Hunting Boot Recommendations

Need a new pair of general hunting boots.

Sadly, my 15 yr old pair of Rocky Bearclaws started leaking yesterday. Been great boots but they've lived their life and owe me nothing.

Looking for something ~10" in height, maybe in the 4-800 gr thinsulate range, waterproof and fairly good ankle support.

Mostly for Michigan woods hunting, occasional late season bird hunt in fields. No real mountain work or major upland marathon stuff so I'm ok with a more robust hunting boot vs hiking boot style.

Rockys now appear to be a cheaply made knockoff version of what they used to be. As do Danner Pronghorns.

Ideally, I'd love the cost to be under $300.

I like Muck boots for hunting.

Check out the 10-in Red Wing Irish setters #880's if they still make them. Elk Trackers, on my second pair, should be able to get them for a little over $200

Scheels has a crispi boot exclusive to them called West River that Id like to get for my insulated boot. I have an uninsulated crispi boot and theyre getting more comfortable every time I wear them.

I saw those West Rivers and was interested. Was hoping someone would vouch for them

Be careful quality boots get harder to find every year you’re smart to ask around good luck.

I can vouch for them. I have a pair. I was getting ready to recommend them. They're great boots for the money. I've got well over 100 miles on them, mostly mountain hunting, and they look new. I bought the crispi boot conditioner and hit them with it about twice a year. I've waded countless steams and they have not leaked yet.

ol' dad

I really like the kennetrek boots. I have been wearing the mountain extremes.

Crispi or the scheels brand crispi boots will fit the bill.

If you find a pair you get along with, go back and buy another pair asap. By the time a good boot wears out it’s discontinued and you have to start all over.

Best but I have as far as water proof and warmth I bought by accident. Went on a hunting trip and decided to drive my buddy's truck at last minute. My boots were in my cab. Bought a pair of herman survivors from academy outdoors night before hunting. It was raining then sleeting before dropping to 19 degrees. BEST boot I've ever worn. Can walk for miles without even knowing they are on my feet. Don't need a loan to purchase them. Waded a creek no leaks. Passed the wet grass test .Fished for an entire day in the rain no leaks. Had them since 2015.

Its frustrating.

I see Schnees now makes hiking/mountain/hunting boots like Crispi and Kenetrek. Anyone handled those?

plenty of good boots out there but $300 is at the bottom level if your talking new. I usually buy slightly used boots. I have quite a few different pairs but only a couple with high insulation-cabelas medndl (I believe) and ranger high insulation rubber boots and mickey mouse boots.

I have the Kenetrek mountain extremes but the boots I like to wear all the time are Meindls which is a much lighter weight boot.

I went looking for a good boot in early October
not specifically a hunting boot and not insulated just ones I could wear wool socks with.

it was primarily for hunting , I was fed up with hiking boots falling apart
durable was what I was going for and comfortable

ended up with 8 inch Carolinas these also have waterproof label I oil my boots so that wasn't in my goals of what I was looking for it just happened.

they are comfortable , I put some miles on them pheasant hunting and some deer hunting

my son wears the same boot but with a safety toe to work every day and they have held up well over a year he has only replaced insoles

I also have the 15EE issue to try and find in a boot

We've had good luck with hanwags, and lowa.

I would look at Crispi. They are above the price you mention but we'll worth it. And when the soles wear out you can send them back to get resoled for $75. I hike a ton for hunting, trapping, and looking for sheds. I've tried many brands and would only get a season out of them if I was lucky. I've had my crisis for 6 seasons now and during that time had them resoled once. I will be sending them back this summer to get resoled again. Super comfortable, and very well built.

go to camofire.com Many boots on sale today only. items change daily.

