I'm going bowhunting in Colorado again this year and am in the need for a new hunting boot. I was looking into getting a nice hiking or low cut boot for both hunting out in Colorado and for bow season here in Missouri. I want something light but tough. I had a pair of Irish Settler's but the heal of the boot has began digging into my heal. So those are scrapped. I also have some Danner Pronghorns that I only want to use during the colder months. Any of you guys have any suggestions. I've read plenty but thought I would ask my fellow bowhunters who go through the same conditions as me.
i wish i could tell ya im in the market too. im looking more for a highly insulated shoe. it gets cold in minnesota winter haha
Yeah, I have the rough winter boots. I just want something light, durable, waterproof and can get me through the tough terrain. I know there are quite a few boots out there from all price ranges. I just want to hear first hand from some people on here what they use.
Rocky S2V Tactical Boots are pretty sweet. They have vibram soles, Gore-Tex, 200 grams of insulation (also scent lok lined if that matters to you) and are very light weight. I wore them a good bit shedding this spring.... They are pretty sweet! Here is a link where I found them on clearance for less than $100. http://www.dunhamssports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3087558
I don't know how much you want to spend, but I would recommend a pair of Meindls from Cabelas. I bought an uninsulated pair two years ago to wear in the mountains of Alberta on an elk hunt. I have also put a pile of miles on them shed hunting over the rocks here in Ontario. They have awesome support, and are damn near bullet-proof. I have owned a lot of Rockys and Danners and doubt I will ever buy a pair of them again after wearing these. The only downside to them is the price, $250 a pair. Then again, after what I have put them through, I would have gone through 2 pairs of any other boot. Here's a link to the ones I have..... Meindl Denali Boots
What kind of Danner's you have Jeff? I had a pair of uninsulated Pronghorn's the year before in Alberta and they were great, but they leaked. I agree that it is a lot of money to drop on a pair of boots, but for the ammount of walking I do on uneven terrain and over rocks up here, its well worth it. Plus, like I said earlier, I have never had a pair of boots last this long. After two hard years, they still look new.
Dan is spot on, Meindl boots are second to none. With that being said, I have a pair of Danner Pronghorns (uninsulated because my feet stay unusually warm) that I've worn on two elk hunts, mule deer/antelope hunts and for two seasons of whitetail hunting. I hunt upland birds in them as well and can't say that I've ever had a leak. I love these boots and will absolutely buy another pair when these are retired.
BINGO. I LOVE my pronghorns, but they leak, bad. After reading a lot of reviews, I am not the only one. I am dropping the coin for some Kenetrek Hardscrabbles probably within a week. Uninsulated, perfect specs as to what I am looking for. A strong ankle support, stiff, backpacking boot that will last a decade easily. $295 certainly isn't cheap, but if it outlasts two pair of $150 Danners, I guess I came out the same in the end. I'll continue wearing Danners around here where boots are FAR down the list of important gear for a hunt, but when I head north or west for a backpacking type hunt, I can list on one hand things more important than your boots, and the list is even shorter on things that can ruin a hunt quicker. I'll post a report on em once I run them through the ringer. If I don't like the feel of the Kenetreks, my number two boot on the list to try is a set of Meindl Perfekts...then I will check into the likes of a set of Lowas.
Your pronghorns are not too warm for early season. Anything with the Danner name imo is the ticket. I would bet that more elk hunters wear Danners than any other boot.I wear a 6" TFX Hunter by Danner and they have held up through two elk hunts and two whitetail seasons, and still look and perfrom excellent.
Well the pronghorns are 1000 gram insulate and are a heavier boot. Too heavy/warm for early season whitetail and elk. I would prefer a lighter boot with all the other amenities.