I was able to draw an Elk tag for Montana. I will be going to the Dillon, Montana area to hunt Elk with a group of guys on public ground this October 16th for about 7 days. I mostly wear rubber boots (Mucks/Lacross) to hunt with in Missouri. What type of boot is good for a wide foot and some what comfortable for hunt like this??

I would like to keep the price $250 or below. Thanks for your input. So after forgetting everything cost more is $350 do able??

I'd bet money that most elk hunters wear boots from Walmart. Your limit of 200.00 severely limits your options. Probably going to be foreign made. I'd look at lacrosse, Redwing, and other known names. We're it me, I'd google elk boots and go from there. Good hunting.

A bit of loaded question, it could be +50, or it could be below zero that time of year so be prepared for both. Warmer temps you want a boot with good ankle support, colder temps you want to fend of frostbit so you want a sorrel or something warm. Every year is different. If your a flat lander, work out before you go, elevation and steep hills will work you.

Check out Schnees boots in Bozeman.

I use Meindls when there's not much snow on the ground but when it's been snowing a lot, as it has been in the last few years, I go with these: https://us.kamik.com/collections/men-mens-footwear-winter-boots/products/canuck-1

I know they aren't hunting boots, but I usually am on my snowmobile to get to the hunting area and these things are great for deep snow and snowmobiling. They aren't good for long hikes (i.e., many miles), though, so if you're planning to hump through the woods for any distance, they probably aren't going to be a great option.

Lowa Renegade GTX. Tough as nails, very comfortable. Fast break in

First time I wore my Lowa boots an eyelet popped out. For $30 shipping I could send in to be looked at. $30 out of pocket to fix their junk.

First time wearing

I've got an old pair of Irish Setters that are great, but don't know if new ones maintained their quality.

This trip is the best excuse you'll ever have for buying a pair of boots that will last you a lifetime. I wouldn't be pinching pennies unless I absolutely had to.

I’ve got some US made Danner’s and some Crispi Guides from forums like this. Half price. As new. But requires luck.

Go to your local store, try them on until you find quality boots that fit, then buy them there.

There is no substitute for trying them on.

The store spends money to keep boots in stock, so buy them there.

Start wearing them now.

Get them soon and start using them. You don't want to break them in on your trip.

You can get some decent boots for $350. I'd leave the Mucks at home. I like Lacrosse, Danner, and Crispi. In my opinion most guys "over boot" for insulation. Their feet sweat, then they have cold feet. If you plan to glass and move, I'd consider 400gm or less insulation. I'm pretty sure my next pair will be uninsulated.

Don't forget to spend money on really good socks. Carry a spare pair in your pack.

I have Lowas and love them. My son loves his Crispis. I would definitely be willing to spend more $ on boots if I were you. That's big country and you'll most likely be putting on some miles, it can make or break the trip. Nice thing with the higher end boots is they tend to break in faster and are much more comfortable than the cheaper ones.

I'll be wearing Crispi Summits again this fall on my Idaho elk hunt. Good boots, lightweight, rugged and fit me well.

One item some guys forget is to wear the socks you plan on wearing while you are hunting when trying on boots. I've made this mistake , as well as almost every guy I know- but if you try on a boot with a light sock on, then wear heavier socks while hunting, there is a good chance your feet will be so tight in the boots you will cut off circulation and have cold feet at best- or worse... the boots that use the gortex booty for water proofing are the worst for this as they don't stretch at all so you don't even have to tighten them when tying your boots to cause this problem. If you wear the right socks while trying on boots, you will have a nice, comfy walk in the woods...

I've always been very happy with Danner boots, but they make a lot of different styles of boots. Some fit my feet perfectly, some don't - so choose carefully before plunking down your money. Don't buy on line if you can help it, go try on whatever boots your are planning on wearing and buy them from the retailer you find them at. Too much on line buying and we won't have retailers who stock anything soon...

