Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: paytonma on November 23, 2014, 01:56:10 PM

Title: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: paytonma on November 23, 2014, 01:56:10 PM: Looking for a new pair of all around boots but ive decided i want to go more traditional and go all leather. Any one have any good recommendations?
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: scottcrb on November 23, 2014, 02:23:48 PM: Han wag or kenetrek
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Bofire on November 24, 2014, 09:20:58 AM: go to the WESCO factory in Scapoose Oregon and have a set of hand made boots built for you.
Carl
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM: I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 24, 2014, 09:27:08 AM: Lowa
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: hunting4sanity on November 24, 2014, 09:43:34 AM: I've been impressed with my Kenetrek boots.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on November 24, 2014, 09:44:33 AM: Whites.........
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Wyoming08 on November 24, 2014, 09:57:38 AM: Quote from: hunting4sanity on November 24, 2014, 09:43:34 AM
I've been impressed with my Kenetrek boots.

:yeah:
I LOOOOVVVVVEEEE my Kenetrek Boots.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: mikeybuck on November 24, 2014, 10:13:50 AM: Kenetreks leak.... says the two pairs that I have owned and the few others in our camp.

You want 100 percent leather? I love my red wings work boots. All leather, no liners. Won't keep your feet dry but you will never want to take them off.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: HawkCreek on November 24, 2014, 09:59:54 PM: Quote from: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM
I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: jackelope on November 24, 2014, 10:08:02 PM: What are you looking to do with these new boots? Hunting? Working?
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on November 25, 2014, 08:57:24 PM: Quote from: HawkCreek on November 24, 2014, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM
I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

Everbody I know wear Whites, if you can afford them.......
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: HawkCreek on November 25, 2014, 09:14:03 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on November 25, 2014, 08:57:24 PM
Quote from: HawkCreek on November 24, 2014, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM
I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

Everbody I know wear Whites, if you can afford them.......

Thats nice, I have a few pair myself but I'll never get another. What I can't afford is a full rebuild and them coming apart after wearing them for ONE day. Last pair I bought was junk. I swore I'd never go back but I figured they could manage to rebuild their own boot. Apparently they can't even do that anymore.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: BoomWhop on November 25, 2014, 09:18:17 PM: Quote from: Wyoming08 on November 24, 2014, 09:57:38 AM
Quote from: hunting4sanity on November 24, 2014, 09:43:34 AM
I've been impressed with my Kenetrek boots.

:yeah:
I LOOOOVVVVVEEEE my Kenetrek Boots.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: jackelope on November 25, 2014, 09:58:51 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on November 25, 2014, 08:57:24 PM
Quote from: HawkCreek on November 24, 2014, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM
I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

Everbody I know wear Whites, if you can afford them.......

Wow. If you can afford them?
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: b23 on November 26, 2014, 09:01:37 AM: I've worn White's for well over 20 years. Started wearing them at a time, before, I could really afford them but they, easily, proved their value in comfort and longevity. I've had multiple different pair of White's in multiple styles, rebuilt by White's and never had an issue with any of them either. I, personally, have never worn a pair of Nick's but I worked with guys that had both, White's and Nicks's, other than some having brand loyalty, they liked both about the same.

If someone had a problem with a rebuild falling apart after only one day, based on my experience with White's rebuilds, I'd say that was circumstantial and certainly not the norm.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: npaull on November 26, 2014, 09:02:55 AM: Schnee's. I love mine.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on November 26, 2014, 09:57:48 AM: Quote from: jackelope on November 25, 2014, 09:58:51 PM

Quote from: CAMPMEAT on November 25, 2014, 08:57:24 PM
Quote from: HawkCreek on November 24, 2014, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM
I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

Everbody I know wear Whites, if you can afford them.......

Wow. If you can afford them?