I just bought a pair of the Schnee Granite 200g boots early this fall. Only have 20 miles or so on them but I love them so far. Easy on the feet, dry, light enough for insulated boots, etc. etc. I'm hoping they keep getter better as I break them in. A bit pricey but the company appears to back their products up. Get what you pay for I guess.

https://schnees.com/granite-200g-mens/

I have crispi nevadas, crispi guides, and schnees granites. They have all been great boots, next pair will probably be another Nevada. They just fit MY foot best. The schnees are made just as well as the crispis in my opinion just depends how they fit you. Schnees has some very good sales right now, I think the beartooths would suit you well for years, much better than Rocky’s.

https://schnees.com/beartooth-200g-mens/

Crispi are great boots.

The last time I went to Rockys I bought three pair and even though they are made in Ohio their materials are coming from China. Since I moved up to Fond du lac I will be getting some Mucks when I need them.

Theres plenty of items Ill purchase used or slightly used, but footwear worn by another person aint one of em.....just thinking about it gives me the creeps.
Ive had many pair of Schnees over the years and I wouldnt buy a pair today. Their rubber upper quality has went to crap and not uncommon to have them cracking within two years which is not acceptable at their price point. Have a pair of Danner 600gram leather boot that ive hd for 15 years and they are a great boot. Not sure of danners current quality. Im following this thread and anxious to get my hands on some Crispis to check out.

Danner Pronghorns were once a USA made product, I'm still wearing a pair I bought in 2007. Today I'd suggest either Crispi or Kenntrek boots.

I bought a pair of Kenetrek Hard Scrabble ST for work a few years ago and liked them so much I have bought a pair of Mountain Extreme 400 and a pair of Mountain Extreme 1000 after my Meindls finally gave up the ghost. The 1000 gram models are not too heavy for a 1000 gram boot and very comfortable. All 3 pairs have worn very well especially the Hard Scrabble as they have been worn a minimum of 5 days a week for the last couple years.

I’ve owned a pair of Rocky Bear claws and can say with confidence they are not in the same league with Kenetrek, Crispi, or Meindl by a long shot.

I bought a pair of Keens for work and threw them in my suitcase when I went to Washington this Spring. 5 miles in my “hunting boots” had my feet screaming!! Once I made it back to the truck I put the Keens on and never looked back, lol. Averaged 8.7 miles a day in them in Washington and Montana. No blisters. No wet feet. No discomfort whatsoever. Last year my feet were wrapped and taped after Day 1.
I count a boot as “waterproof” if I can walk a mile through a dew covered field/prairie/meadow and my feet still be dry. Those boots are definitely waterproof. Bought a spare pair as soon as I got home. They aren’t high boots, only above the ankle, but lightweight and tough!

I have a pair of Meindl boots.They are great except that the sole at the heel is a bit narrow. I also have a pair of (Danner USMC RAT Gore-Tex Temperate Boot) there for $89. made in USA. from Armynavyoutdoors. they have 3 different models, warm climate (non water proof), temperate (water proof non insulated) and a cold climate (insulated and water proof). buy a few pairs of socks and get free shipping.

I'll vouch for them. I have a pair of the Schnee Granites, and I really like them, but what I recommend to everyone, and I might get next time is the next step down in their line, called I believe the Beartooths. Those have a ton of good reviews and I know several people who have them and can't say enough good about them. Everyone says they are super comfortable and almost no break in. I like a lot of ankle support and so I got their Granites which is their stiffest boot. They are super comfortable now and I really like them, but they were the toughest boot I've ever owned to break in. I had about 800 miles on them before they were fully broken in. Over two years old now, and I figure I will get another year out of them anyways. They are still waterproof, and I can never get boots that stay waterproof for any length of time.

Crispi's are a good, well built boot, if you can wear them. They have almost no arch support and I have high arches and a bad arch on the one foot. I wanted to like them, but even with arch supports in them I couldn't wear them. The Kennetreks are the most comfortable boot I've ever put on, but I know quite a few people who have them and it is about a 50/50 chance that you are going to get a pair that are waterproof, and I just couldn't see spending the money they want for them, with that kind of reliability on waterproofness.

I ordered the Schnee Beartooths.

This ^ The best boot you will ever own is a Crispi!!!!