Hunting boots

[Werm]

Looking for a good (just over $100) pair of new hunting boots and these two look nice...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... 833830416a


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... tid=151413


I guess I don't understand why the 1,200g insulated boots are rated to a lower temp then the 2,000g. Anyone know why? Material differences? I don't know much about materials when it comes to warmth. I'm looking for really warm boots because my feet have been frostbitten so many times over the years my feet get very cold very fast.

Thanks!

[onebohemian]

I don't know anything specific about either pair you've posted. I do have a pair of 1200gr Rocky's though and I can pretty much stand on the ice all day fishing without any numbing of the toes or other problems. I'm not sure how that thinsulate works but I can even wear these boots in the summer and be comfortable. Boots are extremely waterproof as well. Have stood in water that covers the laces somewhat and water did not get inside. I've had really good luck with the Rockys brand, and I usually buy them at Fleet Farm because of the pricing. If I needed to, because of the air space in the boot above my toes, I could probably insert one of those 7 hour toe or finger warmer packs, but I've never done that.

[Werm]

I don't know anything specific about either pair you've posted. I do have a pair of 1200gr Rocky's though and I can pretty much stand on the ice all day fishing without any numbing of the toes or other problems. I'm not sure how that thinsulate works but I can even wear these boots in the summer and be comfortable. Boots are extremely waterproof as well. Have stood in water that covers the laces somewhat and water did not get inside. I've had really good luck with the Rockys brand, and I usually buy them at Fleet Farm because of the pricing. If I needed to, because of the air space in the boot above my toes, I could probably insert one of those 7 hour toe or finger warmer packs, but I've never done that.

Do you know the boot model? I'm looking all all boots because my current don't cut it for warmth!

[onebohemian]

The fact that it appears you and I are the only two still awake and on this board actually made me walk upstairs and into my cold garage to check. Turns out I was slightly mistaken regarding the thinsulate content. Mine are only 1000 -- not 1200. Model number on the boot is 7482 (I assume that's the model number as I don't see anything else on the boot that appears to be a model designation). There are numbers on the tag on the tongue that appear to be a date of 09-04. That's probably right as I bet I've had these for 3 seasons already.

I've found that there's usually more information on the tags tied to the boots at the store than you can find online. Best would probably be just to go check the boots out in person. If you not going to wear these for anything but sitting in a tree stand, I think I'd go for the hightest thinsulate I could get. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that cabelas website is wrong on the temp. rating of one of those boots you posted. By chance does 3M have information about thinsulate on its or any other sites? At least you could figure out the answer to the fundamental question of whether more thinsulate means more warmth, regardless of what else the boot is made of.

Good luck.

[Werm]

The fact that it appears you and I are the only two still awake and on this board actually made me walk upstairs and into my cold garage to check. Turns out I was slightly mistaken regarding the thinsulate content. Mine are only 1000 -- not 1200. Model number on the boot is 7482 (I assume that's the model number as I don't see anything else on the boot that appears to be a model designation). There are numbers on the tag on the tongue that appear to be a date of 09-04. That's probably right as I bet I've had these for 3 seasons already.

I've found that there's usually more information on the tags tied to the boots at the store than you can find online. Best would probably be just to go check the boots out in person. If you not going to wear these for anything but sitting in a tree stand, I think I'd go for the hightest thinsulate I could get. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that cabelas website is wrong on the temp. rating of one of those boots you posted. By chance does 3M have information about thinsulate on its or any other sites? At least you could figure out the answer to the fundamental question of whether more thinsulate means more warmth, regardless of what else the boot is made of.

Good luck.

I'm a night owl also

I'm stopping at cabelas tomorrow on my way down south (the Owatonna one) so I'll check out what they have. I want a good "all around" boot but mostly just sitting. For both duck hunting when the cold water goes through the boats metal, your boot, and into you. Also for stands, ground (turkey), and possibly elk next year. I want something both warm and versatile... which might be hard with my budget!

I'm going to look more into these Rocky boots, I've certainly heard of but never owned. I went to 3M's site but it listed things like "good better best" pretty much leading up to 1,000g insulate. I'm thinking I'll email a few boot sellers and 3M about warmth and thinsulate.

