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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: heartlandbowyer on October 27, 2014, 11:01:00 PM

Title: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: heartlandbowyer on October 27, 2014, 11:01:00 PM
I love may arrow mocs, but they just don't offer much for traction going up and down hills and ditches.  Would like to hear what you guys like for a 6-8 inch light weight boot.

Thanks,
Cory
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: nineworlds9 on October 28, 2014, 05:39:00 AM
http://www.bellevilleboot.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=102

Mini-mil boots!  And if you need more heel rise check out their 'Khyber II" model.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Tique on October 28, 2014, 09:08:00 AM
Take a look at Wood N' Stream Maniac 8'' Waterproof Hunting Boot; less than 3lbs..
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: slowbowjoe on October 28, 2014, 11:02:00 AM
Keen. Light, extremely comfortable, good waterproofness, very good traction. Just measured the height of mine; 6". Good selection of styles.
Just got a pair of their insulated winter boots, same great characteristics. And fairly priced.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Rob W. on October 28, 2014, 11:54:00 AM
I like Danners and Keen. I have a pair of Danner Cloudcaps I love for early season and backpacking.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: centaur on October 28, 2014, 12:07:00 PM
I have been wearing these for a couple of years. Good early season boots for a decent price. I'm thinking that the Mini-mils will be the next ones I buy, however.
 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Full-Draw-Hunting-Boots/1746470.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D1000002949%2B10000051%26Ne%3D10000051%26No%3D20%2 6Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Ddry%2Bplus%2Bboot%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26re cordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Ddry%2Bplus%2Bboot%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D-883%26y%3D-51&Ntt=dry+plus+boot&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Full-Draw-Hunting-Boots/1746470.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D1000002949%2B10000051%26Ne%3D10000051%26No%3D20%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Ddry%2Bplus%2Bboot%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Ddry%2Bplus%2Bboot%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D-883%26y%3D-51&Ntt=dry+plus+boot&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products)
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Wandering Archer on October 28, 2014, 01:09:00 PM
If you've been wearing moccasins and like them but just want some more traction, look into the minimal trail running shoes. Basically like mocs but with rubber soles and aggressive tread.

Newbalance minimus
inov8

Do some research on what the ultralight backpackers and trail runners are wearing.

You might also, consider looking for sole rubber and just gluing a thin rubber sole to the bottom of your moccasins?
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Wheels2 on October 28, 2014, 01:16:00 PM
I still wear the Maine style boots a lot.  Not as much tread as others but it is a flexible sole and seems pretty quiet.  As a plus the rubber base cuts down on scent transfer on the ground.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Diamond Paul on October 28, 2014, 04:42:00 PM
Old-school, Converse Chuck Taylor b-ball shoes.  Canvas high tops with rubber soles.  Ain't much to look at, but they are quiet and cheap.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: shreffler on October 28, 2014, 04:46:00 PM
Check out the new Rocky Silent Hunter's. They make an 8 and 16 inch model. The soles are made by Vibram (the company that make the 5 finger shoes) so they're extremely lightweight and minimalistic. No bulk whatsoever. I love mine.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Biathlonman on October 28, 2014, 06:23:00 PM
Inov-8 trail running shoes. I've got the 390 GTX and have been very pleased.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: Bjorn on October 28, 2014, 06:45:00 PM
I like Lowa's good compromise between support and low weight. They are a bit quieter than a full on hunting boot too.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: beaunaro on October 31, 2014, 12:13:00 AM
Cabela's 8" Gore Tex Silent Stalkers are much better made than the Full Draw boots.

Similar in looks, both a light weight hiking/hunting hybrid.

Both as water "resistant" as Gor Tex can be.

But the rubber toe cap separated in a short time on my Full Draw boots.

Ever try to take defective used boots back to Cabelas?

I have never had much luck.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: overbo on October 31, 2014, 07:07:00 AM
Browning featherweight, very light weight and foot to ground feel is good. They have a decent traction. They do suffer a bit in ankle support.
Cabelas sneaker is much the same in attributes  as the browning's but I couldn't get near the mileage out of them as I have the Brownings.
I recently bit the bullet and had a pair of Russell boots built to my specifications and to my feet. It's the only way I will buy a hunting boot again.
I hunt 95% in the Va. mountains. Steep, rocky and slick so ankle support is a must.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: toddster on October 31, 2014, 07:13:00 AM
I have tried a great many of them, then I got an LL Bean Maine hunting boot, had been using it for 10 years, had it resoled twice.  It is great for stalking and temp above 40.  then I got me a Kennetrek pac boot for the colder temps.  Those are even better in my opinion.  My other 2 cents is this, put the money in NOW!  I actually calculated how much I spent on hunting "boots" with fancy "stuff" in them and I would of been better off getting these longtime ago, which has a lifestime warranty.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: M60gunner on October 31, 2014, 06:16:00 PM
I know these guys are not know for boots but look at the Under Armor line on their website. There is one boot that was tested over on the big sandbox that got real good reviews by the troops that wore them.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: German Dog on November 01, 2014, 10:06:00 AM
I'm in the same agreement as toddster posted above..
I got the 16" maine hunting shoe "boot" a few years ago and for a lightweight very versatile boot they really are great. For stand hunting I'm good in them down to about 38degrees with wool socks. For me the LLbeans run big so order one size down. For colder temps I got schnees.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: mangonboat on November 01, 2014, 10:20:00 AM
Ive been wearing Vasque Breeze GTX. Basically an agressive-soled trail-running shoe with ankle support. Great on uneven trails . I have wide toes and this has enough of a toe box that I dont get cold feet in a tree stand on a cold day. Goretex waterproof. Maine Hunting boots are hard to beat when hunting flat, wet ground  and you can walk and stalk all day in Browning Superlights, Irish Setters, too. Too many quality issues with Rocky boots. I used to wear Chuck Taylors for early season but not much support for my bigger, older self, now.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: woodchucker on November 01, 2014, 02:55:00 PM
I wore Bean boots for years.....

My last pair, gave up the ghost about 20 years ago. This year, I stumbled upon a pair at the GoodWill store... $14!!! WOW!!!!! Did I realize what I've been missing... They're not as high as I'd like(only 8") but I can live with them! They'll probly last me till I die.

BUT, if they don't... I know where my money's going!!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: neargeezer on November 01, 2014, 03:49:00 PM
You might take a look at Steger Mukluks & Moccasins. Moose hide moccasin with a soft traction bottom.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: monterey on November 01, 2014, 06:14:00 PM
I'm liking Red Head Trkker II.  Not the toughest or longest lasting boots, but light with plenty of traction.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: lone hunter on November 02, 2014, 07:56:00 AM
Lowa's
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: USN_Sam1385 on November 02, 2014, 07:59:00 AM
Maine Hunting Shoe. Best boot on the planet.
Title: Re: Light weight ground hunting boot suggestions?
Post by: tecum-tha on November 02, 2014, 09:36:00 AM
Haix Nebraska
now on sale with 35% off. Full leather boots,everything else always leaks.

 http://www.haixusa.com/clearance/16/nebraska?c=16