Looking for recommendations for a hiker (or rubber) that is light weight, WATERPROOF, and is comfortable. I have yet to find a hiker that is reasonably priced (under $300) that is actually waterproof. And I have yet to find a knee high rubber that is actually comfortable after a few hours of walking. Recommendations please....Would like to stay under $300. Under $200 would be even better.
My recommendations are mainly based on comfort. I'd first take a look at the Lems waterproof boulder boot. I have 2 pair of these and they are very comfortable and waterproof. Next I'd look at the Vivobarefoot Tracker II. It's only "water resistant". These are both zero drop hikers. Zero drop shoes/boots feel like you're walking barefoot. I also have a pair of Irish Setter 8" Vaprtrek waterproof boots, but they are far less comfortable than my Lems.
Quote from: darron on March 21, 2025, 01:55:28 PMLooking for recommendations for a hiker (or rubber) that is light weight, WATERPROOF, and is comfortable. I have yet to find a hiker that is reasonably priced (under $300) that is actually waterproof. And I have yet to find a knee high rubber that is actually comfortable after a few hours of walking. Recommendations please....Would like to stay under $300. Under $200 would be even better.
We are all different, but I've walked many miles in swamps, hardwoods and hills wearing Lacrosse knee high burley nob sole boots and never had any problems in over 30 years. I prefer them over the hikers that I own.
I put 41 miles on a new pair of chene lightweight zippered boots this week. I like them a lot so far. I've not found a waterproof hiker yet, but some buddies swear by crispi and zamberlans
I have a lot of miles on my Crispi Lapponias and I really like them. They are 8" hikers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Like Bill, I prefer Lacrosse and own 3 pair with different grams of insulation depending on conditions. I wear a 12, but have skinny ankles & narrow feet, and they just fit me better. They get it done for me and still have enough money left to shop on this site...
Meindl, light hiker, $275
Xtratuf, but it rains a lot here.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Honestly, If you can find a store to try on different boots, that would be the best. Crispi's are what the influencers are pushing now.
Just my :z-twocents: .. I went to a local hiking store. I tired on a couple pairs of boots. I needed something a little more stiff because I find myself hunting areas that are not easy to hike. In the process I do a lot of side hilling.
I ended up going with the Lowa's renegade.
I tired on a pair of Altra Lone Peak. They are a o drop boot. They where super light weight and pretty comfortable. However, they couldn't sidehill worth crap.
I'm a believer that in regards to footwear you get what you pay for.
Oboz makes a great hike
3 years ago I found myself in a foot/ankle/tendon predicament. Ended up going to a "shoe shop" in a medical boot and walking out with a new pair of shoes. Something I hadn't done, the walking part.
Moral. Don't cut expenses on your feet. Within reason but you get the idea.
As stated. Try on as many pair as possible. Aches, weight, and on and on but you'll find what u need. Lacrosse make great boots, after 2 miles I'm crippled.
Zamberlian make great light hikers w gore tex
Man, you will get 100 answers to your question: many good boots, crispi, zamberlan, hanwag, lowa, meindl, .... you get the idea. Everybody's feet are different, what works great for one person may not for another. your personal usage, example rugged terrain and lots of sidehilling and weighing 250 lbs. puts you in a different scenario than someone on flatland crossing a few small creeks. Ive used lacrosse basic rubber boots and gotten good service life. Ive used meindl hunters and gotten many years out of them. Recently bought salmon ultra gtx mid height lightweight and wore them a bunch but they started hurting my feet. Currently wearing a lowa renegade mid. So far very pleased with both the price and comfort. I bought them barely used off REI re-supply. Probably around $100 total. Maybe try REI, if for nothing more than they seem to have a very solid return policy, even if you beat the boots up pretty good. Not sure but some other retailers may be good about returns too. Might need to put you foot in the boot and go from there...
* one more note: I did just retreat the leather on my boots recently, a little TLC probably goes a long ways, especially w leather footwear.
I've enjoyed my crispi's. Just bought my second pair. Still wearing the first and have never had a drop of water come through them that I am aware of.
