hiking / hunting boots

[Bean Counter]

I wouldn't buy the Danners, unless you want to use your tax return to buy a pair of boots again next year...

I'm guessing you're referring to the $100 imported models. Ive had a pair of the $250 Acadias for three years now with a ton of rough outdoor use on them. My hunting buddies have easily gone through multiple pairs, say $500+ in ' cheaper' boots over the same period.

They' re not the most.cushioned boot and theyre a bit on the heavy side. 'Cheap', however, doesn't fit in the description.

[Miles]

I wouldn't buy the Danners, unless you want to use your tax return to buy a pair of boots again next year...

I'm guessing you're referring to the $100 imported models.

That would be correct.  After seeing how cheaply made the pronghorns are, I couldn't bring myself to purchase another boot made by Danner.  If a company is happy turning out POS boots for $100-$200, I'm not going to go and give them $200+ just to get their "quality" boot.  There are plenty of other manufacturers that concentrate on quality.   When a person has to shop around to make sure a certain model was made in the US and not imported, I tend to question the company as a whole...

[scottcrb]

awesome thanks for all the info. i think i have narrowed it down to about 4 companies and about 8 different boots that i want to try . all based off of your guys suggestions. what are the cabelas cool max liners like? are they like a sock or an actual liner? do i need to allow space for those if i was interested in them? do you guys have a specific sock you recommend ? i have a bunch o smart wools and just bought some of the lorpen heavy duty hiking socks from camo fire. my feet notoriously get cold but i think its because they sweat a lot. my feet are either hot or cold no middle ground.

[Bean Counter]

Take your new nice pair of socks and liners and put those on when you try out a boot. Also, go in the late afternoon when your feet have swollen up after half a day of walking around.

[huntnnw]

this thread reminds me of people telling what YOU should like to eat or what wine YOU should like..everyone is different. try them all..Tell you right now high end danners will not fall apart in a year.

[Miles]

Take your new nice pair of socks and liners and put those on when you try out a boot. Also, go in the late afternoon when your feet have swollen up after half a day of walking around.

 

[JJB11B]

this thread reminds me of people telling what YOU should like to eat or what wine YOU should like..everyone is different. try them all..Tell you right now high end danners will not fall apart in a year.

Mine did

[colockumelk]

Wow really? Mine did two trips to Iraq and lasted two more hunting seasons. My buddies lasted a trip to Iraq and one year in Paktika province. If a boot lasts a year on the Pakistani border they will take anything hunting in WA can throw at them. I will admit though when he went to Iraq he was in a Stryker unit so he probably didn't walk anywhere other than the DFAC. Death before dismount right

[colockumelk]

I Have the Kenetrek Mountain Extremes. My feet stay dry and warm all day in 20 degree weather and my boots are not even insulated. Just get boots that are big enough to allow for a good quality wool sock. My  is that half the battle of footcare and comfort is quality socks

Don't you wish they were authorized foot wear for work. 

[JJB11B]

yessir!

[JJB11B]

when he went to Iraq he was in a Stryker unit so he probably didn't walk anywhere other than the DFAC. Death before dismount right

barff

[pianoman9701]

I love my Lowas

[JLS]

I wouldn't buy the Danners, unless you want to use your tax return to buy a pair of boots again next year...

I'm guessing you're referring to the $100 imported models. Ive had a pair of the $250 Acadias for three years now with a ton of rough outdoor use on them. My hunting buddies have easily gone through multiple pairs, say $500+ in ' cheaper' boots over the same period.

They' re not the most.cushioned boot and theyre a bit on the heavy side. 'Cheap', however, doesn't fit in the description.

I'm not going to tell you what boot you SHOULD buy, but I'll give you my experience.  I wear Acadias for work, and I would NEVER buy them for hunting/hiking purposes.  For a little more money you can get a top of the line European made trekking/backpacking boot that I find to be much more comfortable.

The Danners offer zero lateral stability, and not much more in the way of comfort in my opinion.  FWIW, I wear Lowas and have for about six years now.  I wish I would have discovered them 20 years ago.

Good luck in your search.

[MDGrand]

I just got back from the SCI show in Vegas and Kenntrek had a booth. Tried on a pair of Hardscrabble Hikers.. VERY surprised at how comfortable they were. I figured with as stiff as soles as they came with, that they would need some good breaking in, but they felt better than any other boot I have tried on before.  I figured I would most likely pick up a pair of Lathrop & Sons custom made Hanwags one day but these seem just as good and have the same stiff sole type of build to them.

So.. I ordered me a pair. Hopefully they get here soon.

My recommendation is Kenntreks.

[Bean Counter]

Sounds great, MD! Please beat the heck out them a bit and let us know how they hold up