in America Danner's that I like,and I also just where my Red Wing work boots in the woods. The Red Wings are just regular work boot lace ups,but they are very comfortable.
I hear lowa's are nice although I just ordered a pair of under armor speed-freaks to try this year.
Danner gets my vote.
Dave
I have owned a ton of good boots as of late I am really liking Irish Setters, they are great right out of the box, no break in required. I treat all my boots with Bear grease and beeswax a combo made by Foggy Mountain, great stuff!! Shawn
Limmer boots are the best I've found so far.Custom made to your feet. 18 mo wait though. Pete does have some ready mades in the shop.
I have had Irish Setter boots for many years. They are good footwear. Fortunately, GI military boots work very well for me and I have used these more than any other boot. In recent years, my question has always been, "What is the best snake boots out there"?
S c a r p a.
Danner or Meindl made in Germany. Very good boots but not cheap.
Can I ask about boots for double wide feet like mine. "-(
I really like my Hanwag mountain lights. Their alaska gtx looks pretty nice to.
Thank you everybody for your answers.I will look into all boots mentioned.If anybody can help Seeking Trad Deer with question please add to post.thanks
I've got a pair of Meindles that I wear almost everywhere and I love them. Only downside I've seen after three years is they are a bit heavy but very comfortable
I have Irish Setters that seemed to last forever. Last year I went to Idaho for elk so I bought a pair of danners to try out. They broke in quick and I ended up wearing them the hole 10 days I was there. I don't think you could go wrong with either of these boots. Try to buy the one's made in the US. They are the best!
Park,
While not all leather I would HIGHLY suggest L.L beans main hunter boots. Affordable , long lasting and unbelievably comfortable. Just my suggestion
I have a pair of Kenetrek...not cheap, but the best I have had on my feet.
BTW the Meindl's are German made and have a cork insert that will mold to your foot which makes them so darn comfortable. Sold through Cabelas.
russellmoccasin go check out the site custom made in America.
Woody Max Muck boots are the bomb! Lightweight and warm
Kenetrek for me, their Mountain Extreme non-insulated. Made in Italy, great comfort, almost no breakin, wonderful support, I have a pair of Zamberlain's too, but prefer the Kenetreks.
I used to wear out a pair of Rocky's or Cabelas (by Danner) boots a year. I also bought 10.5 or 11 wides. I finally broke down in around 2002 and ordered a pair of TLC Woodcock boots from Russell moccasin co. I had the soles replaced a year and a half ago, worn smooth, and now they are like new after 11 years. Best $300 I ever spent on boots - that works out to about $2000 worth of Rocky's or Danners I would have worn out by now.
Oh, and by sending in measurements to a boot making company, instead of buying over the counter boots from China, I found out I'm really a size 9 X 4E ....had to buy the 10.5 or 11 and put up with the extra length to get the width I needed.
I bought a pair of their "Mountain Climber" boots with 400g Thinsulate for later season colder weather, and I have a pair of the Thula Thula ankle boots with the newporter sole that I wear to work. The Thula Thula's have already outlasted a pair of the normal $80 shoes that I wore to work, so a couple more years and they pay for themselves too. Oh...and the feet don't hurt anymore :)
I'm a Russell fan...
R
I've owned a lot of boots and I've finally settled on Crispis. Expensive, but worth it.
I love the Irish Setters for my cold weather boots, but the last two years i've been wearing The "Keen
Ketchum Hiker"... These are a lot lighter weight than my Irish Setters, but they are very tough waterproof boots. Average weight: 3.1 lbs./pair.
they are pretty good in weather to the mid to low 30's, but for snow i prefer the insulation i have in the setters.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Keen-Ketchum-Hiker-Boots/1381113.uts?productVariantId=3151968&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03435484&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA &mr:trackingCode=FAC54B46-B1D2-E111-8DC4-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=31358518991&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=57898461071&gclid=CIbu4I7Sg7kCFStxQgodE2sAGg (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Keen-Ketchum-Hiker-Boots/1381113.uts?productVariantId=3151968&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03435484&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA&mr:trackingCode=FAC54B46-B1D2-E111-8DC4-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=31358518991&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=57898461071&gclid=CIbu4I7Sg7kCFStxQgodE2sAGg)
Keen! thier hikers and winter boots are becoming my favorites. I love danners and have 3 pairs of setters. But for the last 4 years i have been wearing shoes, hikes, and boots by keen. they are made in the usa, thier keen dry waterproof is really good, and thier are incredibly tough. i mean its almost shocking how durable they are and how long they last. also the most comfortable shoes and boots i have ever worn. definetly worth checking out.
Danner.
Just bought my 4th pair, 1st was about 15 years ago and only that first pair has finally worn out. I love the Pronghorns, have 1 pair of the Jackal's (not as durable but great for mild weather silent stalking. The latest (American made Ridgemaster) are not completely broke in but so far I love them. They are very similar to the second generation of Pronghorn's in construction.
Anyway, Danner.
I've tried Asolo and zamberlan.
Right now I have the asolo powermatics & they are great. I wanted to give kenetrek and crispi a shot but couldn't find any to try on yet. I hear great things about them though
I would like to know where [what stores] you guys are finding the high end boots. I would want to try on a pair before I shell out big bucks. I've been to Gander and Bass Pro and everything is from China.
I bought the American made Danner's from Sportsman's Warehouse. I see they are online too but I try and buy from locals when at all possible.
groundhawg, Rei, cabelas, or most hiking stores will carry the high end hikers like keen, asolo, lowa, etc. online zappos has a great return policy (my daughter showed me this site as she buys alot of shoes there).
Thanks, there's a new Cabelas in Columbus, guess I need to make a trip.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=64;t=004807;p=1#000006
I have had Chippewa, Danner, Red Wing, Asolo, Rocky, Browning, Meindl. I have used some of them in Ak, MN, CO, and ND.
Currently very satisfied with Perfekt Hikers by Meindl. If I were buying today I would be looking hard at Asolo and Meindls.
I should mention I have poor arches so boot selection for Mtn hunting is critical for me.
Red Wing has been my boot for many years. Not only are they well made they fit odd size feet so I can get something that's comfortable for my EEEE clod-hoppers.
My next pair might be from Russell Moccasin Co. They have you trace your foot and make the boots to fit.
groundhawg, REI carries high end boots and has phenomenal customer service and return policy.
Online check out backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or zappos