Danner or Under Armour or ?...

[Pete112288]

I am going to be in the market for a new pair of boots soon and have been debating on what ones. I have not had the budget for boots as high as I do this year. My limit is $200-$250. I have had 3 pairs of Rockys and they are always comfortable and never had to break them in, no blisters, but they have also never lasted me more than a year and a half or so, pretty much 2 seasons worth and they are falling apart. Had soles peel off, seems come undone, etc. Also had a couple Wal-Mart specials that I never remember the names but they were about the same, a season or two and are done. The last pair I had lasted the longest but still only about 2 years, those were Carhartts that were clearanced out and discontinued. The best I have worn yet but now that I have a better budget I figured I would try something new. Danner has always been under consideration. I know a lot of people that swear by them and just as many people that say your just paying for the name. But I figured they didnt get that name for no reason so I really want to try a pair for myself. The other ones I fell in love with when I tried them on was Under Armour Brow Tines. I am open to other options as well. Always heard great things about Redwing and Irish Setters. 400 gram insulation is what I want. 8 or 10 inch boots are the bulk of what I am looking at. Here are the ones I have thought about so far. Any input or experience?
Danner Pronghorn 400 Gram
Under Armour Brow Tine 400 Gram
Danner High Ground 400 Gram
Danner East Ridge 400 Gram
Danner Ridgemaster 400 Gram

[washelkhunter]

What time of year are you hunting? I bought the high ground last year and am very happy with them. Had their original gfx for many years before they gave out. 

[Alchase]

You should look at Asolo's if you have the opportunity. My Asolo GTXs are the best boot I have ever had. I tried Danner Pronghorns awhile back. I loved the fit so much I bought another identical pair. The first time hunting with them I had a side wall blowout. My second pair started seem seperation within a couple of hunts. I was not a happy camper. I know allot of people swear by theirs, and I may have just had a bad lot. I still love the Bob sole that Danner started.
I tried on a set of Merrils last week, and they fit very well. I have been Merril hiking shoes and the Jungle Moc slip on is the most comfortable shoe ever made, so I might hook up with a pair of Merrils aand see how they do.

[Pete112288]

I scout as much as I can throughout the summer (not so much the last couple years but some) I do muzzleloader for elk and modern for deer. I also do plenty of coyote hunting through January. So October-January is the bulk of the hunting time. I dont get into the snow as much as I would like, 95% of my time is under 1500 ft elevation.

After reading the other thread about the Pronghorns that is on this page, the Under Armours may have just jumped to the top of the list.

[deerhunter_98520]

The pronghorns I have worked great last season...they went through early archery elk, rifle deer and late elk awesome the. I used them recently and they leaked  danner said send them in and they will look at them but for the money so far it wasn't worth it

[Sliverslinger]

I've had danner pronghorn, danner quarry's, and under armours and my strong recommendation is none of them. If I was going to go with a boot marketed for hunters I would absolutely go with cabelas perfekt hunters made by Mendl. They are in a whole different class and once you go there, you won't go back. I've not bought anything else since and I'm on year 4 and going strong. However, I also would recommend looking into the backpacking realm. Those guys wear boots made for putting in 15-20 mile days and I think in many ways they are way ahead of boots marketed to hunters. I'm thinking about picking up some Solon quest 4ds. In a nutshell, I suggest broadening your horizons. For 200-250, those boots you mentioned are nowhere near the top of the class. My 

[Bean Counter]

I have Danner Acadias. They last for years and are waterproof for real. I walk through water with confidence.

They are heavy, and uncomfortable. But they also grip like nobody's business. if you need to pack 50 pound quarters across uneven, unstable, rocky terrain, you'll be far more glad for their stability and durability than comfort.

I have also worn Danner Pronghorns. They're comfortable, but don't hold a candle to the Acadias for packing out heavy loads.

http://www.amazon.com/Danner-Mens-Acadia-Uniform-Black/dp/B000O2WB92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405735130&sr=8-1&keywords=danner+acadia&dpPl=1

[lewy]

  If you can come up with a little more money and pick up a set of kenetreks you will be a happy man, plus they will last much longer than say a pronghorn or similar quality boot so in the long run they pay off. They have a deal going right now, buy a pair of boots and get a free set of gaiters, which are also a high quality item. I have nothing but good things to say about there products and I am harder on them than most.....good luck

[northwesthunter84]

Cabela's Outfitter 9" pro hunters are nice.  The 400 gram ones go for 189.99.  The 800 gram ones are on sale right now for 149.99 but might be a little warm.  I have run these the last two years.  The only reason I switched is for side hill support.  I take care of them and make sure they are oiled.  No problem with seam separation.  1st pair did leak but replaced no questions asked.  No problems with the second set.

