Boots!!

[dedeadeye]

Boots ? Let me count the ways. Over the 60 plus years of hunting and general outdoor activity, I have tried every type of boot and various boot companies. Like L H Smith said sometimes quality of some top name brands do suffer. Also, as we age there are constant changes to our foot pattern. Perhaps that is a factor in various brands as one pair is super and a later pair of the same boot is junk. A certain boot may be great for one person and down right painful for another. The only boot brand (FOR ME) that has been consistently comfortable warm and dry are the Meindles. Their foot bed is second to none and forms to your feet in a short break break in. Just my 2 cents.

Roger Gower

 

[MarkS]

holstil,

Danner's are hard to beat. I like Merrell's I have 3 pair now and many in the past.

http://www.merrell.com/US/en

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I'm a fan of Kenetrek. After one season with them, I dumped my Danner's. I've owned a lot of Danner boots (my first pair were Danner's), but I won't be going back.

 

[Joe Maisto]

I've worn every American made boot during my 42 yrs. of construction and hunting.
Here's my feelings on the topic. You cant have it both ways. A leather boot for hunting that is RELATIVELY water proof and lightweight won't do for outdoor conditions in the cold and snow. If you are working in those conditions, ( like I did) you need a pac with rubber bottoms, leather uppers,
replacable liners.
There aren't any FIRST CLASS leather boots made in America for ALL considerations. I had Danners too, and Chippewas, wolverines, Russells,
plus a host of others made here back in the 60's. Those days are gone for the most part.
No leather boot is waterproof after they get scuffed and worn, no matter WHAT you smear on them. It's only a matter of time for them before they start leaking.

An oil rig worker needs something with a steel toe and somewhat waterproof, relatively warm that can take abuse. I don't care how much you spend for a boot, they will not fill ALL possible considerations. This is from a guy ( me) of 80.

You'll need to buy two pair, and they may not be from the same manufacturer. For god sake, do Not BUT ONE MADE IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, especially from China. You might try pulling up boots made in Italy, Germany, or Australia.

I used to take the Styrofoam that came under the meat you would buy in a supermarket, place my foot on it, draw an outline of my foot, and insert it in my boot. There was nothing warmer for me working construction outdoors all winter long. We even tried wrapping our feet in bread wrappers...which was exceptionally warm, but problem was....your feet SLIP AROUND in them and sweat big time. The Styrofoam was the answer for me.

Good luck in your endeavor.

Joe M

 

[holstil]

Yep, I'm getting an education. So far, it does appear, the quest for an all in one or at least a 2 fer 1 should be dismissed. It had been a couple years since last researching boots. I didn't want to pass something new up. Many great boots mentioned and some may do decent at both work and play but I think I need to keep searching yet.

About Danner. These boots need to be looked at like Irish Setter is to Red Wing and deeper. I now know that with Danner, each model, no matter how similar they appear to another, they may not be the same at all.
For those not familiar like I was. To be fair to Danner, you would need to see or feel most if not all the different types before passing complete judgment. The Satiams, Hawks and Canadian models are nothing like the Rainforests, Quarry or the imports they offer. I'm not saying you can't be satisfied with those it's just that they are completely different boots.

So far I realize that I want a pair of Zamberlan Tofane, Kenetrek mountain extreme 1000, Irish Setter Elk hunter 1000, Whites Hathorn northwest EH, Hoffman smoke chaser, Matterhorn Metgaurd and some type of solid Pac boot and I'm nowhere done yet.

So many choices!! :-\

 

[Joe Maisto]

Many of us in the "trades" wore the "Irish Setter" that was lined inside with a wedge sole. They make another sole that is not a wedge of differant material, that simply would not wear out. I suggested to them to put that sole on the Irish Setter. Nope. They aren't about to change that.

The Hermann Survivors were a notoriously great boot. The Special forces wore one of their particular styles in the 70's. Black with a soft sole. Ruggedly built as with the others.

