Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Favorite elk hunting boot?

What do you recommend for mid/late season elk hunting boot for Wyoming?

A pair that fits, and preferably a pair bought a few months ago and properly broke in by now.

I stay away from insulated boots except for the coldest of cold weather hunting or if I'm going to be sitting a lot. Once insulation gets damp or wet it takes a log time to dry, it makes the boot heavier and more stiff.

After that, the sky is the limit.

I have several pairs, for everything from warm early-season hunting to snow and cold late. The most cold-resistant are Schnee's with removable insulated liners, which can be switched out if they get wet.

But the biggie with all is they fit well, and as alpinecrick suggests are well broken-in. Though in my experience many of the better brands these days break in pretty quickly.

Thanks MD and Alpine.

You're welcome.

Might also add that I've hunted elk in "warm early-season" conditions in November, and shin-deep snow in September. Which is why I often bring at least two pairs of boots if on a trip away from home.

I've done some walking and had sore feet. Good socks can also be a big help.

Socks are important. I like merino wool personally.

I have Kenetrek Mountain Guides. One pair is 400 Thinsulate and the other is Non Insulated.

Last year I wore a light pair of Asolos as well since it was dry most of the season.

Find what fits along with sock liners and thin merino wool socks work great for me.

Im looking hard at kennetreks or schnees.

I’ve been a real fan of Meindl comfort fit hunter formerly the cabbalas perfekt hunter

How long have you had the Meindl? How do they hold up to abrasion, if that's a factor where you use them ? I have problems with abrasion destroying the seams here in Pa with the mountain Laurel and brush. Rob

MD which Schnee's are you using? Rob

I wear Kenetrek Hardscrabble uninsulated much of the time and love them. I have a couple of stitch down all leather Danner with 400 grams, but honestly I just move to Schnees pac boots when I need insulation. Someone with colder feet might do differently.

They’ve held up well. I’ve spent a lot of time in hells canyon as well as the coastal mountains. With my flat feet and destroyed ankles they are the only boots I have not been able to walk over. I haven’t wore any of the others after finding these in 2003. The midsole will break down from UVs after multiple years but I’m talking 7 or 8 years and I’m just keeping my last set in the closet when not wearing.

haazrob,

I have three pairs of Schnee's pac boots--uninsulated designed for use with just thick socks, uninsulated with insulated inserts, and what I believe they call the Extreme, with insulated rubber bottoms AND insulated inserts.

To tell the truth I probably have too many hunting boots. Along with the array of Schnee's I also have a pair of waterproof but very light, uninsulated Meindls, a lightly insulated pair of Gore-Tex Irish Setters, and a pair of 400 Insulate Kenetrek Mountain Extremes. Then there's a pair of ankle-height, smooth leather Irish Setter work boots which mostly get used for early-season prairie upland hunting, along with pronghorn hunting. Oh, and knee and hip boots for when some wading might be necessary.

Look at the Hanwag Trapper GTX, my most comfortable boots to date!

haazrob,

Sorry I missed your question on the Meindls. Have had them for 9 years now, and they're still in great shape. Have used them in some fairly abrasive places, such as South Texas and pronghorn prairies. But might also point out that because I have so many boots, none get used as much as they would with somebody who has only a couple pairs.

MD it's good to have so many options. I keep my hunting boots just for hunting. I would not be shopping for another pair if my last pair of Danners wouldn't have failed so miserably. Good luck this season!

Thanks for your input. They are at the top of my list for sure..