[brauchma]

good topic! I am looking for a good set of hunting boots. I was thinking more a long the lines of a universal boot for cold weather and then some late fall hunting. I just may need to buy two pair. I have a set of rocky's from about 9 years a go... no longer water proof, debris proof, cold proof...etc.

Do you feel that these two boots would suffice for both pheasant and then cold deer and duck hunting?

[tullibee]

funny timing on this thread! here's why -- met up with a buddy yesterday at the Roger's store yesterday as we both had gift cert/cards that needed to be used. He was lookig for a new pair of boots and I was looking for ammo. he hit the bargain cave and came back with a pair of the Cabelas store brand boots in a box. Then he tells me that they also had a pair of "name brand" in the cave that were a little too big for him, and that footwear in the cave was an additional 20% off. I didn't need another pair of boots but I thought I might as well check them out just in case. Well, they turn out to be Rocky's (1200gram Thinsulate) for ~$55! If my buddy and I go pheasant hunting this afternoon I'll give you a report on how they do!!!

edited to add - bummer, buddy had to go help his in-laws, so boots just sat in the living room...

[Tabsr]

RedWing?

[Werm]

This topic has me pretty perplexed ATM... X-mas is coming up and my GF wants to know which boot to buy me! I still can't decide.

[Thor]

I'd check out Petters Warehouse. Often times they have closeouts or seconds that are every bit as good as what you'd find in Cabela's and a lot cheaper. I also got a pair of hunting boots from Sportsman's Warehouse that were on sale (Irish Setter boots). $200 boots for $90 (so they said) The warmest boots I have are some Sorels that have a liner. They're only ankle length, though.

[rucker]

My dad, uncle, and myself all got matching pairs of Rocky Cornstalkers 9 years ago and 2 of the 3 are still in service. I finally had to retire mine after 8 years I have been looking for new boots too and thought I would just buy another pair of CornStalkers but after doing some research online it sounds like the soles of the new Rocky boots fall apart fairly quickly

I have read several sources that claim the Danner Pronghorn boots are the most comfortable boots but they are pretty expensive. They come in 0, 200, 600, and 1000 grams of thinsulate and are $160-180.

The CornStalkers I had were 400 grams and my feet never got cold when I was walking. For pheasant hunting they were perfect, not so much for ice fishing or deer hunting.

[1911fan]

It also depends on your feet and on your style of hunting.


My feet stay pretty warm all the time, unless i am just standing or sitting. I have no trouble even today with snow on the ground walking around in boat shoes with no socks, but make me stand still for a few minutes, and I will get cold.

My bird hunting boots are uninsulated Danners(Mt Hoods, I think). Expensive to buy, cheap to own, I am on my 17th or so season of using these boots, I wear them a lot as rough duty work boots as well as hunting boots for birds or small game, I can wear a good pair of merino wool socks in them and be fine to very low temps as long as I am walking, or wear cotton/polypro and be ok when its hot out. I think i paid 170 bucks in 1990, resoled them in about 2000 for about 40 dollars, and they are still good.

I have to say that in my experience, the single most telling point in how a boot will wear is where its made and how its made. The boots shown have the molded on soles, not sewn on. Those last only as long as the glue/plastic bond holds to the leather. They are made in China. USA made boots which have a goodyear welt, which are designed to be resoled, are made to last, using better leather, better lasts and inner soles.

Chippewa, Redwing, Danner all make terrific boots if you find the ones that are MADE in USA>I am sold on that being the difference between good boots and great boots (let me also add that some of the european boots, Raichle, Asolo, etc, make good boots too, but they tend to be more hiking than hunting oriented.)

If I am going to be on a deer stand, or sitting on the ice, then I wear Sorels pak boots, not so easy to walk in for long distances, but you can trust them to WAY below zero.

[Thor]

Mt Irish Setters were made by the Red Wing Shoe Company and made in China !!! Sorry, but I thought that Red Wing boots were all made here in the USA.... So, now, I check another pair of boots that have the Field & Stream tag on them. Made in China, too. Thanks for making me look, 1911fan....

(I guess that's what I get for assuming)

[1911fan]

I found out the hard way when Galyans was switching over to Dicks, they had some Danner boots on sale for 60 dollars! I went , bought them and got home to find a made in China sticker on them. I returned them. about 1/4 of the Danner line is made in the USA now, RedWing is down to less than that. That said, you buy the USA redwings, they will last till your kids are putting you in a home.