Need help, looking for hunting boots.....

[bobinpa]

Hi gentlemen. I am looking for a new pair of heavy hunting boots and I can't find what I want so I am looking for input. I am looking for a boot that resembles a Rocky Bearclaw, which is the leaky piece of junk that I own now.
My criteria:
1. Must be made in U.S.A. (Absolutely will not buy from an Asian country or Mexico).
2. Looking for 800 to 1000 grams of Thinsulate.
3. Must be waterproof, preferably Goretex.
4. Can be all leather or a mix of leather and cordura.

I'm willing to spend $300.00 -$400.00 or so to get truly well made boots.
Thanks for your help.
Bob

 

[johnmyers]

Try Kennetrek, made in USAor Meindl made in Europe sold at Cabelas

 

[timeout]

Hi gentlemen. I am looking for a new pair of heavy hunting boots and I can't find what I want so I am looking for input. I am looking for a boot that resembles a Rocky Bearclaw, which is the leaky piece of junk that I own now.
My criteria:
1. Must be made in U.S.A. (Absolutely will not buy from an Asian country or Mexico).
2. Looking for 800 to 1000 grams of Thinsulate.
3. Must be waterproof, preferably Goretex.
4. Can be all leather or a mix of leather and cordura.

I'm willing to spend $300.00 -$400.00 or so to get truly well made boots.
Thanks for your help.
Bob

I feel your pain and frustration. Nearly impossible to find boots made in the USA. A good pair of Pac Boots used to keep my feet warm and lasted at least 3 years. I did a lot more walking and in those days also. I still hunt a bunch and walk more than most my age. I have returned several pair of boots in the last 10 years. Pure junk! I bought a pair of Wolverines last year that are doing pretty well. They are light, comfortable and 1000 grams of Thinsulate. Soles have aggressive tread. They are Gore-Tex and leather combo. I wore them on a camp hunt in CO. last year, then all deer deason and coyote calling here. My feet were dry and warm throughout. I think they were 150 to 185, can't remember for certain. If you aren't climbing real rugged country, Muck boots are pretty comfortable. They are slip on and are comfortable. They tend to wear out the foam in the heel area after a fair amount of use and then I toss them. You can check Kenetrek boots. I have not owned any. Quite high priced, but if the quality is there, could be worth the money. I purchased a pair of their Gaters before the CO. trip last year and according to a friend that has some older and a newer pair, Kenetrek has really cheapened up the quality on these. Hopefully they are not doing the same with their boots. If you PM me your email address I can send pics of the Wolverines.

 

[Lou Tenant]

+1 .Kennetrek, made in USA or Meindl made in Europe sold at Cabelas. I have a pair of the Meindl and I would buy another pair.

 

[hogpatrol]

I wear Danner's, made in U.S. of A. versions, but they do sell ones that are made offshore.

http://www.danner.com/

 

[deepwater]

Redwing has some insulated hunting boot styles and their sizing availability is excellent.

 

[ab_bentley]

Hi gentlemen. I am looking for a new pair of heavy hunting boots and I can't find what I want so I am looking for input. I am looking for a boot that resembles a Rocky Bearclaw, which is the leaky piece of junk that I own now.
My criteria:
1. Must be made in U.S.A. (Absolutely will not buy from an Asian country or Mexico).
2. Looking for 800 to 1000 grams of Thinsulate.
3. Must be waterproof, preferably Goretex.
4. Can be all leather or a mix of leather and cordura.

I'm willing to spend $300.00 -$400.00 or so to get truly well made boots.
Thanks for your help.
Bob

Russell's moccasins. Own 5 pair, I'll never own another brand. Handmade in Wisconsin.

Adam

 

[JRS]

Bean boots. Forget about the others. Redwings are made by prison inmates, and they make a 700% profit on each pair. Russell is another jewel.

