If you could have any new pair of boots...

[Bean Counter]

What would it be? For not the first, but second time, I bought a pair of Irish Setters with Gore Tex and they leaked.  I sent them to Gore Tex and their lab tests confirmed this (read: dunk into sink filled with water and feel...).  So the rep called me and said I could have any pair of boots with Gore Tex I want and they'll mail 'em to me.. schweet!  They didn't even say I have to stay in the same brand or price range.  I'm nervous to go back to Irish Setters.

My feet run a little warm and I am not opposed to sock liners when it does get cold so I'm thinking I'll go with an uninsulated pair.  Scent lok would be nice but another, better, waterproof lining is amust.  Here's what I've found so far:

- Danner Grouse Hunting Boots ($255 retail, FWIW).  Made in USA. Doesn't have the Vibram sole, seems to be the only diff from the Foothills.
- Danner Foothill ($255 retail). USA... Vibram Sole
- Danner Vanish ($180). Looks to be imported.  Has the Scent Lok that I want.. but probably not the same quality as the USA Danners from what the other post mentions.  Seems to be new as their are few reviews on it.
- Lowa Seeker ($275). Lightweight boot with vibrams and touted as comfortable.
- Lowa GTX Extreme ($380). Handmade in Germany. Vibram sole, climate controled, blah blah.

Others? Thanks guys... 

[addicted]

cant account for the ones i havent tried on before but i want some danner pronghorns. 
wish they made them in sand so i could get a pair for work.

[BlackTail]

Not sure where you're located but I would go and try on as many of those as you can.  The most comfortable boot in the world to me might be the most miserable boot in the world for you.  I ordered a pair of boots from a catalog one time, and I'll never buy boots again without trying them on first.  That's my 

[Huntbear]

Can not beat Danner.  Unless you can get your hands on White's.

Rocky probably for the price. But since you are not paying for them, go for broke, 

[YukonMud]

I just spent quite sometime Friday looking at a new pair of boots.  After trying on more brands and styles than I can remember, I found Vasque's 7132 to be the most comfortable.  Just my 

[clindsayrun]

The Danner Pronghorns.

I have worn Danner Acadia's ever work day for five years...I get one new pair a year, and recycle the old into my backup hunting boot. However my favorite boot is the Danner Pronghorn. Lightweight, comfortable, warm and durable. How can you go wrong with the Danner Pronghorn or a Danner in general.

Anyway check them out, I think you'll like them.

-Corey

[Bean Counter]

Thanks people! I think I'll swing by Red Wing Shoes later.   

I went to Cabelas yesterday and surprisingly they didn't have many boots in excess of $200 (so none of the USA made Danners, etc). 

[WAcoyotehunter]

I won't own another pair of Danners.  I've walked out of three pair in the last two years.  This season I got some Meindl's from Cabelas and have had good luck so far, we'll see how they hold up.

Try the Lowas, another thread on here had good things about them.

[BC CHASER]

Lowa builds a great boot GTX Hunters are awesome,  also look up Scarpa their Liskaams are pretty nice as well and a few bucks cheaper than the Lowa's.

[edmondshunter]

Just bought some Danner Quarey 2.0 boots a bit stiff though.

For hunting I go with Asolo, Vasque, Raichle in a full grain leather, with  an one piece upper meaning no seams above the sole.

Ive found from exp. that a really good hiking boot $185+ are worlds better than the Quote "Hunting Boots".  Lighter, better fit, break-in, sole life you name it.

[Intruder]

Meindl, Kenetrek, Whites.  Spend as much as you can afford.... do not scrimp on your boots.  Some of the others like Lowa, Raichle, etc are good too. 

[Alchase]

I also love Asolos, power matic 400s.
Be careful with the Vasques made in the last two years. Mine started leaking first time out in the rain (waterproof goretex) when I took them back to REI, the rep said all Vasques are now made in China, and the quality is nowhere near what you would expect for Vasque.

[Big Bucks Tim]

I have a pain of Georgia Thinsulate 200 Gore Tex boots and I absolutely love them.  Best pair of Boots I have had in a long time.  You said you didn't want insulated so you could always go that route.

[luvtohnt]

I tried on the Danner pronghorns, because that is the only brandof boot our local dealer carries they felt great. Then I went to Cabelas and they have a boot called the Denali made by Meindl, holy cow I didnt want to take them off I walked around the store for 20 minutes or so and they were more comfortable than any tennis shoe I have ever owned. I am totally sold on the Denali's.

Brandon

[Sagedawg]

I like my Whites. Abit heavy but one there broken in to your feet oh so comfy.


  Sage

[jackelope]

if you plan to use them for any average to better than average  hiking,  i'd stay away from pronghorns. those gtx's out of the 3 you mentioned would be my choice, but if you can have any boot made with goretex, i'd be looking at kenetreks, sharpas, lowa, etc. apples and oranges as far as quality. i have a pair of lowa's and a pair of raichle's, hiking boots and backpacking boots, and run the raichle backpacking boots almost always.

[Slider]

I'll take another pair of Lowa's if your buyin  I had a eyelet hook break on a 2 year old pair of Lowa Tibets. I sent them to Schnees to be repaired. They couldn't repair them so they shipped me a new pair!!!   

