Post by: syoungs on July 12, 2017, 08:13:02 PM
Been looking online, and having trouble finding boots in size 15, in my price range, that aren't loaded with insulation.
Right now im looking at the Cabela's iron ridge, both insulated and un-insulated.
Danner makes a few different models in my size, but would eat up my budget for most of em, and it's either no insulation, or 600g, which im afraid will be way to hot for early season stuff.
Only the danner elk hunter is USA made, I've heard bad things about their foreign made boots, but no first hand experience.
Any other recommendations for a 8-10" hunting boot in the sub 300$ range? I'll be using them from august- November, for big game and predator hunting, all over the state, and Wyoming this year!
Im usually still hunting, of spot and stalk, and don't sit on stand for any major length of time, and not packing camp on my back ever
Im really thinking I need to go no more then 200g thinsulate, probably go un-insulated, as most of my hunting happens aug-october, and I've got a set of Sorels for the real cold temps.
I'll be in the Portland area next month, probably go look at the danners then, may order the Cabela's boots before hand to try out too, were gonna be in store at some point that weekend so I could easily return them if I don't like them,or decide on something else, and they have never had size 15-16 in stock when I go into their stores
Post by: kselkhunter on July 12, 2017, 08:23:44 PM
Irish Setter also makes them in 15.
Kenetrek is out of your price target, but they also make a 15 and would be the best quality I know of for that size.
Danner is probably your best bet.
My favorites are Zamberlain but they stop at 13. So do Meindl's and a few others.
Post by: syoungs on July 12, 2017, 09:04:15 PM
The Irish setter elk hunter is what I want, but in a 15 it only comes in 600g thinsulate, im afraid that'll be way to hot more often then not, if I could get it in the 200g I'd do it for sure.
Kenetrecks are more boot then I need I imagine, im not stuck at 300$ I guess, but I always thought they were more of a mountaineering type boot, and figured I wouldn't take advantage of them for the majority of my use.
Are the danners that aren't USA made as garbage as the internet makes them out to be? They got a new model out for 2017 I like,and a few others that are catching my eye.
Post by: lord grizzly on July 12, 2017, 09:20:21 PM
I hate REI but they have a great selection. So I go there, try on boots, then buy them off amazon. Amazons probably not any better I know but I don't give my money to REI so I'm good with it
Post by: kselkhunter on July 12, 2017, 09:20:40 PM
Yeah didn't realize the Elk Hunter limited the 15 to only that 600g insulated version. Bummer.
I was not happy how fast my Rockys fell apart. So can't really recommend them that highly.
Those Cabela's Iron Ridge you mentioned might be worthy trying or that price. I'm not familiar with them though.
Kenetrek is a very good hunting boot. Pricey, but good quality. I was going between Zamberlain, Meindl, and Kenetrek when I bought my last pair and my buddy from Alaska that has hunted in Zamberlain's for many years convinced me to go that route and I'm very happy. But I looked real close at Kenetrek and it's a great boot.
Post by: JKEEN33 on July 12, 2017, 09:23:34 PM
Post by: syoungs on July 12, 2017, 09:29:11 PM
I wish the pronghorns were usa made still, that's what I started looking at when I found out most their boots are now made in China!
The sole on the elk hunters looks fragile to me,like it'd wear out fast, I have no experience that make me believe that,just looks it to me lol, im guessing I'll end up with those though,seems like a decent value if they fit right.
Im gonna go look over rei's website right now though to see what's out there in a hiking setup.
Thanks for the help so far everyone!
Post by: kselkhunter on July 12, 2017, 09:31:51 PM
Post by: JKEEN33 on July 12, 2017, 09:34:19 PM
Post by: syoungs on July 12, 2017, 10:01:51 PM
Also good info on the sole, mine would be used just for hunting/scouting,
I've always worn 8"+ boots, the hikers I keep seeing at REI are shorter then that. Do you have to worry about crud getting between pants and the top of the shoe? Seems like crappy could get into there pretty easy, but I don't know :dunno:
Post by: kselkhunter on July 12, 2017, 10:23:24 PM
Post by: lord grizzly on July 13, 2017, 05:22:13 AM
Post by: syoungs on July 13, 2017, 06:13:31 AM
I wear gators 100% of the time
This is on my short list for this year as well. Need to go try a bunch on though, I've got pretty big calves, and don't know how ordering blind will turn out
Post by: lord grizzly on July 13, 2017, 07:09:36 AM
Post by: kselkhunter on July 13, 2017, 08:39:21 AM
Once you start wearing them you can't go without them. I'm a big guy. The XL outdoor research expeditions will fit you. Everyone will say there too hot for early season and maybe they are. I wear them year round and Ive even run them in shorts. Bombproof
:yeah:
The Outdoor Research gaiters have been better than the other brands for me too.
Post by: thinkingman on July 13, 2017, 11:04:59 AM
I ordered the Eastridge, their cheapest USA-made boot, uninsulated.
The fit was wayyyy bigger than the Pronghorns.
Totally different last.
