I am with Dan. The Meindl are the way to go! I have a pair of Cabelas Perfekt Hikers (uninsulated) & Hunters (insulated) made by Meindl. Top notch but you are certainly going to pay a premium price. I still sport a classic pair of Danner Pronghorns pretty regularly as well. I like to rotate boots and let them "air out". Rubber still have there place. I will go with some knee highs in really wet condition or buggy conditions. I prefer boots with light insulation. I buy my boots at least 1 size up with wear a good "smart sock". I am packing my heater body suit if I need more warmth then that.. I wish I wouldn't have been so stubborn and purchased the HBS years ago!
I love to tell this story, and since you guys are obviously "boot" guys, you'll be able to appreciate how awesome this story actually is. Years ago, I went to get my haircut. The haircutting place was busy, so I walked into a RedWing shoe store. I'm browsing around, the guy asks me if he can help. "No, just looking" We start talking about boots. I tell him about how bad my lower back hurts on a daily basis. (so bad that it would it was a chore just to get out of a chair). He said is was "Because you're wearing Sh!t shoes" "I know they're not the greatest, but they're still $100 shoes" "I didn't say they weren't expensive, I said they were Sh!t shoes, they're garbage. That's why your back hurts" I'm totally baited in now. He takes me over to this machine, measures my feet, yada, yada, yada. I tell him I'd like to look at some boots. He gets them out. $250 Yikes! No way, not doing it. "Buy these boots, if your lower back doesn't stop hurting in 2 weeks, bring them back and I'll give you your $250 back" My back stopped hurting about 5 days later and I haven't had an ounce of lower back pain since. Needless to say, I'm very loyal to RedWing and that gentleman in particular. On top of that, my wife never gives me any grief about buying $250 boots because they prevent my back from hurting. I've not tried the Irish Setter owned by RedWing (Not made in USA). I wore a pair of Danner in Colorado, and as Nick will tell you, they sprang a small leak in the first creek I stepped in. Not going to disparage them though, it was a comfortable boot, and felt just like my RedWings on my feet. The pair I had on just squeaked passed QC. No big deal. Note to all of you younger guys. Learn a lesson from me. Buy the absolute best boot you can possibly afford.
I have been really considering this (Heater Body Suit). Only problem is there is so much pressure around here that by the time its cold enough for it, my trail cam pics are only pics after dark.
I'll admit. I went to a rubber boot a while back after reading how they were the end all be all for bowhunting. I never really liked the feel. Granted, my Alpha Burly's are pretty comfortable for a rubber boot, and they keep me warm during most of the season. However, once December hits, all bets are off. I have a set of Cabelas 800gr boots (can't remember the model) that I wear during the rifle and late archery seasons. I wouldn't mind going back to a non-rubber boot, but I have a hard time balancing and prioritizing heavy vs. lighter weight and warmth. Are most of you guys running uninsulated during the early season, and the insulated later on, or just going for a mid range insulation amount?
I use to wear rubber boots but don't care much for them anymore. I got about 4 pairs of Rocky boots I wear. My favorite is my Rockey Lynx, 800 gram. Got then new for $79 shipped off Ebay last year.
I only wear rubber boots when I have to wade small streams etc.. I have wore Danner Pronghorns the past 4 seasons... The same Danner pronghorns those four seasons as well. They have saw a lot of scouting and shed hunting as well. I have never had a set of Rocky boots make it past two seasons with out problems. I like them so much I bought another set in the event that they ever discontinued them. I see they are a little different looking now than the ones I own. Not sure if they are the same quality or not. They are light, warm and comfortable. Mine are 1000 grams gore-tex lined. Buy them 1/2 to one size big to accommodate nice merino socks and your feet will never get cold.
Anybody ever try these? ArcticShield® Boot Covers for Men | Bass Pro Shops I have a pair of 800 gram Rockys that my feet get cold in when the temp is in the 30's. I bought a pair of wool merino socks and that helped. I was also thinking of buying a box of toewarmers, but for the same price thought i'd see if anyone ever tried these.
After a recent Colorado elk Trip. As a southern Ohio deer hunting addict it was a VERY high learning experience. To me hunting was either sitting in a tree in head to toe scent blocker or tromping through a field looking for pheasant and rabbits. I bought a pair of Irish setter vaper treks. I work in Irish setters and wear 800g rutmasters. Since my return if I'm using my climber which is half the time and I use my vaper treks. And I love the difference. I think of its above 35 I'm gonna leave the rubber boots at home now.