[littletoes]

Guys, for me its a basic call.

The folks that spend more time in the woods then most of us, are hikers. And there are hikers that spend time out there at all times of the year.

Match the shoes to what you do, hiking boots are rated for differant weights and differant types of terrain.
The more expensive boots take quite a bit to break in, NOW is TOO LATE. You should have purchased your boots long ago, and wore them all summer to be ready.

I don't do "light hikers", they don't hold up for me, and are not made for long treks in the hills. I also don't use regular hiking boots, my personal preference are known as "Mountaineering Boots". They are built tougher than hiking boots, and are stiffer, which means they are rougher to break in, but long treks over uneven terrain carrying a 40 lb pack sure makes it worth it.

Mine are a pair of Solomon's, Contra-grip Mountaineering boots. Cost me over $300.00 about 10 years ago....you tell me of another boot that is waterproof, that will last that long in rough country, and I'd sure check 'em out.

I'm usualy very rough on boots, and never get more than two years out of a pair.

[jackelope]

are you talking backpacking  boots?? or mountaneering boots like a koflach plastic type boot...thats what i know as a mountaneering boot.
my backpacking boots are way stiff...but not koflach stiff.

[littletoes]

Not all Mountaineering boots are the "Plastic" ones, there are stiff leather ones, that or heavy duty hiking boots. Hold up and carry you through, with a pack.

They are the types I've had the best luck with on heavy trails. Hunting boots have a ways to go yet to catch up.

[Intruder]

Lowa builds a great boot GTX Hunters are awesome,  also look up Scarpa their Liskaams are pretty nice as well and a few bucks cheaper than the Lowa's.

Do you know if the the Liskaam is insulated?

[GoldTip]

I just bought a pair of the Meindl Perfekts from cabela's, just breaking them in they are very comfy.  The sole is a bit stiff, but being a bigger guy (6'2"-280lbs) I break down boots pretty quick.  Have had good luck with Danner Frontiers as well, but they recently changed the style of them and they now don't fit as well.

[Intruder]

I just bought a pair of the Meindl Perfekts from cabela's, just breaking them in they are very comfy.  The sole is a bit stiff, but being a bigger guy (6'2"-280lbs) I break down boots pretty quick.  Have had good luck with Danner Frontiers as well, but they recently changed the style of them and they now don't fit as well.

I've worn Meindl's for over 10 years... they're really good boots.  Do your's squeak?  If so, it's probably the tongue.  Just keep it well greased.

[blackhorn]

I don't know if you live near or can make it to Portland, but the Danner outlet store is a great place to get your boots.  They often have "seconds" that have minor flaws, nothing that would affect the function of the boot, mostly cosmetic.  I picked up a pair of military spec "Mt. cold weather" boots that I love for $165.  They feel almost like tennis shoes, very light.  I hiked about 8 miles in them without breaking them in and they still felt great and they are water proof.   Just my two cents!!

[Bean Counter]

The big plus is that money is no object. The boots failed in the Gore Tex lining, so Gore is going to give me ANY boot I want that has their product in it. 

Naturally I'd choose a nicer boot under these circumstances. The problem I've ran into is that I can't find a single retailer where I can try on those nice Lowa Hunter GTX's so I may have to go with the Pronghorns. 

[Intruder]

Lowa Hunter GTX's so I may have to go with the Pronghorns. 

Comparing those 2 boots is like comparing a Subaru Forrester to a F-250 w/ knarly mudders on it.  Both fine vehicles but not really comparing apples to apples. 

[buckmaster_wa]

I have a pair of Whites, extremely spendy. I liked my red wings a lot better and they cost half as much. The whites are to heavy and the heel fits to loosely.

[cohoho]

Comparing those 2 boots is like comparing a Subaru Forrester to a F-250 w/ knarly mudders on it.  Both fine vehicles but not really comparing apples to apples. 
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more, if they are getting what YOU want, then go big with the highest quaility, Pronghorns are a good bird boot, but when compared to Lowa Hunter's, (well you really can't do that) heck get them in 11 1/2 and I'll give you cash for them or trade for a Ruger Single Six................  

[coonhound]

I would stick with the boots made in Europe:

1. Kenetrek
2. Lowa
3. Miendl


Coon

[Intruder]

I would stick with the boots made in Europe:

1. Kenetrek
2. Lowa
3. Miendl

Coon

Pretty hard to argue with that! 

Any one on here own Scarpas?  I've read good things but never talked to anyone who actually owned em.

[coonhound]

I too am very interested in the Scarpa especially the Liskamm, it's a great looking boot.

Coon

[wence5]

On the second year with Danner Pronghorns. Well made, keeps your feet dry, and comfortable. What more can you ask for?

[burnettd]

Danner is alway a poplar choice in the northwest and I have had many pairs through the years.  A good budy of mine moved to Alaska a few years ago and got to know a guide.  He recommended Meindl (Alaska or Perfekt) so I broke down and spent the money three years ago and got the Perfekt Hunter.  Could not be happier and am sorry it took me so long to switch from Danner.  Don't get me wrong Danner makes a great boot however I don't think they compare to Mendl.

Cabela's carries Meindl so if you can make it to Lacey you can try a pair on.