I have to wear med-thick socks just to make them fit.
Quality is OK.
They're my last pair of Danners.
Pronghorns have always been made offshore.
Cabelas Iron Ridge have been excellent for me, still waterproof and going strong after 12 yrs of hunting.
I bought another pair for my son and they seem really solid, worth 2x their price.
Post by: Eric M on July 13, 2017, 12:43:13 PM
Post by: Westside88 on July 13, 2017, 02:00:55 PM
Post by: fish vacuum on July 15, 2017, 01:40:14 AM
Post by: syoungs on July 17, 2017, 09:52:38 PM
Are these more mountaineering style boots over kill for day hunts, and hunts where your not hiking 5+ miles?
I think im going to order a pair of insulated Cabela's iron ridge next week, should give me plenty of time to wear em around the house a bit and see how iloke those, but the lowa's, in either the renagade or the Tibet keep nagging at me,buy once, cry once, and all that jazz.
Post by: syoungs on July 29, 2017, 05:55:37 PM
The renagde felt like crap in 15's, but were amazing in 16's, I don't think any break in would be necessary, though they weren't as stiff as I think I want.
The tibets in a 15 wee perfect length wise, but slightly to narrow. I wore them about 15 min walking around the store, and they started putting enough pressure on the sides of my feet, about where the ball is, to make my right foot hurt.
The size 16 were just about perfect, still a little narrow, but no pain, might just be in not used to this style boot.
The tibets followed me home.
Before I wear then outside and loose my chance to return them, can I expect then to get any wider during break in? It's really only my right foot that it's tight feeling on, and I almost thing that's more because I wore the smaller side around and already had some foot pain. I wore the 16s about 40 min through the store while I was doing my other shopping, and outside of the fact it would benefit from a better insole, I really liked em, and I really hope they work out!
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on July 29, 2017, 06:22:43 PM
http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/index.php?lang=en&pg=cat&idcat=17
Post by: syoungs on July 29, 2017, 06:36:15 PM
Well hell, if you're gonna take the plunge and spend the bucks... here you go! 8)
http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/index.php?lang=en&pg=cat&idcat=17
I don't see any size 15-16's!
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on July 30, 2017, 09:49:48 AM
Well hell, if you're gonna take the plunge and spend the bucks... here you go! 8)
http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/index.php?lang=en&pg=cat&idcat=17
I don't see any size 15-16's!
Ahh, I see that now. Sorry :rolleyes:
Post by: frankmorisson on March 11, 2020, 09:54:03 PM
Post by: syoungs on March 12, 2020, 07:25:28 AM
Post by: Zardoz on March 12, 2020, 05:45:46 PM
Stop looking at "hunting" boots and start looking at hiking boots. You'll find way better boots and way more options. Most hunting boots are crap in camo. I switched to Mendels years ago and have never looked at another "hunting" boot again.
I hate REI but they have a great selection. So I go there, try on boots, then buy them off amazon. Amazons probably not any better I know but I don't give my money to REI so I'm good with it
:yeah:
Post by: bhawley76 on March 12, 2020, 07:42:09 PM
Post by: bjc4200 on March 23, 2020, 10:14:37 AM
Post by: Old Man Yager on March 23, 2020, 12:16:45 PM
Post by: Alchase on March 26, 2020, 05:34:58 PM
I will never buy Danners again.
Post by: HAGEMANIAC on March 27, 2020, 07:42:11 AM
Post by: Remnar on March 27, 2020, 12:52:51 PM
Post by: The scout on March 27, 2020, 01:03:17 PM
Post by: Mudman on March 27, 2020, 01:05:25 PM
Post by: C-Money on March 27, 2020, 01:16:40 PM
Post by: The scout on March 27, 2020, 01:19:54 PM
Irish setter elkhunter is a good boot. I like em. I tried USA Danner and its OK. The 600g is warm but 200g model in suede doesnt hold up as well.
Those Irish setter boots were awesome, I owned every gram of thinsulate boot they made, I had wore out my uninsulated pair and bought a new one. They were totally different super uncomfortable, just like lots of other brands they were being made somewhere else and the quality had gone way downhill. This was between 5-10 years ago. I have been wanting to try a pair lately just to see if they fixed the problems. I still have a little life left in my 1000 gram thinsulate pair and they are still the most comfortable boot I have ever owned, but the weather has to be pretty cold to wear them.since them I have ran through zamberlan, kenetrek, crispi,asolo.
Post by: Remnar on March 27, 2020, 03:57:42 PM
The struggle is real for us Bigfeets :chuckle:
Post by: HAGEMANIAC on March 27, 2020, 04:39:37 PM
Ive been happy with Kenetrek for the last few years, but always on the hunt for more options . Does Crispi and Zamberland make anything over a size 14 ?
The struggle is real for us Bigfeets :chuckle:
I don't see anything listed for them, but maybe if you contact them directly? Worth a shot. Just make sure you contact Crispi US.
Both Danners and Irish Setters lasted me about one season each. Picked up some Crispi's, I'll never go back.