What's the best hunting boot? I have noticed that the fire fighters, forestry workers and some others wear logger style boots. I've had Danner and a couple others but what do you guys prefer? I'm talking about mountain terrain. Thanks

For hiking and kicking around I wear Oboz Bridges 6" in the summer, and 8" insulated in the winter. For heavy backpacks Crispi Idaho's. Don't sckimp on your feet and they will get you there and back. Just my 2 cents

Logger boots aren’t made for covering miles. Nor for moving quietly.

You do need support from a boot when you’re packing a heavy load, but otherwise, I always had a better day with something lighter in weight and less aggressive in the tread pattern. Aggressive tread = Excessive noise.

After buying cheap boots for a few years after moving to Wyoming, I made the best decision of my hunting/hiking life and paid the price for a quality pair of boots. I went with he Zamberlan Lynx and can’t say enough good things about them. Quality boots and qulity merino socks and my deer feel great after a day of hiking.

Crispi Nevada’s.

Yes the Irish setters are very nice little to no break in required.

I wouldn't recommend logger boots as the heel is too high. Same thing with Packers, good on horseback but not for hiking. Quite a few quality boots available, but the really good ones cost some money. Get the best you can afford, just the same as with good binocs. Both are an investment you will not regret.

Ones that fit! I wore boots for years that were the right length but not the right width, causes more fatigue than you could imagine! Also depends on where you are hunting, big difference in what you need in the Colorado Flattops or above treeline in a scree field.

Meindl boots have been my preference in both Arizona & the Colorado Rockies; backpacking & hunting.

Thanks guys.

Browning Kangaroo boots. Best all around hunting boot I've ever worn bar none.

I have Irish setters myself, more comfortable than my tennis shoes!

I’ve worn Danners for years. After wearing out my last pair, I took the advice of the guys at RMS Gear and bought a pair of Scarpa’s. They fit great and have plenty of support. They maybe more boot than I need, but after having foot/ankle problems for years, I like the extra support.

Soloman 4D GTX. Light weight, extremely durable and comfortable out of the box. They are one the top picks by the hiking/trekking crowd.

I have hunted the Rockies in every thing from sneakers to insulated high tops as well as my retired combat boots in between. At this point names and reps are less important than good fit and waterproof. What works for me or anyone else might be a bad choice for you.

I live in CO. I own four pair of Meindl Chukkas in various stages of wear. I wear them on site, in the mountains, around town..... everywhere. Just got back tonight from Easter Vigil at church, and I still have them on as I type this, they are extremely comfortable.

They are somewhat short of a hardcore heavy duty old school alpine mountaineering boot. They are otherwise the best all around boot I have ever owned. Way more stout then a typical 'trail hiker' type boot. Made in Italy. Probably about $240 nowadays at Cabelas. Highly recommended.

Depends on the terrain....I use LL Bean boots or Schnees guide boots. Both work very well for me.

Irish Setter Elk Hunter, great boot!

I wear Zamberlain Outfitters and love em. By far the stiffest boot I've ever worn, but to me well worth it. My feet feel good at the end of long days in the mountains chasing elk... Break in period wasn't too long and paired with a good sock ( I use the Farm to Feet) I'm comfortable all day every day.

In my opinion, a good sock is as important as a good boot... paired together and you can walk in all types of terrain all day long!

Happy hunting, Jason

One that fits well is the biggest factor. I have Asolo and Meindl that work well also have a pair of Danners that have been great when a little less support is needed.

Adidas Terrex GTX.

Most "hunting specific" boots are over kill IMO.

Diotto's High top, off piste, mountaineering style boots. Hand made in Italy, fit like slippers.

I’ve had a pair of Meindl Denalis for about thirteen or so years now. Lots of miles covered in those boots.

