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Time to think about replacement boots

tmattson

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
1,088
Location
South East Michigan
Time to replace my OLD Lacrosse rubber boots for next fall hunting. So many good options out there.
For a rubber based type of boot, I know I want neoprene uppers. Also prefer something that does not weigh
a ton (for these style boots anyway), I realize the more insultion the heavier they are. My feet get cold easy. Sweating
is not a huge issue for me, I barely sweat walking in the hot summer months, especially after cancer related issues.
So looking for a happy medium, not that such probably exists. Fire away with what you have and have learned, what treated
you well and what you would avoid. Also not opposed to the idea of a good non rubber boot that is at least very water resistant,
but still warm. Not going to be treading in water or streams or out in a swamp, at least not that I see based on where I hunt, but
in snow for sure at some point in the season. And, have to ask, do you "size up" so you can wear extra think socks?
 
I have lacrosse and muck neoprene boots that I no longer use. Lace up and non-rubber for me all the way. I don't have stores near me where I can try on the super high end boots, and I'm not going to spend $300 or more hoping they fit and then keep exchanging them or send them back or keep them and something happens to them or they don't fit long term.

So, I no longer treat boots like a big investment. I find a decent brand on huge sale that does what I need and then count myself lucky if I get more than 2 years out of them.

Right now, I only run these for ultralight early season (got these half off)


and these for mid to late season (got these for 80 bucks during summer)


for cold days, I use arctic shield boot covers with chemical warmers in them. Wearing super insulated boots in is like wearing your coat while walking instead of hanging it on your pack (why?). And weight on your feet makes a huge difference to stamina. I can wear those 400 gram trackers down to the teens and sit still with the boot blankets.
 
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Maine Hunting Shoe with a good thick pair of socks. Change socks when you get to the tree, put some hot hands in Arctic shield boot covers and I am good to go.
 
What percentage of your hunting time are the temperatures below freezing? How often below 20*? Flat/hill country/mountains?
 
Oh, most important part how many miles do you walk in a hunting season?
Last few years mostly private, smaller tracks of land. Biggest I would hunt private currently is an 80 acre piece.
But that may change, hunting bigger tracks of state forests in Northern Michigan next few years if all goes as planned.
 
my gumleafs are more comfortable than any leather or hiking boot I’ve worn. Walked 8 miles in them in the mountains just yesterday. I can wear them down to low 30s. Lower than that and I throw some of those sticky toe warmers in the front. Not cheap but they’re supposed to last many years. They ain’t China rubber like lacrosse
 
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