I have a soft spot for boots. I currently have and love a set of Lacrosse NI Alphaburlys. I cut a whole in the ankle on barbedwire, but nothing a little superglue couldnt patch up. Danner NI Pronghorns. VERY comfortable but leak like a 50 year old faucet. they will have a place here locally, but I will never travel with them. Just picked up a set of Columbia Superior Trail hiking boots...may never even see the woods besides turkey season occasionally, but sure are comfortable. As soon as I can muster up the money, I am going to try a Pair of more rigid mountain boots, likely a set of Kenetreks or Lowas. I need them before the end of summer, sooner to break in if possible. I really like the looks of the Kenetrek Mountain Light Hikers, but $220 on sale isnt cheap.
After reading reviews, It seems the problem is the seams are busting along the soles and allowing water in through them...Im not sure. I am going to coat mine in a waterproofing real good and see if that solves my problem. My dad too has had a pair longer than me that have always been bone dry. I may have just bought a lemon.
I to own some pronghorns, although insulated and no problems. I really like the boots. I actually own a pretty good assortment of boots, maybe I will do a review of them later?
I love the boots, just found out this spring they are anything but waterproof. They fit the bill PERFECTLY for turkey hunting in the woods or early season deer hunting. I just need to get some Freesole to coat the seams and a good dosing of Nikwax to waterproof the rest, and I should have my problems solved. They are by far the most comfortable boot I have ever worn, just frustrated me when I found they leaked rather rapidly. I am slowly building up a mass of boots, but I can't seem to pitch any of them. My next is VERY likely to be a set of Kenetrek Mountain Light Hikers, they are running a $50 off sale right now so I might go ahead and spring for them. For backpacking out west, I need a much more rigid soled boot like Will referred to using.
Different boots for different types of hunting and terrain. There are a ton of good boots out there, but none fit all needs. I love plain old rubber boots for flatland whitetails and even caribou so long as the terrain isn't too rugged. I love military issue ICBs for rougher terrain or long hikes such as after elk and/or mule deer where you need the better ankle support and don't want to give up REAL waterproof capability. I say that b/c there are so many boots that say they are waterproof, and then you put your foot in a stream and you learn that they are not really waterproof. A good boot will keep my foot perfectly dry unless the water comes over the top. If the tongue of the boot is not integral to the rest, then they suck and I will not even think about buying them. I have had the same gortex and leather boots since bootcamp in 1998. One resole job. They rock and compared to many other brands, they are quite inexpensive. For extreme cold weather, I have 2 sets. One is the Vapor Barrier boots that the military uses. They are smaller and thus easier to walk in. The other are much more comfortable for sitting, but they are enormous and difficult to walk long distances in. So, again, it depends what and how I am hunting.
