As I age I am more inclined to spend a little bit more for better (longer-lasting, better performing, more comfortable) equipment...
Now looking to add some decent 8"-9" light to mid-weight all-leather boots. Something I can put a few miles on safely and comfortably.
Eyeballing the offerings from Danner and Irish Setter primarily. Looking for any feedback on these or other options around the $200 mark.
Thanks in advance,
Rando
I'm very, very pleased with my Keen Summit II's. Warm enough to wear down below zero, yet still wearable in spring/fall weather. Extremely comfortable, very light weight for a full boot, good friction in the soles, and weatherproof.
I think the 8" Vibram sole workboot is great for hunting/hiking. Right now I'm using a Georgia Boot Co. 8" low heal "logger"style boot for everything outdoors. All leather, triple stitched and a Vibram sole for 180 bucks. I have a set of Sorbothane Ultrasoles for the insoles.
I have been a Danner fan for the last three pairs of boots. I bought a pair of the pronghorns this past spring, they are ok but not as good as the previous pairs. I would look at a different brand than Danner's.
Sad to say but certain models of different brands of boots, are now made in China, I have found that they never seem to fit right.
Keen makes decent boots, been using Keen Erickson boots for a couple years. They are discontinued but really good arch support, broke in pretty quick and have been durable.
I live in NY and and very pleased with my Irish Setters. Waterproof, warm enough, comfortrable. We can get down to -20°F before I call it too cold to hunt. I move slow and easy when deer hunting but these are my "winter walk" boots when I go five or six miles for grouse or just exercise and looking for sheds or stumping.
I've had them long enough to go through three sets of laces . . . I'm sure at least 10 years because where I bought them was flooded out and destroyed in 2006 and just came back two years ago.
Irish setters, been working hard in them for over 38 years.
Keen or mendl perfekt hikers
I have a friend who just had the soles come off a pair of Rocky boots after wearing them only five or six times. He said this is the second pair that has done that. They were made in China.
Meindl Ultimate Perfekt Hunter fit IQ. A bit more than $200, but worth it in my opinion. My feet are hard to fit, wide in front and narrow in the heel. Keen works, sometimes, but not as well as these. There were some negative reviews from some people who didn't have wide feet in the toe area, so fit, as always, is more important than other people's opinions.
My favorite traditional type leather boot is not all leather but the cordura upper is why they are so light weight.They are the gore tex lined bison leather bird hunting boots by Chippewa. The vibram sole is not the aggressive one seen on hiking boots but it depends on what you need it for. For walking you cant beat them for comfort. I have neuropathy in my feet from nerve damage so comfort is paramount to me.When I bought mine they were under 200.00. Also on any boot or shoe I use I chuck the foot beds and replace them with Superfeet athletic footbeds from REI. Just visit REI for the correct fit. They are very close to an orthotic.
I bought some Thorogood weather buster postal boots this year. The are made in USA. They are comfortable, light, and the soles don't pick up dirt too bad.
The soles are molded to the leather upper, so they won't come loose. I've had several boots that were made in China, come apart.
I think these boots sell for about $150 or less.
I found Lowa Tibet's for 249 on amazon. Best boots I've owned by far!
PM sent rando
QuoteOriginally posted by Sam McMichael:
I have a friend who just had the soles come off a pair of Rocky boots after wearing them only five or six times. He said this is the second pair that has done that. They were made in China.
X2
As long as you dont have to do any serious climbing I like ariat workhogs, like army tanks for your feet.
QuoteOriginally posted by Sam McMichael:
I have a friend who just had the soles come off a pair of Rocky boots after wearing them only five or six times. He said this is the second pair that has done that. They were made in China.
X3 Felix,I had the same thing happen quit a few years back. They just disintegrated. With several attempt to contact Rocky with no reply I gave up and through them out. Needless to say I will never support them again. My wife bought me several pairs of Rocky socks for Christmas a couple years ago and I took them back.
There are a lot of good forums online that rate hiking boots. May be worth your time to take a look.