Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Elk & Mule deer hunting boot recommendations

Hey all, I am brand new to the forums and was sent here on recommendation by a hunting partner for equipment reviews. I have done a lot of research on top-end boots (Lowa, Hanwag, Kenetrek) but all are out of what I am willing to spend. What can you tell me about Zamberlan? They seem to be of equal quality. Also, has anyone used the newly released Danner Full Curl GTX boots. I have used Danners for over 10 years and love them. My budget is $300.00.

Thanks and I look forward to all your replies.

Cabelas Alaskan Hunter by Meindel, I paid $289 for mine 5 years ago and they are still going strong, they are $339 right now with a $20 off coupon you are pretty close. I've had Danners and wouldn't give you a dime for them!

The only danner boot I would consider is the elk hunter that is sold exclusively by cabela's. The first pair I had lasted 15 yrs. I'm on my second pair, I think they are around 325.00. I know of about 6 people that I have recommended them to and they tried them and love them

I have a pair of Elk Hunters now , GTX w/1000grams of Thinsulate Insulation and have about 10 miles on them but they are not very comfortable.

GSP814 Thanks for the tidbit, I have read reviews of those too and are a top option.

I have used many boots over many years and also have done a lot of mountaineering and backpacking. For mtn hunting, I really like the meindl denali- the aren't insulated. Mine are going on 7 yrs. They do need better insoles, i use superfeet.

Hanwag Alaska or Lowa Tibet for me, and I would be ashamed to admit how much I have spent on boots over the years.

I like hanwag and kenetrek, get good boots that fit great, save more on some other piece of equipment, don't cut corners on your boots

I've gone to all leather goretex boots now from Cabelas, Basspro, etc but like your Elk hunters they are slow to break in and 10 miles doesn't usually do it. I start about 6 months before wearing them around the house and then working in the yard, then short hunts until they are broken in. Usually they aren't perfect until the 2nd season. My experience with lighter weight and cordura boots has been that they leak pretty quickly while the leather boots last. The guys I know who use Danners for elk hunting have no complaints and that includes several guys 20 years younger than me who will put in almost double the miles I will in a week.

Chasing elk I will typically drag my pudgy over 50 carcass over 6-10 miles in a day starting with a 1,000 foot climb and hopefully ending with an 80 + lb. pack coming out. I like a little stiffer boot with 800 grams of insulation for the 5 degree days. I have found that gaiters are helpful in the snow even with waterproof boots.

I'd like to give you opinions on the Kenetreks and similar but they are a little more than I am willing to spend. Getting to that last 1 or 2% of top gear in optics, rifles, packs, boots or almost anything is more cost than benefit usually. I like bang for the buck - if money is no object get the very best - particularly in durable gear like rifles and optics. In your shoes or boots I'd stick with Danners you already know work for you and go with at least 600 grams or higher.

[quote=anie get good boots that fit great, save more on some other piece of equipment, don't cut corners on your boots [/quote]

That is good advice right there. You'll be using your boots more than anything else.

I like Kenetrek, Schnee and Danner. Purchase something that allows you to adjust the fit around your ankle and laces almost to the toe of the boot rather than stopping half-way. I will allow you to "adjust" the boots to your feet.

I've almost purchased a set of the Cabela Alaskan Hunters, they get good reviews, but I've just never dropped the money on them.

I bought the Kenetreks.

I bought them for $279.

It took time.

I was patient.

I have been rewarded.

Best boots I've ever had.

I keep hearing the Mendl's are great also.

Peace.

Dick

I bought Danner Elk hunters MANY years ago before Goretex came out. They were sturdy, to say the least. However, at that time, they were sewn with a seam up the back of the heel, from top to bottom. That dang seam ate up socks and caused blisters like crazy. I took them to a shoe shop and had them sew a piece of thin leather over the seam and that helped a lot. Of course you'd ruin Goretex that way. These weren't waterproof at all, at least no more than any leather boot of the time. They lasted through 2 pairs of soles and really weren't in that bad of shape when Goretex hit the market.

Nothing but tennis shoes here until it snows then it's Sorrels..

Jayco

I've got a couple pairs of Danner Pronghorns and have the same complaint about the vertical seam in the lining next to your heel, what a piss poor design. I finally sprung for a pair of the Meindl Denali boots from Cabela's last year, by far the best boots I've ever owned. I like them with good socks down to around 20F or so, when it gets close to 0F I want a bit of insulation. My next pair of boots will be another pair of Meindl's.

I've had my meindl perfekt hunters for 8 years and have been very happy with them. The other boots I would look at are lowa tibets. On shoebuy.com you can save 25% til the 23 of Jan.

Whatever you get make sure you can walk up or down hill or over rough terrain all day, day after day, and be comfortable, good soles, and good support.

