Boots!!

[holstil]

Fellas, I could use some input about work/hunting boots.
I have a pair of Danner Santiam boots and these are by far the best made and most comfortable boots I've ever owned. I am looking for something similar but with more insulation or warmer than Danner offers currently that I can work outside in.

Boots I am interested in so far, Chippewa, Carolina, Wolverine and Matterhorn. If anybody would recommend others or give feedback in comparison to listed I would appreciate it.

I need; Comfort, craftmanship, Waterproof and Warm.
Preferred; USA made, safety toe (steel or non metallic), leather upper, Vibram or better sole and 8" tall.

I know good boots can get pricey, if I can swing it, I don't like to skimp on certain creature comforts. If I'm happy at the end of the day it's easier to make the family happy when I get home.

God bless and good hunting, Jim

 

[Glenn Powell]

I used to buy Danner boots, right up to the last pair I bought. They have been worn one time and thrown in a corner to rot and remind me not to buy Danner again. But hey, that's just me. :

Currently I have been wearing WESCO Job Masters. They are made with the thickest leather taken from the back of 35 year old rodeo bulls, and Made in the good old USA. Tough dose not describe these boots. The first two weeks I wore them was excruciating. Once they were broke in though, they quickly became the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned. WESCO will rebuild them when they wear out with new sole, toe and heal leather for a lot cheaper than new boots. Check out the factory seconds, that should save you a buck or two. They ain't cheap in price or quality.

To waterproof them I soak Hubbard's Shoe Grease into them till they will not take any more. Standing in a creek they will leak, but walking through puddles has yet to be an issue.

I currently have two pairs, one to wear while the other is getting new soles. The nonslip tape on all the equipment I crawl around on will eat up a pair of soles pretty quick. The next pair I get will be custom made to MY foot, which is something else they offer. Check out the factory seconds for some really good deals. Bailey's Saw Shop carries WESCO stock boots a little cheaper than the factory.

 

[Trapper243]

To get much more insulation it sounds like you almost need to go to a pack boot. Schnees makes a heavily insulated rubber bottom boot, leather upper. I work in mine most of the winter, but I don't know if they offer a safety toe option. Might be worth calling. Same with Danner. If the Santiam fits you well I would be tempted to call them up and see if they could build you a set with more insulation.

 

[Lapua40X]

You can find 'em cheaper, but (IMO) you can't find 'em better:

http://blog.kuiu.com/2012/10/23/zamberlan-kuiu-boot-review/

Hunting Illustrated (Late Fall 2013) ran an informative article dealing with their test of the Zamberlan Tofane 1025. The author/tester of the boot describes it with some of the highest complimentary remarks I've ever read about any boot.

 

[Immike]

I bought a pair of mendel perfect hunter from cabelas and wore them along time. Hand made from Germany and run about $250.

 

[holstil]

Regarding Danner, I feel it is imperative to get the USA made boots. I unknowingly bought a pair of the Chinese made Quarry's, they never made it out of the house other than to send them back. I see Danner is making them in Portland Now, big difference! I'm surprised Danner associates with China. Kind of an oxymoron.

I'll be sure and check the other boots mentioned. Looks interesting. I'm on the net now looking.

Thanks, Jim

 

[BigDMT]

I work on the oil drilling rigs, so I'm probably as tough on works boots as anybody out there.

Just this last summer I bought a pair of Wolverine work boots and I don't have one complaint. The GoreTex kept my feet from sweating in the hot summer months and the insulation is good enough that I haven't had to put on wool socks as of yet. Temps have dipped to the single didgits, so that's a pretty well insulated boot. Holding up very well so far. Still as water proof as the first day i got them. Great steel toe work boot. Here's a link to them.
http://www.shoebuy.com/wolverine-buckeye-insulated-gore-tex-8-safety-toe-logger/165658/379108?cm_mmc=googleproductads_pla-_-none-_-none-_-{keyword}

For a hunting boot, I won't wear anything other than Danner Elk Hunter boots that are only available exclusively through Cabelas. Best high country boot I have ever worn...period. Of course they don't come cheap when you want the best craftsmanship Danner has to offer. About a $300 price tag, but worth every last penny.

I honestly don't believe there is a good steel toe work boot that can also be used as a quality high country hard hiking hunting boot. Perhaps if all of your hunting is done on flat lands and rolling hills, but if trekking in rugged mountains, better have a good pair of work boots AND a good pair of hunting boots because I don't think there is any one boot that could handle the abuse of both those activities for very long.

 

[alton9]

Look at Whites Boots and Hathorn Boots (made by Whites). In my humble opinion, these are the best of the best. You can get insulated, uninsulated, steel toe, composite safety toe, regular toe, any height, any size, even custom fit to YOUR feet, several sole options, several color options, and they are rebuildable. They are made in Spokane Wa. and are the finest boots I've ever worn.
Alton9

 

[BigDMT]

Look at Whites Boots and Hathorn Boots (made by Whites). In my humble opinion, these are the best of the best. You can get insulated, uninsulated, steel toe, composite safety toe, regular toe, any height, any size, even custom fit to YOUR feet, several sole options, several color options, and they are rebuildable. They are made in Spokane Wa. and are the finest boots I've ever worn.
Alton9

I have a couple buddies who wear Whites Boots and absolutely love them. So I'm sure that would be a good choice as well.

