Shed hunting boots?

Shedhound · Feb 22, 2008

I don't know about everyone one else but I know I put on about 6-8 miles per day (thanks google earth) when I'm out shed hunting. Sometimes over 10 miles in flatter country, and I go through boots like its going out of style. Right now I wear Danner pronghorns which are nice because they are comfortable and really lightweight (3 lbs per pair) but they're made in china now and the quality really suffers. I'm lucky if I get a 18 months out of a pair before the sole is gone and the stitches are falling out.
Has anybody found any boots that withstand the rocks, mud and snow of the winter range? Thanks

ditchparrot · Feb 22, 2008

Have you tried the brand Vasque? I had a pair that I replaced the soles three times before the leather wore out. I would recommend these boots to anybody.
I am wearing a brand of Cabelas boots, the Outfitter series. So far they are holding up awesome, but I've only had them one year.

Blacky · Feb 22, 2008

I had a pair of the danner boot as well, but I only got 13 months and the same thing happened. The sole on the front came off and the leather had a hole wore into it. I just took it back to sportsman's warehouse (where i bought them) and they sent them to danner and it was a problem so the replaced the boots. I normally get a pair of boots and if I get a year out of them that was good, but that rarely happens. Right now I have a set of Cabelas boots and they have been awesome so far and they are every bit as light as the pronghorns. They are the Cabela's 9" insulated Pinnacle boots. I have had them for about 4 months and they are showing almost no wear. Hope this helps you out, Its a pain having to buy a pair of boots by time the just get good and broke in.

everbrownshed · Feb 23, 2008

I'm tellin ya, try Rockys out. You will wear the tread off them before they even come close to falling apart. I've had the Extreme Stalker Lights for 3 seasons. Very light and comfortable. Whats up Blacky.

Shedhound · Feb 23, 2008

Thanks for the suggestions guys, good luck out there.
I better throw on my POS danners and go look for those big brownies.

elkhuntingcouple · Feb 23, 2008

I am looking for boots as well, and went to exsteam hiking boots found Seira outerwear (forgot the spelling) and they have some hiking boots that are really rated well. I am wondering why we as hunters don't use hiking boots. Are we not really doing the samething? some of the hikers do harder hikes than alot of hunters do. I bought some hiking boots about 3 years ago and they have been my favorite boots. I also have Danner, and Browning boots. The hiking boots seem to move better with my ankles and don't totally restrick my movement. And they are light weight.

Sage_Roller · Feb 23, 2008

I've wore Danners for years, but the soles have definitely changed... I still love the comfort, but for the price the soles wear way to fast. A very comparable brand to a Danner boot would be a Cabela's boot. These boots will last the test of time, especially if you hike 6 to 8 miles per outing.

Idhillsnhorns · Feb 23, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-08 AT 01:35PM (MST)[p]I too have owned the Danner Pronghorns and had to replace them every year. I have found one boot that is unbeated, they are called Meindls. They're farily spendy but they are the most comfortable and toughest boot you will find, garunteed. The only place I have ever found them at is Cabela's.

everbrownshed · Feb 23, 2008

Hey Sage Roller, you dont know what the hell your talking about, and I thought your name was fecal marbles?

Shedhound · Feb 23, 2008

hey Idhillsnhorns, I've considered the Meindls but they seemed to be pretty heavy. Also since they are full leather I'm concerned that they might not breath very well, and my feet sweat pretty good when I'm putting on the miles. A friend of mine has the "perfekt 10" boot and he said they are pretty stiff and after a year they are already taking on water. So I'm a little reluctant to drop $250 if they are not "perfekt" I'll still go check them out though thanks for the advice.

AntlerKing · Feb 25, 2008

Dido with the first one to post....Vasque has been a great boot for me going on 15 years now. Different boots that is over that time span. They hold up great, from a great backpacking boot to day hike boot. I have Danners as well, but for hiking in the spring and back packing Vasque is the way to go.

www.DarleyPhotography.com

berto · Feb 25, 2008

best all around boot i have found is the meindl ibex from cabelas. the construction changed a bit a couple years ago and is therefore not quite as good as it was originally. but i have been wearing a pair since the construction changed and they still do better than any other boot i have found. the main problem with the newest version is i can only get about 1.5 seasons of heavy use on them before the seams start to separate because the thread used in them deteriorates. i use aquaseal to seal the threads to stop this from happening and it buys me twice the boot life.

the price is not too bad at $130/pair.

feyerfighter · Feb 25, 2008

they aren't much for waterproof but i usually wear my fire boots (whites smokejumpers). they are spendy but i've used them for 8 years now and get 2years of wear and they are fully rebuildable. that and i have never had a blister wearing them and they are the most comfortable thing i've put on my feet

Shedhound · Feb 28, 2008

Hey feyerfighter, I agree with you on the whites. I have a pair of hathorn's that have been bullet proof but the elevated heel really give me fits on steep downhills and when walking on rocky uneven ground. Because of the strength of the boot I can't roll my ankle when I step on something uneven I get about half way to twisting my ankle before I catch myself. Anyway long story short I was considering a pair of white boots called the outdoorsman that is built more like a hunting boot, and you can get them insulated and waterproof. Do you know anything about these boots, have you tried them? I know you "white" guys are pretty loyal to those boots.

slamdunk · Feb 29, 2008

I have a pair of White's "guide pacs" i've had for ten years, excellent boot......till i bought a pair Meindel's....wow!!

The warmth and comfort of those bad boys are second too none!!
I can even wear them on warmer weather days and my feet won't sweat in them, yet sub arctic weather, they are the only boots i have EVER owned that truly keep my feet warm, not just "thawed".

Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"