 

[nakneker]

Kennetrek a real good boot, they can be stiff and take some time to break in but they last a long time and are comfortable after the break in. I'm a fan of Danner USA boots, Whites are good boots but heavy. My favorite boots and by far the most comfortable are made by a company called Turtle Island. The guy makes a lot of renasaunce footwear but he makes footwear that last forever and custom made for your feet, comfortable. You can have him tone it down and make something that looks more like a hunting boot. They are expensive though.

 

[riverwolf1]

Schnee's in Montana!

 

[JimT]

There actually are quite a few US boot manufactures. Of course, you will need to be prepared to pay a higher price than products made in lower cost Asian countries.

I have examples of most of the ones mentioned above (Kenetrek:Mountain Extreme and Pac Boot, Schnees, and about 10 pair of Russell's in various models). There are also great boots made in Italy (Scarpa, etc), Germany (Lowa, Hanwag, Meindl, Zamberlan, etc) that I also have. It really boils down to how you are going to use them, how the last used will fit your foot and how stiff you want them.

As for Red Wing using prison labor and making 700% profit on each pair of US made boots/shoes, I suspect this is some conspiracy theory parroted by gullible, useful idiots?

 

[rardoin]

I wear Danner's, made in U.S. of A. versions, but they do sell ones that are made offshore.

http://www.danner.com/

The best pair of hunting boots I have ever owned. Recommended by a Montana Elk guide who makes a living in his boots.

 

[timeout]

Russell's moccasins. Own 5 pair, I'll never own another brand. Handmade in Wisconsin.

Adam

I had no idea these were right here in WI. Went to their website and priced Bird hunter's with 400 grams of Thinsulate. $633.00. Being retired I would have to sell the farm to own 5 pairs of them!

 

[CJ6]

LaCrosse, Red Wing, or import Meindle. I wear my boots (yes these are my work/hunting boots) 16-18 hrs a day and rotate between the 3. They all have at least 1000 gram Thinsulate or similar insulation. The Meindle' are the newest @ 3 yrs old.

 

[ab_bentley]

I had no idea these were right here in WI. Went to their website and priced Bird hunter's with 400 grams of Thinsulate. $633.00. Being retired I would have to sell the farm to own 5 pairs of them!

My first pair cost me $750 dollars, but they have been on my feet almost everyday for the last 12yrs.

Adam

 

[dbaird]

Hi gentlemen. I am looking for a new pair of heavy hunting boots and I can't find what I want so I am looking for input. I am looking for a boot that resembles a Rocky Bearclaw, which is the leaky piece of junk that I own now.
My criteria:
1. Must be made in U.S.A. (Absolutely will not buy from an Asian country or Mexico).
2. Looking for 800 to 1000 grams of Thinsulate.
3. Must be waterproof, preferably Goretex.
4. Can be all leather or a mix of leather and cordura.

I'm willing to spend $300.00 -$400.00 or so to get truly well made boots.
Thanks for your help.
Bob

Russell's Moccasins- fit is perfect.no break-in period.will last years and years. Have had several pair 15+ years.Best of the best.

 

[ttfreestyle]

+1 .Kennetrek, made in USA or Meindl made in Europe sold at Cabelas. I have a pair of the Meindl and I would buy another pair.

+2 Meindl

 

[fredhorace77]

Whites

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I wear Cabelas Elk Hunters by Danner. Run you about $320, but there ain't a tougher boot out there. They have saved my ankles and kept me from slipping down a steep mountainside avalanche shoot in the high country more times than I can count. Took a buddy of mine into the high country with me on one occassion. He had these hunting boots made by Rocky that he spent a bunch of money on and kept bragging about. That one trip in the high country completely blew out the soles and sidewalls of his boots and left his feet wet and blistered. My feet were dry and comfy the entire time. I've put my boots through countless all day high country hikes like that and they never fail me. My buddy on the other hand, never went hunting with me in the high country again.

 

[Bamban]

I own 2 pairs of Kenetrek and one Meindle, I prefer the Kenetrek. I use the Kenetrek in high power shooting often times we get rained in and have to walk through some.standing water, my feet stayed dry.