Although I've never hunted in Montana, I've elk/deer hunted in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. I doubt the weather in those mountain States during the Fall is much different than the weather in Montana. It can be "bluebird" and then you can end up with very cold and snowy conditions. Select your boots, keeping in mind that October can provide some very harsh weather conditions in Montana.

I've used Danner boots and Insulated Herman boots for years which have provided me great support and comfort. I wear 12 D. After you buy a pair of boots, I suggest you follow Plumbum's advice. WEAR THEM NOW! Do not take a brand new pair of boots to hunt the "ups and downs" of the Rocky Mountains.

Good luck on your hunt.

EDIT- Make sure your boots are large enough to accommodate comfortably two pair of wool socks, or their like. Take the socks with you when you try on the new boots at the boot store.

L.W.

Pair moccasins from the town pump gift shop on the crow agency. Thank me later..

Leather boot with water proof liner and 200-400 rated insulation.

Boots will be the most important piece of gear. Spend at least $400. The best are made in Italy. Buy them soon and wear them for a while.

I know the area you will be hunting!!!!!! great spot

Sparky's Garage geat place to eat. Murdock's Ranch Supply will have anything you forgot or need.

Go barefoot like Buzz and his ancestors, you wimps.

Drive them off a cliff, like Bison.

Their beartooths are my absolute favorite boot over worn( I've tried quite a few). But they aren't $200 , lol.

check midwayusa out in the open box clearance section they have some great deals on 400 dollar boots for 200 pretty regularly

Look at the meindl comfort fit Hunter 400. It’s the best boot I’ve worn and pm very hard on them. $350 factory direct.

Archery season closes on October 15th, and rifle season doesn't start until the 21st, so not really sure what you'll be doing the week of the 16th.

As for boots, get something insulated that is comfortable on your feet.

Your budget probably needs to go up. Good recs here. I like a rigid stiff boot with tons of support.

Try some on if you can or order 4-5 pairs and return the ones that don't work. You should be putting miles on them right now.

I just wear whites smoke jumpers until it gets down around 20 degrees, with good wool socks. Below that I wear Irish Setter Elk hunters I think they are 400 gram insulation. When in deep snow and very cold, I wear Whites tall packs, the lineman style. As said before wear boots early and often. When breaking in new boots like Whites, fill them with warm water, soak for ten minutes, pour out water and wear them until dry, using good heavy wool socks. They will fit like good kitty. After the water treatment.

OP states wide fit. I had two pair of Lowas for military use and found the cut to be too narrow. YMMV

Ive hunted Montana Elk twice, took a nice 5x5 in 2018. Try Crispi Nevada's 200 gram insulation, which is plenty. Be careful of Lowa, they are quality but some are too stiff soled.

Also, start walking and work up to 30 lbs in a pack, find hills and ruck them, you will put the miles in. Read everything you can from Randy Newberg on public land hunting.

Never in my life have I had better boots than Kennetreck Mountain Extremes.
They make you want climb mountains.

I'd follow the advice of guys that say wear the boots now. Put 50 miles or more on those boots and they'll fit better no matter what you buy.

This is why you can't take specific advice on boots, and why I don't give specific advice - you have to try them for yourself. Everyone's feet are different. Kennetrek's tear my feet up, and are one of the worst boots I've ever had on my feet. But others will find bliss with them.

Kennetreks are a quality boot as well, a friend has their lower cut uninsulated model, very well made and comfortable.

Also practice, practice, practice, shooting. Hunt those Missouri bushytails with a scoped .22 and go for the head, it will improve your woodsmanship and shooting from improvised field positions. Shoot to 200 yards minimum if you can and don't use a rifle you are afraid of or can't afford to shoot (I use an '06).

I have a very good pair of Danners that I bring but I don't where them unless the weather is bad. I mostly just wear a really good pair of Keen hiking boots and a pair of quiet gators. Much easier to hike all day in a light pair of quality hiking boots than a heavy insulated boots. If it's going to be cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon (which it is in the Rocky Mountains a lot) I wear a pair of toe warmers with the hiking boots. But for the money, you can't beat Danner boots!

