This is topic Who makes the best boots? in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on September 20, 2006, 02:49 PM:
I go thru a pair of boots a year anymore and am looking for something better. I've used Rockys, Itasca and a handful of lesser boots. Who make the best boot for the money? And cost isn't the only factor. If I can spend twice as much and get a boot that will last me three seasons, I'm money ahead. What I want is durable (of course), lightweight, and has a good lugged sole that works equally well on wet rocks, sand, hard-packed soil, slimy mud and snow. A couple seasons ago, I slipped in some mud and if I wasn't a stickler for safe gun handling, I'd have gone down with that rifle pointed right at my brother who was walking in front of me. My soles were worn and those boots got thrown away that day.
Are the Danners really the best? Are Irish Setter boots any good? I like the styles offered in both.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on September 20, 2006, 03:16 PM:
Yes, Danners are the best I have found, but Orvis makes good boots, also. My Danners are probably ten years old, resoled once?
Now, for everyday, moderately warm weather hunting applications, I have used Rocky Corn Stalkers and a similiar boot made for Cabelas, and they are comfortable, but not quite the same as those rugged heavy duty Danners.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on September 20, 2006, 03:58 PM:
My Wally World Water-proof Camo's last atleast a couple of years. Maybe I'm not hunting enough huh!?!?
Actually, those are my bird and coyote hunting boots. Sometimes I wear my REI hiking boots that I really really like. I got them for hunting trails and camping. I can't remember a time I've slipped even in sheep country. If the ground is really bad, I'll just kind of slide on 2 feet but never slip in those. They look like old fashioned clutter boots. I love 'em.
For cold weather I use those ugly brown leather Sorels that are virtually cold proof. I've had them for many years and they still work great. Incidentally, they are by far the quitest boots I have. My Wally World's are very quiet too.
On several occasions I been bothered to no end by hunting buddies with brand new super expensive boots that just won't shut up!!!! (the boots I mean) I hate loud boots.
[ September 20, 2006, 04:06 PM: Message edited by: Locohead ]
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on September 20, 2006, 04:19 PM:
I have been a Danner guy since the early 90's and I'm a firm believer in good boots. My first couple pairs of Danners were excellent. I have noticed a decline in quality with my last two pairs and don't get near the life out of a pair now. I have always bought the higher priced models also. Danner frequently changes models and increases the price even though the new model is lesser quality from what I have found.
I still consider them a decent boot compared to much of the competiton, but not what they used to be.
I know some guys who are serious antler hunters and they put on hundreds of miles a year in rugged country looking for sheds. They are telling me Meindls are the ticket. Cabelas carries Meindls and I'm going to look at a pair the next time I buy.
[ September 20, 2006, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Lonny ]
Posted by canine (Member # 687) on September 20, 2006, 04:58 PM:
I can't complain about my Irish Setters.
JD
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on September 20, 2006, 05:13 PM:
It seems to me that quality of material and workmanship has been going down hill on boots just like everything else. My first couple pairs of Rocky's Gortex lined boots were very comfortable. They had nice soft leather uppers, good soles, and I could stand in a creek with those buggers without getting my socks wet. Can't even find that model anymore. Bought a pair of Redwings that I ended up giving away because of the stiff leather and uncomfortable fit. Last year, I bought a pair of Wellington style boots for general kicking around town and such. They are Wolverine brand, so should be good but the rubber sole is cracking already. I say buy what is comfy on your foot and cross your fingers while ya pay for em.
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on September 20, 2006, 05:32 PM:
i've always worn Rocky's. they are comfortable, affordable and last about a year. 1 year is all i expect from a pair of boots these days. i could pay the $200 for Danner's and have them last 2 maybe 3 but i can get 2 pair of Rocky's for that. 6 of 1 half-dozen of the other?
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on September 20, 2006, 05:42 PM:
I wear those cheap $34 Brahma's from Wal-Mart. When I wear out the second pair of laces in them, I toss them out and buy another pair. About once a year.
They are a little hot in the summer, so I wear a pair of steel toe sneakers then.
But my Friday night boots, are a pair of cowboy boots I bought in Mexico. Them Mexicans will skin anything. Nice soft calf skin uppers, but the part that shows below my pants is the skin of a bull's Pecker.
They are half a size too small, but I wear them with pride every Friday night!
Posted by Alaskan Yoter (Member # 169) on September 20, 2006, 05:53 PM:
Well I agree with Lonny a 110%. I have been a big Danner Fan since the late 80's. My first pair lasted me 11 years, but since then. ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
I got my Canadians for hunting and they have been through everything, to include a ton of river crossings, and the are still around. Just a few eye-let repairs.
My next two pair of Danners averaged 3 years, leaked a little more then I wanted to from the get go, and got a little worse as time went on.
Its kind of discouraging, but until I find somehting better, I'll get a new pair every few years...........or fall back onto my Canadians, which still are going strong after 8 years.
Grandpa once told wehn I find a pair of boots I liked, buy three pair, because they'll quit making them when ya need them the most. Now I know why. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on September 20, 2006, 05:55 PM:
$55 Bramha Steel Toe from Wal*Mart for all the work around the farm and most of the trapline stuff. In a treestand I'll wear a decent pair of Rockies. I've finally coped with the fact I'll buy a new pair of boots each year. Sometimes I stretch it to 18 months- but once they start taking on water I'm done.
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on September 20, 2006, 05:56 PM:
I'm sold on Danners. I've never had a pair of Rockys make it 6 months without leaking. I hear good things about RedWings too, but have had a couple pairs of Danners now with good success. In the winter I wear Schnees packs, made in Montana.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on September 20, 2006, 06:17 PM:
Thanks to all for the excellent input. Now it's time to start shopping and looking things over....
