snow boots for hiking

[vandeman17]

I was looking at my boot shelf this morning and remembered that I was wanting to buy a decent pair of boots for late season hunting. I would like to keep my purchase to $200 give or take. Waterproof is very important along with comfortable to hike in and warm. I currently have a pair of Artic Sport Muck boots that are nice but not as great to hike in as many of the reviews stated. I also have a pair or Sorel Caribou's and Danner Pronghorns. Thoughts?

[Fl0und3rz]

I have a pair of Sorel Caribous.  Nice and warm, not nice to hike in significant elevation gain. 

I have a pair of LaCrosse Burly waterproof, and they are better as well as lighter.   But side-hilling sucks. 

Probably best to use the Pronghorns and get a decent set of gaiters to repel water.

[vandeman17]

I have a pair of Sorel Caribous.  Nice and warm, not nice to hike in significant elevation gain. 

I have a pair of LaCrosse Burly waterproof, and they are better as well as lighter.   But side-hilling sucks. 

Probably best to use the Pronghorns and get a decent set of gaiters to repel water.

Both my caribou's and Muck's are very lightly used so I was thinking about selling them to help fund a new pair. Heck I don't know. All I know is ever since I was little, my feet ALWAYS get cold when the weather gets cold. 

[jackelope]

Danner Pronghorns are barely waterproof as is.

There's a thread or 2 on here somewhere about Pac boots. That's what I'd be looking at, although I don't think there's a good answer. I have had good luck with my 400gm Meindl Perfekt Hunters but they're not the warmest boots in the world.

[gaddy]

As far as warmth goes, I went with some felt insoles that were 1/4" in an old set I had, helped a bunch keeping the cold off the bottom of the feet and allowed air flow. They were cheep boots with 1000g insulation but the soles were the problem. Added the liners and they kept the feet warm. Even switched them into my waders for duck hunting.

[Fl0und3rz]

I feel like felt insoles are a well-kept secret.  I didn't find out about them until I bought a pair of White Pac boots, and now I want a set for my Sorels.

Danner Pronghorns are barely waterproof as is.

Ah.  Maybe I was thinking of a different Danner boot.

[vandeman17]

Danner Pronghorns are barely waterproof as is.

There's a thread or 2 on here somewhere about Pac boots. That's what I'd be looking at, although I don't think there's a good answer. I have had good luck with my 400gm Meindl Perfekt Hunters but they're not the warmest boots in the world.

I agree. My Danner's are water resistant but not really water proof. Pac boots are good but not great for hiking very far. Basically, we hunt western Montana over thanksgiving and I have to hike in a mile or more to get to where I like to hunt and that can involve sitting so I need a combo hiking/warm boot.

[gaddy]

Mine were also water resistant, not waterproof as they said they were, I don't know if any boot really is. I liked them for comfort and they held up well, fit good and I could wear them all day. Once I put in the felts, ( also helps in hot weather for cooling ) I hosed them with waterproof spray and used gators to keep the snow out. Wore them for several years until the seams split. Like said, They were cheep boots that lasted for years. If you have the Danners and like them for hunting, try the felt insoles. The worst thing for me is having cold feet and these helped.

[jagermiester]

Danner Elk Hunters.
Best boots I've ever owned. Until they leaked so I took them back and then they replaced them for free and now the new pair is the best pair that I have ever owned.

[Fl0und3rz]

I had a pair of Danners, kind of like the Canadian, and one trip to POW island and walking around muskeg convinced me that only rubber are waterproof.  But then your feet sweat.   

[follow maggie]

I know they’re a good bit North of your stated budget, but last year I bought a pair of Schnee’s Hunter 2 pac boots and love them. They’re warm, comfortable & keep my feet dry. They’re comfortable for hiking. They were a huge stretch for my budget, but I don’t regret it at all.

[Fl0und3rz]

I like that idea, which I also saw on the Coalcracker Bushcraft youtube channel, and I was considering doing the same.  I have a weird/wide foot, and that seemed to be a good option.

[yakimanoob]

I've got a pair of LaCrosse Alpha Thermals that do just fine.  I wouldn't want to hike 5 miles up a mtn peak in them, but for trudging a few miles through snow on uneven ground they've been great.  I can imagine that's highly depended on whether your foot happens to fit correctly in them though. 

[vandeman17]

My quandary at this point is finding the right combination of hike ability and warmth. The hunt I have in mind is our thanksgiving montana whitetail hunt where we hike in for 20-30 minutes to get to our spot and then sit. Too much insulation and your feet sweat on the hike in, not enough and they get cold shortly after I sit down.   

[Fl0und3rz]

Down/insulated overboots?