[washelkhunter]

You really don't need 400gr insulation for ml or mod deer. I'd go uninsulated and switch it up with lighter to heavier wt socks as necessary. Get a 600gr boot for late season snow winter hunting.

[nitro]

I have been a danner boot guy for years, have 3 pairs of hunting boots by danner but this last year i switched over to kenetrek and all i have to say is WOW!!! The best boot i have ever put on. I would recommend these to any one looking at hunting boots, save a little more money and step up to a way better boot that will last you for years.

[cdriver]

You are so close to the Danner factory store in Portland, some great deals on seconds down there. I found a pair of Ridgemasters, seconds, for  140 bucks. They are comfortable, waterproof and durable, so far.

[Pete112288]

I always forget about that, the factory being in Portland that is. I tend to avoid crossing the bridge whenever I can haha. No offense to anyone from Portland or that likes it there, I just cant stand that place myself. But for a good deal on boots I may have to suck it up. We shall see.

[3dvapor]

I went with the solomon 4d gtx boot.  Nice boot, it should work well for early archery and chukar hunting this year.

[washelkhunter]

I always forget about that, the factory being in Portland that is. I tend to avoid crossing the bridge whenever I can haha. No offense to anyone from Portland or that likes it there, I just cant stand that place myself. But for a good deal on boots I may have to suck it up. We shall see.

Yeah ya would'nt want to buy anything tax free right?   

[Johnb317]

Had the pronghorns, bought a pair of Meindle Perfeckt boots at Cabelas and never looked back.  Good boot cork footbed, and don't forget to put the shims in once the footbeds have set in.   

[Pete112288]

Shims? Footbeds set in?

I always forget about that, the factory being in Portland that is. I tend to avoid crossing the bridge whenever I can haha. No offense to anyone from Portland or that likes it there, I just cant stand that place myself. But for a good deal on boots I may have to suck it up. We shall see.

Yeah ya would'nt want to buy anything tax free right?   

haha, yea, I will admit I am guilty of that every now and then. most of the time though I would pay the extra tax not to go down there. But it all depends on what the purchase is.

[WAcoueshunter]

Living there, I'd go to the danner factory.  Be sure to buy one of the stitch down made in USA pairs. My favorite all time boots were the danner hood mt lights. They molded to my foot and were the most comfortable boots. Eventually broke down the goretex liner and they leaked, but that will happen to every boot. Have also had two pairs of meindls. Good boots, but blew out a stitch in first year of one, then the second pair started to leak at year two. Now I have zamberlans. Okay, but still breaking in after two years.

[cdriver]

And with the factory near the airport, you don't even have to go downtown.

[Superfly]

I recently purchased a pair of the Nike's that the special operations guys wear and they are awesome ! I am not sure of what the call sign is for them but they feel like your wearing Air Jordans but have so much support and stability that I am just blown away...............another one to consider if its not to cold is the Oakley's that The Delta guys wear. My cousin is a operator and he gave me a pair of his that he wore over in Afghanistan for awhile until he got anouther 4 pair for free and they are super comfortable as well but dont have as much support as the Nike's but are super light as well.............

Just my .02 worth

Fly

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I have been a danner boot guy for years, have 3 pairs of hunting boots by danner but this last year i switched over to kenetrek and all i have to say is WOW!!! The best boot i have ever put on. I would recommend these to any one looking at hunting boots, save a little more money and step up to a way better boot that will last you for years.

This is my same story.  Most comfortable boot ever made.  I always wore the danger rainforest 2.  Good solid boot but heavy and about $415.00 for the American made.  The Vietnam made pair cost 200.  So I bought the kenetrek mountain extremes insulated.  What a difference.  KENETREK!!!! 

  If you can come up with a little more money and pick up a set of kenetreks you will be a happy man, plus they will last much longer than say a pronghorn or similar quality boot so in the long run they pay off. They have a deal going right now, buy a pair of boots and get a free set of gaiters, which are also a high quality item. I have nothing but good things to say about there products and I am harder on them than most.....good luck

 

[jackelope]

With multiple threads on here reporting that Danners leak, fall apart, otherwise fail, I'd never even consider them. I'm a fan of the Meindl/Kenetrek type boots. I wear 400gr insulation Meindl perfekt hunters and wear them hiking all summer and hunting all fall and winter. I have no issues. They've been going strong for 4-5 years now and maybe more. The tread on the soles is getting a little worn out, but the rest of the boots are great. No leaks, no nothing.