GFY fa gg it

Good advice here. That's exactly what I did when I drew a sheep tag.

Preconceived notions of what boot you may want or suggestions from others are out the window. Only you trying them on and walking around the store for a while will determine which boot and size to get.

And yes, start wearing them now!

H5farm: I live in and Hunt around "Dillon, Montana" and I began Hunting in this area in 1969 for Deer and Elk. I have several types of boots to Hunt in - mainly because our "weather/conditions" are so variable and can change so rapidly!
I would recommend TWO pair of boots - one pair for walking/climbing in cool to warm weather and another pair for sitting/walking/standing in snow and COLD temperatures.
By the way the General Elk Season (Rifle) starts on October 21st this year - not the 16th. Maybe you's guy's are coming early to scout but the 7 day thing would give you just two days to Hunt with Rifles for Elk
Maybe you guys have a special permit that allows some earlier Hunting (including archery) but those special permits and archery Hunts end on October 15th.
I am worried you all may show up and NOT be able to Hunt in this area from the 16th on until the 21st of October???
Re-check your dates and please bring two pair of boots - your Muck Boots (of which I have two pair) are NOT conducive to walking/hiking/climbing in Elky areas.
Good luck this fall and keep an eye out for me!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

This....Buy once.....

Depending on conditions. salomon quest hiking boots, crispi guide uninsulated, meindl perfekt 400 g insulated. kennetrek pacs. Whites pacs if its really cold

Agree 100% with giving/taking advise on specific brands.....

BTW- I love my kenetreks. They are perfect for my feet.

I wear Kenetrek northern pac boots. A bit heavy, but the traction is great and the removable liners are great for keeping dry. They are very comfortable and warm.

Also, this may have already been mentioned, but be sure to break your boots in thoroughly before your hunt, whatever you choose.

Mid October can be hot, cold, rainy or snowy. I don’t think one boot can cover it all. I hunted two years ago nearly 40 days. The insulated muck boots were my most often warn, they are not the most comfortable but are the driest. I did numerous 10 mile days.
I wear schnees for times when the snow is not too deep.
I just bought a pair of Merrill hikers, for dry weather hiking.
I have extra wide feet and the Merrill’s fit better than the lowa’s or Solomon’s.

All that said, boots need miles, and I am in the camp that one pair doesn’t always work. I would bring the muck boots, but would lean towards recommending a drier weather boot.

October in the west at 8K' plus

Can be a crap shoot

Might be 50* & sunny

Or a blinding snow squall

Weather people here have suggested an 'unsettled summer/fall'

Last winter was MAGA winter

Pack boots are terrible to hunt in if your in any sort of mountainous terrain. Plus they make your feet sweat profusely. I only wear them when hunting with horses.
I use either Meindl insulated or Kennetrek uninsulated boots for most of my elk hunting. The Kennetreks take a real long time to break in. I really don't bother with the insulated pair until it gets into the lower teens, but I also am on the move in rough terrain alot and iften put over 10 miles on in a day. If you plan on sitting and glassing most of the day pack boots with a tight ankle fit are probably your best bet, but be aware if it's warm you will be miserable in them and if you put on lots of miles they will tire you out faster.
As Brad noted boot fit is very important and more so than the brand. In your price range your not going to get good quality boots, period. Plan on doubling that amount give or take.
Also Dillon is over ran with people so if you want to succeed plan on getting up way early and getting way back in. Keep in mind if you tear up your feet on the first day your hunt I basicly over. Invest in good quality socks too and swap them out often.

Oh, [bleep], he's one of them.

Hanwag and Crispis have been the best fitting for me!

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to step up my budget and I am trying to find a place here where I can actually try some of the mention brands on to get the right size and fit

Another vote for Irish Setter Elk Trackers.

