Hunting in hiking shoes.

[katiesmom]

Ok, so I have the rubber boots covered with a pair of Lacrosse Burley and a pair of Gumleaf boots. I haven't bought a new pair of snake boots and may let that slide for a while. I picked up a pair of Oboz Bridgers about 6 weeks back and I am breaking those in. The main thing I find is that with a heavy boot my knees get sore after a while. Walking hill country in rubber boots is not fun. If I had something light maybe it would not be so tough on my knees on those long walks. I know I would be sacrificing some stealth due to leaving more ground scent. Maybe it's a tradeoff I can live with.

My thoughts are to get a pair of hiking shoes, preferably waterproof. Public land is a different game and I hoof it many a mile. I'm wondering if a good pair of light hiking shoes would be a good solution. Get something with good arch support and cushion. It's not totally off the wall since I hunted a large part of my second season on public land in tennis shoes and was just as successful getting around and getting on deer.

Does anyone else hunt out of hiking shoes? Thoughts?

Yes I do. Had the same thing with rubber boots. I bought a pair of comfortable hiking shoes and plan on wearing them at least early season.

 

[Blacksmith]

Ye


Yes I do. Had the same thing with rubber boots. I bought a pair of comfortable hiking shoes and plan on wearing them at least early season.

I'm not so sure about the ground scent. I've hunted whitetails a lot in redwing work boots and not noticed deer in range caring much.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

So many good responses...I have to get busy looking.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Not water proof though. I need something that can get wet and dry out.

Did you make those or are they purchased?

 

[tailgunner]

Did you make those or are they purchased?

Diy.

 

[tailgunner]

 

[tailgunner]

Let me splain 2 u my 4moola.trailrunners with short gators early season.waterproof lightweight Merrels with tall gators in the rain.800 gram Insulate waterproof snakebites when its cold .rubber late season

 

[CP3]

I hunt out of Salomon quest 4’s and/or Crispi Thor’s. I never looked back, feet stay comfortable all day, stay dry, and still feel good at the end of the day.

This. Some non insulated crispis if you need something water can’t get in. I have some breathable liking boots because where I am early season is hot. Merels I think.

 

[raisins]

Low height shoes are fine for me if on trail or in "easier" areas.....but if it is thick, steep, with rocks, etc.....then the ball of my fibula down at the ankle on the outside hits into stuff pretty good (scraping against rocks and snapped off saplings, etc).

You might consider an ultralight shoe that is mid height, if this is a concern for you. Altra makes one but the durability of the waterproof version wasn't great for me. I'd probably look at ultralight mid height hikers.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

View attachment 70892

Nice!

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Let me splain 2 u my 4moola.trailrunners with short gators early season.waterproof lightweight Merrels with tall gators in the rain.800 gram Insulate waterproof snakebites when its cold .rubber late season

What brand are those trailrunners?

 

[woodsdog2]

I've swithed to the hiker system this year. I got a pair of Keen's that I siliconed way before season and added light and heavy gaiters. Also for colder temps Hanwag Trappers with T&K Gaiters. I'm starting to be like you silly people on this forum.

 

[woodsdog2]

Quite honestly, I've found my motivation for hunting more and longer and hiking more is increased with hiker type boots and gaiters. My feet don't get so sweaty and tired like they do in all rubber boots. I think the gaiters "act" somewhat like an elimatrax system too to keep some scent down on vegetation but I'm not too awfully worried about that.

 

[LoadedLimbs]

Ok, so I have the rubber boots covered with a pair of Lacrosse Burley and a pair of Gumleaf boots. I haven't bought a new pair of snake boots and may let that slide for a while. I picked up a pair of Oboz Bridgers about 6 weeks back and I am breaking those in. The main thing I find is that with a heavy boot my knees get sore after a while. Walking hill country in rubber boots is not fun. If I had something light maybe it would not be so tough on my knees on those long walks. I know I would be sacrificing some stealth due to leaving more ground scent. Maybe it's a tradeoff I can live with.

My thoughts are to get a pair of hiking shoes, preferably waterproof. Public land is a different game and I hoof it many a mile. I'm wondering if a good pair of light hiking shoes would be a good solution. Get something with good arch support and cushion. It's not totally off the wall since I hunted a large part of my second season on public land in tennis shoes and was just as successful getting around and getting on deer.

