Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: WapitiTalk1 on December 01, 2016, 10:02:46 AM
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Well, what manufacturer(s) actually makes waterproof hunting boots? I'm talking about leather boots not rubber boots here ;). In your experience, which manufacturers have passed the waterproof test and which have not? Just wanted to get a good discussion going, for HuntWA members, on what is out there that has worked for you. Does a person have to spend $350+ to get said WP boots?
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Danner does pretty good, but like all things after a few seasons I find one foot or the other gets wet.
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I've had good luck with these: https://www.rei.com/product/881782/salomon-x-ultra-mid-ii-gtx-hiking-boots-mens
Breathable/waterproof membranes work well, but aren't perfect. For example, a puncture in the membrane destroys the waterproofing. The "breathable" aspect is much better than rubber, but some perspiration moisture not getting out does occur.
I'm a fan of genuine Gore-Tex for several reasons, but there are others that do the same thing.
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I keep my Lowa Ranger GTX Gore Tex boots beeswaxed and they're waterproof enough. For weeklong trips, I have two pairs so I can put one on the propane dryer when the leather gets saturated.
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Great timing Phantom! I am curious if those higher end boots stay waterproof longer?
I bought Danner Pronhorns last Aug, they were the only boot that did not hurt my feet testing in stores. I put a total of 25 days hunting, another 7 or so scouting over the course of a year, bunch of days when I was going out someplace I knew might be sloppy muddy. I wore them to range last weekend as it was going to be muddy and they are leaking somewhere between the sole and upper, 1yr 2 mos out of them. I am debating buying another pair or look at another brand/model.
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Danner does pretty good, but like all things after a few seasons I find one foot or the other gets wet.
:yeah: my Danners after the 7th season this year get wet inside after a soaker type day or huntin in real wet stuff, like creeping down old grassy roads or the like, on real bad days I wear my neoprene muck boots and they kick arse!!
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I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas... comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not. Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking. My next ones will be all leather so I can do the old oil cure. My danner rainforest lasted years on their waterproofing and they were everyday work boots.
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My full leather, Gore-tex, Crispi Wilds have been waterproof so far. I have crossed the Palouse River 4 times this season. No leakage until the water got above the boots and even then my gaiters helped keep them from totally filling with water. This is my first season with them, so we will see how they hold up over time.
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I'm a cheap b'stard, so I'm not spending a lot of money on anything. I purchased some Georgia boots, mens hikers I think, three years ago. I've trudged through streams, wet grass and brush, slushy snow and never had water inside. I think they were $99. I almost always wear gaiters with them so maybe that helps when they're fully submerged.
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My Schnees pac boots have stayed dry even when wading rivers. My Lowa Sheep Hunters have been good too. Most of the others, not so good. I mostly wear rubber/neoprene boots now for really wet conditions. But I think the Schnee pacs are a good choice for dry feet if you don't want to go all rubber.
http://www.schnees.com/category/Schnees-Pac-Boots
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I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas... comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not. Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking. My next ones will be all leather so I can do the old oil cure. My danner rainforest lasted years on their waterproofing and they were everyday work boots.
I had a pair of Pronghorns that I got about 30 days of hunting out of until they both cracked across the soles. Danner knew of the defect and offered me a 30% discount off of any full-price pair(thanks a lot).
I bought the USA-made Danner East Ridge in all leather, thinking it would be a big upgrade.
It is not.
The East Ridge fits at least a half size larger, probably full size larger than the Pronhorns.
The leather and construction seems better, but they don't fit.
That's my last pair of Danners.
My $99 Cabelas Iron Ridge boots are still giving great waterproof service after 12 years.
No kidding.
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I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas... comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not. Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking. My next ones will be all leather so I can do the old oil cure. My danner rainforest lasted years on their waterproofing and they were everyday work boots.
I had a pair of Pronghorns that I got about 30 days of hunting out of until they both cracked across the soles. Danner knew of the defect and offered me a 30% discount off of any full-price pair(thanks a lot).
I bought the USA-made Danner East Ridge in all leather, thinking it would be a big upgrade.
It is not.
The East Ridge fits at least a half size larger, probably full size larger than the Pronhorns.
The leather and construction seems better, but they don't fit.
That's my last pair of Danners.
My $99 Cabelas Iron Ridge boots are still giving great waterproof service after 12 years.
No kidding.