You can order them in in wide, medium, or narrow if you don’t buy them from a box store.

https://www.lowaboots.com/mens

Sparky’s garage great restaurant. Probably like The Den better but both are good

lol. Squirrel hunting is like elk hunting?

you should stick to getting firearms banned moron



Re: Wayne LaPierre is called a "terrorist" by the NY Daily News.
bigwhoop #10752090 12/05/15
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Eric308
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He uses fear and paranoia to proselytize, so I suppose the shoe fits. The NRA, dependent as it is on gun maker profits to survive, long ago left the land of the rational.

I am a fan of Crispi boots.

My john deere boots are fine for me. Zipper over the ankle, have held up many years.

You will not be sorry. I have Lowa and Vasque currently, with insulated Wolverines I use sometimes.

This is an excellent boot, they should ask more for them. Buy two pair and thank me later.

https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Com...gear+boots&qid=1689458096&sr=8-4

Didn't read all the replies, but I like this advice. I have been on several hunting trips that involved hunting several days consecutively in the western US, and I've hiked CO, AZ, and UT quite a bit in both winter and summer months. Only thing I would add, and you probably won't like hearing it, is I would have two pairs of boots. One pair gets wet, either from sweat, leakage or just wet conditions, and you sometimes need an extra day to dry them out. Two quality pair of Goretex or other waterproof boots that you've broken in somewhat ahead of time are golden. And it's another pair of boots that will serve you for other hunting duty, or working around outside as well. I went on a 7 day upland bird hunt in NE MT last October, where we walked from 5 to 14 miles a day, and I had a pair of Lowas (GTX) and a pair of Dannon Pronghorns (uninsulated), and was glad I had both. Crispis are another brand I've had good experience with as well. Merrel used to make a great hiking boot, but I haven't been as impressed with their offerings lately. If you're going to be moving quite a bit as you hunt, you probably won't need tons of insulation. Just added weight, and makes your feet sweat.

Those look like a great warm weather boot.

However the OP is asking about elk hunting in Montana in mid October. I don't think a mesh sided boot with Cool-Max is what's called for. He also asked about wide sizes, which is not offered with this boot.

I have a pair of uninsulated EW Rocky Gore-tex boots that I've worn in temperatures in the mid-teens with wool socks. For really cold weather I have a pair of Chippewa 400gm insulated EW boots with a bob sole that's great in snow. Both are more than 25 years old now, so I won't try to recommend the specific style.

There’s nothing more for me to add that the guys haven’t already mentioned so I’ll just reinforce a couple points that I believe are crucial…..First, try on as many different boots as possible and get the best fitting, most comfortable. Second, definitely wear them well before you go hunting. Break them in and get familiar with them. The time to make modifications or add Dr. Scholls inserts ain’t when you’re in the backcountry. I’ll usually get my new (leather) hunting boots wet and hike with wet boots for a break in period that’s dependent upon the boots themselves.

I’ve been using a 9” pair of USA made Danners for 20 years but I’ve had to rebuild them a few times. I finally replaced them last year. They weren’t “light” but they were warm and comfortable. There were times when I desired lighter weight boots but the Danners never hindered me. I have a pair of Northface hiking boots that are very light and extremely comfortable but they are WARM so I only wear them in the snow and they are my go-to boots for my snowshoes. I bought a pair of Xtra-tuff high top style waterproof “hiking” boots but they aren’t really for hiking far. I think my new boots are Redwing and I also bought a pair of Wolverine that was on sale and has so far proven to be a great value for a nice boot.

Definitely…definitely…definitely wear them a good bit before you take them into the hills! If they need to stretch or you want a more “custom fit” put them on and walk through the creek then hike around for a day or two while the leather is wet, you can change into dry socks. 😀

If you're car camping, I recommend bringing two pairs of boots in case of failure. I like having a pair of light hikers and some heavy duty. A pair of Crocs for around camp are nice too

" Keep in mind if you tear up your feet on the first day your hunt I basicly over. Invest in good quality socks too and swap them out often."
Carry Moleskin and Luekotape and address Hot Spots ASAP...