Does anyone else hunt out of hiking shoes? Thoughts?

@NMSbowhunter - have you tried the Tingley Ultra Lightweight Boot? It’s got all the comfort of crocs, is waterproof and not scent-permeable - and they weigh nothing more than your sneakers, even though they’re about 14” tall. What they don’t have is excellent traction or ankle support, nor excellent durability if you’re going through acres of heavy prickers or paths covered in scrabble rock.

Nevertheless, I manage with them in the New England woods, even going quite a way along side hills. And as rubber boots go, they’re pretty inexpensive at about $55/pair.

And if you want the versatility to head into swampy areas without a second thought, order a pair from ConkeysOutdoors.com with Yoder’s crotch-high 100% waterproof super chaps glued-on - for about $150 total, they’re awesome!

 

[raisins]

Quite honestly, I've found my motivation for hunting more and longer and hiking more is increased with hiker type boots and gaiters. My feet don't get so sweaty and tired like they do in all rubber boots. I think the gaiters "act" somewhat like an elimatrax system too to keep some scent down on vegetation but I'm not too awfully worried about that.

Yeah....I should sell all my rubber/neoprene boots....but I'm like a weird collector of things (hey....maybe I'll need that for 1 hour 5 years from now....better keep it).

But I'm always surprised to hear of people walking miles up and down hills in rubber boots. That sounds miserable to me.

If it wouldn't make my feet dangerously slick, I'd consider packing in some heavy duty pieces of garbage bag and sticking my feet in leather boots (with rubber bands to hold on) inside them to walk the last few hundred yards to my stand....just to cut down on ground scent in the immediate area. If someone made a super light weight thing like that that went over your boots and had good traction.....then I'd use them.

 

[woodsdog2]

If someone made a super light weight thing like that that went over your boots and had good traction.....then I'd use them.

Me too.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

@NMSbowhunter - have you tried the Tingley Ultra Lightweight Boot? It’s got all the comfort of crocs, is waterproof and not scent-permeable - and they weigh nothing more than your sneakers, even though they’re about 14” tall. What they don’t have is excellent traction or ankle support, nor excellent durability if you’re going through acres of heavy prickers or paths covered in scrabble rock.

Nevertheless, I manage with them in the New England woods, even going quite a way along side hills. And as rubber boots go, they’re pretty inexpensive at about $55/pair.

And if you want the versatility to head into swampy areas without a second thought, order a pair from ConkeysOutdoors.com with Yoder’s crotch-high 100% waterproof super chaps glued-on - for about $150 total, they’re awesome!

I'll look into that.

 

[raisins]

Me too.

Just had an idea....garbage bags over the feet and then these over the garbage bags. But then we're getting super complex.

Footwear Accessories | Footwear at L.L.Bean

Find the best Footwear Accessories at L.L.Bean. Our high quality Men's Accessories are thoughtfully designed and built to last season after season.

www.llbean.com

those are made more for ice, but there's no reason they couldn't have more of a lug sole suitable for mud (I don't think those ice spikes would do much on mud)

 

[LoadedLimbs]

Yeah....I should sell all my rubber/neoprene boots....but I'm like a weird collector of things (hey....maybe I'll need that for 1 hour 5 years from now....better keep it).

But I'm always surprised to hear of people walking miles up and down hills in rubber boots. That sounds miserable to me.

If it wouldn't make my feet dangerously slick, I'd consider packing in some heavy duty pieces of garbage bag and sticking my feet in leather boots (with rubber bands to hold on) inside them to walk the last few hundred yards to my stand....just to cut down on ground scent in the immediate area. If someone made a super light weight thing like that that went over your boots and had good traction.....then I'd use them.

Here’s your solution:

Lightweight Waders (Thigh High)

Manufacturer of the finest sleeping bags and outdoor gear in the world. Nothing keeps you you warm & dry in cold, wet conditions like Wiggy's!

www.wiggys.com

 

[LoadedLimbs]

I'll look into that.

Here’s Nutters view on the Tingley boots with Yoders chaps…