Quiet Boots for Blacktail stalking?

[aorams]

Hi forum!

I'm looking to expand my boot inventory and am looking for advice on QUIET and WATERPROOF boots for the western Washington blacktail woods. I've been using a pair of Scarpa Kinesis Pro for a couple of years but they don't seem to do much to dampen noise...  I have a narrow heel an wide forefoot. Any thoughts? 

Thanks!

[bobcat]

If you really want waterproof, go with rubber boots. It's sure nice being able to wade through deep water with no worries of your feet getting wet.

I've had good luck with Lacrosse but there are a few other brands that offer good quality hunting boots.

http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/performance/hunt/rubber/

[blackveltbowhunter]

IME..... The words quiet and waterproof simply do not go together. You can have a degree of both,but not the best of both. It really boils down to picking one or the other based an application priority and the other will be secondary. I agree with bobcat about the rubber boots. And Lacrosse, Muck, and UA make some comfy rubber neoprene boots that will keep your feet all day dry in standing water. These are not hiking boots and although comfy, are not meant to cover miles and miles. If covering alot of ground, in rainy wet weather, 2 pairs of quality leather boots, wool socks, and a boot dryer are what have worked for me.

[Damnimissed]

Xtra tuff

[dreamunelk]

You will get lots of good advice and opinions on boots hear and most I will agree with and some others I will have to look into.   I will say that to achieve quiet you need to follow one rule when hunting blacktail.  MOVE SLOWER! 

[4fletch]

Extra Tuff

[3nails]

 Go with what is waterproof and comfortable. I don't believe there is such thing as quiet boots. Just quiet hunters.

[TVHunts]

Extra Tuff

Another vote for Xtratuf boots depending on terrain.  Then my next favorite is muck boots.

[Todd_ID]

Yep.  Insulated Xtra Tuffs. And then add on some fleece booties if you're still making too much noise. Day One Camo makes the ones I've used for the last 15 years.

[pope]

I didn't have a bundle to drop on boots, and I had been using some mountaineering boots I loved. Since they were good for snow and ice and quite warm and supportive, I found them decent boots for approaching hunting areas and warm enough for sitting. But quiet boots must be soft boots, which means if you walk far, your feet will be fatigued. Last season I hunted in a pair of old Sorel snow boots my wife bought me years ago. In my opinion, they aren't supportive enough or warm enough for snow adventures, but they were the PERFECT BOOT for hunting blacktails. Soft, quiet, warm enough for tree stands, but not good for long marches. My feet were never cold or wet.

[headshot5]

Go with what is waterproof and comfortable. I don't believe there is such thing as quiet boots. Just quiet hunters.

This...  100% true.    

[ShadowHunter]

http://www.adn.com/article/alaskans-say-xtratuf-boots-lost-trademark-durability-after-manufacturing-move-chinahttp://

 

Schnee's are not cheap but you can't beat them for a waterproof comfortable hunting boot.  I've owned mine since 1990.  Yes, I've sent them back 3 times for new bottoms over the years.  The leather uppers always coming back to me looking like they gave me new boots!

[headshot5]

X2 on Schnees.  I've run one set for about 10 years now. 

[Tim in Wa.]

L L Beans Hunting Shoe is both quiet and waterproof.They also provide no support ,traction or insulation.
Everything is a compromise
Tim

[coachcw]

Screw danners ! I will never buy another pair. ..they squeek.   Neoprene like mucks are a good choice but I'd say have two or three pairs of lite hikers and good wool socks rotate boots . to often guys look at there feet while stocking keep eyes peeled a head  and  step  deliberately.

[Damnimissed]

Screw danners ! I will never buy another pair. ..they squeek.   Neoprene like mucks are a good choice but I'd say have two or three pairs of lite hikers and good wool socks rotate boots . to often guys look at there feet while stocking keep eyes peeled a head  and  step  deliberately.

Oh my god, I hate when you think you've got yourself a good pair of boots. Just when they start to break in...squeek squeek squeek. Maybe if I walk on the edge of my sole...squeek squeek, nope. *censored*!

[RadSav]

Screw danners ! I will never buy another pair. ..they squeek.   Neoprene like mucks are a good choice but I'd say have two or three pairs of lite hikers and good wool socks rotate boots . to often guys look at there feet while stocking keep eyes peeled a head  and  step  deliberately.

Oh my god, I hate when you think you've got yourself a good pair of boots. Just when they start to break in...squeek squeek squeek. Maybe if I walk on the edge of my sole...squeek squeek, nope. *censored*!

   

Wouldn't be so funny if not the gosh honest truth!

Some good boots that became squeaky were due to the tongue getting slick and squeaking between the laces and the tongue.  On those I've put moleskin on the tongue and saved a few.  Others seem to squeak in the soles.  For those I have found no cure.  Last pair of Lowa I had created a Pop when I knelt down or stood up.  To this day don't know where that came from or how I could have gotten rid of it.  Replaced, coated, waxed, glued and deburred darn near everything...still "POP!!"  Finally gave them away.

I assume you are looking for late fall during the rut?  Early season I think Hi-Tech and UnderArmour have been the quietest I've found.  Neither will do you much good if you don't watch where you step and slow the flock down!

Be sure to keep us accessory freaks in the loop with what you find

[rasbo]

I run a light weight Merril goretex hiking boot,but as some have said go slow,no even slower,look three steps ahead and move,and wait awhile.

[Stizz]

Lots of options besides boots, take a look at a pair of neoprene scuba booties. Warm, waterproof, quiet.

[raydog]

Screw danners ! I will never buy another pair. ..they squeek.   Neoprene like mucks are a good choice but I'd say have two or three pairs of lite hikers and good wool socks rotate boots . to often guys look at there feet while stocking keep eyes peeled a head  and  step  deliberately.

Oh my god, I hate when you think you've got yourself a good pair of boots. Just when they start to break in...squeek squeek squeek. Maybe if I walk on the edge of my sole...squeek squeek, nope. *censored*!

Yep my dang, brand new Danners squeak like crazy. I bought them last summer and broke them in bear hunting. They developed a squeak just before Elk season. Just my luck. My boots squeaked and then I missed an Elk. It was the boots fault!

[fishnfur]

I replaced my squeeky hunting boots last fall.  I coughed up $185 for a nice pair of Under Armour Brow Tine hunting boots.  They feel wonderful on my feet, and are really quiet until your foot slips a bit on something wet - leaves, logs, everything else in the NW woods.  Then the sole squeeks like all get-out.  I would never buy another Under Armour boot nor recommend them for hunting quietly.

[kodiak 907]

My new danners are quiet, comfortable, and watertight. They are fairly heavy though. I have had "the squeak " problem in the past but it turned out I was wearing the wrong size. I had a custom size survey done on my feet for hiking/running shoes and got that figured out. I just got a pair of keen waterproof hikers in camo and they are really nice so far. Almost like wearing running shoes.

As far as stalking blacktails.... I am of the opinion that no matter what type of boots you have on you must go extremely slow. 4-5 steps every 2-3 minutes, glass between movements, even when visibility is only 50 yards.