Good Boots?

[kamptown]

So many good boots out there. I was die hard danner until my third pair of elk hunters in as many trips( I actually have a brand new pair of 10 1/2 wide for sale) switched to meindl brand from cabelas. My take on kennetrek is a lot of money for a boot my brother blew out in three months in Alaska. Also have heard good things about lowa boots. For what it's worth the first pair of boots I bought myself, danner predator, 10 years later, danner raptor, 10 years later the elk hunter. I don't think they are made as well as they used to be. Go with leather and gore tex in my opinion.


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[Mr Drysdale]

Have owned and really like the Meindl Perfekt Hikers. Wore out two pair in ten years. If I'm not at work (office job) I have my boots on. Suggested them to a hunting friend and he didn't like the feel and sent them back. He ended up with Lowa Renegades that he swore by. For some reason I decided to try a pair due to them weighing less. So far it is a bad decision. They are not nearly as comfortable as the Meindls and I am still trying to break them in. The heel support/cushion seems to sit lower and hurts my feet. I am going to keep wearing them and try to break in but so far I see another pair of Meindls in my future. Good Luck with your decision and again, try on boots until your feet are happy.

 

[mntnguide]

Have owned kenetrek for years and MANY miles. Also used them daily for work. They are a good company, but due to the constant rising price I got a great deal on some Crispi non insulated Nevada's.. really looking forward to them as I've heard nothing but good things about Crispi.

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[Prerylyon]

on the higher end Danners, I think there are a few models still made stateside, they are pricier than the mid-range line, but well built, worn well for me and economical. Boots over $300 just aren't in the cards for me at this point in the game. Watch sales-there are bargains to be had once in awhile on the Euro mountaineering brands that are very well recommended by lots of forum members.

Regards,

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[laxwyo]

I'm on my 3rd pair of Danner Pronghorns. Without a doubt, the boot for me.

This kind of made me chuckle. My Hanwags on probably going on 10 years of heavy archery and rifle hunting.

I had a pair of Danner Pronghorns. I didn't like them much.




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[mcseal2]

https://www.footeducation.com/page/ankle-instability
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021087/

Because I'm mainly bored at work....links above to educate on loose ankles

Back to the regularly scheduled program discussing boots.

Interesting article. For whatever reason I very seldom hurt an ankle, I just have to watch them giving out on me. I ride a horse a lot in my job and I think that keeps my ankles really limber. I don't injure them or have them cause any pain, but having one give out on me and cause me to fall on the wrong side hill can lead to a lot of pain after!

 

[graybird]

I have a pair of Hanwags, too. They stay in the closest, not a fan of the hard spine in the sole.

 

[Elkhunter96]

My feet like asolo hiking boots and kenetrek. Used to be a Danner fan, but found some that worked better for me. Find what works and stick with it

 

[outdoor-addict]

Thanks for all the input guys. I ended up leaving cabelas with both the Danner Pronghorns and the Meindl Ultralight Hunters but I have a feeling that the Meindl pair are the ones going back. They are very similar but the Danner just fits my foot better and seems more comfortable out of the box. I would definitely recommend buying the Meindls in store only. They run nowhere close to true to size. I got a 12 EE in the Danner Pronghorn and a 11 EE in the Meindls, very odd sized boots.

 

[480/277]

That's why it's best to try them on.
Meindl has been the only boot for me that never needed a break in. They are comfortable till the day I throw
Them out. Glad you found a pair you like.

 

[Jlrineer1]

I bought danner pronghorn uninsulated boots last year for my first Wyoming hunt and I'd swear by them. I looked at kenetrek's at the eastern outdoor show in PA they are insanely expensive and almost every clothing and boot company had show specials except them. I asked if they could cut me any kind of discount to buy them at the show and they were kind of jerks about it. I am sure they're great but I'd rather not deal with a company that can't budge a sales tax discount on a $450 pair of boots.

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[Rich M]

How much do the Danner Pronghorns stretch after use?

Shoe store says my feet are 11.5 EE. Tried a pair of 11.5 EE Pronghorns and they are a bit snug - but if they stretch some, they might be really good...

 

[wy-tex]

I were a good pair of hiking boots for early season. You might want to seal and and add a layer of Kg Boot Guard on the toe and around the insole where the sole meets the upper. It's tough stuff and may keep the cactus spines out.
Break those boots in well.

 

[Rich M]

great info - thanks!

I just landed a pair of Pronghorns for $80 at a Gander Mtn close-out - hoping they break in nice. Will start wearing them around here and hope the leather stretches some.

 

[ZachBass]

I just picked up a pair of Danner Pronghorns (uninsulated) on MidwayUSA.com for $160. They normally run $200-$210 before tax in stores like sportsmans, cabelas, etc. This will be my first pair of danners but they felt very comfortable in store and have been highly recommended to me by others. Will be using them in Alaska this September and possibly Wyoming for an antelope hunt as well (trying to draw a leftover).

 

[Rich M]

What about socks?

Years ago Cabelas had lifetime socks and I ended up with 2 pair, a light & a heavy pair. I still have em and use them with my waders for duck hunting. Course they don't make em anymore as they are about 30 years old.

 

[bowrunner]

Rich, you should try a few different sock combinations. Everyones feet are different. Some people like to use a liner sock and then a wool or techwool outer sock. Some people prefere just one pair of a wool or techwool or even a poly sock. If your feet sweat a lot, you might want to try a liner sock and then another very breathable and wicking outer sock also. I would start trying out combinations ahead of time and if you cant help but sweat, then you need to let your feet get wet and hike the hell out of them untill you condition your feet ahead of your hunt.

 

[Rich M]

Maybe someone can help me with a boot issue. Danner Pronghorn Boots - leather and nylon variety.

Yesterday as I was doing a 5 mile walk - right heel started rubbing. I stopped, re-tied the boots a lil tighter and kept going for another 2 miles or so. Heel was a little sore but no blister.

The right boot has developed a small fold in the nylon that bends inward right on top of my heel - where it goes from leather to nylon.

Today I took a 2 mile walk at lunch and the heel is causing some issues. It might be that it was irritated yesterday and just re-irritated today. No obvious blister, just tender.

Socks - was wearing regular crew socks for 5 mile, and thicker crew socks for 2 mile.

What to do? Just keep plugging away & my feet will get used to it? mole skin? band-aid? tighten boots more? Will good boot socks make a diff? Piece of plastic inside boot?

Never had an issue like this before - we wear rubber boots deer hunting down here in FL.

 

[go_deep]

I don't wear anything but wool socks. If you have to while you break in your boots, put a patch of duct tape on your heel.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I do a LOT of my hunting in mid high Merrell boots. I think they are just about perfect for antelope hunting. They are extremely comfortable and reasonably priced.