Hardcore boots?

[Hunting Cowboy]

Thought I would include another option...... Back when I worked in the woods, I relied on a pair of caulk boots (pronounced "cork" boots) when I was on a rigging crew. Running through the brush on a steep hillside clearcut in the rain is not easy. Historically, these boots were a part of a lumber jacks basic equipment along with an axe and crosscut saw. And they are still used in the timber industry today.

I rarely use these boots for hunting, but there have been more than a few occasions when one of my buddies calls to help pack out a bear or a big blacktail in the bottom of some remote, steep, brushy, slick clearcut here in the Pacific NW.

[50CalJim]

 Mike you bring back a lot of painful memorys when you mention cork boots. There isn't nothing worse than breaking in a new pair of corks that don't fit quite right. Ouch!!!

[scoyoc5]

I just bought some Lowa Tibets on-line. I've heard great things about these boots.. Pretty good deal I think 226.00 shipped I paid and extra 9 bucks for 3 day delivery I can't wait to get them

[PacificNWhunter]

Scoyoc5, where did you order them from? I'm looking to get the same boot

[scoyoc5]

Pacific,
www.travelcountry.com
they are on sale for a few more hours i guess

[chukarchaser]

I love my Russell Moccasin Sheep Hunters.  While they do not have the arch support of my Whites which I wear for early season, they absolutely keep my feet dry, warm and comfortable no matter the weather or terrain.

[scudmaster]

Coming from a mountaineering background, I can tell you that Scarpa make top quality boots that will last. My sheep hunting buddy has used Lowa for years and loves them.

There is another brand to consider as well.  I am now using a La Sportiva Makalu ( http://www.sportiva.com/products/prod/238 ). I don't like the high uppers as they tend to annoy my calves.  I chased many chukar up Clemens Mt. last year in them and after two or three trips they were broken in completely.  3k-5k feet of vertical a day and only a few hot spots the first two days.  Nothing after that.  Additionally, they have a unique feature in that the tongue padding is held in by Velcro, so you can move it around and find the right pressure points for your foot.  The best part was Marmot Mountain works in Bellevue had them for $185 normally $270.   If you want insulted, they have the Lhotse GTX ( http://www.sportiva.com/products/prod/236 ) but they are a bit more expensive.

But most critical, try them on and figure out what fits for your feet. I cracks me up when I read the boot reviews and guys with wide feet would complain about a certain type of boot made for narrow feet not working for them.  Most of them bought the boot based on a recommendation of a friend or reputation of the boot etc.  I have average width with low volume feet and they are perfect for me.  If you have wide feet forget it. 

For Chukar hunting, which I call mountaineering with a gun, a good option I have found was to look at full shank mountaineering boots, instead of top end hunting boots.  They always seem to be much more expensive than the equivalent mountain boot.


I have seen many people that swear by Danner's; until it gets steep. They are like wearing slippers in the the flat lands, but when it comes to chukar, they are too soft and flexible and your legs will pay the price 

   Doh! after posting this, I see you bought Kennetreks.  Enjoy them! I have heard nothing but good about them.

[ridgefire]

asolo also makes a pretty nice boot they are carried at rei. i own the meindl denalis and the pronghorns and imo the pronghorns are not even close to being the boot that the meindl is. the danners are comfortable but if it is wet out my feet would be wet as well and they do not have nearly the support as the meindl. there is a reason they are a hundred or so less than the meindls.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I'm hoping they still make the Meindle Canada boots.  I'm on my second pair, wore the vibram sole off of the first.  Love those boots, very similar to the kennetreks, which might be my next pair.  I hear good things about the "Perfekts" as well, but also that they sometimes squeak..  Not sure if they worked that bug out of them.

[colockumelk]

One more thought...there is one Danner boot I've always wanted to try. It's called the "Elk Hunter." I've seen it in Cabela's catalog. I wonder if it is still being made in Oregon, and if so, I wonder if it's any good? Has anybody ever tried that boot?

Yes those boots are made in the USA. I am looking very heavily at that very same boot for my next purchase. I love Danners and have NEVER had a problem with them. As an infantry Marine I wore a pair of Danners during to trips to Iraq. Most of my buddies that are in Afghanistan wear them and they usually make it through a deployment there. But keep in mind they walk more miles with 70 lbs of gear on than 99% of hunters will do in 5 years.

Two years ago I bought a pair of Danner Frontiers (now called Elk Ridge) and they are awesome. For $200 I got a full leather 10" boot that gives me PLENTY of ankle support. I got the 600gram boot and I wear them ALL year. From coyote hunting or early season archery when temps are at 90-100 degrees they are very comfy and don't roast my feet. They breathe REALLY we'll and do a great job of wicking sweat away. During the late season in the snow my feet never get at or cold. Oh also they are the MOST comfortable boot ever. It feels like I'm wearing pillows on my feet not hunting boots. I've put ALOT of miles in the Alpine Wilderness with them and they are still as good as they day I bought them. Just with a bit more character to them.

[colockumelk]

Oh yeah I went on a rant and forgot what I originally intended to say I would not hesitate to buy the Cabelas/Danners. Elk Hunters in 400 or 600 grams or the Elk Ridge boots either. Try are both awesome boots and will last along time. And are made in the USA! I don't know why some talk smack about Danners. I think most that have bad experiences are with the Pronghorns. Don't know. All I know is that Danner puts out an AWSOME boot.

[high country]

I can not even fathom wearing danner anything when in the nasty country hauling heavy loads. I have used meindl alaska hunters, denali's and perfects.....I like the ak hunters and denali's because of the rand. the perfects are softer then the others. if you need to be ankle twist proof, I have yet to see a danner that can hang with the meindl, scarpa, asolo, la sportiva....etc moutaineering stuff. danners are good for walking on closed roads and clear cuts, but I would not want to cross many a scree slope, or haul a heavy pack  in danners.

[wsucowboy]

i have always just used Danner super rain forest since they are what i wear when i am working out in the field. I haven't had any problems with them when i am hunting. my 

[JPhelps]

In my opinion Danner Boots should not be considered hardcore boots.  I used to have both the pronghorns and elk hunters.  Both boots will fail when subjected to hardcore offroad hunting.

When hauling heavy loads 80-90+ lbs you want a quality mountaineering boot.  You need to pick a boot that fits your foot the best, not which one you can get a good deal on over the internet.

The list that high country posted above is a very good start of boots that people should look into.  I would also add Lowa, kenetrek and Lathrop and Sons as very good HARDCORE boots.

I currently have a pair of Lowa Tibets (uninsulated) and Meindl Perfekt Hunters (400g).  Both of these boots will haul me plus a heavy loaded pack across the back country without any problems.

[Antlerking]

Danner frontiers  are a very good boot. They lasted me 3.5 years shed hunting and bear, elk ,deer ,grouse,upland birds,and everything else I do and they have awsome support in the 8" - 10" boot. I used to go thru a set of boots every shed season, thats hikling in the rocks and cliffs 2-3 times a week for 3 months.  But the danners have out lasted all of em.