They have for the most part, gave it up. Another fine 8" boot back then was manufactured by "Weinbrenner". It was a work and field boot for upland hunting.

You now seem to know which direction you need to go in. By the way, FWIW...I sent for a set of 6"black slip on boots wick were smooth and could be worn for dress or work. They are the finest FITTING pair of anything I've ever purchased. You pull them on, and they are form fitting to your foot, as your socks would be. Strangely enough...I was concerned whether they could send me the size required. They got it right.
$225. From Australia from a 1st class manufacturers called, RM WILLIAMS.
Look them up. Doesn't cost to look.

Joe

 

[holstil]

Thanks Joe, I will go there shortly.

I've had a lot of the boots mentioned so far. When I hear the name like Herman survivor it reminds me of some fun times hunting years ago.

If this boot, http://www.zamberlanusa.com/catalog/index.php?lang=en&pg=prod&idprod=187&idcat=3
had a non metallic safety toe and a full wrap around rubber rand and laces short of the toe box, I would be on the phone ASAP.

Anything like that out there of quality origin?

 

[holstil]

You know Joe, I'm not much of pull up man (I should be here in the south) but those look like a fine quality. Maybe my tastes will change one day.

I remember someone making a sole that had a reasonably soft feel but wouldn't wear out with a grinder. Do you think that was Red wing? Bout 25 or 30 years ago.

Jim

 

[headhunter]

I had to take 2 pair of Danner's (China made) back to Cabela's last week as the sole came loose from the upper due to the foam deteriorating.
I got a pair of Meindl's and like them but they seem to run large. I take a 11.5 in other boots and a 10.5 in Meindl.

 

[Joe Maisto]

You know Joe, I'm not much of pull up man (I should be here in the south) but those look like a fine quality. Maybe my tastes will change one day.

I remember someone making a sole that had a reasonably soft feel but wouldn't wear out with a grinder. Do you think that was Red wing? Bout 25 or 30 years ago.

Jim

Yeah Jim;
I hear that. All I can say is....as I said earlier, they fit like they were poured around your foot, and yet are not tight whereby they would be uncomfortable. I only wear them on special occasions and suspect I'll never wear them out at the age I am. They were built for the farm boys over there, but I have found that because of the way they look, I can wear them with a pair of jeans, dress shirt and tie, sport jacket and go anywhere.

As far as that sole Red Wing made for their work boot, I suspect they still make them as they were most popular for the longevity they had. They had a moulded heel as well.

Joe

 

[Joe Maisto]

I had to take 2 pair of Danner's (China made) back to Cabela's last week as the sole came loose from the upper due to the foam deteriorating.
I got a pair of Meindl's and like them but they seem to run large. I take a 11.5 in other boots and a 10.5 in Meindl.

Headhunter;

The Danner company is typical of what most American mfgs. are guilty of, and that is using their name....while having junk products attached to it.
It's always about more profit. It's only a matter of time for people like that.

Same thing with all the other American name brands that are made in 3rd world countries.

 

[nosualc]

Growing up in Minnesota, the standard warm winter boot was a Sorel Pac boot. They were made in Canada; cheap, rugged and warm. Regrettably they went bankrupt about 15 years ago and sold out to Columbia. Now they're made in China, and are cheap cheezy junk. Makes me sick.

Baffin is a brand I lucked onto a few years ago. Made in Canada, and they're everything Sorel used to be (except maybe cheap), but better. They also have an industrial line of boots. I own two pair and they're the warmest I've ever had. Check out http://winterboots.com

If you want more of an insulated hiking/hunting boot, I can't say enough good about Kenetreks.

If you want uninsulated upland type boots, russell moccasin boots are awesome, and so are plain old Red Wing Irish Setters, #877 (still made in the US).

-nosualc

 

[Joe Maisto]

Growing up in Minnesota, the standard warm winter boot was a Sorel Pac boot. They were made in Canada; cheap, rugged and warm. Regrettably they went bankrupt about 15 years ago and sold out to Columbia. Now they're made in China, and are cheap cheezy junk. Makes me sick.