I got a new replacement pair of Cabelas Iron Ridge boots this summer. Previous pair performed great for many seasons and miles, spending lots of time in the rain/streams/creeks. The new pair have done well so far, but sure take their time to dry out. Cabelas decided to redesign the boot and I don't think the new version will hold out as long, but maybe they will. Different stitching patterns, different lacing system--rivets through the boot interior opposed to eyelets on exterior edges, the upper trim wicks in moisture from inside rain pants the old style didn't, feels like the leather is a little thinner and saturates faster....and other changes. Wishing I had a bought a few extra pairs of the older design.
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I almost forgot about my Cabela's boots. I also have the Iron Ridge boots, bought a pair 6 or 7 years ago when they were on sale for $35.
They've been great, never got wet feet wearing them. The bad thing is they're made in China. But, I recently bought a new pair for $100 just because for a cheap and they worked so well.
The old pair is still good but is beginning to come apart in some spots at the seams. The new boots feel different and I haven't worn them enough to break them in. I feel like I'm going to get a blister wearing them so I haven't worn them much yet.
The old ones never required break in. They felt good from the beginning. But for a cheap, leather, gore Tex lined boot I'd recommend them if you're on a budget.
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Had really good luck with Danners over the last 25 years. Their China made stuff is OK at best but the USA made boots seem to last years and are super comfortable. As one other poster said there is a size difference between their China and USA made line so make sure you make sure you get the right size.
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I have been happy with my Irish setter vapr trek. I got them on sale last year and have put them to good use.
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I picked up a pair of Danner Pronghorns this year mainly because I couldn't pass up 75% off. Despite the horror tales, so far so good. I also am not hunting west of the PCT.
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Two years heavy use with Vasque and so far great. Throw away cost also. I think they are Talus model. I have been impressed enough that I am stocking up with a couple pair in case they ever go cheap and not use Vibram sole like Keen and others have.
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Sierra trading post has Asolo Scarpa all leather wp hiking boots for $159.I have 2 pair of Asolo Sasslong which are no longer available but they can be resoled when they need it and they are great.If you have to break in a pair of boots they didnt really fit you.I have never had any problems with Asolo's.I use coconut oil on my feet to eliminate hot spots if I am packing a lot of weight. STP has about 5 styles of Asolo's and a few other top brands of boots. Much more resonable than REI.
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Been wondering the same thing. Never had any GTX boot last more than a week. Really don't want to throw a couple hundred $ at the problem, and still end up with the same results.
Rubber boots can be a good option depending on the terrain. I switched it up the last 2 days and wore my XtraTuf boots. Couldnt have been happier. I was doing a mixture of ambush hunting, still hunting ... and a bit of brush busting after a stupid decision to drop down into a draw. Feet stayed dry and didnt notice any moisture build up even when I was busting brush for 2 hrs. The soles are pretty soft so they are really quite compared to regular boots, but lots of miles on rocky terrain might beat up your feet. Stability wasnt real great, and elevation sucks if the boots are a little loose. Had a thin pair and a thick pair of wool socks on the second day and it helped a ton with foot slipping and looseness when climbing. Definitely going to become on of my primary boots for when its going to be wet and Im not doing crazy hikes.
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Throw wool inserts in those Xtratufs. Night and day difference in both comfort and performance. Every year I log many a day in em.
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5 years heavy use my meindl's have never leaked. They are actually just now getting broke in.
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This year during the Westside muzzleloader season was an absolute soaker. Now I have two pairs of Danner elk hunters ,have always loved these boots but they as well started leaking this season. When back at camp during the day our hunting partner always had dry feet, while me and another guys were soaking wet. Long story short we all now have the Irish Setter elk trackers these are very comfortable. But I have only worn them around the house. Our other hunting partner just wore his for the late muzzy season and said his feet were warm and dry the entire time. Check them out!
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I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas... comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not. Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking. My next ones will be all leather so I can do the old oil cure. My danner rainforest lasted years on their waterproofing and they were everyday work boots.
Most of the Danner line is made overseas. These don't seem to hold up as well as the locally made (more expensive) boots like the Rainforest. I like taller boots and use the Fort Lewis line. FT Lewis light for archery season, Ft Lewis for Fall and Canadians for late season. All have many seasons on them and are still going strong with no leaks so far.
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I've started just wearing muck boots when it is wet and some not so waterproof boots when dry. I haven't found a pair of hunting boots that stay waterproof for any long period of time.
