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Rub my feet

I really like Danner Pronghorns but tried Danner Vitals this year due to cost. They're as comfortable as tennis shoes with the support of a boot. I wore out my Pronghorns over several years. The Vitals are just as comfortable if not more comfortable than the Pronghorns, I'll just have to see how they hold up.
 
If I’m hunting any sort of elevation changes at all, I’m wearing my lowa Tibet’s. They were ‘comfortable’ the first 50 or 100 miles. But they didn’t justify the cost in my head. But as I broke my custom insole and the boot itself in fully, I began to see the light. They have become a piece of equipment that I don’t think about now. My feet never hurt, feel weird, I don’t have a moment I don’t trust the support or anything. I just go hunt. That’s what equipment should be - an extension of you. I’m sure there are cheaper ways to skin a cat. But the cheaper attempts I’ve made, have all worked “okay” and not lasted. These boots have 1200+ miles in two seasons of western training/hunting and whitetail hunting. Besides dirt they look brand new. And they are by far the most comfortable boot I own. I suspect normal people who walk 50-200 miles per season could get a lifetime out of these boots without ever retreading if they treat the leather on occasion.

my Under 200.00 attempts at both leather and synthetic boots have all begun to fall apart at less than a quarter that.

I reckon it’s the same as broadheads. You paying up front or in installments. It’s a wash in the end. Maybe.

I like pieces of kit that I stop thinking about. The boots are one of them.

Of note - these boots, and others like them, are heavy and stiff. Those two things will be incredibly annoying up front, if you’re not expecting it. It will take some getting used to.

I’ll be the first to admit that swapping to my one pound vasque inhalers midway through elk trip for a day was like heaven. Half the weight, and it was almost like not wearing a boot. Which was a good thing for the first 3 miles that day. Then the walk back to camp, which involved lots of uphill and side hill, reminded me why I bought the lowas in the first place.

I know you’re generally suspicious of anything that’s expensive. Boots are certainly subject to the same scrutiny.

this is just one mans experience.
 
My ever day boots are Lowa Renegades. My hill country and mountain hunting boots are Crispi Valdres. Both are just a slightly over you $200 price point but like was mentioned above there are plenty of places to cut cost but your feet arent one of them. Spend the time and money to find the right boot to fit your foot. Legs feed the wolf and they start at the foot.
 
A point that Kyle brought up are you walking 10 miles or 100 miles a hunt? If you planning a out of state elk hunt you may want to spend more on the boots. If your running around the hills of Al a cheaper boot will serve you many years. IMHO


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When I don’t wear rubbers I’ve been rocking the same pair of Irish Setter VaprTreks for 4-5 seasons. No complaints. I heard they don’t make them like the used to though. I got a pair of Merrell Moab 2s for work and they are awesome. I’d probably buy another pair of either.
 
The most durable boots I've ever owned are White's and they were sized and made for my feet. You'll pay upfront and you have to break your feet into the boot not vice versa. I still own those boots and are in great shape after who knows how many miles and several fire seasons. They have rough out leather, screwed, sewn and glued on Vibram sole.
I see White's are now offering a mountainerring style boot similar to LaSportivas, Lowas, Crispis, etc. too.
I've owned the mountainerring style boot and over time the glue gets brittle, lets loose and your dealing with flopping rubber around the welt.
Lately I've just been buying cheaper (around $200), comfortable, decently made boots every few seasons which allows me to try something different without dropping a small fortune and usually require zero break in period.
 
Look around and you can find these on big sale. I got mine on campsaver for 50% off.

Danner - Mountain 600

Danner boots are a mark of superior craftsmanship, Our hiking, hunting, work, military, and law enforcement boots are built with GORE-TEX waterproof liners, durable Vibram outsoles, and full-grain leather.
www.danner.com www.danner.com

Very light weight with just enough support. Basically, a waterproof high top sneaker but with some extra support. It makes walking in very nice and low fatigue and they are very comfortable. I've only had them one season, so can't speak for long term durability. But I now treat boots like consumable items (tires on a car), so if I get 2 good years for 90 bucks, then I'm good on that.

I tried hunting this year in gore tex low tops, and my ankles were getting stabbed and I did miss the support when walking on rocks on sideways hills and such. I like a little extra height and support, but not a stiff boot (unless you want to spend a lot of time with sore feet before you break them in).
 
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Following.....I love saddle hunting but my feet hate it. I'm currently searching for the "right" boot myself. I ordered some Bogs but thus far they are stiff as all getout which I hope will get better with more wear. I intend to break them in this shed season. I would like to try some Crispi but there's nothing on the east coast that sells them. Lowa are the others that I want to try which I can get at REI.
 
Someone on here recommended the Inov-8 Roclite 345s and I've enjoyed them this season. In one of the old school books I've been reading lately, he is all about he OG LL Bean boot. I've been contemplating...
 
