Let’s talk boots (older crowd on here)

B

BUL2023

New member
Anybody can chime in on this but it’s many directed at the mid 50’s and up.
What are you folks wearing for boots ? I’m 66 still can do anything I could in my late 30’s just takes longer now. I have a pr of 12” insulated Elk trackers, great ankle support, great gripping soles, but not the boot I want to walk a mile in because of the weight. I have a pr of Irish setter wing shooters ( I think that’s what there called) the most dangerous pr of boots on this planet as far as I’m concerned, last slip and fall broke a couple ribs, that was a year ago, they been in the closet since, and that was not the first time I ended up on the ground with those MF’s.
For 3 or 4 years now I’ve been wearing Crispi Summit II’s great shoe/boot but as I age my feet are widening out and they lack good ankle support. Been looking real hard at the Crispi Wind Rivers anybody wearing these ? Thanks in advance.
 
I'm age 68. As a youngster I wore size 12, now I'm up to a size 14.
My go to boot for side slope hunting are Crispi Lapponia Lite for warm Sept hun hunts,
the I gradually transition to Crispi Colorado once the weather cools.
Both boots are not insulated and have a gortex lining.

I like them both...I bought 2 pair of Colorado because it is difficult to find them in size 14.

As I age, I have tendency to develop callus cracks in the bottom of my heals,
so I apply Bag Balm to those callus areas and that has solved the problem.
 
Full disclosure, I am not mid 50's +.

I've primarily been a Rocky boots customer and user my hunting life. I've generally been satisfied with them too. I use them as an all-purpose hunting boot for spring turkey, deer (stand hunting), and pheasant hunting. So I need something that fits that mold with a delicate combination of insulation, comfort, and durability. Its hard to find something that lasts more than a few years.

I just finished a year with a new pair of Danner boots. They have 400 grams insulation. I've been impressed with them after one season. My one complaint was the laces. They didn't hold a knot very well so I replaced those with different ones that stay knotted better and longer.

I had a pair of Redhead (BPS brand) years ago and they lasted only one season and then started taking on water. My feet would get wet nearly every hunt.

Another item I'd like to add is that the right socks can make a huge difference too. Do not use cotton. They soak up sweat. Use a synthetic material, or if you need warmth, some variation of wool.
 
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I assume we talking boots for pheasant hunting. I'm 78 and as I've aged my feet have gotten quite hard to please. For the past several years I have been wearing a pair of Irish Setter Upland Havoc boots. Very comfortable boots but Irish Setter doesn't make them anymore. :( Irish Setter boots have always seemed to fit me the best. Danner's are okay but my feet hate Rocky boots. If I was going to buy a new pair I'd take a look at the Irish Setter Terrain's. Everyone's feet are different so you have to go with what fits best on your feet.
 
At almost 75, over the years I have worn out three pairs of Russells. Currently another pair of Russells and Schnee upland and pac boot. I rotate when I can and dry them out at night. I still put on six to ten miles when hunting. Always wondering what is over the hill.
 
I'm 65. I wear Irish Setter Wing Shooters for most of my pheasant hunting. I just opened a box with a new pair I had put away to start breaking them in for next season.They are comfortable boots, come in wide but are a bit heavy. I just bought a pair of Schnee Kestrel for warmer weather hunting. They seem a bit lighter and hoping they breathe better that the Irish Setter's. I also have a pair of Muck Upland lace up boots and Schnee light pack boots that I reserve for late season, cold weather hunting.

For hunting out west, where I'm climbing and side hilling in rocky areas, I normally wear Lowa Tibets.
 
I'm 2 months away from 73 and I wear the Irish Setter Wingshooter boots. Hunted 6 straight days in South Dakota with no problems this fall, very comfortable for me. I also hunt once in awhile in uninsulated Meindl's I bought years ago at Cabela's. And as a back-up I have an older pair of insulated Danner Pronghorns that work well too.
 
Thanks for the input fellas, the wing shooters are a very comfortable boot, would be nice if they made them with a more aggressive sole. I’ll probably pick up another pair of Crispi, hard to beat their weight and traction I get with their soles .
AK skeeter I’ll have to give those Colorados a try, I thought they’d de to stiff for a flat lander like me . Thanks again… John
 

Meindl Vakuum Hunter​

I am over 55 and I bought these boots for a trip to Montana and used them all season long in Ks .

They are uninsulated and we’re plenty warm in temps below 20 degrees for sure .

They had a nice way on there site to fit your width , I followed all there suggest and boots came with the proper stuff to take care of the boots .
very happy with fit function , traction comfort and ease of removal .

Search the boot above on google and type in outdoorlife with it and there’s is a good review on them .
 
Have never had issue with Wingshooter boots. Buddy and I each bought Meindl and not been happy with them at all. One pair returned after 9 days of hunting. Not sure what I will do when time comes for the next pair.
 
66, red wing wingshooter 808 was my favorite. last pair lasted 2 years of everyday farm mud, blood, poop with no maintenance. since they discontinued those i have to be stylish and wear the 863 wingshooter. they are heavy but waterproof all the way to the top 9inch. they last as long as you minimally take care of the leather, can be resoled. usually require minimal break-in.
 
At 75 I have trouble pulling on well-fitted boots like Danners which I wore for decades. Can't beat 'em for function and toughness. But now that pulling them on and off is hard, I now wear Stetsons. Yeah, Stetsons. Didn't know it was in the footwear biz. The ones I have are conventional in design with one exception: they have a zipper the full length of the height of the boot on the inside of the ankle like a chelsea boot. So much easier to pull on and off. And excellent fit and sole.
 
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