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I have a pair of the Danner Elk Hunters I only use for hunting so they're nice and broken in, but stay in decent shape. I've never found goretex to be 100% waterproof in the worst conditions, but with an all leather boot a good treatment with Obenaufs is pretty darn close. With lighter weight boots with the cordura type sides nikwax treatment really helps
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My kenetrek hardscrabbles have been put to the test this year in wet snow and full days of solid rain. Sent them back for a mid season repair as well and got them back in 5 business days. Im officially a kenetrek leg humper.
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My Lowa Tibets went from hero to zero this year. Bought them 2 yrs ago, outstanding boot, the durability is amazing they still look almost brand new. But this deer season they started leaking bad. Can't afford to have wet feet on multi day backpack hunts when it's cold out. Think I'll try Miendl next I hear good things
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My brand new lowas leaked on me this year. I happen to meet 4 other people out hunting who said there's leaked to....
Elk season I used my crispi again, 3rd year, no leakage yet.
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A good way to test if boots leak is to fill a tub of water to a height a couple inches lower than the boot top. Carefully push the boot into the water and hold it for a minute or two. If it doesn't leak in the tub, wet feet may be caused by something else like water wicking down a sock.
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Irish setter all leather 2 coats of beeswax, lasted 2 trips to Montana and another week in Wash.
$165 they got damp but feet stayed dry, In Montana we were at 8000 ft. mostly and hunted the swamps in wa. well see how they are next yr. however I did wear gaiters from kulu
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Schnee's boots are part rubber part leather never had them leak! Bought in 94 and have had them resoled once and still going strong... :twocents:
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I have lived in my Muckboots last few years. Wetlands model. Hardly ever wear my Danner Quarry anymore. Ive worn out three pairs of Danner quarrys and at least four pairs of Danner hikers in the last ten years. I buy a new pair of Mucks every year now. Just tossed one pair at the dump day before when my new pair got here. They are so comfortable.
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In my personal experience I'm not found any boots be totally waterproof, except if ton
of sno seal are apply every time when I'm going out. If you do mountain hunts go with danner or lowa. But for general hunting boogs, muck or Irish setter neoprene boots will do there job.
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My Cabela's Meindel Perfekts are still fully waterproof. I want to say this is their 5th or 6 season. They've been outstanding boots.
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Kenetrek! Hand down
-BBD87
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Crispi Nevadas. My feet stay dry so far.
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my first year keens leak and my first year merrills leak. 3rd year for my perfeckts and no leak. mike w
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Apologies if they were mentioned earlier but I might have skimmed past it.
Anyone have experience with Scarpa boots? How do they perform, and hold up? Worth the $$?
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My Cabela's Meindel Perfekts are still fully waterproof. I want to say this is their 5th or 6 season. They've been outstanding boots.
:yeah:
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I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas... comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not. Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking.
:yeah: Very same problem. Comfortable but not waterproof after first season.
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Ill say it doesn't matter who makes the boot! they purchase gore tex liners it has nothing to do with the boot manufacture when the boot leaks. Gore is crap! it was never designed to be creased. I have owned many high end boots and ALL of them leak within a year
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Ariats all day. I swear by them. They are expensive but mine have lasted over 4 years so far working on the farm, hunting, hiking. I wear them for everything. They are very comfortable and very durable. They also are still waterproof after 4 years.
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My Cabela's Meindel Perfekts are still fully waterproof. I want to say this is their 5th or 6 season. They've been outstanding boots.
I also have Cabela's Meindel boots that are doing the job well. My feet got wet on our rainy opening day of rifle deer season, but that was only because I forgot to put on my gaiters & rain pant - wet pant result in wet socks, which then wick in to the boot. During a very wet and rainy day during rifle elk, my feet stayed totally dry because I was smart enough to put on my gaiters and rain pants. The boots did exactly what they were supposed to do!
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Ariats all day. I swear by them. They are expensive but mine have lasted over 4 years so far working on the farm, hunting, hiking. I wear them for everything. They are very comfortable and very durable. They also are still waterproof after 4 years.
Aren't those cowboy boots ?
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They seem to be all purpose for me.
I don't own the decretive ones. I own the functional ones. Yes, you can ride horses with them if that's what you want to do (I know how to ride horses and will do it if I have to, but not my favorite thing. I'm not a fan of horses.) If you want I can try and find a pic of the ones I got, I couldn't be happier with them. I have really used them hard, wear them almost every day, and no issues.
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I have the Danner Pronghorns gore-tex as well but they are the camo version with half canvas... comfort wise they are great, waterproof they are not. Even with the Gore-Tex, I got one good season out of them before they started leaking.
:yeah: Very same problem. Comfortable but not waterproof after first season.