Logger style boots are great for logging and fire fighting, not so much for hunting in my opinion. Some good recommendations mentioned above. Maybe also consider Russel High Country Hunter's. http://www.russellmoccasin.com/boots/

Scott

I wear boots by Vasque. Comfortable, supportive and (in my Gore Tex model) absolutely dry. As stated in several places getting a good fit is important and use the sock(s) you will wear when hunting. You will pay a little more but you won't regret it.

If you're hiking/climbing into your unit you want something that will breathe (not rubber and maybe not Goretex) and that has a useful tread. If you're riding in (horse) you for sure want some heel (for stirrups). Snow/mud is a different issue. If ATV you need dancing slippers that look good with your hoodie.

Lowa and Vasque.

Here in western Washington State, waterproof boots are a must. I love my LL Beans with a gortex liner and my Schnees when it's a little dryer during early season. Richard

Osage x2. Comfort/fit, quiet. Waterproof. All factors in the equation. Not all boots will fit your foot. You are on a quest. I wear Danner and beans although i have others for day trips. Do not overlook sock selection to compliment your boot. Marines taught me the advantage of dry feet, a combination of all the above

Danner Pronghorns uninsulated and 800 grams, Asolo hiking boots, great when carrying a pack.

I don't think people read the who post "mountain terrain" a lot of the above boots are not suitable for carrying a pack up and down a mountain.

I use Mendels on my goat and sheep hunts and they are comfortable enough that I use them when moose and elk hunting as well.

One thing you need for sure is padding plus leather over the points of your ankles. A stone bruise there can cripple you.

You mentioned you have used Danner's. A lot of guys like them. - lbg

Schnee's from Bozeman for winter snow and cold. Nemah, I wore my Muck's all the time while in WA and OR. They were the best for all conditions, including heavy duty mountain hiking and snow, swamp, anything.

Danner Pronghorn. I have been wearing the same pair for many years of rough mountain hunting. I have no idea the number of miles these boots have carried me but it is a lot and they are still going strong.

Comfort and decent ankle support are the main criteria for me. Brand not so important.

TDhunter what model boot from Mendel do you use

I honestly don't know which model they are, I also have a set of Hanwags but much prefer my Mendels. I've had them for near 10 years and they only get used for 1-3 Mountain hunts a year that's it. I use other boots when doing any local hunting. Mine are not the cabelas Mendels. Purchased from AJ Brooks in Vancouver.......they may not exist anymore, long time ago.

I honestly don't know which model they are, I also have a set of Hanwags but much prefer my Mendels. I've had them for near 10 years and they only get used for 1-3 Mountain hunts a year that's it. I use other boots when doing any local hunting. Mine are not the cabelas Mendels. Purchased from AJ Brooks in Vancouver.......they may not exist anymore, long time ago.

Kenetrec. Mountain extremes and Hardscramble hikers. Cant go no better imo.

Lots of good advice up there.

Bottom line - don't buy 'hunting' boots, buy HIKING boots. Something made in Europe, like Asolo or La Sportiva or similar.... Kenetrec I hear is good too (made in Montana?). Chinese boots look good and have an attractive price, but they don't hold up and they hurt my feet. Buy once, cry once. Good boots start around $250 - in the long run, they are much cheaper than $100 Chinese boots. Your feet will thank you...

One thing often overlooked, but really important to consider is the ‘toe box’. As you come down hill, your toes may get jammed in the front of the boot, causing blisters or Chad fed skin. Narrow toe boxes can be painful. Like binos, buy the best you can afford, and test them in a place that has one of the incline benches so you can feel it up and down-also that successful hunt will have you packing a lot of weight going to camp. That weight adds a new dimension to your hiking. At the USMC MOUNTAIN WARFARE CENTER we issued Danner Acadias. As mentioned by others fit and comfort are key

DAnner Elk Hunters, my last pair I got 12 seasons out of,now I'm on my 5th season of Danner Canadians. Trying to be loyal to Montana I bought a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extremes, 3 months my toes were sticking out of them, took them right to their headquarters on Jackrabbit Lane in Belgrade MT, they gave me no satisfaction. I think my next pair I'm gonna give the Scarpa's a test drive, have heard good reports on them from some hardcore sheep hunters.

