What is the best hunting boot???

[Jackie Chang]

My old pair ripped out and I need some new. What is the best all around hunting boot?

[Box]

Not sure what is best, but I got some Rocky Bear Claw II for good price ($118) at Bass Pro Shops.

GoreTex. speed rings so the darn laces don't get stuck on those darned clips some boots have. I think 9" high, so not too high, but higher than regular.

I think 1000 grams thinsulate, maybe 900...

The ankle area has a support in it, so your ankle doesn't pop up like in some boots. They are very comfortable and I like them alot. Go try them on at a store and see how they fit. They are usually about $170, but on sale at BPS, or they were. They also have the scent suppresant kinda, but I didn't get them.

Good hunting,
-Box

[Arkie eye jerker]

I recently ordered the Rocky ProHunter from BPS. I am very pleased with them. 500 gram thinsulate. You might need a little more insulation in your area, but these work great here. They are a very lightweight and comfortable boot. I have also had very good luck with the durability of Rocky Boots.

[205]

Rocky's #1 ;-)

[Brad]

A few years back I got a pair of Rocky Ultimate Stockers from Dick's sporting goods. They're mostly cordura with some leather, have the bear claw sole, 1000 grams thinsulate, and gore tex. They keep your feet 100% warm and dry, never slip when your walking on a wet, rocky, slimy off camber hillside, and are so light, you feel like your wearing Air Jordans. They are my first ever pair of Rocky boots, but if/when I ever go to buy a new pair of boots, I wouldn't even consider any other brand. I don't know if they make that exact same model, but I'd try to get a pair as close to that as possible.

[Chad]

Had my Rocky Bear Claw's for 10 years and still going.....

[Mr. Nailz]

As a retailer of hunting boots I have sold a lot of Rocky's. They were a good boot. They are not the same as the used to be. I would check into Irish Setter by Red Wing. They have a nice product at comparable prices to Rocky. If you want the all around best boot, buy a Danner. Rocky still makes a good product, but things have changed with the company. I have to agree with the other posts that a Bearclaw is a good boot. Just my opinion.

[shadowman]

mr nailz said it right things have changed, i have a pair of the original rocky,s they are about 26 years old, back than when you bought them they came with a certficate that if they ever wore out send them back and they would be replaced for 25$ i still have them and wear them on occasion but they are not quite wore out they have a sorta sentimental value cause they were the first good pair of boots that i could afford, before them it was k-mart boots, back than rocky only had 1 style boot,
they had camo uppers and black leather bottoms, since than i have been thur a half dozen pair of bear claws and recently switched to a cabelas brand boot they are cheaper but offer everything the bear claw 2 offers i am really pleased with them.

[wallytap]

I don't sell boots, I just wear em'. You're 100% correct Rocky's are NOT what they used to be. Big mistake on Rocky's part by going to the "formed molded" soles.Those aren't actual stitches but plastic molded to look real. The shoes are beginning to look & wear "cheap". I've switched to the Irish Setter Red Wings.Rocky's used to be the standard, not any more.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I had a pair of Carolina's that I wore for 15 years before they gave out. They were the most comfortable feeling boots I've ever had. I just bought a new pair of leather boots from Sportsman Guide last fall with 1500 grams of Thinsulate that are the warmest leather boots I've had. Go to www.sportsmansguide.com and see if you can find something to fill your needs. I think it's good stuff and the prices can not be beat.

[Buckeye]

I always wear a boot with gore tex lining and around 200 grams of insulation. We used to drive down to Nelsonville and buy Rocky boots from the factory outlet when they were still made here in Ohio. Back then they stood by them and quality was pretty good but when the production was moved elsewhere I had problems with quality and their guarantee terms changed.

I bought a pair of Danner's which I really liked, then a pair of Irish Setters. Both were superior to Rockys just from a durability standpoint. I have always worn Red Wing work boots and have been satisfied with their quality. Irish Setter is made by Red Wing and are the same high quality. I would rate both Danner and Irish Setter just about equall but since the latter is a corporate sponsor for Pheasants Forever and I am the secretary of Ohio PF state council, I am a bit biased towards the Irish Setter boots.

I will say that both Danner and Irish setter are pricey.

