Retiring my Danner Pronghorns this year after many miles and seasons on them. Last year I bought a pair of Meindl hikers that I wore some and they were very comfortable but I am going to buy a replacement for the Danners so I'd like to hear what you guys best hunting/hiking boot you have found for turkey season. I do hunt mountain terrain with creeks so stability and waterproofness is definitely big factors. Also if you could tell me if a particular make model ran true to size or small/big/wide/narrow. Thanks for any input you can share
Good luck this season
Danner pronghorns are my go to , a pair last me around 2 years . I wear them to work daily , and hunting .
I've tried a pair of crispy Thor's , but they hurt my feet . For the money and durability, pronghorns are hard to beat IMO .
I have had two pairs of the Danner High ground over the past 5 years. When the second pair wears out I may try the Danner Vital.
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I have had several different brands over the years most were ok at best, this year I bought a pair of Kenetrek boots they are hands down the best most comfortable boots I've ever had on my feet.
I have wide feet, so I am limited to Boots that come in EE width. Irish Setter has been my go-to boot. I have insulated and uninsulated Setters, great boots, they are indeed waterproof and light weight.....
Danner Vital Snake Boots w/ gore tex. 3rd season coming up for these boots they've help up well for me so far. Before that it was the Irish Setter Snake Boots I think I got 4 good seasons before they began leaking.
I average only 10-12 walking miles a week during the season due to a junk knee, Boots tend to last me a bit longer. Some of my buddies put that on thiers daily 5-6 days a week.
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Irish setter Vaprtrek snake boots.
I'm on my second pair of the old model gortex Danner snake boots. I still wear the first pair I bought 15 years ago but they leak now from being worn so much. I still wear them occasionally. I was lucky enough to find a new pair just like them on ebay several years ago, so I'd have them when the first pair wore out. Most comfortable snake boot I've ever worn.
For affordability I like merrill. If you're after a premium boot I like crispi I have both.
Kenetrex are my go to boot for hunting...
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I've had about every brand out there but Danner seems to out last them all. For kicks I bought a pair of North Face leather lace up boots at an outlet one time for 75% off and have to admit, they are super comfortable, extremely light and one of the warmest leather boots I own. Don't skimp on outdoor footwear cause when your feet ain't happy it makes for a miserable trip.
tell y'all what an old timer told me when I was a kid. he said boy, spend most of your money on good boots and cloths cause that gun don't do one thing to keep you warm and dry and if you ain't comfortable you're miserable and miserable ain't fun.
I wore crispi for two seasons for everything. I had issues and returned them. Got a refund and I bought some hanwag boots. So far so good. I really like them. They are the Alaska model.
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Irish Setter VaprTrek Snake boots. I wear them turkey hunting and bow hunting for deer. They are as comfortable as any hiking boot and provide peace of mind if I accidentally step on Mr No Shoulders. Very waterproof from a dew and rain standpoint but I have never waded much in them.
I picked up a pair of Lowa hiking boots/shoes last year. I love them. I don't see myself wearing traditional boots while turkey hunting again.
I like Kenetrek boots as well. I wore them in Colorado elk hunting and walked over 40 miles in a week and never had a blister or sore feet at the end of the day. Good boots are expensive but they are worth it. Thank.
Lowa tibets
I've gone through 2 pairs of Danner Pronghorns, loved them and still do. But wanted something just a tad lighter and went with the Danner Vital non-insulated this year. I've been hiking in them and couldn't be happier.
I'd say if you're a Pronghorn fan, go with the Vitals, they have a similar fit, maybe a tad more narrow feeling, but the ankle support is identical, IMO.
Irish setter vaportreks for me. Will be starting on my second pair this spring. Got about 6 years out of the first ones. I use them almost exclusively for turkeys and not much else. They lose waterproof in a year or two. Apparently most boots do.
https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/M-TARGHEE-II-MID-WP.html?dwvar_M-TARGHEE-II-MID-WP_color=1002375&cgid=mens_footwear_boots
I've worn the same pair of keens the past 3 years. Probably have 1 or 2 years left in them. Also wear them to work some also. For the money I have been very pleased.
Crispi Thor GTX
Meindl Vakuum Hunters most comfortable boots ive ever had outstanding on steep terrain
Keen
Been wearing Irish setter snake boots. Very comfortable. Only problem is they are not waterproof. That only lasted maybe 1 season and I spray them with about every kind waterproofer. I will be switching to danner snake boots this season. Hopefully they keep the water proofing longer. Not ready to go to rubber boots yet.
Prostaff member for Old Crow Custom Calls
I always used rubber boots in the past. Last year I started wearing some meindl perfect hikers. I love those boots. A little heavy but really comfy. My feet love them. I just got a pair of Lowa's this past week to wear to work. They will be used as double duty. They are the renegade gtx. Really light and comfortable. Already have about 25 miles on them in a week. Just have to see if they hold up. I did add an insole to the Lowa's though
Wore a pair of asolo for about 8 years until they disintegrated. Lots of miles in those. Now I've got a pair of Garmont which is similar to the asolo and they've been going strong for about 5 years which considering what I do to them is pretty good. These types of boot work well for the mountains where I hunt.
