Whats on your feet?

moellermd

moellermd

Super Moderator
I am looking to get a new pair of upland boots. I have a pair of Danner Pronghorns that lasted about 1.5 seasons and they are falling apart. I also have a pair of Irish Setters that do not look like they will last more than year. They are the $100 version. How much do you have to spend to get a good long lasting pair of boots? What kind have you had good luck with?
 
Danner's are not the boot they used to be, at one time they were a top of the line boot but only average now and not worth the money. I have a pair of Danner Rainforest's that I have had for three years but do not wear them much anymore. I switched to Cabela's Upland Premiere Hunting Boots, very light and comfortable. For late winter hunts I wear Pac's made by Schnee's of Bozeman, Montana, they aren't as wide and bulky as most Pac's and can be rebuilt and come in different heights. Schnee's has a great web site, www.schnees.com
 
20thunderjet said:
For late winter hunts I wear Pac's made by Schnee's of Bozeman, Montana, they aren't as wide and bulky as most Pac's and can be rebuilt and come in different heights. Schnee's has a great web site, www.schnees.com
Click to expand...

Have you or anyone you know ever worn the Schnees leather upland boots? Talked to a representative at last years Pheasant Fest and they looked like a well made product although pricey....

Moellermd,
I've got a couple pair of Red Wings Irish Setters that are going on 3 and 5 years respectfully (Still look great). I also have an older pair of Danners that I don't wear as often any more that are 6 years old, although worn looking. One pair is uninsulated and I wear those early season and use the insulated pair later in the season.

Also, assuming your boots are Gortex, what are you using for boot care? For leather Gortex boots I am told silicone is the only waterproofing you should use on the leather as anything else such as snoseal or mink oil will eat the away the stitching.
 
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I used to wear the Danner Pronghorns, but I was to the point the stitching on the leather were letting go after about 10 days in the field. This year I purchased a pair of Cabela's Upland Premiere Hunting Boots. These boots were very comfortable when I tried them on in the store so I thought I'd give them a try.

One of the thing that I did with the boots was apply some 3M flexible epoxy on all the stitching around the front of the boots. I also added a layer on top of the toe cap and moc leather on the boots. The boots have been very comfortable and the epoxy that I added has prevented any wear signs this first year.
 
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I spoiled myself a few years ago and bought a pair of Russell hand made. I noticed an immediate difference in fit and feel.

I've always had trouble getting a good fit b/c I have such narrow feet.

I only wear them 10-15 days/year so I expect them to last a while.

They ain't cheap, but I believe, well worth the investment.


lefty
 
I have used the Danner Pronghorns for the past two seasons. I like the fit, comfort, and the light weight of the boot.......but am experiencing the same problem as others in that the stitching is wearing out. I experienced several days of hunting with wet feet. I plan to purchase a pair Schnee's Pacs for the late season hunts.
 
I'm on my third pair of Cabela's Outfitter Series 9 inch. They have been lasting 5 years. Usually in the second year I have to get the stitching resewn on the arch side of my feet. Other than that, they have lasted well usually cracking on top at the toe hinge area in the fifth year. I hunt mostly heavy CRP which is hard on boots anyway and I usually hunt 25-40 days per year.
 
I've had a pair of Irish Setter Upland style boots for the past several years and they have worn exceptionally well. They don't make the model I have anymore. The new version is called the Wingshooter and comes in several variations. You can check them out at www.irishsetterboots.com
 
Field Boots

I think Danner must have gotten hold of some poor quality thread based on what I'm reading here and my own experience. My pair are what are now called Grouse Hunting Boots: leather and Denier 1000 uppers, Goretex lined, with no insulation now selling for $255.00, $24.00 less than I paid several years ago. Before this season I sent them in to Danner for the $150 rebuild (the works). After several days in the field, the new stitching vanished at abrasion points. I sent them back but have not received an explanation for the failure. Does anyone know what is going on?
 
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I've been buying Timberlands boot at eother Famous Footwear or Payless Shoes. It is the discount version. They run about $40/each and they often have buy-1 get-1 at half price. I have an ankle boot and a higher calf boot.