I have been using my Army boots, simply because that's what I had and never felt need to buy other since I wore them for years all day long. But recently I'm considering a scent control regime for next season (scentlok, smoking, etc). I'm not a fan of rubber boots, maybe because I only ever tried 2nd hand low quality ones. But I read that's the easiest in regards to scent control while you're walking. So if I want to keep using my army boot, how do I scent control it? But I'm open to hiking boots too.
 
Wirrex said:
Solomon Quest.
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I’ve had mixed experience with their goretex waterproofing, but other than that they’re a really great shoe. For whitetail you might get away with something more light duty, but the weight to ankle support ratio of these is excellent. Two elk trips in them as well.
 
Lowa tibet GTX, I have 2 pair and keep rotating them, I went over the top once when I was out of town and spent the next few days in damp boots, never again, I bet I have spent a couple thousand dollars on boots in the last ten years and the lowa tibets were hands down the winner for me. I have a leg and ankle full of titanium and cheap boots don’t cut it.
 
HuumanCreed said:
I have been using my Army boots, simply because that's what I had and never felt need to buy other since I wore them for years all day long. But recently I'm considering a scent control regime for next season (scentlok, smoking, etc). I'm not a fan of rubber boots, maybe because I only ever tried 2nd hand low quality ones. But I read that's the easiest in regards to scent control while you're walking. So if I want to keep using my army boot, how do I scent control it? But I'm open to hiking boots too.
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Personally, I think the scent control difference between boot types is immaterial, so folks should wear whatever is comfortable and keeps their feet warm (whether that's rubber, leather, hikers, crocs, whatever). As support for my belief, think about rabbit dogs hunting... When a good rabbit dog runs perpendicularly into a recent rabbit trail, the dog sniffs a few feet to the right and a few feet back to the left, and then can tell which direction the rabbit was running based on the scent being less than one second fresher. If a dog can tell a rabbit-sized track is moments fresher, and deer have better noses than dogs, I just don't buy that the boot type for a human-sized track is going to be enough to fool a deer.
I think overall scent reduction is beneficial, but it should not be pursued at the expense of comfort/hunt enjoyment. Just my two cents.
 
HuumanCreed said:
I have been using my Army boots, simply because that's what I had and never felt need to buy other since I wore them for years all day long. But recently I'm considering a scent control regime for next season (scentlok, smoking, etc). I'm not a fan of rubber boots, maybe because I only ever tried 2nd hand low quality ones. But I read that's the easiest in regards to scent control while you're walking. So if I want to keep using my army boot, how do I scent control it? But I'm open to hiking boots too.
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TNbowhunter said:
Personally, I think the scent control difference between boot types is immaterial, so folks should wear whatever is comfortable and keeps their feet warm (whether that's rubber, leather, hikers, crocs, whatever). As support for my belief, think about rabbit dogs hunting... When a good rabbit dog runs perpendicularly into a recent rabbit trail, the dog sniffs a few feet to the right and a few feet back to the left, and then can tell which direction the rabbit was running based on the scent being less than one second fresher. If a dog can tell a rabbit-sized track is moments fresher, and deer have better noses than dogs, I just don't buy that the boot type for a human-sized track is going to be enough to fool a deer.
I think overall scent reduction is beneficial, but it should not be pursued at the expense of comfort/hunt enjoyment. Just my two cents.
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I built an ozone box and put my non- rubber boots in there about 2x per season to knock down any funk buildup. Now I can’t tell a difference in scent and let the expected amount of water dictate footwear choices.
 
Go somewhere and try on some good boots. Lowe, La sportiva, asolo, limmers etc. Depending on foot width, arch, and walking habits(supenate, pronate) different brands will fit better. Here's the secret though...even a $400 dollar boot has a $0.50 insole in it. Take it out and put some superfeet in either green or blue depending on heel cup depth and arch supprt needed.
 
Well while we are at it .
suggestions on comfortable snake boots?
In the south bow season is prime time for Mr. no shoulders
 
Vtbow said:
Go somewhere and try on some good boots. Lowe, La sportiva, asolo, limmers etc. Depending on foot width, arch, and walking habits(supenate, pronate) different brands will fit better. Here's the secret though...even a $400 dollar boot has a $0.50 insole in it. Take it out and put some superfeet in either green or blue depending on heel cup depth and arch supprt needed.
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I just used their insole selector tool and it recommended the trailblazer. Anyone used this insole?
 
Tree hunter said:
Well while we are at it .
suggestions on comfortable snake boots?
In the south bow season is prime time for Mr. no shoulders
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I prefer the Irish Setter lace ups if no wading is required. Have thought seriously about adding a pair of the lacross alpha snake boots next year since a lot of my hunting is around or requires crossing water. We have cottonheads, rattleheads and copperheads and I seem to have a knack for stepping on or right next to them.
 
Gator said:
I just used their insole selector tool and it recommended the trailblazer. Anyone used this insole?
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I havent used that one but the superfeet dont work for me at all. The arch support doesnt fit my foot right. Found some insoles in Colorado that fit my foot perfect. I think they are Mastercraft.
 
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