whats the best elk hunting boot

[JimP]

An article on boots might be nice, but as you can see by the replies to this post that most of us have our favorite boot or boots. The only real thing that keeps this thread alive is a new member or someone that is starting elk hunting and want some guidelines on what to wear. But if they would realize that quite likely the boots that they use for other hunting would suffice for elk hunting out west here.

 

[ScottR]

My thought was fit more than anything else.

 

[buckbull]

Fit as well as insoles, socks (layer or not layer), boot lacing techniques, etc.. would make for good blog material.

 

[ScottR]

Cool, thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[kidoggy]

don't know what the best boot is .but down in the clothing section there is a pair of hanwag??boots for sale a a pretty good price for any sausqautch with a size twelve foot.

I am surprised no one has jumped on these yet.

 

[SouthForkguy]

I just upgraded from Danner Pronghorns to the Red Wing Elk Tracker 200 gram, 12 inch boot. Very nice boot. I have been wearing them around grouse hunting in Northern WIsconsin and like them alot so far, took a few hikes to break them in. They are sturdy and have also performed well in wet swamp type country. The pronghorns are fine for light duty, but fail in steeper terrain, your ankles will hate you. I guess they are more or less a great beginner boot.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

you mean match the shoe to the terrain?

Tim, Exactly!!

I like to use the boot or shoe that fits the terrain. I can cut a a lot of weight on my feet by wearing a lighter boot in certain terrain. I find I tire much less slowly with a light boot. I own a few pairs of high end boots, but am finding out more and more that there is just certain terrain they are most beneficial in.

In our case we were hunting rolling private timber and clearcuts behind locked gates. Long bike rides on gravel roads followed by hikes in mild terrain.

 

[ScottR]

Tim, Exactly!!

Hardness of sole makes a huge difference in wet conditions or crossing scree slides. Really hard soles are nice in loose dirt, but the softer rubber can be better in say scree slides or the bigger rock slides.

It's amazing how many factors, fit being the biggest, that go into a comfortable experience with a set of boots.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Hardness of sole makes a huge difference in wet conditions or crossing scree slides. Really hard soles are nice in loose dirt, but the softer rubber can be better in say scree slides or the bigger rock slides.

It's amazing how many factors, fit being the biggest, that go into a comfortable experience with a set of boots.

I find myself more and more carrying 3 to 5 pairs of boots/shoes in my rig for hunts and then let the terrain dictate.

Fit IS #1!

 

[ScottR]

Also of note, if the weather is reallly wet, you will want a softer soled boot. Slippery when wet with harder soled boots is the understatement of the year when it comes to the harder soles...