first timer boots

[mendozer]

I have two pairs of hiking boots, but i figured I should get a REAL waterproof boot for hunting this year. Hopefully going out for the first time. Been doing a lot of research on Danners, Service Boots, Meindles, Irish Setters, etc.

Today at Dicks I picked up some fishing stuff and tried on Danner High grounds with Field & Stream's 800g trophy hunter boots. They actually seemed pretty high quality, all leather, stiched sole vs glued. The danners were more snug (both were sockless as well) and felt better. But the Danners were 150 and these were 100.

I am not spending $400 on Kennetreks or Meindles or any other over the top ones. I'm looking for 150 and under.

[couesbitten]

You can do better than the boots you've mentioned by buying from a site like http://www.sierratradingpost.com/. Sign up for their deal flyer and you should get a discount code emailed to you that will give you 35% - 45% off on a purchase, and you can get into some great $400 type boots for somewhere between $150 - $180.  Do some research on this site and others, the quality boot discussion has been talked about extensively.  Some great brands to look at are Lowa, Hanwag, Asolo, Salomon, Scarpa, AKU, and La Sportiva, these are boots that will last you for 5 years if taken care of, as opposed to 1 or 2 seasons for a pair of Danners from my personal experience.  My son, daughter and I all wear Lowa, Kenetrek, or Hanwag, and absolutely love them.

[buglebuster]

I would never waste my money on danners again, period. Comfortable but the durability is not there, my last 2 pairs of boots literally fell off my feet in 2 years. I just purchased a pair of meindl perfekt hunters for under $300 from cabelas, lifetime warranty and hopefully they last. My opinion after dealing with Danner is buy a more expensive boot and they will last.

[huntnnw]

not mine...just returned my crappy Meindls to cabelas after 17 months and 2nd pair! My last pair of Keen boots were $90 and lasted 3 years till I litterally walked the tread off.

[GoldenOscar]

I second the Meindl's, best boots I have owned so far..........Too stiff for a lot of folks but great ankle support and very waterproof (Not Like my Danner's)

[elkaholic123]

I love my Kenetreks

[Harbor_hunter]

Those should be a good boot for you!

[Johnb317]

Do not cheap out on boots! 
Buy the 150.00 and under boots if you're only going to wear them one season, and not going off trail.

Otherwise I suggest you raise your limit and buy a quality boot.

I like the Miendle Perfeckt.  Fit my foot and I've gotten great wear out of them.
There are other boots I like the look of, but the last used in manufacture doesn't work for my foot.

[GoldenOscar]

mendozer, check out the bargain cave at Cabelas too.....I was in the same boat as you and didn't want to pull the trigger on $200 plus dollar boots, I found my Meindl's for around $165 brand new. Wait for mid September, a lot of guys will be returning quality boots because they didn't fit them quite right.

[pianoman9701]

Besides your hunting implement of choice, boots are your most important purchase. Take a look at overstock.com and Ebay to see if maybe you can find a pair of high quality boots for cheap. I bought my Lowas on overstock for $150 - savings of about $300. I expect them to last me for at least 10 years.

[Blackjaw]

Another thumbs up for Lowa's. They are a lot more comfortable and water repellent than the Danners I have (and have had in the past).

[northwesthunter84]

Cabela's is carrying Kenetrek boots now, just got the new mag with them in it.  I liked them better than the meindl's because of the way the wide boots fit.  I also got them for 20% off so that made the price points comparable.

[xXLojackXx]

Buy the $400 boots or save until you can. I just got a pair of Lowa Tibet GTX's this summer, upgraded from my Meindls, and went on a 9 mile & 8000' elevation change hike with them straight out of the box. My feet felt like I had walked through Costco with my Nikes on. The only regret you'll have is not having bought them years ago. It's a game changer how comfortable and supportive the "$400 boots" are. Well worth the money.

[huntnnw]

Lowas maybe my next boot or Zamberlan...I wa told the same thing about Meindls..they were the worst hunting gear related purchase I have ever bought..Garbage.

[GoldenOscar]

I wear Zamberlan's for heavy hiking (bought at REI return area for $91) and my Meindl's for hunting (Cabelas bargain cave) ........both excellent for me, it all depends on what fits your foot best..........All my hunting buddies have Danner's in the closet, I have two pair and I wear them when the conditions are right (very dry) with everybody I know it doesn't matter if they are the less expensive Pronghorns or the top of the line models all of them do not hold out water.........I don't know how many campfire gripe sessions have been related to this topic.