Waterproof Hunting Boots?

[cbond3318]

I picked up a pair of Danner Pronghorns this year mainly because I couldn't pass up 75% off. Despite the horror tales, so far so good. I also am not hunting west of the PCT.

[dscubame]

Two years heavy use with Vasque and so far great.  Throw away cost also.  I think they are Talus model.  I have been impressed enough that I am stocking up with a couple pair in case they ever go cheap and not use Vibram sole like Keen and others have.

[pcal]

Sierra trading post has Asolo Scarpa all leather wp hiking boots for $159.I have 2 pair of Asolo Sasslong which are no longer available but they can be resoled when they need it and they are great.If you have to break in a pair of boots they didnt  really fit you.I have never had any problems with Asolo's.I use coconut oil on my feet to eliminate hot spots if I am packing a lot of weight. STP has about 5 styles of Asolo's and a few other top brands of boots. Much more resonable than REI.

[davk]

Been wondering the same thing.  Never had any GTX boot last more than a week.  Really don't want to throw a couple hundred $ at the problem, and still end up with the same results. 

Rubber boots can be a good option depending on the terrain.  I switched it up the last 2 days and wore my XtraTuf boots.  Couldnt have been happier.  I was doing a mixture of ambush hunting, still hunting ... and a bit of brush busting after a stupid decision to drop down into a draw.  Feet stayed dry and didnt notice any moisture build up even when I was busting brush for 2 hrs.  The soles are pretty soft so they are really quite compared to regular boots, but lots of miles on rocky terrain might beat up your feet.  Stability wasnt real great, and elevation sucks if the boots are a little loose.  Had a thin pair and a thick pair of wool socks on the second day and it helped a ton with foot slipping and looseness when climbing.  Definitely going to become on of my primary boots for when its going to be wet and Im not doing crazy hikes.

[dscubame]

Throw wool inserts in those Xtratufs.  Night and day difference in both comfort and performance.  Every year I log many a day in em.

[fishngamereaper]

5 years heavy use my meindl's have never leaked. They are actually just now getting broke in.

[BUTTER]

This year during the Westside muzzleloader season was an absolute soaker. Now I have two pairs of Danner elk hunters ,have always loved these boots but they as well started leaking this season. When back at camp during the day our hunting partner always had dry feet, while me and another guys  were soaking wet. Long story short we all now have the Irish Setter elk trackers these are very comfortable. But I  have only worn them around the house. Our other hunting partner just wore his for the late muzzy season and said his feet were warm and dry the entire time. Check them out!

[RGB]

I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas...  comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not.  Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking.  My next ones will be all leather so I can do the old oil cure.  My danner rainforest lasted years on their waterproofing and they were everyday work boots.

Most of the Danner line is made overseas. These don't seem to hold up as well as the locally made (more expensive) boots like the Rainforest. I like taller boots and use the Fort Lewis line. FT Lewis light for archery season, Ft Lewis for Fall and Canadians for late season. All have many seasons on them and are still going strong with no leaks so far.

[WSU]

I've started just wearing muck boots when it is wet and some not so waterproof boots when dry.  I haven't found a pair of hunting boots that stay waterproof for any long period of time.

[Westside88]

I have a pair of the Danner Elk Hunters I only use for hunting so they're nice and broken in, but stay in decent shape. I've never found goretex to be 100% waterproof in the worst conditions, but with an all leather boot a good treatment with Obenaufs is pretty darn close. With lighter weight boots with the cordura type sides nikwax treatment really helps

[mburrows]

My kenetrek hardscrabbles have been put to the test this year in wet snow and full days of solid rain. Sent them back for a mid season repair as well and got them back in 5 business days. Im officially a kenetrek leg humper.

[Mtnwalker]

My Lowa Tibets went from hero to zero this year. Bought them 2 yrs ago, outstanding boot, the durability is amazing they still look almost brand new. But this deer season they started leaking bad. Can't afford to have wet feet on multi day backpack hunts when it's cold out. Think I'll try Miendl next I hear good things

[mikeybuck]

My brand new lowas leaked on me this year. I happen to meet 4 other people out hunting who said there's leaked to....
Elk season I used my crispi again, 3rd year, no leakage yet.

[Bob33]

A good way to test if boots leak is to fill a tub of water to a height a couple inches lower than the boot top. Carefully push the boot into the water and hold it for a minute or two. If it doesn't leak in the tub, wet feet may be caused by something else like water wicking down a sock.

[cooltimber]

Irish setter all leather 2 coats of beeswax, lasted 2 trips to Montana and another week in Wash.
    $165 they got damp but feet stayed dry, In  Montana  we were at 8000 ft. mostly and hunted the swamps in wa. well see how they are next yr. however I did wear gaiters from kulu