[baker5150]

Ive been a Danner guy for years.  For both Work, hunting, and hiking.  I would never try anything else. They have withstood some severe punishment.  Until recently that is.  I don't know what happened at Danner but their quality has gone down the crapper.  The last 2 pairs I've owned haven't lasted more than a year.  One leaked right out of the box.  I am looking into either the Kenetreks (spelling?)  or the Cabelas Meindl.  Both have great if not perfect reviews.  I will be purchasing one of the two this weekend and hopefully never looking back.

[elkoholic1]

my under armor boots are way better than the danners i use to buy the danners only last a season if i was lucky before splitting out somewear and always leaked my under armour boots have lasted me over 2 years going into my third year did notice hiking the other day in the wet rain that my feet did get a little wet

[Bean Counter]

With multiple threads on here reporting that Danners leak, fall apart, otherwise fail, I'd never even consider them. ...

Ive owned several pairs of Danner.   Cheap ones are as you described.   The made in usa expensive ones are not.  They hold up to serious abuse in the rocky desert terrain in which I hunt deer.

[jackelope]

With multiple threads on here reporting that Danners leak, fall apart, otherwise fail, I'd never even consider them. ...

Ive owned several pairs of Danner.   Cheap ones are as you described.   The made in usa expensive ones are not.  They hold up to serious abuse in the rocky desert terrain in which I hunt deer.

I'd buy into that, but the description you provided earlier of your boots make me want to steer extremely clear of them.

[Bean Counter]

Heavy AND uncomfortable.

- satisfied customer 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

To the OP.

Boots are tough.  I have found shopping for a boot is probably the most individualized purchase you will make in your gear selection.  Everyone's feet fit differently.  Multiple people I know really like the Kenetreks.  For me, with a narrow heel and wider fore foot, they give me terrible heel lift and if I wore them out of the store, I'm not sure i would make it to my vehicle before my foot was covered in blisters!

My recommendation is as follows. 

Go to Cabelas AND REI.  (Another poster recommended checking out backpacking boots--I second that opinion).

Try on every boot you can there and find out what "types" of boots fit your feet the best (at this point don't worry about price, just find ones that fit well).  Look for boots that don't give you heel lift, etc.  Walk up and down stairs if you can. 

Then, I'd call Steve at Lathrop and Sons.  www.lathropandsons.com

Tell him your price range, and the type of boots your feet fit into and see if he can help you.  Those guys at Lathrop are all Podiatrists, and are extremely knowledgeable on footwear. 

Good luck on your search.

[BULLBLASTER]

I just picked up a set of salomons from cabelas for 225. They seem great so far. Comfy and already feel broke in. They are 7 inch boots and fairly light.
I wont own another pair of meindls and my experience is mixed on danner.

[herdbull33]

I use the pronghorns. Light weight, good quality and they have lasted me 3 seasons now. Aug-Nov. hope this helps.

[T-Dozzer]

I have a pair of Danner Arcadias and a pair of under armour ridge reapers. While they both have pros and cons, neither hold a candle to kenetrek.

[WoodlandShooter]

I went with the solomon 4d gtx boot.  Nice boot, it should work well for early archery and chukar hunting this year.

I picked up a pair of these, and after one over night trip in the woods, they turned to junk...Salomon Sent me a free replacement pair, but even they are junk.

[gr8whthunter]

i have 2 pair of UA boots the reapers and something that starts with a V cant remember  and a pair of danners just normal leather work boots, the reapers i wore last year during archery elk because they are lighter and keep me cool i guess and the other UA i bought for hunting and work, the reapers held up great and i will use again and the other UA fell apart very fast just crumbled but i found myself going back to the danners i dunno if its what im use to from previous work in the mill industry and the woods but i would prefer those over tennis shoes or any other boot i have worn, i love my old stinky danners

[MADMAX]

Danner 10 inch Canadiens and Danner Raptors for me

[vikingkustms]

Definitely go kenetrek well worth the price I've got three pairs and love them. I've got thousands of miles and four years on my high mountain extremes.

[Alchase]

I scored last week on a pair of Merrell Thermo Six Waterproof boots last week.

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/10414M/16747/Mens/Thermo-6-Waterproof?dimensions=0

I had tried them on a few weeks ago, and was impressed with how comfortable they were.
I have been a Asolo GTX fan for a few years and still love them. I wanted a boot with a more aggressive tread. I spend half my hunting time side hilling. Having an aggressive tread with good ankle support is a must.
I had a $75 Amazon card, and the Merrells were on sale for $119.00, $44.00 for a new set of boots! 
I wore them for three days to see if any hot spots would show up.
So far these are the most comfortable boots I have owned "right out of the box". The tread is amazing, if they last a couple years, I will still be way ahead.
So far I am loving them