With bird hunting season coming up soon, and my current boots are in shambles, I’m curious what you outdoorsmen recommend….

Pheasant hunting over the English Pointer we walk about 5 to 8 miles a day. Mud, snow, puddles, you get it…

I’ve used Merrell Moab mid-height @17ozs for many years, mostly in cool dry conditions.

And in colder snowy wetter conditions the Keen soft toe hiker utility boot @about 20oz.
These have leather uppers and I’ve rubbed it that water proofing stuff that looks like Vaseline ( I forget what you call it). But that has worked very well for wet cold days.

I usually get two or three seasons out of the boots, and then retire them to the basement to work around the yard and out in the field.

So it’s that time again, just curious if anybody has any recommendations that they really feel are very comfortable for a long walks, have some waterproof features, or mid height boots, price really isn’t a big concern since I get a couple of years out of them.

Thanks!

I like Zamberlan. Also Sheels. Great boots and you will not wear them out, ever.

These would be more a hunting boot.

A lightweight hiking and hunting boot are not the same animal. Quite different actually.

But both make different models.

Lowa is another and so is Crispi. Although I do not own either of them.

Danner has some good hunting boots. While I was on a pheasant hunt a few years ago, a guide told me that these were one of just a few brands that were comfortable and fairly long lasting.

quote:

A lightweight hiking and hunting boot are not the same animal. Quite different actually.

I have a pair of hunting boots that I never wear anymore... too heavy. Too hard to get on/off.
I usually wear a lightweight Danner hiking boot because I can hunt within walking distance of my buddies house.

quote:

Danner has some good hunting boots.

Yep. And hiking boots.

I’ve been happy with Salomon Quest 4D hiking boots. I wear them most of the way through our hunting seasons until temps finally drop.

I'll recommend Danner but with one caveat, only their USA made products. I've got 3 pairs of their made in USA boots that have lasted for years. Their imported stuff has lasted me less than a year.

My Canadians are my cold weather hunting boots that I have had for over 20 years now. Yes, they were expensive $300 20 years ago but they have lasted this long and are still going. Not lightweight but comfortable and extremely durable. I've also been impressed with my Rain Forest boots that I bought a few years ago. Waterproof and have done extremely well here in Alaska. They've been fully submerged a few times and have always kept me dry, except for that one time...

I do have a pair of their Crater Rim hiking boots. I think I bought those for my first trip to Alaska. They've been great as well, not exactly lightweight but comfortable and durable. I just like a higher boot for hunting than a hiking boot.

Some outstanding info guys, thank you so far.
Please, keep the opinions and brands coming.

I'll second the salomon Quest 4ds. Ive hiked all day in them on some pretty serious trails and also done a lot of urban walking with no issues outside of my already bad feet.

Asolo Drifter I have been wearing these or a variation of them for 6 years. I love them. In my opinion, they are the best hiking boot made.


https://asolo-usa.com/products...riant=40406803087542

LOWA hands down without a doubt!!!!
I wear these for hiking and hunting. Last pair lasted 10 years, yes you read that correctly 10 YEARS! I swapped insoles a few times, and the waterproofing probably only lasted about 8. They are kind of ugly but the rubber do hickeys on the side and game changers in rocky terrain. Keeps the rocks from digging in the side of your foot.
Just got my replacement pair a couple weeks back and the old ones are going to yard duty. I wear them all 4 seasons.
https://www.lowaboots.com/prod...riant=49454548582720

I also wear Lowas every day as my duty boot. I get about 3-4 years out of them but they are beat on 40+ hours a week.
These for work
https://www.lowaboots.com/prod...riant=49454848966976

Only other boot that has lasted me like that was Danner but they were no where near as comfortable.

I've been wearing the same pair of Danners for 30+ years and I'll likely die with them. They get a new coat of Huberd's Shoe Grease every year and they're still going strong. As I understand it, though, Danner quality has diminished over the years due to overseas (Chinese) manufacturing.

Boot technology these days is really incredible. Anyone who has not tried the current generation of modern technical boots will be seriously impressed.

Saloman Quest are pretty nice for a lighter choice, I’ve worn out 4 pair. Moved to Zamberlan they are much stiffer and heavier. Not sure they qualify as upland boots. Then again more than one style available.

Big fan of the Salomon Quest line. Pretty much all I wear. Lowas are also great, but the Salomons come in half-sizes above 12, which I need.

Russell Moccasin Makes a traditional upland style boot for bird hunting that is highly regarded.

They are pricey, but also repairable.

I can just see you on a fall day walking behind your English Pointer. What a great traditional hunting picture.

Perfect, thanks guys. Appreciate all the feedback

I wore the same pair of (USA made) Danner's quail hunting for about 20 years.

Loved my Meindl and Lowa boots for hunting and hiking. Alot of miles walked muzzle loading season in Colorado with these two brands. https://meindlusa.com/

quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie1:
Loved my Meindl and Lowa boots for hunting and hiking. Alot of miles walked muzzle loading season in Colorado with these two brands. https://meindlusa.com/

My best friend uses Meindl boots hunting and all winter around his horse farm, he considers them the best. REI by me has the Lowa and Salomon in stock to look at. I’m going to start shopping around this week.

The hard part about these top of the line type boots for hunting is they're hard to find in order to try them on for fit. Not an impossible task, but more often than not harder to accomplish, particularly if you have hard-to-fit feet (narrow heels, wide fronts, etc). But they are sure worth the effort when you find a pair that fit and you're still fit enough to put them to work in uncertain conditions.