I think boots are one of the most important pieces of gear you can have. I'm in the market for a new pair of rubber boots. the ones I have are uncomfortable. Which company do you guys believe makes the best rubber boot as far as comfort and waterproofing are concerned?
I am wearing the Dream Season boots. The Good things They are light and very comfortable. My feet do not sweat like rubble boots. It is very easy to get the boots scent free right out of the box. The side zipper is very well made and makes it easy to put the boots on and off. The Bad things They are not water proof. You can get across a small creek with out getting your feet wet. And they will handle med rain showers. The boots have a snap that covers the zippers. The snap does not stay snapped while you are walking. This makes the boots noises when walking and also unlock the scent protection in the top of the boots. I do have the new boots with the insulation. There is not enough insulation to hunt in cold weather. My old rub boots with 120 g of thinsulate are much warmer.
I personally think LaCrosse are some of the best rubber ones, I've tried several brands and they seem to to be the best but they are also the most pricey.
I love my LaCrosse boots as well. I have the Dream Season boots and they are definitely NOT waterproof. I like them for everything else, but crossing an 8" deep creek when it's 4am and 4 degrees is not a good idea.
I'm telling you, these people that put a second rate waterproof barrier in things are really screwing up. I've tried a couple over the years with Brand X waterproof barriers. They flat do not hold up. The two occassions I went with anything other than Goretex the one leaked immediately on the first ankle deep stream. The other lasted about 3 trips before springing a leak. With boots and rain gear, if it isn't Goretex.... don't buy it. You'll be sorry. All thes Qualitex and the such are just wannabees and definitely inferior. I'd pay extra for Goretex and not pay extra for the name "Dream Season". I don't care how comfortable they are if they wet through on wet grass.
I bought a pair of Columbia rubber boots from Gander, before turkey season. They were normally $80 and on sale for $49, so I figured it was worth a try. I've put them through hell over the last 6 weeks and I'm really impressed with them, so far.
I agree...boots can make or break a hunt! I use leather boots with good ankle support and a vibram sole while hunting in Colorado. I have a couple of pairs of LaCrosse rubber boots (forgot them when I visited Jeff and had to borrow his). They work fine when it's not cold. I just purchased a pair of these: http://www.irishsetterboots.com/shoe-zoom.cfm?style=827 They were on sale at Basspro for $100-normally $150 I'll let you know how they work-will be using them in Alaska. Prince of Wales Island receives about 120 inches of rain per year. I'm anticipating lots of wet!
I wear snake boots for most of my time in the outdoors with the exception of December and January. Once my spring scouting starts in March, its warm enough for snakes so back to the snake boots..... They sure as hell aren't comfortable, but they give you piece of mind.
Hmmm...good point DC. Do they make bear boots? Piece of mind is one thing, piece of me is another. LOL....
I own a pair of kneed high rubber boots-Cabelas brand. They have 1200 grams of Thinsulate which is important in NY in deer season and keep me dry, BUT - they hurt my feet for the first 2 weeks of season until I get used to them again, and they are 2 seasons old. I've actually started to wear them while cutting the grass to try to break 'em in a bit more. Would not buy them again.
Yes they do...... Put your guide in steel toes and you wear Nike Shoxs... If the chit goes down you can Michael Johnson it out of there :d
X2....not completely. I have a pair of Columbia's that I bought for Turkey season. They have zero insulation in them, I wouldn't wear them on even an early October morning. I have trashed two different Mucks in the last 5 years. The Woody Max's are great and I have the hiker cut ones too. I love em.
I have a pair of Irish Sitters (these in particular). They are great! I wore them through deer season and turkey season and my only complaint is I should've bought an insulated pair for late deer season. They are waterproof, comfortable everything (except insulated for the cold months) that I wanted.
For early season I wear a pair of Rocky snake boots, love em, they were heck to break in but are comfortable now, when it gets chilly I wear an 800 gr. Lacrosse. Plenty warm fcr our winters and comfortable to boot. (no pun intended)