I have been very pleased with my crispi Wyoming’s but I’d like to try the colorado’s. You’ll never catch me in Danners again, they just don’t do it for me. If on a budget the saloman 4d’s are hard to beat.

I agree on Danners, worst boot I've ever worn. Right now I'm stuck on Columbians. The same pair that was been through hell in Colorado and Arizona for the past two years have held up better then an boot I've used. And the granite rocks in Arizona tear boots up quick.

Everyone will laugh but I wear chukkas during archery season, made by roper.. the main reason I do is they have a gum sole and quiet as hell. Hard soled boots are just to noisy for me.. when the snow hits I wear Lowas.

I hunted in tennis shoes spray painted green in the 80's. Spent a lot of time drying out but never held me back from going anywhere I wanted. Youth is a great thing. Now my go-to elk boot after many pairs of boots from cheap to very expensive is Keen Pittsburg soft toes. They just fit me great and work well.

As a former western boy and Bozite, I prefer Schnees. Hunter packs. Second to none.

Also Mucks,believe it,or not, they are not bad mt boots and waterproof. Glunt, I used to wear soccer shoes for shed hunting. I could literally run up and down mountains and not slip and slide.

Used to wear high top football cleats in the early 80's. The great Abe Meline from Abe's Natural Elk Sounds turned me on to them. Plastic cleats sounded almost like an elk's hoof striking stone.

I hate heavy bulky boots, and the majority of the guys showing up to elk camp always had heavy boots. The next year they'd show up wearing well built lite weight hikers.

I just picked up my first Irish Setter's - Vaprtrek LS. Feel great on from the beginning.

Kangaroo with gore tex and crepe soles have worked for me at all elevations for more than 50 years.

Irish Setter Elk Hunter--also Lowa

I don't live out west but when I bow hunted out west I wore Meindl Ibex boots. They're the best boots I ever owned.

Whatever you get buy them now and make sure you have at least 30 miles on them before the season starts.

Don't live out West either, but hunt there. I've found Kennetrek hard scrabble hikers work extremely well for me. I've used Danners and Vasques in the past, and they're excellent boots, but I get the best fit with the Kennetreks. They provide excellent traction and support and they're tough as nails.

Like others have said, Logging/Fire boots are not real great. I have used Danner Pronghorns for years. I recently bought a pair of Crispi Idahos. They are nice, but damn stiff soled.

I wear the same boots nearly every day for work and play. both are nice and require very little, if any break in time.

One other thing.... watch out for "water proof" boots that aren't Gortex lined. Some manufactures just put a water proof, but non- breathable layer in the boot. Your feet will sweat like crazy in those things...NOT GOOD!

Thouroghgood, made in USA. 8 in I prefer Crepe soles. Comfortable and grab rocks well!

Danner Pronghorns have served me well for over 14 years... chasing Antelope to Mt.Goats...Very Comfortable/Durable...they Stick like glue to High Mtn Shale and the Wests Redrock Slickrock country...I like 'em...4finger

Danner, Lowa, and Kenetrex...in order of just how steep your climbing and how much you have on your back. As others mentioned the fit is most important and they are all just a bit different. Put a 50 pound pack on and they will feel even different as your foot spreads out. Give your self extra room in the toes, cramming them into a too small toe box while going downhill can be sheer misery! Wear them for at least a month to break them in before you go hunt in them.

Kenetreck. I bought a pair that was used once so I got a great deal on them and was pleasantly surprised by the fit ,comfort,and waterproofness of these boots. There the only boots I’ve been able to wear in the rain all day and my feet stayed dry. Not even any sweat and generally my feet will sweat a lot in water proof shoes. When these wear out I’m definitely getting a new pair. Quite impressed.

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