Boot recommendations

[erk444]

Does the Kenetreks come in wide sizes?

[Gutpile]

Yes.

[huntinluva]

I went with the Schnee's Granites this year.  Spendy, yes.  Over your budget, yes.  Out of the box comfort, yes (at least for me).  I like the warranty they offer and was please with my Schnee's pack boots for many years, they just didn't offer the ankle support I was looking for.  I love them and recommend them, to each their own though.

[NRA4LIFE]

Be cautioned on the Kenetrek wide sizes.  They are only maybe a single E.  If you have triple-E's like me, they may not fit right.  That was my only real rub on them.  I have 2 seasons so far on a pair of Meindl's and love them.

One thing I needed to add, was stay away from Vasque.  My last 2 pairs had horrific sole delamination problems.  The last pair was only after 2 years and not a ton of miles on them.

[Miles]

I really like the Lowa Renegade GTX.   They are a mid-height hiker, and I am on my 6th year with them.  I wear them for everything, not just hunting, and they have yet to leak.   About the same weight as the leaky danner pronghorns that everyone raves about...

If you shop around you can find them at your $200 limit.

[Gamblin Guy]

I've got the Kenetrek Hard Scrabbles also and really like them unless it's early season and warm....my feet sweat like crazy in them during the archery season (and our warmer than normal muzzy season this year).  I wear them year round though, one of the most comfortable boots I have ever owned.  I wear Danner's when the weather is cooler though....

[CAMPMEAT]

I second Whites Boots. A mans, mans boot..........

[Jonathan_S]

I second Whites Boots. A mans, mans boot..........

Yeah they make good stuff but I don't know if I'd choose them for an all-season boot.  Dang good work boot though   

I'm going to say look at Danner or Kenetrek

[CAMPMEAT]

I second Whites Boots. A mans, mans boot..........

Yeah they make good stuff but I don't know if I'd choose them for an all-season boot.  Dang good work boot though   

I'm going to say look at Danner or Kenetrek

I had Whites build my boots because NOBODY makes 4eee boots. I think the shoe makers are loosing a lot of business because they don't.......

[erk444]

Be cautioned on the Kenetrek wide sizes.  They are only maybe a single E.  If you have triple-E's like me, they may not fit right.  That was my only real rub on them.  I have 2 seasons so far on a pair of Meindl's and love them.

One thing I needed to add, was stay away from Vasque.  My last 2 pairs had horrific sole delamination problems.  The last pair was only after 2 years and not a ton of miles on them.

Dang! Im a eee too

[erk444]

I've had two pairs of Asolos and I'm on my second pair of Zamberlains. I cant seem to find a boot that wont leak after a year or so. I'm getting sick of wet feet I would go to a full rubber boot, but I wear shorts all year long and that might look kinda funny Do the Mendiehls hold up as well, and do they come in a triple-E size?

[C-Money]

I bought Danners again this year.Paid around $140 on sale at Cabelas. My first Danners lasted 4 or 5 years, comfy and held up well. Sole wore out in the area under the ball of my big toe. Biggest thing I look for before even trying a pair on is that they have GORTEX in them. I will not by anything that says "Agua shield" or "waterproof".

[Alchase]

One thing I needed to add, was stay away from Vasque.  My last 2 pairs had horrific sole delamination problems.  The last pair was only after 2 years and not a ton of miles on them.

I had a pair of Vasqes leak after one hunting season. The boot guy at REI said the Vasque outsourced most of their boots to Vietnam (if I remember correctly) and their quality has gone down a lot. I returned them for a pair Asolo GTXs, they have been fantastic.

[Payne]

I used my new Asolo's for the late season hunt for about 15 days and had some Irish setter's as backups for the colder weather but never needed them, even though it got pretty dang cold. I loved the Asolo's although I didn't get a chance to test out how waterproof they are.

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Spend a bit more on a boot that will last 10-15 years.

My old Danner Trophy 10" were, and still are, American made. Paid $300+ for them 15 years ago. The soles are finally shot but the leather and gore tex still keep me dry, even creek crossing.

Purchased Kenetrek Mountain Extreme last fall. So far I'm very happy. Hunt west side in the rain, creeks all day and stay completely dry. Hunted 9 days walking in the lava rock, sage over east- no blisters, no pain, no twisted ankles.

I have never been a road hunter. I will normally hike 3 to 10 miles per day. Cheap boots ruin a hunt.

Quality boots cost way less. Danners at $300/15 years = $20 per year.
Kenetreks at $400/15 years = $26.66 per year.