Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Hi Fella's

This September i'm going to The Holy Cross Wilderness Region , Bowhunting for Elk . This is the first time i have ever been Elk hunting or Bowhunting and i have prepared nearly everything that i need apart from boots and waterproof camo .. I have been practicing the Mouth calls , keeping a steady level of fitness and collecting other kit needed .
I have about $150 to spend on boots and will get waterproof camo when i get their , which boots should i be looking at ? . I'm Going in the Rut time september 20th .
I looked on Cabela's site but just confused by the volume of footwear available , Danner Jackel , Browning outland fieldtex , Cabela's speed hunters , Danner TFX 6" hunterlight , lacrosse uninsulated broadside to name a few . What should i be looking for insulated , uninsulated , how much insulation , Goretex , 6" , 8" high max i think . . . . $150 , thats my max fella's .
Please advise me , as boots can make or break a hunt or hike .

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

i elk hunt as well and boots is one my last concern as long as there comfertable waterproof im set

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

This post should get quite a few replies. I'll just give you my two cents. I am a backpack hunter and usually hunt for elk in Idaho. Some real rugged "up and down" territory that will shred your feet if you don't have the right equipment.

My "go-to" all purpose, favorite boot is made by Merrell. www.merrellboot.com I have a pair similar to the Phazer Peak model. They are light, waterproof and have incredible ankle support, which is essential. The most important item is sock liners. Get some lightweight, polypropylene liners and wear them underneath a mid-weight wool sock. You'll never get a blister with that setup.

Remember, you can have the best boot money can buy, but you'd better break em in for about a month or two before your hunt. Anything less, and you can count on peeling skin off your feet by the handful, which can ruin your hunt.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I have always gone the "whatever is on sale route" when it comes to hunting boots. Sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. Last year I bought a pair of the Danner Pronghorns. Best feeling pair of boots I have ever worn. I could quail hunt the Red River bottomland with them. Elk hunting is work. But in a full day of hunting at over 10k feet, I do good to cover 5 miles in hunting mode. Quail hunting as a youth with my dad, we might cover 25 miles, and it would be up and down and fast walking. So when I say the Danners would hold up to that, I am paying my ultimate compliment.
And as to your parameters, got mine on sale for 149.95!!!

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Sep. in Co is still quite warm, 60 or even 70 degrees although it does get cooler at nite. I use a pair of uninsulated Cabela's mountain hunters but any good brand is fine Kangaroo leather is very good. Don't think just because you are hunting elk thats its climbing all the time, most places its sloping hills and climbing over downed timber. Oh yes gore-tex is a given.
Redclub

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Danner makes a boot/sneaker, pretty slick, I already have some uninsulated danners, and some 400gr either of those I use.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

There are lots of good brands, I own Mendle and Vasque. Personally I have two pair: one noninsulated and one insulated. But if I had to have only one pair, they would probably have 200-400 grm thinsulate, no more. You will wish for nonisulated boots more often than insulated in September. Good sock liners and good socks are a must. I like a boot that is 7-8 inches tall, no more.

And I would have to dissagree about boots being down on the list. I have had cold wet blistered feet, and they make you miserable. Having a comfortable, dry foot is near the top of my list for an elk hunt. Keep your tooties happy and you will cover a lot more ground, which is important for where you are going.

Here is a good deal on a boot that I own and like. Slightly over your price, but if they have your size, I would buy them! http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat601927&id=0005469810124a&navCount=4&amp ;podId=0005469810124&parentId=cat601927&ma sterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=8IS &rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat6019 27&hasJS=true

And here is a good deal on Danners and there is a lot more selection. I have heard they are very comfortable, but won't stand up to years of abuse like brands like Medle will; http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...amp;hasJS=true

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Thanks Fella's and Thanks Tx , but they do not have my size in the Danali. I will look into the Danner as they were one of my choices and other danali or meindl boots . Any other helpful hints and tips are greatly accepted ;). I will keep y'all posted .

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Bailsuk,

I will be elk hunting for the first time this year also. (Pagoa Springs CO)I have given alot of thought to footwear and I am thinking of bringing two pair. One pair insulated 6-8inch hiking boot and one pair of uninsulated lightweight hiking shoe/boot. Weather dictates which one I will use. I am saving nickel and dimes for this trip and though on a budget, to me footwear is going to be an essential part of the trip. Good luck.