Custom made Whites are around $475. That's what I paid for mine.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: jackelope on November 26, 2014, 10:41:01 AM: So they're about the same as a lot of high end boots.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: C-Money on November 26, 2014, 10:51:52 AM: I have a pair of Whites I bought 15 years ago, still use them after a few rebuilds. They have been fine. I noticed the quality in leather and customer service was lacking the last time they were rebuilt. This pair is my "day shift only" or wildland fire boots and are lacers. I have a pair of basically the same boot from Whites with a zipper. They are 10 years old now, and have been rebuilt twice. The first rebuild experience with this pair was poor service, and very crappy materials used in the rebuild. They just looked sub par from the leather you usually see in their new boots. This encouraged me go to Nicks to get my next new pair of boots with the zipper. A+ customer service, A+ boot. Back to the Whites, I just got my pair with the zipper rebuilt a month ago at Whites, and they came back very nice this time. Same quality you would see in a new pair. The reason I went back to Whites was cause Nicks was closed the day I was in Spokane to drop them off. Nicks said they would rebuild my Whites for me the last time I was in the store. I rotate each shift between the Whites and Nicks, Both serve me well. All 3 pair are 10" high. My next new pair will be from Nicks, based on their good product and excellent service and support after the purchase. Nicks has always replaced the actual zipper for free if it breaks, and has put new insoles in for free. Whites charges for these things. Nicks even repaired these same things for free on my Whites when I was willing to pay them. These are the reasons I will give my business to Nicks.
Title: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: jackelope on November 26, 2014, 11:12:34 AM: How much does it cost to have a pair of boots rebuilt? I have about 100-120 or so hiking miles on my meindls this year and they're about 5-6 years old. They're still good to go and they're not $475.00 new. Just curious why they need to be rebuilt all the time. They're not hiking boots, right? I have no experience with them so this is truly a curiosity question. What are you guys doing with these boots that they need to be rebuilt every few years?
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: C-Money on November 26, 2014, 11:26:21 AM: This last pair was $200 for the rebuild. This time, they came back from Whites as good as new. That was with the Firefighter discount. This is the boot I wear, my Nicks are basically the same. 10" Smoke jumper. They make them to accept a zipper upon request.

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29868 (http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29868)
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2014, 11:30:55 AM: Work boots I would go with Whites. Used them fighting fire. About the worst thing you can do to any boot, water and ash. Eats boots alive. Whites are the best you can get for that. Wouldnt wear them hunting. (later in the year) too dang cold

Kenetrek is what I have now have for hunting and have nothing bad to say about them. I put them to the test. I used Meindles for years. Good boot, but didnt last more than about a year of hard labor. No matter what oil or grease I tried I couldnt get the last two pairs I had to stop squeeking.

Whites pack boots for winter. I think they must have 14-16 inch tops on them. Best winter boots I have found. I cant tell you how much I have used mine, only replacing the felts.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: jasnt on November 26, 2014, 11:38:52 AM: Quote from: HawkCreek on November 24, 2014, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: C-Money on November 24, 2014, 09:25:07 AM
I am a firm believer in Nicks. Hunting, riding, or work. Awesome.

^This.

Whites are garbage.

:yeah:

I've had both. My nicks outlasted my whites by 2 years. Love my nicks for work! For hunting tho I wear asolo. Best hunting boot I've ever worn! Like strapping armor on your feet. For winter the whites packs are awesome!
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on November 26, 2014, 12:53:50 PM: New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45 :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: jackelope on November 26, 2014, 01:10:33 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on November 26, 2014, 12:53:50 PM
New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45 :chuckle:

I wear Brooks Beast. Best support in a running shoe for full sized people. I only wear them to run in though. I find they last a lot longer that way. About $100 or so.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Buckmark on November 26, 2014, 01:26:32 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on November 26, 2014, 12:53:50 PM
New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45 :chuckle:
Orthopedic ones?? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Kazekurt on November 26, 2014, 01:59:12 PM: +1 for Kenetreks! I've administered a beating to my original pair over the last 4 years and they're still going strong! I've walked in streams in Alaska, beat them up on steep ridges in MT, and all over the columbia basin. I've had numerous hunting partners end up with blisters following hunts with me and my feet are always in good shape. There are other good brands as well. IMHO high end boots are worth it!
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 26, 2014, 02:19:20 PM: 2nd the vote on Kennetrek. I put alot of miles on mine in a given year. They usually last me a couple years partially because I am in rocks alot which wears down the sole faster. Have only been able to resole one pair.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: fillthefreezer on November 26, 2014, 02:30:00 PM: Quote from: jackelope on November 26, 2014, 11:12:34 AM
How much does it cost to have a pair of boots rebuilt? I have about 100-120 or so hiking miles on my meindls this year and they're about 5-6 years old. They're still good to go and they're not $475.00 new. Just curious why they need to be rebuilt all the time. They're not hiking boots, right? I have no experience with them so this is truly a curiosity question. What are you guys doing with these boots that they need to be rebuilt every few years?
it seems the going rate of a rebuild tends to stay about half or just under that of what a new pair would cost. keep in mind, these are all leather boots. my rebuilds are usually due to the soles being worn out and the lowers being all beat to hell. they pretty much take the boots apart and replace worn out parts. soles, footbed, lower, laces etc. seems my uppers are about 6? years old. i get about 2 years between rebuilds.
cheaper boots used to last a year (georgia, red wings, etc), maybe less.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Marcoramius on November 26, 2014, 02:55:40 PM: I retired my Irish Setter Elk Trackers from hunting last year after almost 5 years and over 1000 miles...they are a great boot in the $200ish range. I still wear these as my everyday work boot as I have for the past 2-3 years.
I am now sporting Cabelas Miendl ultralights which have done very well also...logged 97.5 miles on them in 11 days during this past deer season. Little to no break-in time needed for these. Only complaint is they don't have a loop to help get them on.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on November 26, 2014, 05:24:42 PM: Quote from: jackelope on November 26, 2014, 01:10:33 PM

Quote from: CAMPMEAT on November 26, 2014, 12:53:50 PM
New Balance tennis shoes all the way for me......$45 :chuckle:

I wear Brooks Beast. Best support in a running shoe for full sized people. I only wear them to run in though. I find they last a lot longer that way. About $100 or so.

Orthopedic ones?? :chuckle:

..........and here I thought I found some friends on HW. Boy, was I mistaken....
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on November 27, 2014, 07:48:29 AM: Couldn't be happier with kenetreks, both the mountain extreme and hardscrabble. One thing to note is they're not for everybody. They're perfect for my feet but I've seen some horrible blisters from them on friends. The same can be said with all boots though. I've seen it with lowa, Crispi, Mendl...
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2014, 08:02:20 AM: What some folks don't realize is that conditioning your feet goes a long ways as does conditioning the rest of your body. No matter what the boots are.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 27, 2014, 08:03:59 AM: As does taking care of your boots i.e. cleaning and applying boot grease or conditioner
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Bofire on November 27, 2014, 06:16:19 PM: :) :)http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/stock2010.asp

at least look at them, they can send a kit and instructions for you to measure your own feet for custom also. They are not that expensive.
I have "Job Masters" and cowboy boots by WESCO over 20 years old, rebuildable. the most comfortable boot I have ever worn.
Carl
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on November 27, 2014, 07:16:53 PM: I have a pair of Irish Setters I have had for at least years now ..Never had my feet wet yet ..Plus very soft soles for sneaking around quietly ...Love them !
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on December 01, 2014, 08:39:36 PM: The lineman i work with all wear La Sportivas, if they swear by them so would I. They also wear whites for the Nasty stuff.
Title: Re: Best all around all leather boots?
Post by: Labs07 on December 04, 2014, 11:19:18 AM: I have kenetreks and love them but it takes about 30+ miles to really break them in well.