Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Hunting boots

Wore my 15 year old Browning boots yesterday to the farm for the last time yesterday. They were light, waterproof and gave plenty of support for years. Soles finally separated.
Don’t want any rubber boots. Got plenty of those around here and they are often too heavy and bulky or hot for walking these hills. No idea who makes a decent boot these days that aren’t $400. Must be waterproof and not heavy. What’s a decent boot?

Go to the Danner site and look at their offerings. They have different styles and different lasts to fit different foot shapes (including wide).

https://www.danner.com/men/hunt?sortId=position-asc

Are you walking/active or sitting in a stand/blind? Heater or no?

These will be more of a multipurpose boot. Some Turkey hunting, deer hunting and even some stalking boots. I used my last pair for a host of things.

My "all-purpose" boot is the Cabelas Meindl Denali, which is now called the "Vakuum" though Meindl USA as Cabelas doesn't have them anymore. With a good wool sock I can get by with them down to 0F ambient as long as I'm moving, say bird hunting behind the dog. If I was going to sit for spring turkeys or in a stand for deer I'd want something warmer if it was much below 50F.

I was gonna ask about those but I knew Cabelas doesn’t carry them anymore and wondered if quality had slipped.

Some folks used to think that the Cabelas version were of lessor quality than the branded versions. Buddy just ordered a set of their boots and is very satisfied. I'd not hesitate to order from Meindl USA.

Another vote for Danners. Got a pair of 8" Veil K2s for a W TX hunt last December. Lightweight and comfy out of the box. $150. These are un insulated but they come with varying levels of thinsulate.

Check out Solomon Quest 4D hikers.

If you’re hunting public land with a high concentration of hunters.

You might consider a pair of Nike track shoes, so someone else doesn’t beat you to your downed animal and tag it.

Otherwise....Danner Canadian’s or Kenetrek Mountain Extreme are good boots.

🦫

I agree with the Meindl recommendation. I wear them 4 or 5 days a week….the most comfortable boots I’ve ever had. I tend to wear these or jump straight to Schnees pac-boots if I need more warmth or better traction.

Don’t know what height of boot your looking for.
Bought some Schnee’s Divides this fall and have started the break in process.
Surprisingly comfortable for a new boot, very impressed with the workmanship.

Factoring for inflation your 15 year old Brownings would have cost $400 in today's money. If you want the same quality you're not going to find it with a $250 pair of boots today. Some of the USA made Danners are approaching if not exceeding $400. They are good boots, but just don't work with my feet.

I bought a pair of these last fall, they were a little under $400 at the time. I'd do it again.

https://www.sportsmans.com/footwear...d-gtx-waterproof-hunting-boots/p/p229377

I’ve been wearing a pair of Oboz waterproof mid-height boots for the last four years. Love them. I do not see my style on the Oboz website, but it would be similar to the Bridger model. Most comfortable shoe I own, next to my Hoka Bondi runners.

Precisely my MO as well, Schnees 13" Hunter II when the snow gets deep or it gets cold and/or I have to be stationary.