Boots, Danner what did you do!!!!!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I fought and fought boots through high end pairs almost every year. Finally I broke down and bought the lathrop and sons custom boot deal. They set me up with lowa bighorn hunters. Got them in the mail laced them up and went on a 4 mile hike with a 60 lb pack that day. Feet felt great. There should be no "blister stage" with any boot. That means they don't fit correctly if you are getting blisters or they aren't laced correctly. I also ordered some Solomon 4d quest hikers from lathrop and they are awesome for early to mid season.

Bottom line is everyone has different feet and needs and some expert advice can save lots of money in the long run. 
There is a quality boot out there for all feet types wether its meindls or kenetreks or lowa etc.

So I went back and tried on the Kenetreks again and compared them with Lowa.  I could tell right away there was a difference and the Lowa they had wasn't for me.  I also noticed the Kenetrek felt loose because I was wearing a lighter sock, the same sock Ill wear until there is snow on the ground.  I tried them on the first time with medium weight socks, that felt great.  I think I will check out Lathrop and sons and see what they say.  Seems kinda spendy to drop 150 on a sizing kit, but I suppose its best to know exactly what you need before dropping 450 on something that will only work part of the time.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Speaking of custom boots, anyone on here running the White's Hunters?  Or maybe a set of Nick's? 

[Miles]

People still wear Danner boots?

[lewy]

 

[mikeybuck]

Love my Crispi's! Only boot that I have found not to leak.

[fish vacuum]

The Danner Grouse hunters with the air bob soles are my blacktail hunting boot

Me too. Got them at a going out of business sale for about half price!

[Bushcraft]

I fought and fought boots through high end pairs almost every year. Finally I broke down and bought the lathrop and sons custom boot deal. They set me up with lowa bighorn hunters. Got them in the mail laced them up and went on a 4 mile hike with a 60 lb pack that day. Feet felt great. There should be no "blister stage" with any boot. That means they don't fit correctly if you are getting blisters or they aren't laced correctly. I also ordered some Solomon 4d quest hikers from lathrop and they are awesome for early to mid season.

Bottom line is everyone has different feet and needs and some expert advice can save lots of money in the long run. 
There is a quality boot out there for all feet types wether its meindls or kenetreks or lowa etc.

Spot on advice.  Every need is different and every foot is different.  I'd add that some so-called boots that are marketed as "hunting" boots are a waste of money.  No offense, but Kenetreks are not stiff boots, at least compared to more serious mountaineering/hunting type boots and they quickly break down if you are a high mileage guy or spend any amount of time up in granite scree fields.

I admit to initially being a fanboy of Kenetreks but grew to despise them after trying to make them work for me.  The first pair I bought fit like a glove, but unfortunately leaked like a sieve....I'm talking walk through some wet lawn grass and your feet are squishing water inside the boot kind of leaky.  Sent them back.  Second identical pair (Mountain Extreme Non-Ins) had notable heel slip to the point I had to pre-apply duct-tape before doing long trails or venturing up some steep stuff.  They leaked and I wore down the sole in a season.  Sent them back. The third pair were total POS. The rand peeled off, they leaked, the tops were floppy soft like Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars and the sole wore off in hardly any time at all.  I babied the fourth pair which fit quite a bit better though I still felt compelled to duct up my heels, but they also leaked and the soles were toast after just a couple scouting trips and one bear hunt.  Sent them back and got a refund after a few choice words with the owner who initially wasn't going to refund my money.  My hunting partner managed to run his for 3 years and some stitching tore out on the back of the boot.  He sent them in to Kenetrek to get repaired and was told the boots were shot and his only option was to buy a new pair.  He said no thanks and had Dave Page fix the sewing.  They lasted through the rest of the season before being relegated to lawn mowing boots.  He's been running mountaineering boots ever since and won't even mention the name Kenetrek they pissed him off so bad.

Anyway, after the Kenetrek debacles, I moved on to Schnee's Granites.  Much, MUCH better made boot than the Kenetreks, but they are definitely a little on the warm side since they are insulated.  Initially somewhat stiffer feeling but have an amazing rocker. Good heel cup.  Extremely comfortable with Sole "blue" insoles.  The first pair were great but the right book eventually sprung a leak over my instep.  Soles and rand held up fine.  But sent them back for a second pair which are still going strong two years later, but I baby them and have only taken them on a few long-bomb alpine scouting and hunting trips.

I finally decided to make the switch to Scarpa's last year for alpine hunting and will never ever go back to wildly overpriced leather recreational hunting boots.  I'm rolling with the Mont Blanc Pro GTX's and the Triolets.  Absolutely love them with Sole blue inserts.  Dry, comfy, stable, supportive, and going up in the steep stuff is like walking on stairs.

[mikeybuck]

I had the same leaky issues with the two sets of kenetreks that I once owned. Fit my foot  perfect, loved the fit and feel, but leaked in wet grass.
Plus the customer service was a joke.
Not only did I have issues, but the two other people in our camp had the same issues as bushcraft and I.

[Buzz2401]

I love MADE in USA Danners but their off shore stuff is junk.  I think Kenetreks work for some and not for others.  I'm on my second set of Canadians and got 7 years out of the first.  Never had a problem with a Made in USA Danner and they are super comfy on my feet.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I fought and fought boots through high end pairs almost every year. Finally I broke down and bought the lathrop and sons custom boot deal. They set me up with lowa bighorn hunters. Got them in the mail laced them up and went on a 4 mile hike with a 60 lb pack that day. Feet felt great. There should be no "blister stage" with any boot. That means they don't fit correctly if you are getting blisters or they aren't laced correctly. I also ordered some Solomon 4d quest hikers from lathrop and they are awesome for early to mid season.

