I believe boots are an important part of my hunting gear. I look for durability, comfort, and they definetly have to stay dry. I have tried a number of brands, but like my Muck boots the best.
For the beginning of the season I use a pair of Redwing work boots. They're solid leather and extremely durable and comfortable. I've had them for over three seasons and I'll probably have them re-soled before I buy another pair. For the late season, I have a pair of insulated Danner Pronghorns. I tried roughing it with the Redwing boots and a couple of pairs of heavy wool socks in the winter, but it didn't quite cut it for sitting in the -30 degree temps. Plus the workboots I use for early season have a pretty much flat sole except for the heel and they don't work very well on ice.
My early season boots, and my late season boots. I have the added difficulty of finding footwear in a size 15 as well.
I love my LaCrosse® Alpha Light Series 5mm Rubber Boot. Great for seat control, comfort and keeps your feet dry. $79 at Cabela's now
Late last season I made the switch to the LaCrosse Alpha Burly Sport with 800g of thinsulate. Unfortunately here in MD it won't be cold enough to wear them until mid-October but there's nothing I would trade for warm feet in single digit temps. Still on the prowl for an early season pair.
I really like anything from irish setter. The ones I'll be wearing this year are the same ones I wore for muzzle loader season last year, the mountain claw xt's.
I love the Alphaburly LaCrosse boots, but the darn things just aren't very durable. 250 miles, max, and they're riddled with holes, the camo has worn off the toes (they turn black), the tread has rounded-off, and the padding is completely flattened-out. I've been through at least 4-5 pairs of Alphas already. I'm sick of buying them. Given the fact that their customer service department refuses to send me a new pair, I'm taking my business to Muck to see how they work out. They just look a little more durable. From ripping through pair after pair of LaCrosses, I know where the holes develop (at least for me), and the Mucks seem to have a heavier gauge rubber in those areas. Their tread patterns seem to be a little bit deeper/sharper, which will help stop me from skiing down the hills in shed season. I need boots that are dry, lightweight, comfortable and durable. LaCrosse gets 3 out of 4, but I can't afford to be buying a new pair of boots every 9 months - especially when they're charging through the nose for them. The fact that virtually EVERY boot manufacturer now has a neoprene knee-high boot offering tells me that the profit margins must be pretty high on those boots. Everybody seems to want a chunk of that market. There's simply NO WAY that their manufacturing costs come anywhere even remotely close to the $130 pricetag. Hell, it was just a few years ago that I got my first pair for around $75, and I thought THAT was overpaying!
The most comfortable, durable boot i have had for bowhunting is the cabelas silent stalker sneaker. I love them, going on my fifth season with them. I also just got a pair of the cabelas outfitter pro that i am going to try in the early season.late season i use cabelas pac boots. I also have a pair of alpha burly i use midseason that i like.
I interested to see how they wear for ya Quik. You bang out more miles than most. I've been pretty mean to mine all the way around. They can be wore out, but it wasn't without merit.
Irish Setter mountain Claw snake boots. Don't ahve snakes, but they are water prooof to your knee. No insulation but water proof is a bonus to me chasing Swampy.
For early season, I have a pair of green uninsulated boots I got at the local farm store, but I cant remember the brand name (generic). For colder weather, I have a pair of Cabela's 2000 gram boots. They aren't bad, but they are pretty heavy (size 14). Good enough for me I reckon.
I wear Lacrosse Alpha Burly's and really like them. I am however looking into the new rubber Under Armour Boots.
I have had a few pairs but my favorite are my Scentblocker Snake Boots. They are so comfortable just like wearing gym shoes but warm and waterproof. Well sure water resistant! Haven't had to really test if they are waterproof.