Like alot have said you get what you pay for in footwear I like stiffer ones for side Hilling really like my meindl bergell hikers meindls have a great try on wear in house if they dont fit send back they are very helpful in the process goodluck in your search
Your feet get wet in hikers because your socks/pants are wicking moisture down into your boot.
A good pair of leather hikers and gaiters will solve your problem.
I even have a pair of non-GTX Hanwags that I wear when the weather gets hot. I treat them with sno seal and wear Kennetrek gaiters. Feet stay bone dry even crossing shallow creeks.
I've gone to bare foot style boots but I don't recommend them until you condition yourself to them!
You have to try on boots to get proper fit, a full goretex bootie with a layer between it and the boot stay waterproof, I have a pair of Asolo that are 10 years old and still waterproof, they're a bit much for a turkey boot but their lighter hikers last a feed years of heavy use and can be had at Sierr@ trading post cheaper.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
one other thing you might want to look into insoles. Outside of Oboz shoes, the insoles are crap and you will want to replace those. Superfeet make a really good set. You can log onto their site and find a local store that cares them. If you go to REI they might have a trail pair you can try on.
Lacrosse are the most comfortable rubber boot I have worn... I have worn them plenty of times on flat ground pheasant hunting, but there is no way I would care to wear them in the rocky/steep foothills I hunt for quail or turkey.
Biggest downside to rubber boots for me, if I am putting on miles, is sweat. So you hike in a mile or two, and now your feet are sweaty (even in chilly weather)... Then you sit for a while with cold/sweaty feet. Ankle support and traction on hilly terrain is also poor with rubber knee-highs...
Hiking boots (not hunting boots) tend to be lighter weight, and more comfortable to wear while on the move. The ones I owned did not have the ankle support, nor did they hold up as well as less expensive hunting boots. (I tried Asolo).
I will say that the warranty was honored... Several times. Warranty was from day of purchase of the original pair, and I went through multiple pairs (I believe 4 pairs total) in the one or two year period...
Mid-priced Rocky, Irish Setter, and Browning, tend to hold up for 2-3 seasons of hard use (if I am hunting lots of quail), and longer if I do not use them for chuckar/quail... (The terrain and myself are hard on my boots, and I am rarely on a trail)
I have not found any of the water-proof boots that stay water-proof without treatment in rugged/rocky terrain.
I have a high arch and narrow heel, so I am limited to boots that fit, and online ordering is not a great choice for me... I know Danner's do NOT fit my feet, but that is what the majority of my upland friends have purchased.
The soles of my Browning's came off last season, and I am now using Irish Setter boots, which are comfortable, and so far holding up well.
I do believe you get what you pay for in hunting boots... I also believe that hunting boot purchase is very personal as far as fit and use, and need... First and foremost, they need to fit me. Secondly I need some ankle support, they should be water-proof and un-insulated for my needs...
I wouldn't wear crispis if they cured the plague. I typically wear a rubber boot in the mornings here in my homestate , lots of dew and such on the ground and brush. Don't want wet legs.... No im not wearing gators......... In the evenings , unless I intend on hunting somewhere muddy or need to cross water . I have a pair of Irish setter 11.5" uninsulated pinnacle boots with the boa strap . They have a membrane, so they are water proof, and they do breathe well. Pores open as your feet heat up to breathe and they close when it's cold to keep heat in. I actually deer hunt in them quite a bit . They work well, probably some of the warmest boots I've had and that's the uninsulated version , and they aren't too hot either , but I don't have overly sweaty feet . What not hot to me is to others . As far as durability I've had them going on 4 years. They've been good . Have held up quite well. I have many things that utilize the boa strap... I'm a big fan . I'm not a fan of laces .... So these were a win for me . I actually don't know if they still make them . Prior to these boots ive always wore rubber boots , hunting out west sort of changed my mind on that ..... didn't hurt my feet but putting that kind of mileage on the boot rubbed the liner in the heal out from the slippage ... they just aren't made for that .