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What boots are y’all wearing?

B

Bat013

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Messages
2
As the title suggests, I am looking for suggestions on a new pair of hunting boots. I have always hunted out of rubber boots, but I am interested in the comfort and lightness of a hiking style boot. What are y’all wearing in the woods? Preferably waterproof and medium insulated.
 
I got an interesting pair of boots this year. I wanted something waterproof (but not a big heavy boot) for stalking and still hunting. I ended up getting a pair of vivo barefoot scott 2.0's. Really impressed with them. Camel leather so about as breathable as you can get while still being waterproof. Barefoot shoes so you can feel everything under your feet without it being uncomfy which makes them really quiet. Good for sneaky sneaky. It can take a while to get used to barefoot shoes but I find them very comfortable. I have had them since April and they have held up well to hikes, through creeks, etc. I think the ankle support is adequate although if you need more they have a hiking boot version. That one has medium insulation. But I hate hot shoes as I live in the southeast. I like uninsulated shoes then I just have icebreaker boot covers for winter. I wear them and my crocs everyday. Have become my go to.
 
Innov8 roclite 345 goretex. Very light, very comfortable. I’ve been wearing the roclite series boot for years now and haven’t found a more comfortable boot for me yet. I wear my TideWe boots if I know I’m crossing water or hunting in swampy areas.

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I picked up some Under Armour Men's Fat Tire GORE-TEX Waterproof Boots for basically nothing at Ross / TJ Maxx. And while I love the comfort of the boot, they squeak and I can not recommend them due to that.

I had been eyeing some Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for the fall, but will keep an eye on this thread. Loving the suggestions so far. I have had great luck with inov-8 trail running shoes and always wanted to try vivo barefoot products, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
 
five said:
I picked up some Under Armour Men's Fat Tire GORE-TEX Waterproof Boots for basically nothing at Ross / TJ Maxx. And while I love the comfort of the boot, they squeak and I can not recommend them due to that.

I had been eyeing some Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for the fall, but will keep an eye on this thread. Loving the suggestions so far. I have had great luck with inov-8 trail running shoes and always wanted to try vivo barefoot products, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
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Yeah innov8 makes some great kicks! I like how the inside of roclites doesn’t have and seems that could create friction points that may cause blisters. Worn them on a few deployments too and they can take a beating! The laces on the older ones were better but still awesome boots.


Sent from parts unknown
 
Good news about those innov8s. I’ve almost pulled trigger on those a few times, both boots and sneakers.

I recently purchased the la sportiva nucleos and so far so good. They need to be treated prior to really putting them to work( nikwax or something similar) man do they fit though. Hiking boots have come so far.

The last thing I’ll add and this took me so so so long to realize... do not skimp on boots. I once ordered a pair of bargain boots from sportsman’s warehouse only to have them absolutely fail on me late November in the north east. The eyes began to pop out and they seems frayed. This was all in one sit. Never again.
 
RatMe said:
Good news about those innov8s. I’ve almost pulled trigger on those a few times, both boots and sneakers.

I recently purchased the la sportiva nucleos and so far so good. They need to be treated prior to really putting them to work( nikwax or something similar) man do they fit though. Hiking boots have come so far.

The last thing I’ll add and this took me so so so long to realize... do not skimp on boots. I once ordered a pair of bargain boots from sportsman’s warehouse only to have them absolutely fail on me late November in the north east. The eyes began to pop out and they seems frayed. This was all in one sit. Never again.
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Ditto, you get what you pay for and ya gotta take care of your wheels! Lol


Sent from parts unknown
 
Irish setter vaprtrek 17’ boots their snake proof and waterproof. I’m pretty dang tuff on my boots I can get a pair to last me a full season and some before they leak any. I haven’t tried their new style for 2020 yet but they look to have improved design.
 
I'm in the same boat, looking for a new pair of boots but I'm concerned about leaving scent with hiking style boots. I've been using rubber boots forever which helps reduce scent and I feel like if I switch to another type of boot I'd be taking a big hit in my scent elimination/reduction program. I think it's easier here up in the northeast with the cooler weather to control scent as compared to you southern boys who hunt in warmer and more humid conditions but I could be wrong. Years ago I've had deer stop dead in their tracks when they came up to my trail and picked up my scent, not sure if it was from the boots or just me in general but since I've been using rubber boots deer walk right over my trail without noticing I went by. Anyone using hiking or upland boots ever notice game animals picking up scent where you passed?
 
@slonstdy I am sure that a pair of hiking boots will hold more scent than a pair of rubbers.. But I believe a lot of scent is left just from walking in, unless you completely cover every part of your body like John Eberhart does. I pick hiking boots because of a couple reasons. They are warmer usually, better ankle support for longer sits, and they are more comfortable imo..
 
five said:
I picked up some Under Armour Men's Fat Tire GORE-TEX Waterproof Boots for basically nothing at Ross / TJ Maxx. And while I love the comfort of the boot, they squeak and I can not recommend them due to that.

I had been eyeing some Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for the fall, but will keep an eye on this thread. Loving the suggestions so far. I have had great luck with inov-8 trail running shoes and always wanted to try vivo barefoot products, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
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I love the look of Solomans but they just won't make a wide for me.
 
slonstdy said:
I'm in the same boat, looking for a new pair of boots but I'm concerned about leaving scent with hiking style boots. I've been using rubber boots forever which helps reduce scent and I feel like if I switch to another type of boot I'd be taking a big hit in my scent elimination/reduction program. I think it's easier here up in the northeast with the cooler weather to control scent as compared to you southern boys who hunt in warmer and more humid conditions but I could be wrong. Years ago I've had deer stop dead in their tracks when they came up to my trail and picked up my scent, not sure if it was from the boots or just me in general but since I've been using rubber boots deer walk right over my trail without noticing I went by. Anyone using hiking or upland boots ever notice game animals picking up scent where you passed?
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This will be my first fall with new boots and I'm used to rubber boots too. Gonna try that white wood ash on them and see if that works. Thats the plan anyway. My primitive skills friend assured me it should work but I'll have to see before I believe it 100%.
 
I picked up some Irish Setter VaprTrek 2.0s for pretty cheap. Just tried them on in the house but pretty light and comfortable.
 
Those vapors look pretty mean. I’ve heard mixed reviews on their durability, probably depends on care and type of use though.
 
SnakeEater said:
Innov8 roclite 345 goretex. Very light, very comfortable. I’ve been wearing the roclite series boot for years now and haven’t found a more comfortable boot for me yet. I wear my TideWe boots if I know I’m crossing water or hunting in swampy areas.

b17e018ed3786e6fc77d4a1d70472159.jpg



Sent from parts unknown
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I went to buy Salomon Quests, but walked out with Lowa Renegades. Whatever you get, try them on before you buy, what feels best to you may be trash to others, just like saddles.
 
Bwhana said:
I went to buy Salomon Quests, but walked out with Lowa Renegades. Whatever you get, try them on before you buy, what feels best to you may be trash to others, just like saddles.
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^this
If you got an REI or similar store go and try them all on


Sent from parts unknown
 
I'm a rubber boot guy, but not a fan of the large toe box in most rubber boots. For this reason I hunt with the Lacrosse Alphaburly Pro. The Alphaburly Pro has a smaller toe box and plenty of ankle support. Lacrosse has a different version of the Alphaburly at Cabelas. It has a larger toe box like most rubber boots. I picked the Alphaburly Pros up at Bass Pro Shop. I know that both stores are owned by the same company but the product was different. Just throwing that out in order to help anyone interested get the right boots.
 
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