Looking for some new boots

M

MAB7799

Member
Any suggestions on some great boots for this season? I am looking for the lightest thing out there as there is nothing worse than heavy clunky boots. The lighter the better for me. My feet don't really get cold so that's not a concern. I've worn tennis shoes for years as I flat out hate heavy boots plus I can walk for days in light tennis shoes. Feet don't get cold so I've never cared to switch but anyone who's hunting with me on this forum has always given me shit for my tennis shoes haha. Figured its time to upgrade.

-Mark
 
I'd say the worst reason to change is because of what someone else thinks. If the tennis shoes work for you, stay with them!
 
Danner Pronghorns uninsulated is what I tend to wear the most. I also like the Irish Setter Havocs. The only problem with the Havocs is if you get the shorter ones they have the traditional moccasin toe, which tends to wear out faster for me. I prefer a boot with the rounded toe like the Pronghorns or the taller Havocs. My father in law wears the Meindal Ultralights, and he likes them real good.
 
smizell said:
Danner Pronghorns uninsulated is what I tend to wear the most. I also like the Irish Setter Havocs. The only problem with the Havocs is if you get the shorter ones they have the traditional moccasin toe, which tends to wear out faster for me. I prefer a boot with the rounded toe like the Pronghorns or the taller Havocs. My father in law wears the Meindal Ultralights, and he likes them real good.
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Danner Pronghorns were going to be my suggestion. I have the 200 gram version and they are as light as sneakers, or at least they feel that way.
 
I have 2 pair of Danner Pronghorns. Great boots. But my favorites are my Rocky Cornstalkers. Got a new pair last year, 600 grams. I think on sale for $100 or so. Just as good as the Danners.
 
I bought a pair of the boots built for Cabela's by Meindel. Unreal comfortable. Over $200 but worth it. Really well built with the uplander in mind. Haven't had them come untied in the field yet , leak , and they are quiet. I like any boot built by a hiking boot company.
 
I have the Irish Setter Upland Havocs and love them. Closest thing to a tennis shoe that I've found. You might also look at the Irish Setter Wingshooters. Both the Havocs and Wingshooters have the Moc toe but I have never had a problem with a wear issue on them.
http://www.irishsetterboots.com/USD/product/hunting-boots/00801-havoc-9-brn-gtx-moc-toe

Ultimately you have to get what fits you the best. There is no such thing as one boot fitting everyone. Best to find a store that sells hunting boots and try a bunch on. Make sure you wear or bring along the socks you intend to wear with the boots.

Lots of guys like the Danner Pronghorns but I personally have found that Danner boots don't fit me the best. I tried two different pairs of Pronghorns. That's why you have to see what fits YOU!
 
MAB7799 said:
Thanks guys! Appreciate the insight.
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If you are going to go with Danners - get any of their American made boots (you can drill down which ones are American made on their website) - normally they retail north of $300

I owned a pair of Pronghorns some years back and loved them, however they leaked within a year or so - I kept using them but I HATE having wet feet.


Bought a pair of Danner Hawks - American made and when they are somewhat wore out I can send them in to have em refurbished - Irish Setters/Overseas made Danners are all throwaways.

Danner Hawks are a little heavier than I like but I've put LOTS of miles on them and nothing has wore out yet - the quality difference is amazing - they are pretty damn comfortable too. And most importantly my feet do not get wet.



Figure out the last they use on their boot and go into a local store, try on the pair of danners made with the same last to find the size that fits you then order through www.shoebuy.com -- (sign up for their discount newsletter) they will constantly send you 30% off coupons you can use -- free shipping and free returns.

No one here locally (Topeka, KC, Wichita) will have the American made Danners - I've yet to come across a store (Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro etc) that stocks them - trust me - the American made boots are worth the price of admission. Just find the overseas made version size that fits and it will transpose over to the American made version as long as they are on the same last.


At some point I'll probably have a pair of Russel's custom made as they cost a bit more - but haven't yet done so.


I checked their site and in the Hunting line you have 5 models to choose from that are made in USA and recraftable - they have some lower entry points -- Lightest are probably going to be the East Ridge and Grouse if I had to guess -- Grouse fits a bit tighter as I think it's made on a slightly smaller last -- I tried on a pair of those and really liked them - however I was crunched for time and couldnt wait for returns/exchanges so I kept the Hawks I had orderd -- (Dont think they make the Hawks anymore but they looked like the Elk Hunter boots) (The grouse boot I received I felt like I needed a half size up since it was a bit tighter and made on the smaller last -- I understand they do it that way so if you're climbing hills/mountains etc the boot fits nice and snug and doesnt move -- my understanding anyways)

http://www.danner.com/product/hunt#features=79,6639


Best of luck - if you want dry feet avoid the overseas made stuff.
 
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KsHusker said:
If you are going to go with Danners - get any of their American made boots (you can drill down which ones are American made on their website) - normally they retail north of $300

I owned a pair of Pronghorns some years back and loved them, however they leaked within a year or so - I kept using them but I HATE having wet feet.


Bought a pair of Danner Hawks - American made and when they are somewhat wore out I can send them in to have em refurbished - Irish Setters/Overseas made Danners are all throwaways.

Danner Hawks are a little heavier than I like but I've put LOTS of miles on them and nothing has wore out yet - the quality difference is amazing - they are pretty damn comfortable too. And most importantly my feet do not get wet.



Figure out the last they use on their boot and go into a local store, try on the pair of danners made with the same last to find the size that fits you then order through www.shoebuy.com -- (sign up for their discount newsletter) they will constantly send you 30% off coupons you can use -- free shipping and free returns.

No one here locally (Topeka, KC, Wichita) will have the American made Danners - I've yet to come across a store (Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro etc) that stocks them - trust me - the American made boots are worth the price of admission. Just find the overseas made version size that fits and it will transpose over to the American made version as long as they are on the same last.