Scott

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Do yourself a favor and try out the new Vasque Zephyr GTX. Just got a pair yesterday for this year's elk hunt.They are probably the most comfortable boot I've ever worn out of the box.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I have been out west and spent many days hiking in my Danner Pronghorns, which is the same boot I wear around here working around the yard, hangin' stands and shooting 3D.....they have lasted about 4-5 years, and still provide plently of support and have no tears or signs of wear.

One thing I could recommend. Pack a roll of duct tape in the event you get blisters from a bad boot. Wrapping you feet in duct tape will provide comfort from making the blisters appear or get worse and keep u out of the camp trying to heal.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Looks like you have suggestions all over the map. I have been very happy with my Meindl Perfekt Hunters purchased from Cabela's. Igot my 2008 Fall Cabela's catalog recently and confirmed these boots are still offered by Cabela's.

These are moderatly heavy leather boots that are about 8" to 10" high with 400 grams of thinsulate. They have good ankle support and sturdy soles, good for walking over rocky ground, particularly when carrying a load on your back. I have used them backpacking and elk hunting as well as deer hunting. They don't seem to make my feet hot in warm weather, as I have encountered sometimes hunting deer in Oklahoma in Novemeber. Also, when I sit still for a long time in the cold my feet will still get cold, notwithstanding the thinsulate. One thing I found a little remarkable about this boot was that, at least in my case, the boot did not require any break in. I just went out backpacking in the boot and all was OK. Normally I expect to have to break in moderately heavy boots.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Hunted elk with a guy last fall who went out in running shoes, we all were kinda like what are you doing? he said I have my wool socks underneath, they may get wet, but they'll stay warm, said he picked up that trick from Randy Ulmer I believe, or something to the effect that I read Randy does it too. I believe it rained that day, but he was fine, even took an elk that morning!

So who knows, maybe just get yourself some nice wool socks and grab those Nike's, anyone else ever heard of wearing the running shoes instead of boots?

Pretty soon you'll see a camoflauged Jordan's haha.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Dwight Schuh used to wear tenny burners also. My legs won't take it, I need much more support. Meindls Canada boot is the one I use. Good for upland bird all the way up to mountain goat or bighorn sheep. Been wearing these boots for over 15 years. The older I get the more I like them.
Gselkhunter

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I live in CO and have always used uninsulated boots, but it's a matter of preference. My friend hunts same place and time and uses 400 grm and is fine. I have done the tennis shoes w/ wool socks and it works but I prefer boots. I just bought new boots. Was using Cabelas Outfitter series (great boots) but was hoping for a better fit (something I could try on). I finally went with Irish Setter Elk Trackers. Got the 200 grm for 158.00, w/ 3 pair of athletic socks, a bottle of boot conditioner and free shipping from (http://www.rwss.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=ELKTRACK ERS). They are a redwing boot store in Flint Mich. They sell Red Wing, Irish Setter and Vasque. I tried them on at the local store and then odered them. I saved 40 bucks over the local store.

I have never heard anything bad about the Danner Pronghorns and they were my 2nd choice but I the sole didn't seem agressive enough for the loose dirt, rocks, etc that I hunt in.

Whatever you get make sure it is comfortable and fits your foot.

Spud

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I've got a pair of Danner's, love em.... Best advice I could give is spend as much as you can on your boots, you don't want your feet hurting! And don't forget to break them in.

Had a buddy last year that bought some boots at Cabelas that he thought they were going to be pretty good. After spending some time bird hunting breaking them in he realized they weren't going to work for his feet...

