Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Hey guys I'm getting ready to purchase a new pair of boots that I'll be wearing in the mountains for elk and mule deer hunts. I'm having a hard time deciding what to buy. I want something very light and comfortable that has some decent insulation. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't have any issues spending money to get the best boots out there and I'd like to get them pretty soon so that I can hike and workout with them on. Thanks in advance.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I haven't had any experience either but am looking to do so in the near future also. My advice is to check out Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, and Gander Mountain. Start off with their websites and you can read user reviews. Then hop on over to one of their stores and start trying them on. For a walk about you might want to go light in the grains as you will be moving a lot, so you don't want your feet to sweat. 600 or 800 gain boots that are 9 to 12 inches high and wrap around your feet and support your ankles while providing excellent traction should do the trick. You'll be suprised that you can get a decent pair for even under 100 bones.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Myself and a lot of pretty high milleage guides I know have had pretty decent luck with Danners and they most likely offer something that will suit your needs. I started out with boots costing around twice what the Danners were and they were no better. For foul weather and snow, most of us are sold on the Schnee's Pac boots out of Montanna.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

My foul weather boots,wichI wear during bow season and during rifle through late November are Danner Elk Hunters.I wear the non-insulated ones for archery and hiking and the 600 gram(I think)for snow days.
If you are going to be riding and hunting late season the Scheenes that RC spoke of are the cat's meow.They are lighter than Whites pac's and have a better support for short hikes in deep snow.
You can also put a pair of wool socks on to help if feet get cold.
BBJ

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I have a pair of Danners and I love them (I have the Grouse but they make several good models).Good ankle support, tough boot and most importantly - don't give me blisters after walking all day. When it comes to insulation remember that you will need less of it hunting elk or mule deer in the mountains than you would hunting in oklahoma (I'm assuming you are whitetail from a stand, but correct me if i'm wrong) because you will be walking all day and you will warm up very quickly. If you are hunting archery season you will need little or no insulation. Rifle season you will need a little more, but probably not more than 600. In addition to boots, make sure to buy good wool socks that fit will. They are also very important to avoid blisters. Bridgedale, Thorlo and Smartwool all make good socks. Finally, make sure you have a chance to break them in long before your trip. The pack in is no time to break your boots in - it will be blister city and your hunt will be miserable. Go for some long walks or "mini-hikes" in your boots this summer until they are broken in.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Danners are ok, but meindle's are much better boots that will out last any pair of Danners. I'd look at the Canadiens out of Cabelas.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

dwd2001,

I'd recommend you check out KeneTrek boots out of Bozeman, Montana. I have their Mountain Extreme NI, and 13" Grizzly boots and love them both. The quality and comfort are second to none. I've put a lot of miles on the Schnee boots, but I prefer the KeneTreks.

http://www.kenetrek.com/

AK Jeff

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

how much are you willing to spend? i know an elk guide in new mexico who uses boots from walmart. are you hunting early season (mild to hot weather, dew, etc.) or late (deep snow, hidden blowdowns, etc)? one pair would do it all, but why wear heavy, insulated boots in early archery season when lighter ones would do. when you hunt should also be a determining factor in selecting the right boots.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

dwd,
When you say backcountry........What does that entail for you? Backpacking,Pack in or daily hike from truck or camp???? I've always gone with the lightest boot I could get 2.0 - 3.5 lbs PER PAIRwith between 200-800 grms of insulation depending on time of year. Withmultiple sizedlugsnot too close together and if it doesn't say Gortex don't waste your money!!!! If your backpacking these will be the only bootsyou have!!!

Danner Pronghorns fit here among others.

Also a good idea to wear ankle weights around work and while hiking.I do this starting a coulpe of months out along with regular workouts.

Dos Pesos

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I wore Danners when I was in the Army they are the only brand I will buy. Buy quality or buy twice!

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Elkbane, I definitely do a lot of hunting from atreestand but Iwas born and rasied in Wyoming. I've spent a lot of time in the mountains hunting just about everything but I've never had a pair of boots that were strictly for a pack trip, mostly day or weekend trips that weren't nearly as involved.


Glob3006-

We'll be driving in and then hiking, hunting, and camping for 11 days.We'll behunting in theBig Horn mountains innorth central wyoming.My dad has hunted this area sincethe early 60's and I've been there my whole life.

I guess I really won't need much insulation as these will from now on be my early season pack boots.

brother hal- I'm not too worried about the cost, I just want the highest quality I can find.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I tried a pair of custom built Russell boots, they are really nice especially if you have screwed up feet like mine, they are built for your feet and yours only. A little bit of a hassle to get measured up and ordered but worth the trouble.

Insulation up to 400 g's can be added to nearly any style they build. Butthey are all leatherso you have to keep that in mind when the need for 100% waterproof is a must. You have to keep lots of oil on them.

Check out their web site.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I like Meindl Perfekt Hunters. These have 400 grams of thinsulate. They do NOT make my feet hot and sweaty, and I have worn them in 70 degree days hunting deer in Oklahoma. I will say that when it is cold my feet did get cold. I got cold toes on a goose hunt this past weekend when the temperature was just about freezing (32 F), and that really isn't very cold. They provided very good support and traction hiking around high country in Colorado hunting elk this past October, including carrying a heavy backpack back into camp. These boots broke in very quickly, also.