As I get older, I have one hell of a time keeping my feet warm. Of course, sitting in a tree stand, motionless, for hours on end doesn't help much, but that's what bowhunting stand hunters do............a LOT! When it gets really cold, I use boot blanket covers over my insulated hunting boots. They are a bit bulky, but you get used to them in short order. They do help keep your feel warm, and your toes toasty. If needed, you can toss a hand warmer in each one, and that works well during really cold sits. The key is to put them on AS SOON as you get into your tree stand or ground blind. If you wait until your toes are cold, it's too late. To me, it is imperative to keep my toes warm to be able to sit still, and stay on stand. Once my toes get numb from the cold, I'm done and headed for the recliner next to the fireplace!
Anyone ever try Wolverine Ridgeline Extreme boots? Just picked up a pair of 1000g thinsulate boots on sale for $99 at Academy. I've had good experiences with Wolverine work boots in the past. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
I wear RedHead 10'' Treestand II GORE-TEX® Insulated Boots for Men. They work really well for me. I have been using them for a couple of years. The fit well and they do well at keeping my feet dry and warm. I only had one hunt where I had to add the foot warmers. It was 17 degrees and very windy.
You're welcome. Used properly, I think you will find the boot blankets are a good product for the buck. Also, don't overlook good quality socks. Smartwool, Merino Wool, and Fits are some names to remember. I just ordered a couple of pair of Fits brand heavy weight hunting socks for cold weather. They aren't cheap at about $18.00 a pair, but that's a bargain for WARM toes....at least in my book it is! Another couple of things that work for me are wearing a regular pair of socks while walking to my stand, then changing into my warm thermal socks once I arrive. Dry, warm socks make a big difference. If you have problems with your feet sweating, that will also lead to problems keeping your toes warm. I buy non scented spray antiperspirant and spray my feet after I shower before a hunt. It keeps my feet from sweating on the walk to my stand, and in turn, really helps with keeping my feet and toes warm. I simply cannot stay on stand when my toes are numb from the cold, so I will do anything I can to keep that from happening. Bowhunting means a lot to me, and I want to be comfortable. For me, that starts with my feet. If they are warm and happy, I can handle just about anything else!
It really depends on the terrain you're hunting. I wouldn't want to wear rubber boots in the elk mountains in early fall, but I might in a ground blind or tree stand. I wear rubber boots (Muck Boots) in winter while elk hunting in the snow, but wear a good leather/cordura nylon boot in Sept chasing whistling bulls.
So I finally bit the bullet and bought a good pair of boots yesterday. I bought the regular 10" Meindl Perfekt Hunters by Cabelas. I also bought a pair of HotMocs that should be delivered by this weekend. Rather than buying two pairs of boots for normal hunting temps and cold temps I like this idea better because I do a lot of hiking to and from stands and I'd rather have a boot that's comfortable to cover ground in than a 6lb pair of pack boots. I spent the last day getting a double coat of Obenauf's LP on them and letting it warm and absorb in front of the fireplace. I've worn them around the house a bit and I've gotta say they are a LOT more comfortable than the $100 leather boots or the Muck/Irish Setter rubbers I've been wearing. I'm headed back to NY the first week of December and will get a few days of hunting in where I'll be doing 10+ miles a day, I'll update when I've got a few dozen miles on them in the big woods. Dan - When you make it back from your trip I'd love to hear your thoughts about your Extreme Hunters now that you have some miles on them.
I've always had non rubber boots. I normally would use my 600 gram La Crosses for early season and for early scouting. Now when temps drop below 30 they are not ideal, so I put on my heavy 1400 gram Irish Setters. These boots always, I repeat always keep my feet warm. Now this year I have purchased a pair of LaCrosse Aeroheads and I like them. They are great for scouting, days when there is lots of dew on the grass, and also in situations where there is a lot of water. Also I think they are a good boot for lots of walking, say tracking a deer or long hikes. However they didn't keep my feet very warm below thirty so I just switched back to the Irish Setters.
If you use boot blankets & there is any snow you should have a gunney sack to put on the stand as the boot blankets will freeze to the stand & make noise when you try to move for a shoot. Have used them back in the early 90's in -0 weather.
I don't know if it was mentioned but cutting off circulation to your feet by wearing two pairs of thick socks or tying your boots too tight will make you feet get cold in any boots Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've put over 200 miles on my Lowa Tibets this fall packing out 6 animals along the way and they are still as good as new. Never once leaked through in some absolutely horrid conditions. Fits my foot like a glove on top of that. Fit is more important for a hiking boot than the brand name on the tongue. If it's just for light walks/treestand sits... then I'd just go with whatever you can find at the price point you want. I'd recommend zero insulation through late October, then an insulated boot to finish the fall.... if you do late winter hunts when it is bone cold, pac boots as justin mentioned are the tits.