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Danner Elk hunters,these boots are what I wear when packing or just plain hunting.I bought a pair of Merrells last year for bow season,these were called the switchback.179.99 at spotsmans whearhouse in Missoula Montana(wich is a 4 hrdrive from my house).I wore these boots for 7 days straight and they were ruined,the soles fell off,the leather got holes,stiching came apart.Mailed them back to Sportsmans whearhouse and they sent me back the Danners.
I have had danners befor and they just plain one of the best boots on the market.
BBJ

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I elk hunt 30 minutes from the cabin so I can wear about any shoe thats comfortable. I wore steel toed,blueSketchers atheletic shoeslast year...it was 65 degrees by midday, cotton socks. If its going to be colder I wear Irishsetter 400 gr. Thinsulate boots. They feel like tenny shoes, don't need to be broke in, reasonably priced, very comfortableand they last forever.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Bailsuk,
You will traveling a long way for your hunt and spendind alot of $$$$.So having the right boot is important! Most of the choices mentioned will work.
I have a couple of tips that might help?

1st .......Keep the weight of the boot in mind.You will probably be putting in some miles( Kilometers).I try to keep my boots under 3.5 (1.59 kilograms)max.AND........Buy a 1/2 size bigger than normal!!!!You will need the extra room for thicker socks/liners/toe warmers.

2nd....... How are yor feet when it's cold?? do they get cold quikly or is is not that big of a deal??Mine get cold easily so I am comfortable with 600-800 grms of insulation even when it's warm. What part of Sept will you be hunting??? We usually get snow around the 2nd week up high.Temps don't get terribly cold and the sun will be out shortly. But with no insulation,your toe's could get a might uncomfortable for a day or two. I ALWAYS keep a couple of Toasty Toes(heatmax.com) footwarmers in my pack just in case I'm going to be imobile for a while.

3rd.............Goretex!!! I don't care what the advertisments for other waterproof fabrics say. If it's not Goretex don't but it!

Be Safe!
Bill

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Dave, there have been some good suggestions thus far so I'll just comment on one option you mentioned. i ordered a pair of Cabelas Speed Hunters a few years ago and although I liked the boot, they had a zipper and both of them broke the first trip I wore them. I had them replaced and the zippers broke again. Then they came out with the Speed Hunter II and I picked up a pair last fall before heading west. I hunted some steep territory from 9 to over 11000 feet and I was pretty satisfied with them considering that I hadn't broken them in enough prior to the hunt. Got one blister on the top of my big toe but duct tape took care of that issue. They are really light and it was more like wearing a hiking boot. As for dryness, I'm not a good test case for that as my feet sweat so bad it's tough to tell if it's a water issue or me just sweating in them!! I hunted hard for 10 days and finally arroweda bull and they worked pretty good. The tread was pretty meaty and I had no trouble climbing nor having to worry about losing my footing on steep slopes.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Hey Bill

great tip on the 1/2 size bigger and like yourself , i too believe that Goretex is the way to go .
We will be hunting around the 10,000ft mark and above , but i do not suffer from cold feet so much . I will try 400grm of insulation with a good pair of woollen socks and zinc oxide tape to prevent blisters .

Thanks again Guys , for your great advice and tips .

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I second the motion.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

Silvertip and Ironranger,

Dave is one of the blokes from England joining us for a hunt. Let's take good care of him , eh?

Dave, I agree. It is critical to have a pair ofboots well worn and broken in before you get here! You can get a second pair to take home (or yu may pull them out for easy strolls if your other pairget wet). I like the fact that you're staying fit. You will need it where we're going!

cheers mate!

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I have a pair of Cabelas Outfitter Series boots and wear them for all my hunting from sitting still to walking around. I bird hunt more than any otherkindof hunting as I guideupland bird hunts 6 months a year on a preserve and love the durability of the boot and the waterproofness, but they are fairly heavy. When I am hunting elk in the mountains, I would like to have a slightly lighter pair of boots. Also, I wear a different pair of shoes/boots in camp to let my hunting boots dry out to help prevent blisters. I have had these boots for over 4 years and they seem bulletproof.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

I wear lightweight Rockies with no insulation bowhunting in September - but what is most important is that your boots are broken in. The first trip with them they blistered my feet badly because they were new. By the third trip they were irreplaceable. My dad just wears brown sneakers and has for the last 9 years. Comfort is imperative. Can't walk = can't hunt.

RE: Boots for Colarado Elk Hunt
 

two suggestions. for covering a lot of ground, lowa makes a great mid height boot. I love my irish setter big game trackers, GREAT value at $89, high quality, rugged, comfortablegoretex boot w thinsulate, camo, lightweight. good luck