Bottom line is everyone has different feet and needs and some expert advice can save lots of money in the long run. 
There is a quality boot out there for all feet types wether its meindls or kenetreks or lowa etc.

Spot on advice.  Every need is different and every foot is different.  I'd add that some so-called boots that are marketed as "hunting" boots are a waste of money.  No offense, but Kenetreks are not stiff boots, at least compared to more serious mountaineering/hunting type boots and they quickly break down if you are a high mileage guy or spend any amount of time up in granite scree fields.

I admit to initially being a fanboy of Kenetreks but grew to despise them after trying to make them work for me.  The first pair I bought fit like a glove, but unfortunately leaked like a sieve....I'm talking walk through some wet lawn grass and your feet are squishing water inside the boot kind of leaky.  Sent them back.  Second identical pair (Mountain Extreme Non-Ins) had notable heel slip to the point I had to pre-apply duct-tape before doing long trails or venturing up some steep stuff.  They leaked and I wore down the sole in a season.  Sent them back. The third pair were total POS. The rand peeled off, they leaked, the tops were floppy soft like Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars and the sole wore off in hardly any time at all.  I babied the fourth pair which fit quite a bit better though I still felt compelled to duct up my heels, but they also leaked and the soles were toast after just a couple scouting trips and one bear hunt.  Sent them back and got a refund after a few choice words with the owner who initially wasn't going to refund my money.  My hunting partner managed to run his for 3 years and some stitching tore out on the back of the boot.  He sent them in to Kenetrek to get repaired and was told the boots were shot and his only option was to buy a new pair.  He said no thanks and had Dave Page fix the sewing.  They lasted through the rest of the season before being relegated to lawn mowing boots.  He's been running mountaineering boots ever since and won't even mention the name Kenetrek they pissed him off so bad.

Anyway, after the Kenetrek debacles, I moved on to Schnee's Granites.  Much, MUCH better made boot than the Kenetreks, but they are definitely a little on the warm side since they are insulated.  Initially somewhat stiffer feeling but have an amazing rocker. Good heel cup.  Extremely comfortable with Sole "blue" insoles.  The first pair were great but the right book eventually sprung a leak over my instep.  Soles and rand held up fine.  But sent them back for a second pair which are still going strong two years later, but I baby them and have only taken them on a few long-bomb alpine scouting and hunting trips.

I finally decided to make the switch to Scarpa's last year for alpine hunting and will never ever go back to wildly overpriced leather recreational hunting boots.  I'm rolling with the Mont Blanc Pro GTX's and the Triolets.  Absolutely love them with Sole blue inserts.  Dry, comfy, stable, supportive, and going up in the steep stuff is like walking on stairs.

I just was looking at the schnees.   I was  intrigued.   It sounds like you are hunting a much different area than I usually go.   No granite fields,  just normal wet mountain terrain found in north idaho. Really want a leak proof boot that I can hike all day in.   Would they be worth looking at?

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[Bushcraft]

Every foot and every application is different so they may or may not work for you.  I'm just not a fan of all-leather boots in constantly wet environments, whether it be dew on the grass or heather or rain.  Order a pair and see if they fit your foot.  If they don't you can always return them.

Whatever boot you decide on, make sure you get a good pair of aftermarket insoles.  OEM insoles are all cheap rubbish that the manufacturer knows people are going to throw anyway.  I highly recommend Sole blue inserts.  Excellent arch support, good cushion, great breathability, dry fast and are heat moldable to your feet.  You can pick 'em up at REI for sub $50.  The Green Superfeet are good too if you want something a little lighter, but they don't really have any cushion.  They have a friction sort of texture to their surface and I find the soles of my feet feel like they are on fire sometimes when wearing them going down steep terrain with a moderate to heavy load.

FWIW, I've heard nothing but good things about Hanwag's service and support.  You might check them too.

[JakeLand]

 Worth every penny!

[Redneck Russell]

The Danner Grouse hunters with the air bob soles are my blacktail hunting boot

Me too. Got them at a going out of business sale for about half price!

Are you saying Danner is going out of business?

[fish vacuum]

The Danner Grouse hunters with the air bob soles are my blacktail hunting boot

Me too. Got them at a going out of business sale for about half price!

Are you saying Danner is going out of business?

No. That was years ago when a sporting goods store was closing up.

[thinkingman]

Wondering what you need in comfort for boots. I wear boots everyday for work and absolutely love the Danner Elk Hunters. Stomped around the mountains in Utah for two weeks last year with no issues in blisters or fatigue in my feet. Elk hunted late season on the wet side last November with zero moisture.

I know everyone is different but you have to try them before judgment. It took me about of week of preseason hiking to break them in but that shouldn't be any different that any other quality leather boot. Danner hasn't fallen on the boots still made here in the US. Just the overseas crap they sell the city folk.

I dont know what it was, the uppers felt weak and uncomfortable, I didnt like how the tounge was designed.  Just totally different from my other boots.  The Elk Ridge had a thick tounge and upper that seemed to give me a very comfortable, yet supportive feel.  The insole seemed no existent on the Elk Hunters and my heel wont stay in place, way to much movement. I ordered wide boots and they fit perfect up front but the heel had a very sloppy fit.  I am sure they work great for some guys, i just was expecting something similar to what I had and they were no where close.

I had Danner Pronghorns that fit great but cracked both boots through the sole under the arch. They were far from worn out and they were not covered under any warranty.
Danner did give me a 40% off(full price) coupon and I bought the Elk Ridge in same size as Pronghorn. Fit was much different. Sloppy and loose unless I wear thick socks.
Not happy and my last pair of Danners n