Danner elk hunter boots? Or recommendations for boots in size 15!

[syoungs]

Desperately need new hunting boots this year, been wearing my steel toe danner loggers the last 2 years, which hasnt worked out the greatest lol.

Been looking online, and having trouble finding boots in size 15, in my price range, that aren't loaded with insulation.

Right now im looking at the Cabela's iron ridge, both insulated and un-insulated.

Danner makes a few different models in my size, but would eat up my budget for most of em, and it's either no insulation, or 600g, which im afraid will be way to hot for early season stuff.
Only the danner elk hunter is USA made, I've heard bad things about their foreign made boots, but no first hand experience.

Any other recommendations for a 8-10" hunting boot in the sub 300$ range? I'll be using them from august- November, for big game and predator hunting, all over the state, and Wyoming this year!
Im usually still hunting, of spot and stalk, and don't sit on stand for any major length of time, and not packing camp on my back ever

Im really thinking I need to go no more then 200g thinsulate, probably go un-insulated, as most of my hunting happens aug-october, and I've got a set of Sorels for the real cold temps.

I'll be in the Portland area next month, probably go look at the danners then, may order the Cabela's boots before hand to try out too, were gonna be in store at some point that weekend so I could easily return them if I don't like them,or decide on something else, and they have never had size 15-16 in stock when I go into their stores

[kselkhunter]

Rocky has sizes in 15.  I used to have some, but they didn't last long for me. 

Irish Setter also makes them in 15.

Kenetrek is out of your price target, but they also make a 15 and would be the best quality I know of for that size. 

Danner is probably your best bet.

My favorites are Zamberlain but they stop at 13.  So do Meindl's and a few others. 

[syoungs]

Rocky's website doesn't list any 15s, or maybe I overlooked them, I'll check again, but back when I was still in a 13, the couple pairs I used fell apart pretty fast too.

The Irish setter elk hunter is what I want, but in a 15 it only comes in 600g thinsulate, im afraid that'll be way to hot more often then not, if I could get it in the 200g I'd do it for sure.

Kenetrecks are more boot then I need I imagine, im not stuck at 300$ I guess, but I always thought they were more of a mountaineering type boot, and figured I wouldn't take advantage of them for the majority of my use.

Are the danners that aren't USA made as garbage as the internet makes them out to be? They got a new model out for 2017 I like,and a few others that are catching my eye.

[lord grizzly]

Stop looking at "hunting" boots and start looking at hiking boots. You'll find way better boots and way more options. Most hunting boots are crap in camo. I switched to Mendels years  ago and have never looked at another "hunting" boot again.

I hate REI but they have a great selection. So I go there, try on boots, then buy them off amazon. Amazons probably not any better I know but I don't give my money to REI so I'm good with it

[kselkhunter]

I didn't realize Danners had some that weren't made in the US anymore.  I always liked their Pronghorns the best, am pretty sure that's still US made.

Yeah didn't realize the Elk Hunter limited the 15 to only that 600g insulated version.  Bummer. 

I was not happy how fast my Rockys fell apart.  So can't really recommend them that highly.

Those Cabela's Iron Ridge you mentioned might be worthy trying or that price.  I'm not familiar with them though. 

Kenetrek is a very good hunting boot.  Pricey, but good quality.  I was going between Zamberlain, Meindl, and Kenetrek when I bought my last pair and my buddy from Alaska that has hunted in Zamberlain's for many years convinced me to go that route and I'm very happy.  But I looked real close at Kenetrek and it's a great boot. 

[JKEEN33]

The china Danner's are garbage. The elk hunters are not bad, I have a pair. Great sole on them. You can walk up the side of a live tree. The China ones have slick soles on them. Easy to fall. I have several pair of the U.S. made and like them. I would try them on first. They have an odd tongue on the elk hunter. I like it but can see where someone else may not.

[syoungs]

I read alot of good reviews of the lowa renegade gtx on archery talk, but the rei reviews are terrible, otherwise that would work.

I wish the pronghorns were usa made still, that's what I started looking at when I found out most their boots are now made in China!

The sole on the elk hunters looks fragile to me,like it'd wear out fast, I have no experience that make me believe that,just looks it to me lol, im guessing I'll end up with those though,seems like a decent value if they fit right.

Im gonna go look over rei's website right now though to see what's out there in a hiking setup.

Thanks for the help so far everyone!

[kselkhunter]

If you're going to look at boots rom REI, the Asolo boots are very good quality.  I'm still pissed I ruined a pair years ago near a fire on a trip.  My wife has backpacked in her Asolo's for 15 years now.  Same pair. 

[JKEEN33]

I thought the same about the sole when I bought them. I've had mine 3+ years and the sole still looks new. I only use them in the woods though.

[syoungs]

Good tip on the aslos!

Also good info on the sole, mine would be used just for hunting/scouting,

I've always worn 8"+ boots, the hikers I keep seeing at REI are shorter then that. Do you have to worry about crud getting between pants and the top of the shoe? Seems like crappy could get into there pretty easy, but I don't know 

[kselkhunter]

No, I've never had an issue with the shorter boots. The Zamberlains I use now are the Vioz GTs that you'll see on the REI website, and never had a problem with the shorter height on those or the Asolo's.  14 is the largest size REI sells for the Zamberlain Vioz (the other Zamberlain's stop at 13).  The Asolo TPS Evo they sell up to 16.

[lord grizzly]

I wear gators 100% of the time

[syoungs]

I wear gators 100% of the time

This is on my short list for this year as well. Need to go try a bunch on though, I've got pretty big calves, and don't know how ordering blind will turn out

[lord grizzly]

Once you start wearing them you can't go without them. I'm a big guy. The XL outdoor research expeditions will fit you. Everyone will say there too hot for early season and maybe they are. I wear them year round and Ive even run them in shorts. Bombproof

[kselkhunter]

Once you start wearing them you can't go without them. I'm a big guy. The XL outdoor research expeditions will fit you. Everyone will say there too hot for early season and maybe they are. I wear them year round and Ive even run them in shorts. Bombproof

 
The Outdoor Research gaiters have been better than the other brands for me too.