What is the best pair of boots you ever owned for hunting pheasants?

Carguy2Banker said:
I also got a pair of Danner Pronghorn's purchased around that same time (either 2001-2002). I didn't hunt near as much from then until 2010, but since then I have put a lot of miles on them and they are very comfortable. They are still the only hunting birds I own.
I sent them back to Danner recrafting 3 years ago instead of buying a new pair, and roughly $130 later, they looked great and felt the same as when i shipped them off. Not exaggerating, they may have over 1000 miles of walking in them since they were new.
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I haven't looked ad the Danner Recrafting site in a long time - but I was 99% certain they only did recrafting on their "American made" boots -- I dont think Pronghorns were American made then -- I had bought a pair around that time period -- lasted a good # of years and super comfortable -- I replaced them about 2015 or somewhere in there with another Pronghorn set and they about need replacement -- their one huge weakpoint is they leak like crazy in wet stuff fairly quickly. But that doesnt matter much to me - I hate hunting in wet grass and getting wet pants.

Anyways as far as I've known I thought Pronghorns were mostly made overseas and had glued on soles?
 
I bought a pair of kenetrek hardscrabbles a couple of years ago and liked them so much I ended up buying a second pair this last summer. I wear one of them almost everyday, they’ve taken years off my feet. They may need inserts at some point but figure I’m set for as long as I can keep hunting. If they go bad I figure at least one pair will be resoleable.
And there’s a pair of dessert guides in my future.
 
KsHusker said:
I haven't looked ad the Danner Recrafting site in a long time - but I was 99% certain they only did recrafting on their "American made" boots -- I dont think Pronghorns were American made then -- I had bought a pair around that time period -- lasted a good # of years and super comfortable -- I replaced them about 2015 or somewhere in there with another Pronghorn set and they about need replacement -- their one huge weakpoint is they leak like crazy in wet stuff fairly quickly. But that doesnt matter much to me - I hate hunting in wet grass and getting wet pants.

Anyways as far as I've known I thought Pronghorns were mostly made overseas and had glued on soles?
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I had to go look at them to make sure I know what I have. You are correct, they're not Pronghorns. They are Frontier Extreme's. Sorry to be spitting out false information. Still good boots, and in my opinion, irreplaceable!
 

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BrownDogsCan2 said:
I bought a pair of kenetrek hardscrabbles a couple of years ago and liked them so much I ended up buying a second pair this last summer. I wear one of them almost everyday, they’ve taken years off my feet. They may need inserts at some point but figure I’m set for as long as I can keep hunting. If they go bad I figure at least one pair will be resoleable.
And there’s a pair of dessert guides in my future.
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How are they weight wise? Sometimes towards the end of a long day I will change boots to a lighter pair to put a little spring back into my step.
 
Carguy2Banker said:
I had to go look at them to make sure I know what I have. You are correct, they're not Pronghorns. They are Frontier Extreme's. Sorry to be spitting out false information. Still good boots, and in my opinion, irreplaceable!
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That's awesome -- I wish I would have known then what I know now -- would have bought a pair like that -- Those look almost just like the pronghorns.

I've got a set of their "American made" I went with -- cant remember the model, it was a hunting model though - but they were much heavier than the pronghorns and something about the width of the sole and stiffness of it always hurt my feet - so that is why I went back the pronghorns again 3-6 yrs back -- time is a blur anymore...ha.

I'd definitely hold on to those and keep getting them redone if they do you right.
 
I have been wearing a pair of Thorogoods for the past 2 seasons, like them a lot. Found them at 50% off in Fleet Farm, $120. Haven't weighed them, they aren't a lightweight at all.
 
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Pronghorns are really comfortable but thats where it stops for me. Last 2 pairs i had were junk. Seams came apart within a year, leaked like crazy. The stitching is junk.
 
I need 2 pair for 2 different hunting conditions.
1) A mountain boot for hunting side slopes.
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2) A rubber boot for hunting cattail bottoms.
Also a pair of portable waders for crossing streams.
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I like Superfeet Green insoles in both boots.
 
remy3424 said:
I have been wearing a pair of Thorogoods for the past 2 seasons, like them a lot. Found them at 50% off in Fleet Farm, $120. Haven't weighed them, they aren't a lightweight at all.
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They look a lot like my old Filson Uplander boots.
 
If you get a chance to have a visit and have your foot measured there, you will be most impressed.
Helpful staff and great smells of tanned leathers, like a memorable coffee and spent shot shells.
I have worn five pairs of Russells, still have two. Classic
 
Left to right Russell ready made, Russell bird hunter custom vintage 2015, Russel custom 2019, Russel custom 2015, Meindl about 2015, meindl about 2016 and Lacrosse Grange in the back ground (Gulf Coast cowboy boot).
Had Sue Fabricius ( former owner Russell) come down to Texas and measure up the whole gang at the ranch I lease in N Texas. That country tore up those Meindl low tops in a few months, I put 900 ish miles on the bird hunters in 2016 and it’s still my go to boot today. The lite weight Russel’s (single vamp cloth panel) customs are like wearing house slippers. They are basically the PH with green panels. The ready made Russel’s I bought in the transition period after Sue sold the place they aren’t as comfortable but OK boots. Those PH are for dry country or plenty of time to walk em dry if you go wet. I bought the high top Meindls in S Dakota because I felt I was under gunned at 0 degrees and deep snow… they were OK and I use them occasionally in wet stuff down here on the Gulf Coast when it gets “cold”.
The Russell bird hunters would have been fine with gaiters
I’ve been wearing the Grange boot from Lacrosse since about 1976 this is probably pair 4 or five. Good when wet obviously, but thorny / brushy country will tear em up. Not great for big walks either.

Somebody mentioned a Browning Kangaroo lace up…. That was my favorite pair of boots back in the 70s very versatile too bad discontinued.

I also owned a pair of Vasque boots that I wore for 15 years hunting in New Mexico that I couldn’t seem to wear out …they were far from comfortable but were the right boot for the mountains packing in and out with heavy loads.
I haven’t tried Russell since they reopened the custom shop and I haven’t called to see if they still had my last on hand, but the South 40 was and probably still is the best all round upland boot made… just spec out comfortable leather if they still do that.
Looking at that picture I am reminded I need to break out the saddle soap and overhaul em

Note: I walk a lot of miles 500-900 miles/ year through the life of those boots pictured but greatly diminished the last 3-4 years.
 

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Bought a pair of the Russell Professional Hunter boots based on all the recommendations on this site for a new pair of bird boots. I got them and wore them a few times to break them in and received multiple compliments. Also, turns out they are very comfortable for hunting boots. I wear them to the office, church and around town. Now I am not sure if they will make it on a bird hunt. I am wanting a second pair. Very impressed with the Russell boots.
 
Wind River said:
If you get a chance to have a visit and have your foot measured there, you will be most impressed.
Helpful staff and great smells of tanned leathers, like a memorable coffee and spent shot shells.
I have worn five pairs of Russells, still have two. Classic
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They stopped doing that. Thy only sell sizes now but still handmade. i called them about getting another pair of their shoes and they told me.
 
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