I have shot critters in everything from low top $20 Big Five tennis shoes to hand made $400 + boots, but if your gonna be wearing them in the woods, away from home, all day every day, you need support and comfort.

Sawzall the elk hunters I believe you have are not the same as the ones I'm talking about. They are only sold by cabela's and are only offered in 400 grams of insulation or uninsulated. There was another elk hunter sold on the open market and I know they weren't the same. Yes they are a little stiff but my feet have never been wet in them and mine are the 400 gram insulation.I have hunted in them in -20 deg. but I hunt moving around they would not be that that good for stand hunting. I believe the key is don't let you feet sweat not only makes your feet cold but softens your skin and contributes to blisters, a good pair of wicking socks does wonders. Just my 2 cents worth

You can find some deals on decent boots at Sierra Trading Post online.

Sierra Trading Post

The Asolo Sasslongs are worth a look.

I hunt in the same boots I wear all day every day. In early 2012 I purchased a pair of Cabela's Meindel 5 inch light hikers. When elk season came, they got me through five days of horseback riding and hiking in thirteen inches of snow with temps ranging from near 0 to daytime highs in the low twenties.

They lasted about twenty months of 24/7 wear. This last summer I upgraded to the Cabela's Meindl 7 inch Perfekt Hiker. I have worn them about six months at work, play, and farm chores. They have excellent grip and traction on mud, snow, and ice. The waterproofing is excellent. I spent a couple hours last week at work in three inches of ice water clearing frozen roof drains. The boots did not leak a single drop of water and my feet stayed reasonably warm with a pair of standard boot socks.

The Perfect Hiker has a much thicker sole and is constructed of heavier material than was the Light Hiker. I find the arch support to be quite good and the boots are very comfortable after being broke in.

The Perfect Hiker actually took about two weeks of 16 hours daily wear to break in for me. I would not take a new pair on a hunt without wearing them continuously for a couple weeks.

I highly recommend the Perfekt Hiker. Mine show very few signs of wear. I work all day on concrete and the soles are handling it well. I expect to get at least two years of daily use from them.

Idaho the Meindl boots are the best of that type I have ever used, but both of mine are the heavier insulated versions.

Is the Perfekt Hiker comfortable in the warmer temps of early fall?

Don't seem to need much insulation then in Wyoming, but I have never had the Perfekt hiker.

I'd be looking at Asolo boots from Sierra Trading Post.

Absolutely! I was wearing them in early Sept at work with ambient temps around 95 degrees. And I have worn them all through the winter as the temps have ranged from 12 degrees to 30 degrees inside our warehouse since November fifteen.

I wear a little heavier socks in the cold, and my feet stay comfortable on the hyster. The Goretex breathes well enough that I have not had wet socks during the hot weather.

I have redwing/irish setter and they have been good last 3 years. I would suggest for $300 get 2 pair. one 200 gram and one 800 or 1000 gram. nothing wrong with having 2 sets of boots elk hunting. it could be 70 during day for deer and teens in elk season. it would suck to be cold or too hot and sweaty. thats what I have, 2 boots, Plus you'll have a back up. I also put on snoseal and have gators.

I've had Meindl's but was not overly impressed with them. For my next boots I am considering either the Lower Uplander GTX or the new Lowa Hunter Extremes

Thanks!

Another option is to watch Ebay. Search for Kenetrek, the company sells used boots on there rated 90% condition or better. They go for substantially less than new. Last pair I bid on went for $225, and looked pert near new.

For a pac/cold weather boot, I love my Hoffman Outback pacs.

I bought the Kenetrek Terrane's as I didn't need the Mountain Extreme's on Camofire for a little over $200 and they threw in a set of their gaitors. So far they've been excellent boots.

I guess I can understand some of these guys not having the best experience with Danners. Some of their boots don't fit me well either or are comfortable. But they do make a lot of different styles of boots and I can always find a boot that fits my feet well and are comfortable for long days hiking hills, sitting on a stand, or just sitting around the campfire after a long, cold day. Living close to Danner is nice as I can go over to the factory and try on just about any boot they make and get a great deal on "seconds" if they have some in stock in my size.

I've tried other boots but nothing fits my feet as well or keeps my feet dry and warm as the Danners to this point.

One note of caution I found out the hard way- when trying on boots that have the goretex liner like Danners and several other boots, wear the same weight socks you will be wearing hunting. If you try them on with light socks, and then try to hunt with heavy hiking socks, your feet will be squeezed and you'll have all kinds of problems- mostly from the circulation being cut off to your feet. The goretex liners just don't stretch enough to accommodate thick socks. If you need thick socks, just buy the heavier insulation instead and you'll be good to go, IMHO.

Bob

Zamberlan????

Are you kidding me???

In any case, I can tell you that you want to be cost-efficient, just because you mentioned the brands you did.

So, I would recommend Meindl boots.

Mav

Heavy is bad if your in the mountains.