Best boots on a limited budget

https://tacticalgear.com/belleville-usmc-combat-500-waterproof-coyote

These are not insulated, but with goretex. They do make one that is insulated. If you go this route you need to order one full size smaller than normal. They make several styles so be careful ordering, you don't want steel toes and many have them. These are USA made and better than the USA made Danners IMO.

Insulated.

https://tacticalgear.com/belleville-c775-gtx-600g-waterproof-boots-coyote-brown

If you can afford them.


https://www.sportsmans.com/footwear...d-gtx-waterproof-hunting-boots/p/p229375

I hunted in Whites for 25 plus years love them. They however are a pain in the butt to break in like two month's of suffering.

I had a Rep tell me not to do the water trick to them it swells up the leather and reduces the life of the boot.

Whites are trully quality my smoke jumpers were rebuilt twice i used them at work would last a life time if you just hunted in them.
They are heavy though.
The Hunters Whites makes are ok the tread is not as deep as i would like in ice deep snow and down hill climbs.

My smoke jumper hills dig in and i can really go down some steep stuff.

Way past the budget you were looking at though.

I switched to Lowas about 5 years ago love them i still bring the whites as a back up.

Good luck and hope you guys see a lot of animals.

This is reality................& the advice to get them now & broken in well before you go is priceless.

As for the type of boot, IMO, you need as least 2. One for dry & one for snow. And actually 3, is better..............3rd one for dry & very cold.

You can get by with uninsulated down to a steady 20F if you're moving, or get them lightly insulated at 200 gr or less.

Then you need a pair for steady wet & snow. (Schnee's rubber bottom, 14" upper Westerner has been good for me for a long time) Exact fit is less critical & more non-specific than with leather boots.

Both pair need some level a decent cleated soles & I prefer at least 10" on the leather for strong ankle support. Lots of good leather boot brands to choose from. (Danner's have worked fine for my fit; I couldn't walk a half mile in Lowa's.)

Consider arch support inserts if needed.

If your feet hurt or are cold, you just can't hunt, period.

Good Luck.

MM

Congrats on the draw!!! Now up your budget and get some good boots!
You can't kill what you can't get to... If you wear cheap azz boots and they hurt your feet you will regret it! I went through this a few years ago. I've been hunting since I was a kid and have plenty of boots but a few years ago I drew for NM and I was concerned about the steep rocky terrain so I looked into new boots. South west US is different terrain than I was used to. Long story short, I took the advice of the guys on this forum and contacted Lathrop and Sons. I spent the money, grudgingly, and had them do a custom fit boot for me. After spending the money and wearing the boots, I am glad I did!!! I would do it all over again. Great boots that fit great. Comfortable and with great support. I have USA made Danners that I broke in myself. I have lathrop and sons and a pair of Lowa hikers that Lathrop did custom insoles for. They are all good boots but the Lathrop and Lowas are just a little better than the rest.
Buying good boots is nice. Buying great boots is just that much better. It's one of those things where you don't know what you don't know... and until you buy a custom fitted boot, you just don't know what you are missing!

I have worn many boots. Mid teens are not that big of a deal with good socks. That and the last two Elk hunts I have been on there was no snow at all and the temps barely got under 30 degrees in the middle of the night. The key is to buy the boots a bit large and use the proper socks for the job. I have a pair of insulated boots and find them heavy and never needed them hunting. Now in areas where you might be walking in freezing cold wet slushy conditions insulated boots are OK. Funny how most just stay in the truck when it is like that. In reality hiking in insulated boots sucks.

They have great sale on boots now and wide sizes. Buy once, cry once

Spend the extra money on good wool socks like darn tough, buy a pair of gaiters to wear with boots. Also suggest a good pair of hiking poles which are great help going downhill and side hilling and after market insoles like super feet. Break the boots in before heading out

Bring a few pair of boots as weather can be in 70's or 20's and snow if higher elevations in October