The high boot is comfortable, light, waterprrof and warm.

I just wore them today on a 2 mile walk with my wife. Like slippers.

Good option for budget minded. Not sure they are still selling them but you never know.
 
I bought these LaCrosse Quad-Comfort 8" work boots before the season started ($125). They're uninsulated but I hunted through the 2nd of Jan. and my feet were warm and dry all season. Lightweight and good ankle support too. I ordered a pair of these with 600gm of Thinsulate but they weren't as comfortable so I returned them. Turns out I didn't need the Thinsulate anyway. How these will hold up remains to be seen.
LaCrosseBoots.jpg
 
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Find a boot your comfortable with or feel is up to your expectations. However I find that switching them out every two years or so really helps my knees and feet. Just like a pair of sport shoes or walking shoes, just because they are in one piece still does not mean the padding and give in the shoe is the same. Just my two cents.
 
I have a pair of insulated Rocky's for extreme cold and a pair of Irish setters I use for upland and spring turkey hunting, both boots are comfortable and inexpensive I bought them on-line from Sportsman Guide at 1/2 the cost.
 
I have a pair of Irish Setter Elk Hunters. They fit and feel like a dream, nice and light, good grip, waterproof etc... I put two seasons on them then I bought a pair of Muckboots for hunting wet days/areas. I now wear them from opener to the last day of the season in any kind of cover. They feel like a sneaker on your feet, keep you warm, and are there for you when you want to cross some water or walk the edge of a riverbank. They fit snug on (my) calves, so when you go a little too deep very little water gets in as long as you don't mess around. The loose-knit cover on the inside neoprene lets you breath a bit and you can fold the tops down when driving between spots to let some more moisture out. I am sold on them and so is almost everyone else I know who's used them.
-Croc
 
Boots

One of the big reasons why they fell apart is that they (Danner) has found out that the boots(Danner Pronghorns) are made in China which increases the Danner Companies profit margin. I just dumpstered a pair of the original USA made boots after a 4 year stint with them.
 
I have been partial to the Bass Pro shops boot called the Uplander. The cost is $100 and they have worn well over the last four years. I did not see them on their website but they have them in the stores. I hose them down after a week of hunting and coat them with mink oil once they have dried. Probably should squirrel away another pair just in case they stop making them.
 
Lefty- I brought Russels too I LOVE them they are like slippers. I got the South 40's I see they have a newer one now mine are 10 years old.:)
Danners are good as long as they are the US made ones the Pronghorns are not. They don't wear well. The Danner I use for work I have resoled 4 times now and still look good. Wear them everyday, sometimes 18 hours. Paid $125 eight years ago. Most of the time you get what you pay for! I know boots can be pricy, but if they last 10 plus years the cost is small. I was going thru cheaper boots every two years and paying $150 for pair. MY 2 cents
 
Made in China vs Made in USA

As another posted above said, Danner has lines of cheaper boots made in china. After wearing one pair of USA Danners for 15 years, they finally wore out. I bought a pair of the 400 gram Pronghorns [or similar model]. They were very comfortable right out of the box, with no breakin period. But they leaked after a few days in the field, including wet show during a SD hunt. Wet feet = cold feet. Not good and I wasn't a happy hunter.

Danner stood behind their boots, but I upgraded to the 400 gram Raptor, which are still made in USA. I've now worn those for 5-6 years and couldn't be happier. Based on some of the comments, I sure hope they haven't gone downhill with their USA made products.

In the future I'll spend the money and buy something made in the US that will last. The hell with trying to save a buck and having the Chinese made crap fall apart in short order. Also, the hell with trying to save a buck and sending more of our jobs overseas!

Too many people in this country are in love with "cheap". I call it the WalMart Syndrome. They find something made in China, sold at Walmart for $20 and it falls apart after a few uses, when they cold have spent $30 and bought quality that would last. Sorry for highjacking the forum, but it's a pet peave of mine and where I can, I'm going to buy Made in the USA, with an eye on quality and at the same time will help try to keep some jobs here!
 
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