One bigger thing that people often complain about is heavy treads hold mud - so then they go buy a semi-slick bottom boot.

Of course if they walk on snow or wet leaves in the mountains that results a nasty slip and falls with banged up shins. They complain even more then.

Zamberlan boots aren't what you want. That's fact.

Hey Mav, we were having a conversation about a month ago, how about it?

From my experience, he doesn't want Danners. I blew through a pair of Cabela's Danner Elk Hunters in a year.

Well wageslave,

I bought the Lowa EVO GTX Hunter Extreme

I bought them for $345.

It took time.

I was patient.

I am waiting to be rewarded....thank you for your advice.

I just saw this by Sawzall:

"I bought the Lowa EVO GTX Hunter Extreme. I bought them for $345. It took time. I was patient. I am waiting to be rewarded....thank you for your advice."

I wished I had a pair of Lowas but $345 is out of my league. Another reply in this thread said something about Sierra Trading Post having specials, so I checked.

The Lowa Hunter Extreme GTX is being closed out for the new EVO Hunter Extremes. Sierra had the old model discounted to $295.95.

I had an email flyer from Sierra offering 35% off selected merchandise. I applied the keycode for 35% and reduced the price to $192.37, That's in my league, so I bought them.

The Sierra TP flyer suggested i should share the keycode with a friend. So for anyone here who's a friend the keycode is "EB040114B" good thru 3 Apr 14

If you're not my friend than don't use the keycode. If you do, you'll have to answer to Sierra Trading Post. You've been warned.

FWIW Sierra has a great return policy. Good to hear you've got it figured out.

I've worn a pair of the Meindls Light Hikers for about a year. They're not what I would consider for a rough mountain hunt as I want a taller boot for ankle support and to help keep the dirt and stuff out. I bought them to wear on my daily hikes in the hills behind the house, but they were so comfortable that I've instead worn them to the office. I will have another pair if I ever wear these out.

I bought the same boots for the same price and they get here tomorrow.

Kent

I have a pair of Crispi Kanada's and I really like them but I think they are around $400

These really have my attention. Might be my next pair.

http://www.lathropandsons.com/lowa-boots/cevedale-tech-light-hunter-gtx-lowa.html

Last pair I bought was a pair of the insulated Meindl Perfekt 10 Hunters. Was NOT impressed. Quite stiff sole, and wore a hole in the toe area of the soles after 2 years in Arizona's rocks. Squeaky bastards too.

This year I think I'm going with Danner Pronghorns. They were on sale for $100. Very comfortable. Going to try poly sock liners and wool socks with them. If they last the year, I'm more than happy.

I've got a pair of the Elk Ridge GTX by Danner and they are a fantastic boot. Warm, comfortable and great traction in snow, mud, dirt and rocks. Danner does free shipping and free returns, so order a pair, try them out and then send 'em back if you don't like 'em.

I have some Elk Ridge Danners. Not sure I'm sold. First pair leaked within a year. Danner wanted them back. This pair also was giving me some weird pressure rubbing in front of my ankle bone where the material would flex as I walked. I figured it was a break-in issue.

Danner sent me a new pair and they don't have the weird rub, but they're not too comfy yet either. Time will tell. Note that the Elk Ridge isn't on their website anymore.

I highly recommend Kenetrek Mountain Extremes. Expect a long break in period (mine took about 50 miles) but, you will be rewarded with a comfortable boot that wears really well. Mine have been on 2 CO elk hunts including a tough backpack hunt along with 4 deer hunts over the past two years. They have hunted in snow and rain on several occasions and still look almost new. I keep them well waxed and they have never leaked and have always kept my feet warm. They will be going back to CO again this year.

LLBEAN CRESTA HIKERS are comfortable right out of the box and can be returned for refund if you try them and don't like them. I've used them on Muley hunts, Elk hunts, Dall sheep hunts, and hiking in the Alps. Socks are important too, so don't skimp there. Thick Smartwool socks are comfortable.

I've had many pairs of Danners over the years, and really like them...with a caveat. Buy only the USA made boots (they are stitched at the sole seam, cost more money).

My favorites are Canadians (perfect cold weather elk hunting boot), and the Hood Winter Light. The latter is very versatile, with 200 grams of insulation and a lug Vibram sole.

Kenetrek's and Meindl. Both are really great boots.

Hanwag!

I really like my Lowa Tibets. Amazon has them for $250.

I've had Danner Pronghorns, 800's, for several years. I purchased them a little large so I could use thick wool socks. They have good traction and are warm. They do stick a little in the stirrup when trying to dismount so you have to be careful. Overall, I am very satisfied with these boots.

Danners.

Meindl's are good boots but I would only get the ones sold by Cabelas,, Cabelas will stand behind them well. Meindl boots without the cabelas brand on them are basically not warrantied. Been there done that.