At some point I'll probably have a pair of Russel's custom made as they cost a bit more - but haven't yet done so.


I checked their site and in the Hunting line you have 5 models to choose from that are made in USA and recraftable - they have some lower entry points -- Lightest are probably going to be the East Ridge and Grouse if I had to guess -- Grouse fits a bit tighter as I think it's made on a slightly smaller last -- I tried on a pair of those and really liked them - however I was crunched for time and couldnt wait for returns/exchanges so I kept the Hawks I had orderd -- (Dont think they make the Hawks anymore but they looked like the Elk Hunter boots) (The grouse boot I received I felt like I needed a half size up since it was a bit tighter and made on the smaller last -- I understand they do it that way so if you're climbing hills/mountains etc the boot fits nice and snug and doesnt move -- my understanding anyways)

http://www.danner.com/product/hunt#features=79,6639


Best of luck - if you want dry feet avoid the overseas made stuff.
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Great post!
 
I bought a pair of Cabelas Guide Series boots over 20 years ago and they are holding up great. They have leather lowers and nylon uppers, gortex and medium thinsalate.
 
Just bought a pair of Cabela's Upland Pro Hunting Boots. "Bargain Hunter" sale until October 31, uninsulated $143 = 25% discount and free shipping.

Mine arrived in two days. Been wearing them around the house for two days checking fit and pressure points. Very light. Today they go on a 5 mile hike to make sure they're ready for bird season.

Kangaroo bottoms with cowhide toe cap, nylon panels in upper. They are "make in Chi-na!" though so I'll see how they hold up.

<Edit> Just back from the walk. Did 5 miles on gravel roads with the Labs. Boots were a bit stiff at first of course but "relaxed" a little bit every mile. Very comfortable by the last mile. No pressure points or hot spots. I have a very wide foot and I need a large toe box. These boots did not cramp my toes. The sole is reasonably stiff but a bit flexible so walking on the gravel was no problem. I do think I might be in favor of slightly more cushion in the removable foam insole. So far, so good. If they hold up and last a while, I'll feel very good about this purchase.

As far as weight, these are 14EE boots and weigh 1 pound 13 1/4 ounces each, 3 pounds 10 1/2 ounces the pair.
 
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I like hiking boots. I've tried a few brands. Merrells were the most comfortable right out of the box, but I blew out the seams and the sole started flapping a couple years ago. I still have them for throwing ice melt and other nasty jobs. Still comfortable and reasonably priced. Made overseas.

A year or two ago I bought a pair of KEEN brand boots. The model I bought was made in the USA. Not quite as comfortable right out of the box as the Merrells, but still not too bad, and they became pretty comfortable once they got a few miles on them.

I don't follow the boot markets, :laugh: so I have no idea who is making what, and where nowadays. But my USA made KEENs have been a good value in that they are a great compromise of toughness and durability without weighing a ton and the traction is 100X better than traditional upland boots. They don't have that tennis shoe feel, like some of the really lightweight hiking boots out there. On the other hand, they are holding up great, and I would guess they'll last for years, and they feel good on my feet.
 
I also have 2 pairs of the Danner Pronghorn. I use one pair only for upland hunting and the other mainly for deer hunting. They are both about 9 years old. I conditioned them the first year or so, but that was it. They have lasted. They look scratched up immediately upon entering the field, but they have never leaked. I did see this weekend that one pair needs new laces.
 
stinkbelly said:
I also have 2 pairs of the Danner Pronghorn. I use one pair only for upland hunting and the other mainly for deer hunting. They are both about 9 years old. I conditioned them the first year or so, but that was it. They have lasted. They look scratched up immediately upon entering the field, but they have never leaked. I did see this weekend that one pair needs new laces.
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You're lucky - Pronghorns were a great boot - however if you read reviews their biggest fault is the fact they leak.


I dont think I've ever tried a pair on out of the box that was so comfortable, however I cant live with wet feet. Mine didnt go 2-3 years before I'd walk through dew laden grass or some snow and my feet would be soaked. I wore them much longer than that before the sides blew out - just avoided damp/wet situations when I could and kept plenty of socks with me.
 
I bought some Cabela's kangaroo uplands years ago, and they were a great boot. Lightweight, never leaked and lasted maybe 10 (?) years. They were the moc toe and they frayed badly and looked like hell for the last 5 years. Honestly, I'd still wear them if they didn't look so bad.

Went with the LL Bean kangaroo uplands and I like them very much too. Lightweight, comfortable and the moc to is constructed differently so I don't think they'll fray. Like the Cabela's boot, they have a shallow tread that prevents picking up a lot of mud. But, I'm only on year 1 with them. Good thing about Bean, is if I figure out they're crap they'll take them back -- no questions asked, no time limit.
 
Have tried upland, pronghorn and others. I put a lot of miles on my hunting boots because I wear them every day. I'm a surveyor. Uplands usually don't have the tread you need to get up a ditch. Pronghorns were ok but I still wore out rubber as fast as any boot. Just bought my fourth pair of Under Armour Bozeman Speed Freaks on Friday. They usually run about $150 and last about eight to twelve months for me. The great thing is they feel like tennis shoes and almost no break in time.

I always buy uninsulated. Insulated boots can make your feet sweat when you walk a lot. My treestand boots are insulated. No matter what you get sno seal should always be in your hunting gear.
 
Mine are Danner High Grounds that I found on sale at Cabelas a couple of years ago. I think I paid 110-120 for them? Ive put miles upon miles upon miles on these boots and they're holding up great. Kept my feet dry when they probably shouldnt have I know that much. I put some dr scholls in the bottom for some added luxury and I can walk all day in them no problem.
 
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