Unfortunately, the best shoes I've ever worn as far as comfort goes are the ones type I wear for carrying mail. They're made by Rocky but they only come in black and they bear a sole made from special material specifically required under US Postal Service contract. Very flexible, absorb the shock of every step and I can usually get a year or so of use out of each pair at 15 miles walking every day, five days a week which ciphers out to roughly 3750 miles a pair. Geesh, they're comfortable but not available outside the work environment. Bought my brother a pair after his back surgery when the $800 custom pair of shoes he had made still caused his back to hurt terribly. Within a day of wearing them, he called me and thanked me for showing him a shoe he could wear and not pay such a price in pain. I've e-mailed Rocky to see if they make a comparable boot for hunting and they never reply. Oh well.
Thanks again for the intel.
[ September 20, 2006, 06:22 PM: Message edited by: Cdog911 ]
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on September 20, 2006, 06:37 PM:
Cal, How do you like the Schnees? I've been eyeing them for the past couple of years.
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on September 20, 2006, 06:45 PM:
Redwing Irish Setters.
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on September 20, 2006, 06:46 PM:
How does a fellow who walks 15 miles a day, develop such a rotund figure?
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on September 20, 2006, 07:02 PM:
I'll second the Irish setters.
So Tim B. its you that has been makeing all those pecker tracks in AZ. LOL
Posted by stevecriner (Member # 892) on September 20, 2006, 07:14 PM:
Im getting along good with those wolverine hunting boots from bass pro. But i would wear out a train if i had one..
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on September 20, 2006, 08:03 PM:
Rotund?!?
Truth be known, from the waist down, I've got the body of a high school track star. Waist up? Looks like I'm due any day now. LOL
Watch your mouth, blister head. I am your senior by, what, about ten days?!?
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on September 20, 2006, 08:22 PM:
You've got me by 16 days you senile old fart!
And I'll have you know that the blisters are all gone, Now I just have a line of little potholes running across my forehead. But at least I can hide them with my hair! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by sparkyibewlocal440 (Member # 397) on September 20, 2006, 08:28 PM:
I'm on my second pair of Danner "Elk hunters" through Cabela's,uninsulated.The abuse I put those first pair through is beyond most folks comprehension.Six seasons,Saturday,Sunday's and holidays, Oct.thru Jan. of climbing over hill and dale hunting Mtn. Quail and Chuckers,leave the truck before dawn,back after dark most of the time,(always had a hand call and some BB shot along).Throw in some Deer hunts,Coyotes goes without saying.The treads are the most aggresive you will find,very secure footing on any surface.I resoled mine twice.My second pair are a carbon copy,bullet proof.........
I bought a pair of Schenee's Hunter 2's last year,craftmanship is impeccable.They kept my tootsie's warm around the Zero temp range as long as I was active. 20 minutes of sitting still on a stand is about the limit for those boots to keep MY extremities warm in those temps.I have warmer pacs,but are a bit awkward to do allot of walking with(they are heavier,more bulk,thickness means warmth).Since the lowers are rubber,your feet will sweat and things get damp.Good idea to get an extra pair of liners,allowing you to have a dry set on while the others are drying out, if you're out on a multiple day event.They will keep your feet warmer and dryer than a insulated leather Gore-tex set up.The leather will give you much better foot/ankle support and will take much more abuse.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on September 21, 2006, 07:00 AM:
Tim, where can I get a pair of Tallywhackers? You gonna wear your PeePee boots to the campout?
I'm wearing a pair of Rocky Cornstalkers that I bought at Arizona Sportsman's in 1983. They've hunted with Cal in Wyoming and Leonard in Kansas, Lance in Colorado, and Gerald in Texas. The camo pattern is pretty much bleached or worn out and the soles are worn but they are comfortable, warm and dry. I have no idea how much longer they will last, kinda like the Energizer Bunny.
Posted by browning204 (Member # 821) on September 21, 2006, 09:52 AM:
I got a pair of those wolverine gortex boots. The are a tad heavy the first couple times I wear them in the fall but I love them. I have had them for at least 7 years and are the only boots that I have found to be completely waterproof, always.
My feet get a little cold, when I sit for long periods of time but, I am skinny and don't have alot of meat to keep me warm. as soon as I walk again they warm back up.
I think I paid like $110 at a shoe barn in NH, I always look to see what's out there for new boots but I am a little sketched out because there is nothing worse than wet feet!!! I wouldn't want to spend all kinds of $ just to get wet feet!!!
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on October 23, 2006, 12:35 PM:
Rich, I recall those boots. Looked to me like they were just getting broke in comfortably.
BOOT REPORT
I ended up buying a pair of Irish Setter 600 gram Thinsulate Elk Stalkers. They're,.... okay. But, a might heavy. Walked around in them for six stands yesterday and my legs were tired from the weight. I told Matt that I now know why they call them elk stalkers. You wear them elk hunting, shoot your elk, then take them off to pack the elk out. By comparison, the elk is lighter.
They're nice boots and I'll get used to them, but for now, they make me sleep better at night.
Posted by Barndog (Member # 255) on October 23, 2006, 12:55 PM:
No question, WHITES.
http://www.whitesboots.com/store/sub-category.php?category=Boots&id=Boots%7CWhite%27s+Boots
Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on October 28, 2006, 11:27 PM:
Whites better be good for $400. I just got a pair of Rocky Bear Claws and I'm really impressed so far. Durability remains to be determined.
I have a pair of the higher dollar Wolverine steel toes for work that I'm also impressed with.
Redwings are made in the USA and will be my next consideration along with Danner's if these Rocky's don't hold up.
I didnt't realize Irish Setter was owned or made by Red Wing?
Brad
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