 

[K22]

For cold weather hunting, the best I've owned are the LaCrosse with the heavy insulated inserts with are replaceable when they wear out.

The tread is excellent and with heavy socks are comfortable and warm. They are a bit heavy but I don't mind given how they keep my feet warm.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Look into Lowa for hunting boots.

 

[Glenn Powell]

I have a pair of Whites boots. Yes they are very well made and comfortable boots. The ones I have are the lace to toe smoke jumpers. There is stitching across the toe box that pinches my toes. They did not start to do that until they were "well broke in". The fella that started WESCO is a former Whites employee, and they make them almost the same way with the same materials, in Oregon. The stitching paternal is a little different. You will not go wrong with either one. I would shy away from the lace to toe models though.

I do feel as though a good work boot can double as a hunting boot. When it comes to working in the woods, loggers and smoke jumpers have been there and done that. Their gear is top of the line and tough as nails. They do spent a whole lot of time in the woods. Whites, WESCO, and a couple other custom boot makers are their top choice in boots. Filson tin cloth pants and coats are also top choice. I am not nor have ever been a logger, but I do know one or two. Their advice about gear for hard outdoor use has always served me well.

 

[holstil]

I do a fair amount of welding and fabricating so I typically don't like laces around the toe. That can be a clash as mentioned about work and hunting. I've had a couple pair of Wolverines, not bad.

Just spoke to a customer service girl at Danner. I was gathering info on which boots were comfy like mine and which were not. She said you just kinda gotta know. I felt I got really lucky picking the Satiam (I think it's the Hawk boot now). If this boot had safety toes I probably wouldn't be looking for another pair though the Super rain forest has my attention. I don't think they have the soft leather like the Hawk and the Canadian models.

I'm off to gather more info on Whites, Wesco and LaCrosse.

Thanks Gents

 

[holstil]

Lapua, those are some interesting boots, maybe I should look at the Pamir mountain boots. Said they took that boot and removed some insulation as well as other mods to come up with the Kuiu. I want a pair of the Kuiu regardless. I'll have to save for them.

I didn't see where to try them on or to buy yet.

Jim

 

[holstil]

Mendels need researching, many choices. Gonna take some time to figure this out.

Jim

 

[cheek9075]

I work for Service company on industrial scale equipment. We service anything for food to chemical to mining. I spend most of my time in the coal mines in ky and va. Also service the zinc mines in east tenn. I have worn and still wear Matterhorn boots. We are required to have metatarsal boots. They are the best boot I have ever worn and made in USA. Every pair I have had has been 100% waterproof, even with holes in the leather. I don't think you can get a better pair of work boots. They make a pair called prep plant boots that doesn't have the metatarsal, just steel toe, they are still water proof. With all that being said they are not a boot that I wear hunting, they are cold!
I also work as the asst Cheif of the local fire department, we have had the rubber fire boot and the leather boots we currently have now I think are much better.. The rubber boot is water proof and warm even down to zero temp, but not really what you would want to hike in for a long period of time. The leather boots are 100% water proof and not to bad to hike in if they fit right! also very warm, but both are pull on boots that are high. Give that being said I currently wear the leather boots for hunting in winter, they serve there purpose and most are made in USA. You can find lacrosse and Matterhorn fire boots (structure fire boots).
Check out eBay and look for Creech Shoes. They list both boots on there and are priced as cheap as I've seen Anywhere.

 

[Lapua40X]

Lapua, those are some interesting boots, maybe I should look at the Parim mountain boots. Said they took that boot and removed some insulation as well as other mods to come up with the Kuiu. I want a pair of the Kuiu regardless. I'll have to save for them.

I didn't see where to try them on or to buy yet.

Jim

Their only store front outlet that I know of is about 15 miles northeast of where I live. I believe they limit their sales fo internet, etc.
You can find out a lot about the company at:

https://store.kuiu.com/categories
http://kuiu.com/service/

My son is a serious and avid expert big game hunter. He hunts some of the most impossible terrain under weather conditions that would present a challenge even to some of our top military people and most, if not all, of his hunting gear is Kuiu. He raves about it.

 

[holstil]

Looking at the Kuiu boot deeper, they appear to be specific to mountainous terrain. It looks like I be walking in a ski boot on flatter ground?

These look good. Says for warmer cond. though.
http://www.shoestoboot.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=4330

 

[holstil]

Trapper, Pac boots don't offer the support I'm looking for, though the ones I have are warm and comfy. Maybe others are different.

I asked Danner if they could modify my boots. No go.

Still digging.

 

[LHSmith]

Great boot brands seem to come and go. I started with Red Balls (all rubber, no insulation) in the 60's, transitioned to all leather water-proofed Dunhams (after a few miserable seasons with '70's style snowmobile boots and Mickey Mouse boots---too clumsy), then a brief stint with Herman Survivors, Rockies, and Timberland. I have been using high-end Danners for over 20 years for both work and play, and they have served me well so far......as long as I stick to "made in USA" models. I do have at least 2 pairs which I rotate, and I put the boots on a boot dryer at the end of every day which really lengthens their life.
It seems once a bootmaker gets a good reputation, they soon cut corners, and start producing junk.