[Todd_NE]

Danner's

Yup, got her... feel that head shake!

[Road Hunter]

Hey Shadowman and Supertroller!
You guys must be the old fellas that only block or road hunt! My 2 pairs of Rocky Bear Claws have only lasted 5 yrs a piece!

[Maumeemoon]

my .02- Irish Setter- I have used a pair of setters for 5 years now and they have withstood everything I can dish out. The Vibram sole is still in good shape. I think I will end up wearing out the leather before I put a dent in the soles. It has been my experience that there is nothing worse than a BAD pair of boots. Boots can make the difference on whether or not your outdoor experience was good bad or mediocre. Invest wisely and beware of limitations of different types of boots. If you will be within recommended environments the boots will last you a long time, if not the boots might not last as long as you expect for your investment. Good Luck

[shadowman]

hey roadhunter,
i beleive i put those 1st pair of rocky,s thur a ##### of a lot more than i should have, i didn,t hunt alot and not from the road at all LOL!!! but they were my fishing boots and waders to a point, as long as i didn,t step over the top of them they were waterproff all the way up the boot, rocky made 1 ##### of a boot back than, just not the same anymore, you know i did try road hunting once, gave it up almost got hit by a truck LOL!!

[ernie w.]

My first pair of Rockys helped me to understand why they are called Rockys... The felt like my feet were surounded by rocks. The second pair I bought (of Rockys) were with out a doubt the most comfortable boots I ever have owned before or since. The soles of these have crumbled like the proverbial cookie...literally. I need a new pair and am afraid of Rockys. I hope there are more posts about boots.

[stinger]

let me wade into this issue and get your advice...

my problem with finding the right boots is that my feet perspire an awful lot, then they get cold. the main reason is that my feet are always hot, at times my socks are sopping wet even after a few hours, this is with gortex socks on. then when i sit in my blind/stand and its -25 C my feet freeze.

i live in Manitoba and hunting this time of year requires that i change footwear and socks, 2&3x's a day.

what boot/sock combination will alleviate this problem. before i go out and spend $200+ on boots, i need to find the right ones.

appreciate the sound advice.

[GR8WTHUNTER]

The best thing to do is to have more than one pair. I have a pair of Rocky bear claws 1000 gram thinsulate for sitting on stand. They are fine for that but if you are going to hunt upland birds, turkeys, or drive deer, they are too warm and heavy. I have a pair of danner 200 gram thinsulate that are a great walking boot. Of all the boots I've owned, the danners and the redwings were tops for comfort and duribility. I will recomend either. One thing to note is that all danners are not made in the US. The imports cost less but I have no experience with them. Rich

[Kevin B]

I'm a guy with foot problems. I have sometimes bought 2 pairs of $200 boots in one hunting season. In the past 10 years, I've had many styles and brands. Each is different. Different construction, different arch support, different stiffness and flexibility, different lace-up patterns,different ankle support, different warmth levels, different traction, they "break" differently on your toes, ad infinitum. I've had Rocky's, Browning, Timberland, Irish Setters, Wolverine, Georgia, Remington, NorthLake, Danner, Dunham, Herman Survivors, Dexter, Red Wing, and then some. I've had all leather silicone treated, gore tex, and composite. I won't add waterproof hiking boots to the list because you already get the picture. Once you get into the $150 and up range of boots, they all hold up pretty well, all are warm enough and waterproof enough, so it becomes a matter of comfort level and traction needed for the terrain you hunt. Go try on some different brands before settling on one. The only caveat I have to offer: If the toe section doesn't bend, you will get heel blisters quickly.

[Gumbo]

Try some Mitchum on your feet--the stick kind. That's a trick a lot of climbers use on big mountains.

Another suggestion is to wear lighter socks, or a less insulated boot. If your piggies are comfortable, they shouldn't sweat profusely when walking. Then when you get to your stand, slip on a pair of overboots--big insulating slippers that go over your boots--to keep them warm.

[mezmorized by marble eyes]

Rocky DeerStalker X treme

[Fishman]

W.C Rusell Moccasin co. The very best money can buy. Custom made whatever you want. Nothing else like them.

[fishman]

W.C. Russell