For the application you are discussing, I'm not sure "light" is what you need. For mountain hunting, in my opinion, you need a fairly heavy boot to provide excellent support when walking and climbing rocky trails or bushwacking off trail.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Went thru the same thing last year. Researched several different forums to see what everyone liked for back country boots. Ended up buying a pair of Danner pronghorns at Cabelas. Spent eight days in them 1st rifle season in Colorado. Leaked like a dam sponge. Would not give you two cents for them. Got back took them back, went to Gander mountain bought two pair of irish setter boots that were on sale. The most comfortable boot i have ever worn. Before I bought danner I wore wolverines but just like danners look and see were they are made now. Not in the USA. Enough said.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Danners are proven, but I could never find a pair that really fit my feet well. Had a pair of Cabela's MountainHunters for a few years and they were good boots, but my wife got themwith thinsulate andthey were way too warm for the bowhunt.

Ibought a pair of Vasques last summer and they are by far the best boot I've owned. Don't mail order unless you've had good experience with mail order footwear. If your investing that much moneyinto boots, and they can make or break your season, you want to be sure they fit right. Be sure to try them on with the liners and socks you will wear hunting. Consider weight. Leather is tougher, cordura is lighter. A combo with leather in the high wear areas and cordura filling the gaps is a nice medium. Mine aren't insulated. I wear wool socks and they are fine through November. I snow shoe with them now and as long as I am moving the feet are warm. If you figure on winter hunting with a boot, insulation would be wise or those times you are stationary will get you.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I also recommend Danners. I travelled to Cabelas in PA last summer in preparation for a fall Montana guided elk hunt. I tried on the Meindle and they didn't fit well. I settled on a pair of Danner Elk Hunter (600 grams thinsolate) and am really pleased. During the hunt, we got snowed on. Climbing up and down the mountains, my guide was slipping and falling with his boots (his weren't Danners). My boots gripped the sonw-covered rocks like glue. I couldn't have been happier. Best $ I ever spent on equipment!

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I have a pair of the Danner Pronghorn 800 grams. I liked them so well both of my brother in laws went out and bought them a pair. They are very comfortable, light weight and they will keep your feet warm as long as it isn't unbearably cold. If you are going hunting with lots of snow and below 20's temp I would consider the 1000+ gram boots.

My .02 cents.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

My wife bought me a pair of boots for valentines day a couple of years ago. They are the best boot I've ever owned, especially for steep, rugged, mountain hunting. check them out:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20564-cat20570-cat601928&id=0005212811471a&navCount=3&amp ;podId=0005212811471&parentId=cat601928&ma sterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UG& amp;rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat60192 8

I have the insulated boots and love them, but they are also available in uninsulated:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_811471 &id=0005212811470a

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I just ordered a pair of the Danner Pronghorns, 1000gram & goretex, from these guys (D and R Sports)as listed on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA% 3AIT&viewitem=&item=7128254202&rd=1&am p;rd=1

$136 including shipping....I don't think the price can be beat. They're $180 at Cabelas. Be sure to try them on first. I did notice that they seem to fit a little narrow...I had to get a EE width, but I normally just wear "normal" sizes.

I have a pair of old Rocky Bearclaws, and I've never been happy with them from day 1. They don't support the foot well, feet get cold, etc. All I can say about them is that they look good (all camo). In my opinion, the all synthetic boot material they use just can't be adapted to fit a foot as well as leather or combo leather/synthetic. Pronghorns felt better as soon as I put them on.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Ditto on the Danner Pronghorn 800 grams. Another very serious consideration is Sorel for a second pair. These boots probably saved my life.

The snow was wet and I changed into them right before my hunt. I did not know I was going to get lost in a blizzard in the Bob Marshall Wilderness overnight. If I wore leather they would have been soaked causing hypothermia. MV out!

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

There are many great boots available today and the two I would recommend are as follows:

Schnee's Sheep Hunter GTX by LOWA and the, Schnee's 13 Inch Hunter II

These boots are some of the best in the market and I cannot recommend them enough!

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I used a pair of Irish Setter 1000 grams Thinsulate Goretex boots this year Elk hunting putting 8-10 miles of tough walking up and down the mountain ridges and draws. They give my feet very good support with a good pair of socks and the cushioning. They have good support and oiled leather that takes the rough walking well.
I did look at those Danner boots people have mentioned several times hear. They look like their well built. Maybe those will be a good next pair.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

make sure you get a boot with an air bob sole for traction

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I picked up a gortex pair called Rocky in 800 grams last week for just over $70 and they are awesome. Keep my feet incredibly warm and dry. Very comfortable as well, my only complaint is the traction is a bit slippery. Maybe they just need broken in?

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Schnees made in Montana. Enough said google there web site.

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

I've had boots from various mfg's...some good some bad and maybe boots are like cars, you sometimes get a lemon and the next guy gets the same exact model and raves about them!! Who know? This fall, I bought a pair of Meindel Perfekt Hunters from Cabelas and thus far have been impressed. The leather did squeek a bit at first but once I broke them in that went away. They are extremely comfortable, keep your feet dry, and I was really impressed with how I could walk slopes that I fell all over on the day before with another boot on. I was in NW Montana hiking some snow covered hillsides and the traction was awesome. The only thing is my feet sweat alot andwouldn't use them in early season.
http://www.cabelas.com/story-123/meindlboots_810087_all/20031/Meindl+Boots+-+Traditions%252C+Generations%252C+Innovations..sht ml

I've heard that Schnee's Pac boots are very good but have yet to own a pair. Plan on trying a pair when the need arises next time around...

http://www.schnees.com/

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

i love my irish setter shadowtrek they are 800 gram w/ gortex they are also extremely light and 100% waterproof

RE: Back country hunts and boots!!
 

Depends if I'm hunting in sept. or nov.? I'm not going to be wearing the same footwear in bowseason during the 3 diget weather as opposed to below zero during the rut in nov. I guess I'm as bad as a women cause I got footwear for all occasions. ;)

Bobby