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme, best 450 dollars I've ever spent
I like my Kenetrek Mountain Extreme in the steep terrain.
Quote from: RiverBuck on February 28, 2022, 07:00:24 PM
Crispi Thor GTX
Those Crispi Thor's are my sons go to boots for the last five years, he's got some good hard mileage out of his. I have a pair of Scarpa charmoz pro GTX all synthetic, I've had for the last six years. Originally sold by Kuiu, it's a real nice boot that drys out fast. I also use a pair of there all leather Revolution Plus GTX, three seasons and still going strong. It's another nice boot, but I still use my rubber boots when the conditions call for them and just bought a new pair for this spring turkey season.
Lowa Ranger III GTX. Had 3 pairs of Pronghorns, and let's just say I will
never own Pronghorns again.
Thanks for all your suggestions guys, keep them coming!
Lowa Renegade GTX for me. They fit my foot the best when I tried a few on. It's really going to come down to what fits best on your foot.
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Love my Danner Pronghorns
Lowa Renegades.
I'm a LaCrosse guy, Atlas (400g) on dry ground and Alpha Burley Pro's when I'm gonna get into some water. I also have a pair of un-insulated Danners but am about a season off from replacing them with LaCrosse Windrose.
Crispi Summits are my current favorite. They are still relatively new to me, but so far I am quite pleased. Prior to these, I always ran Keen Targhees. They did the job fine, but I got some Summit's on a good sale and decided to try them out since they weren't much more expensive than the Keens after the sale price.
Irish Setter Vaptreks, wide. Love em.
For an inexpensive boot, I like the Merrell MOABs. For a sturdier, more premium boot, my go to right now is the Zamberlan 996 Vioz.
Had a pair of the Vaprtreks and loved em. They just didn't hold up for more than 2 seasons here in the western Va mountains.
IMO...
If your walking (Miles) hard roads/gravel or shale, the Crispi's (Mountain GTX) are awesome. If you walking wooded soft trails the Meindel Vakuum hunters are unbeatable. I use and carry both depending on where I am hunting.
I just received a pair of the Crispi Summit hikers to try this spring, I really like the way they feel so far.
The Kennetrek's are a total waste of 500$. Save yourself some money and go buy a 2"X6" pine board, put some screws up through the bottom for tread and you'll be set. If looking for longevity get treated wood.
I will say the Kenny's are very well made. Just stiff as, well, a board. Injured my Achilles tendon wearing these boots (mountain extremes) I believe. The woman said I caught the turkey foot, as I had to walk side ways with the jacked up ankle.
Funny. I sold them (Kenny's) to a guy for 200$, he loves them, thinks they are the greatest.
I bought a pair of the Danner Alsea's during the sale they were having last week. Just got them in today and have been walking around the house in them. They're lightweight and seem comfortable, for the price if I get a few years out of them I'll be happy
Love the merrell chameleon low hikers. Crazy light (tennis shoe light) sole flexes to the terrain (many will not like that). Not remotely waterproof, but I don't mind wet feet in wool socks if it's not cold. Put 180 miles on them last season, and the sole is still attached.
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Meindl perfect hunters are my favorite by far my boot history is with hanwag, multiple Crispi, Danner, under armour, Cabela's branded, Hoffman and multiple meindl
There's a big personal fit factor
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I like the Bramma Low Boots that you can find at walmart. They are Light,Brown,and around 25 Bucks.
I am a mover and don't like to sit beyond 20 minutes. These Light Brammas allow me to move fast and not be tired after a Turkey Hunt unlike the 18" Swamp Boots.
They are comfortable too and Dry Quick if you move through a low Wetland.
That is my pick. They may not last forever- but they will last you a Tough Spring Turkey Season. When the sole is worn halfway down,I drop another 25 Bucks and get another pair.
I used to be the Walmart Shoe Dept Man. If you are a fast mover like me- Brammas is a good choice that won't kill the wallet.
Irish Setter Elk Tracker early in the season and Vasque Breeze GTX for later in the season.
I just bought a pair of Salomon x ultra 3 and been wearing them around some. So far so good. Will put em through the test this spring.
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Lowa Renegades for over 10 years, love them.
I received some Irish Setter Vaprtreks for Christmas that I plan on using this year. Uninsulated but waterproof. I have a hard time with hot feet rather than cold feet, but I hate wet feet. Hope these fill the bill....
Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on March 04, 2022, 01:09:02 PM
I received some Irish Setter Vaprtreks for Christmas that I plan on using this year. Uninsulated but waterproof. I have a hard time with hot feet rather than cold feet, but I hate wet feet. Hope these fill the bill....
Did you go with the 8" or 17" vaprtreks? Looking to get a pair myself
Quote from: cpreeves on March 04, 2022, 03:27:46 PM
Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on March 04, 2022, 01:09:02 PM
I received some Irish Setter Vaprtreks for Christmas that I plan on using this year. Uninsulated but waterproof. I have a hard time with hot feet rather than cold feet, but I hate wet feet. Hope these fill the bill....
Did you go with the 8" or 17" vaprtreks? Looking to get a pair myself
8"
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