I'm close to pulling the trigger. I apologize for all the questions....but $200-$300(+) is a lot of money to me. I've got it down to a few pairs. Kennetrek - Mountain Lite II http://www.kenetrek.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KE-420-LT2 Meindle Perfekt 7" Hikers http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...cabelas/en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form1 Asolo Sasslong Backpacking Boot http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,83043_Asolo-Sasslong-Gore-Tex-Backpacking-Boots-For-Men.html Shnee's Bozeman http://www.schnees.com/product/2110/hunting-boots NONE of these (unless I'm missing something) note whether or not they're insulated or non-insulated. I can't imagine the cold being an issue in CO in Sept. (especially as much as we're going to be moving). Thanks, in advance, if you know how warm (that's probably a bad thing) these choices are.
I'll be bringing my Cabelas uninsulated leather hunting boots with Goretex and my old Wolverine 600 gram boots just in case. My uninsulated boots should be all I need though. My last trip I only wore the Wolverines because the boots I bought were a poor choice for the terrain.
I hear ya'. If I wasn't afraid of the sharpness of some of the rocks, I'd probably not even go with an all-leather upper.
Jeff, my buddy bought a pair of Danners for his CO hunt a few years ago, he now swears by them! I'm pretty much done with the rubber boot thing, I'll either be getting the Danner Pronghorns or the Elk Ridge! I think you answered your own question about the insulation, you'll be doing a lot of walking so that should be an issue. As you know, get em early and break em in! I hear great things about the Asolo boots as well!
Don't forget to check out the cave..... http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...at20564&parentType=category&parentId=cat20564
Jeff, I wear a 400gram thinsulate boot, and have no problems, the big thing though to me is changing socks in the middle of the day, and airing feet out for a bit, then getting back on it. I also wear 2 pair of socks, one pair is almost like nylon ankle socks, the other is an 18" X-scent boot sock. These things are the MOST COMFORTABLE socks I've ever worn, and will keep foot odor down something serious. Get a pair or pairs that are COMFORTABLE, and you'll be fine. I wore the same pair nearly everyday this past fall, until I got them wet one day, and I let them air out for a day, and they were good to go again. The boots can be whatever, Danner, Irish Setter, Wolverine, Rocky, Cabela's or BassPro brand or whatever, as long as they are well broken in and comfortable, that's the KEY near as I can tell from my two trips out. And I hunt deer in some pretty nasty terrain some of the time.
While far from an expert, I have hunted my share in the mountains over the last 12-15 years. No, you don't need insulated boots for an archery Colorado hunt. Depending on your elevation, it can get down in the upper 20's- low 30's every night, but because of the low humidity, it will be nothing like those temps in the Carolinas. Also, as you have mentioned you will be moving. I wear the boot below and have for years with one thin pair of liner socks along with medium thickness smartwool socks. The liner sock is to prevent blisters and is highly recommended. The lighter the boot the better, IMO, so long as the the sole has enough stiffness which these boots do. http://www.danner.com/product/boots/453+gtx+dark+tan+hiking+boots.do
I will be paying close attention to this thread.... I am starting to compile a gear list for the elk hunt were planning for September.
Jeff, I've never worn insulated boots in Wyoming or Colorado... I have a pair of uninsulated Danner Pronghorns that have performed flawlessly for the past 3 seasons. I can't really think of any time that I've really needed insulated boots that time of year up there, that doesn't mean it won't be necessary at some point.
My problem is......I can't tell if any of the ones I've preliminarily (if that's a word) picked out are insulated.....or not.
I'll NEVER wear a pair of insulated boots for a hunting trip I will be hiking alot during....I couldn't imagine how hot your feet would get! I wore uninsulated Kenetreks on my Alaska trip where the temps were anywhere from mid 30s to mid 60s for 2 weeks straight, and if anything I wish they were LESS insulated! lol
I hope to try on the Meindl Perfekts this weekend...and the more I hear about Kenetreks the more I wish there was a dealer close (none in IL or MO). I also hope to take Rob's advice and visit an REI store, and talk to some people who actually hike mountains... ...regardless, I plan to get UNinsulated as I've never had an issue with cold feet, quite the opposite if I'm moving at all. But, if the perfect fit comes from a boot with minor insulation (200-400gr) I will have to consider it.
I do not wear insulated boots-waterproof yes, insulated no. Even when there's snow that early you'll be moving enough. Your feet will never feel cold. A good fit is important. You do not want your heal slopping around in the back of your boot nor do you want your toes slipping forward. Blister city if you do! Blisters spoil hunts...
I pretty much settled on the Kenetrek Mountain Hunter 2's. Called them.....and they won't be introduced, until mid-Feb.....lol. Oh well. I've got a few weeks to mull it over some more. And,......I plan on deer hunting in these, too. I'm sure as hell not going to spend that kinda $$ to have 'em sit around waiting on a mountain trip every year (or more). I hope they're not hot (they ARE UN-insulated).
The Kenetrek are similar to my Meindl Burma Pro GTX , they are not insulated either and i never felt any cold what so ever . A good Mountain sock will keep you snug enough Jeff .
These are the boots I use for goat hunting (not sure if I'll bring them to CO or not). They aren't listed as having any insulation in them but my feet have never been cold in them. They are listed as being similar to one of the ones you're looking at but they have a rigid sole for binding style crampons. This is the one reason I wouldn't consider them for CO... the rigid sole is GREAT for going up and down or carrying a load on uneven terrain but they're a little uncomfortable for flat ground. The last thing I'm worried about is insulation. The first thing I'm worried about is fit. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=2063U&cdf=SimilarProduct
I am pretty sure if it doesn't list insulation ... they are uninsulated ... at least that has been my experience ....
never been to CO but hunt the mountains here and there with prolly 1/10 of the walking but my opinion would be a decently high boot that is well over the ankle and gore tex, gore tex, and more gore tex.
I've hunted with Danner Sierra's (200g) for probably 6ish years and they are as rock solid as they come - and they get A LOT of time in the field every year (would be great for the Sep-Oct timeframe)... I have literally worn the sole right off the bottoms of some boots on one backpack hunt (and they weren't super cheap models either) so make sure you stick with a super solid boot... And best part is.... MADE IN THE USA http://www.gandermountain.com/modpe...X_200g_8_Hunting_Boots&aID=502A2&merchID=4006
I never wear and insulated boot for my elk hunts. A quality boot is important to me as I have watched many throughout the years deal with boots that felt good in back home, to not hold up after a few days in the back country I currently have a pair of Danner Pronghorns, and they have held up great. The terrain in New Mexico for us last year was nothing but walking on softball sized rocks and the Danners held up well. My next pair will be the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Non-Insulated....they are a $340 boot, compared to the Danners which are somewhere around $170. But since I plan on heading west every fall, I will get my use from them.
