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

[JRS]

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?

I should have said were made by prisoners. Most are now made in China, wearing the USA label on the box only. They do continue to produce a few boots in the U.S.

 

[chuckshooter]

best decision I made (about boots) was to go to a little store in Auburn CA. and was fitted for a pair of boots. He told me I was a size 11eee and I said no way, I have been a 12 since high school. he sold me a pair of Danner Canadian's 11eee and guaranteed I would be happy or bring them back. I went back alright and bought a second pair. being fitted by a professional boot fitter made the difference for me. I'm headed to Alaska moose hunting in one week with both pair, they are over 15 year old and still going.

 

[JimT]

I should have said were made by prisoners. Most are now made in China, wearing the USA label on the box only. They do continue to produce a few boots in the U.S.

Here are the ones made in the US:

http://www.redwingheritage.com/us/USD/footwear

 

[JRS]

best decision I made (about boots) was to go to a little store in Auburn CA. and was fitted for a pair of boots. He told me I was a size 11eee and I said no way, I have been a 12 since high school. he sold me a pair of Danner Canadian's 11eee and guaranteed I would be happy or bring them back. I went back alright and bought a second pair. being fitted by a professional boot fitter made the difference for me. I'm headed to Alaska moose hunting in one week with both pair, they are over 15 year old and still going.

That's not a boot size…. it's a snowshoe size

 

[ryanjay11]

I wear Whites/Hathorn boots daily, and Kenetrek for hunting. They are both super high quality footwear.

I think about my feet like tires, they are the only thing touching the ground(hopefully ), so you want to make sure you take care of them.

 

[jawjaboy]

Got a pair of Danner Pronghorn all leather from Cabelas. Comfortable as can be. Made in China. From the get go they literally smelled so bad I had to keep them in the garage. After 2 summers they just now quit stinking. No more made in china boots for me.

 

[hpshooter]

Danner Fort Lewis boot, was still made in the USA when I got mine 4 years ago. Insulated, Vibram sole, leather lowers. Great in our climate in Virginia.

 

[bobinpa]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm sorting it out ...... Looks like not many companies make a boot that has 800 grams of thinsulate. There are some good boots out there but once you get past 400 grams there aren't many.

 

[bobinpa]

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.

Which Redwings have 1000 grams of thinsulate. I can't find them......

 

[ryanjay11]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm sorting it out ...... Looks like not many companies make a boot that has 800 grams of thinsulate. There are some good boots out there but once you get past 400 grams there aren't many.

I have a pair of 1000 gram Kenetreks.... They don't get worn much though. I wear my Hardscrabble Hikers 95% of the time when I'm hunting.

 

[Boyd L.]

Al

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

Allegience Footwear, Mountain City TN
Not a single component nor drop of sweat that isn't made in USA.
I'm on my third pair in ten years. I use mine for tasks ranging from farming to supporting me on concrete for two consecutive 40-shot smallbore silhouette matches.

 

[Hntndad]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm sorting it out ...... Looks like not many companies make a boot that has 800 grams of thinsulate. There are some good boots out there but once you get past 400 grams there aren't many.

Bob, if your used to the Rocky's in 800 then you won't need a 800 in say a Irish setter/Redwing. I have more boots then my wife has shoes. I do own a pair of elk tracker in 1000gr and a pair of Irish setter black bear in 400. For the most part when sitting on my stand, I wear the 400's unless daytime highs won't get out of the 20'-30's. They are full insulation where as boots like Rocky's are not. I used to wear them years ago. A 400 Irish setter is like a 600-800 rocky boot. Those 2 boots I mentioned are my favorites. Go to a redwing dealer. They know how to take care of you. It's like getting fitted for a tux.

 

[bobinpa]

Bob, if your used to the Rocky's in 800 then you won't need a 800 in say a Irish setter/Redwing. I have more boots then my wife has shoes. I do own a pair of elk tracker in 1000gr and a pair of Irish setter black bear in 400. For the most part when sitting on my stand, I wear the 400's unless daytime highs won't get out of the 20'-30's. They are full insulation where as boots like Rocky's are not. I used to wear them years ago. A 400 Irish setter is like a 600-800 rocky boot. Those 2 boots I mentioned are my favorites. Go to a redwing dealer. They know how to take care of you. It's like getting fitted for a tux.

Thanks. I didn't realize they insulated differently. I wear the 3504 Redwings now for work and I love them. I used to wear Danners for work (the 17303 quarry's). I wear the Danner Sierra's in 200 gram for mild weather hunting. I'm just trying to get a heavier pair for colder weather.
Thanks again.

 

[Hntndad]

Thanks. I didn't realize they insulated differently. I wear the 3504 Redwings now for work and I love them. I used to wear Danners for work (the 17303 quarry's). I wear the Danner Sierra's in 200 gram for mild weather hunting. I'm just trying to get a heavier pair for colder weather.
Thanks again.

I didn't either. Fella at the redwing shoe store showed me the difference. I was skeptical as hell. Bought the 1000gr elk trackers and the 400 gr black bear. Like I said. Most days here in Virginia I wear the 400. Being from SW Pa. though, I know it gets a bit chilly later in the year. Just don't let your feet sweat. For about $450 you can have both. Being that you already wear redwing, you know you just drop them off at the end of the season and they clean them, recondition them, turn the eyelets for free. If you wear them out, they resole them. They are a damn near lifetime boot.

 

[TimP]

Cabela's Meindl "Perfekt Hunter is a great boot. I own a pair of those and their Perfekt Hiker. I bought the Perfekt Hiker in 2009 and last year the sole started to delaminate. Brought them back to the store yesterday with my original receipt and they exchanged them for a brand new pair. Didn't cost me a penny even though the new one were $80.00 more than what I had originally paid. They are a great boot with a lifetime warranty. Last month I wore the hikers on a fishing trip and it rained for most of two of the days we were out and my feet were never wet. Delaminated sole and all. Wasn't the fist time they have seen rain either never leaked.

 

[bobinpa]

I didn't either. Fella at the redwing shoe store showed me the difference. I was skeptical as hell. Bought the 1000gr elk trackers and the 400 gr black bear. Like I said. Most days here in Virginia I wear the 400. Being from SW Pa. though, I know it gets a bit chilly later in the year. Just don't let your feet sweat. For about $450 you can have both. Being that you already wear redwing, you know you just drop them off at the end of the season and they clean them, recondition them, turn the eyelets for free. If you wear them out, they resole them. They are a damn near lifetime boot.

I called my Redwing store yesterday and I was told that the elk trackers are imported. That's a shame but it rules them out for me.

 

[Hntndad]

That's a shame, I'm sorry to hear that. I was unaware. Very nice boot though.

 

[ourway77]

That's a shame, I'm sorry to hear that. I was unaware. Very nice boot though.

If rubber boots are what you want can't beat Muck Boots