Baffin is a brand I lucked onto a few years ago. Made in Canada, and they're everything Sorel used to be (except maybe cheap), but better. They also have an industrial line of boots. I own two pair and they're the warmest I've ever had. Check out http://winterboots.com

If you want more of an insulated hiking/hunting boot, I can't say enough good about Kenetreks.

If you want uninsulated upland type boots, russell moccasin boots are awesome, and so are plain old Red Wing Irish Setters, #877 (still made in the US).

-nosualc

I am in Wisconsin and totally agree with what you have observed, altho I have never owned kenetreks, I have looked them over closely.
The Red Wing irish setter is what we wore in the carpentry field. They were glove leather lined inside, (unlike some others that were not, and would stain your socks.) I was not aware Russels were still made.
You are correct about the "packs" in every way. The fore-runner was the
"Mickey mouse boot we wore in Korea. We would walk through water over the tops of the boot, and 15 minutes later the water in our boots would be body temperature. This came about because of the "Chosin Resevoir" where so many Lost toes from frostbite because of the leather boots we were issued back then.

It is also my knowlege that anything made in Canada is for the most part first class. I shoot with Canadiens several times a year and these things come up now and then.

Yes, I agree about the Redwings. Can't believe they haven't been "farmed out to China. Lets hope they continue to understand that there are those that will still pay the price for a fine boot.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have a pair of Irish Setters cold weather boots and they are toasty but not much good until very cold..I bought a pair of Wolverines that are sent loc for a bear hunt in Quebec and have had good luck with those and my work boots are Chippewa's and I think for work boots there very comfortable and durable..

 

[dennisinaz]

I have been guiding big game hunts for a while now and do a lot of hunting on my own. I typically spend 100-200 days afield each year and have a pretty good handle on boots.

I have tried many of them but obviously not all of them.

I have a pair of Danner Santiams. They are at Danner being resoled right now. Danner tried to sell my additional repairs- new liners because they failed a leak test etc. They wanted $225 to fix boots that cost me $260 new. I told them it wasn't going to happen. Resole them and send them back.

I have a pair of Kennetreks. They were expensive; $360 I think. The rock guard and the front of the sole came loose the second time I wore them. They repaired them (took 3 months) and accused me of using an inappropriate leather conditioner on them. I had never put anything on them but I regress.

I put them away and finally got them out this summer. I wore them on a bear hunt (very hot weather) and then took them on an elk hunt. The soles fell off the first morning I wore them.

I sent them back and they said they were heat damaged! I told them to send me a new pair then. They said they could fix them. I said "just like you fixed them last time?" They sent me a new pair. They are brutal to break in.

I have had two pair of Meindl boots from Cabelas. They have been outstanding. I prefer the mountaineering style boots for the terrain I hunt in.

I also have a pair of Whites and Hathorns. Both are very well made boots but certainly lacking in modern technology. I have had the Hathorns resoled once. I don't wear them very often.

I have pack boots from Schees- my best cold weather boots.

If you want to waterproof leather, the best thing is PURE beeswax. Heat it in a double boiler and paint it on. Lightly heat the boots with a hair dryer until they have soaked it in. I have used this method from Alaska/ Canada to Mexico. None of the so-called waterproofers can touch pure beeswax.

Danners best work boots are the Super rain forest. I don't know how much insulation they have. Good luck finding a boot that has a steel toe and lots of insulation. It won't be made by any of the boot companies I have mentioned.

I am not a good judge of how well boots are in cold weather being from Arizona so I hope you can find something suitable.

Buy a boot that is rebuildable because good boots are expensive.

Dennis

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Be careful with the kenetreks. The heel cup in them is huge and unless they fit your heel you will get heel lift and blisters bad. I know. :

 

[Joe Maisto]

Dennis:
You have written a fine and comprehensive article on your experiences with boots. I also noted you have had the top of the line footwear and were able to give first hand information on them . Well done...

Joe