Doing good if you get a season out of them. We buy them because the wife likes them for upland hunting. But we've never had a pair that stays waterproof for more than two hunts.
LaSportiva going on eight years with no leaks. Hanwag Trapper has horrible hardware, but even after two repairs on top lace hooks... still waterproof after six years. Both boots have Duratherm. Had a guide turn me onto that. I'm a believer now!
My Miendel Alaskan were great boots for waterproof and durability, but never did form to my foot comfortable enough for long back country trips.
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Sierra trading post has Asolo Scarpa all leather wp hiking boots for $159.I have 2 pair of Asolo Sasslong which are no longer available but they can be resoled when they need it and they are great.If you have to break in a pair of boots they didnt really fit you.I have never had any problems with Asolo's.I use coconut oil on my feet to eliminate hot spots if I am packing a lot of weight. STP has about 5 styles of Asolo's and a few other top brands of boots. Much more resonable than REI.
I have to say after 3 years and a ton of miles I'm pretty happy with my asolo boots, I paid about 350 for them at REI. I'm just now starting to see some waterproofing going away, BUT, I have put nothing on the leather, I called them once but they only spoke Italian. :chuckle: Wonder what I can put on my leather that will allow it to breath but help keep it water proof? Nice to see they are cheaper at Sierra Trading post.
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Kenetrek Mountain Extreme's are the only way to go. I can go for miles and cover steep, rough ground and my feet, knees and hips don't hurt like other boots did. I have been through Danner's, Cabela's, Meindl's and Keen's. The Kenetrek's are by far the best. They are spendy but you get what you pay for. I went with the 400 gram thinsulate since it can get cold during elk season but I don't get too hot even in summer and early hunts.
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For the last 2 years I have been using the under armor brow tines. I couldn't be more happy with them. For me they are the most comfortable boot shoe or anything I put on my feet and they keep my feet good and dry on the wet side. They are light and warm in the snow and quite. I absolutely love them!
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Goretex is warrantied for 2 years not to leak, I have taken boots back that have leaked and received a new pair :twocents: My Kenetreks have never leaked and are very comfortable...
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Love my Cabelas Meindl "Perfekt" boots :tup:
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I've been a Danner guy all of my life. I go through one pair of Super Rainforest per year at work (construction). They do start leaking at about a year. The employee at their factory store told me, "They don't make leather submarines". :dunno:
I own 2 pair of Pronghorns that are 3 years old. One un-insulated for archery, and one with 1200 grams of insulation for rifle season hunts in the snow. I only put these boots on for hunting. They don't leak a bit.
The one thing I love about Danner is their comfort. I have never gotten a blister wearing them. They come out of the box and require no break in. I put a lot of miles on my feet while hunting and won't risk sore feet with a different boot. When they start leaking, I go get another pair.
I do know a guy who sent every leaky Danner into Gore and they would send him a new pair. He'd do this every time. He is known to be a cheap bass turd, but this thread has got me thinking about saving some money now.
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I used to wear Danner Ft. Lewis and various other sundry Danners.
That all leaked like a sieve.
Having worn WestCo corks for years, I am religious about greasing them up.
The best boots I ever had were the older Cabela's Outfitter Series.
I went through about 8 pairs and they were all good for about 8 months.
Buy then in the fall and after April they could leak until September.
I am interested in following this thread as I need to find new boots as the new Outfitters don't fit the bill after they changed then a couple years ago.
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I used scarpas last season, synthetic gore tex model. Held up really well so far, I have also used cabelas, georgia, danner. Scarpa is my first of the euro type boot I like them.
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I would like to try Crispi boots as well
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Three guys at work bought Kenetreks. Two of them only made it one season. The other guy has been laid up and hasn't used them. After that, I considered the Lowa Tibets, but several guys on this thread are saying they don't last long either. Maybe I should just find some Danner Pronghorns and buy a new pair every year. Can't see spending 400-500 dollars on boots that leak after a season.
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I have Ariat hunting boots - 2 yrs into them with a ton of miles and still in excellent condition and completely water proof so far
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Crispi boots. Take care of them once a year and they will last several seasons.
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I have 2 years on a set of Danner Pronghorns now and they are still dry. I wear them quite a bit around the place doing chores as well because of this.
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My kenetrek hardscrabbles have been put to the test this year in wet snow and full days of solid rain. Sent them back for a mid season repair as well and got them back in 5 business days. Im officially a kenetrek leg humper.
+1 on the Kennetreks. Their customer service is top notch!!