Boot Pros and Cons

[Dhamilton1]

Looking at either a pair of Irish Setter Vaprtrek or Danner Vital for spring turkey this year and early season bow hunting in the fall.

My lacrosse aero sports are great but my legs get hot in them and get uncomfortable after a lot of hiking, chasing birds.

What's everyone's thoughts or experience with either of these boots?


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[Tom007]

Danner Vital. Definitely waterproof, comfortable, come in wide sizes, lightweight. This is my 2nd pair, my first pair lasted 15 years. Highly recommend Danner...

[Prohunter3509]

I started hunting the russell moccasin snake
Boot a few years back man they have out performed all the nethers i used in the years before

[roberthyman14]

I had Irish setters for a few seasons.  Water proof for 1 season after that, my feet would get wet walking across a grass field.  Switched to lacrosse rubber boots.  Yeah they aint as light or comfortable but no wet feet from creeks or grass. 

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[GobbleNut]

I have been wearing the Irish Setter Vaprtrek boots for several seasons now and have been happy with them. I have found them to be comfortable and with good ankle support, which has always been an issue for me. 

I rarely hunt where water infiltration is an issue, but the times I have, my feet have eventually taken a bath. Now, if I regularly hunted somewhere that I was subjected to water issues, I would probably just coat the heck out them with a waterproofing spray and hope for the best. Regardless, I am not one that gets too excited over hunting with wet feet.  It is a ways down my list of concerns while hunting. Then again, if I WAS regularly hunting where my feet would get wet, I might change my tune about it.     

[FL-Boss]

Danner Vital are good, also look at the Danner Recurve... I have been liking them even more.

[Tail Feathers]

I'm on my second or third pair of Vaprtrek's.  Very comfortable and last several years for me.  But they do lose waterproof after season 2.  I have looked at the Danner Vitals but I think they may be heavier?  Not sure on that.
I have a pair of Chene zip up rubber boots arriving today.  Looking forward to my feet staying dry on the wet days.  I hope.

[Yoder409]

Another vote for the Irish Setters.

I call them my 17" running shoes.  My current pair (first pair had a TON of miles on 'em when one came apart) is going into its 4th season and they are still waterproof.

I owned one pair of Danner upland-type boots about 20 years ago.  They started coming apart after about 3 weeks.  Maybe it's changed....but, at that time, I couldn't just take 'em back to the store for an exchange.  Had to send them back to Oregon and wait 6-8 weeks for a decision to fix or replace.  Last pair I ever bought.

I had an issue with a pair of Irish Setter Rutmaster rubber boots.  A manufacturing defect.  Took 'em back to the place I bought 'em.  Walked out with a new pair in under 5 minutes....no questions asked. 

[kytrkyhntr]

I bought a pair of crispi Valdres GTX. Boots. Wear em snow or 95 degrees. Paired with darn tough socks everything else is my focus. My feet aren't. Purchased in 2018 I believe or 2017. Keep em oiled. Buy once cry once


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[jsc78]

I started hunting the russell moccasin snake
Boot a few years back man they have out performed all the nethers i used in the years before

x10, and I wore a pair of Danner lace-ups for a few years that were definitely comfortable.

My Russells were pretty comfortable brand new (found them on eBay for $350), yet once they became very broken in, they've been the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever worn by far.

[Paulmyr]

I'm running a pair of danner snake boots currently. My previous pair was Vaportrek. Danners have a Gortex lining and the Vaportrek are some kind of membrane, possibly sprayed on. The vapor treks waterproofing didn't last a season. I correlate it to the my boot dryer affecting the membrane as I've read in researching waterproof socks that most spray on liners melt with heat.

The Danners have made it through their 1st season unscathed can't say nearly as much for the vapor treks but man were they light.

My my choices for boots don't have a name brand attached to them other than they must have Gortex.

[FL-Boss]

As for waterproofing, they all seem "decent" at best no matter what brand. Morning dew in tall grass is always the worse it seems. I found boot gaiters to be the real game changer to really keep your feet dry.

[Gooserbat]

I vote Crispi.  Yeah I know they are expensive.  I also know how well they have work out for me. 

[wareagle22]

They WILL leak, it's only a matter of time.

I've worn Crispi Nevadas for 6 years now and they are yet to leak.  I keep them treated with boot wax but they don't leak.

[Marc]

Lots of good boots out there...  Not every boot is good for every person, which is why there are so many choices.

I have a high arch and narrow heel...  I do not order online.

My current boots are Irish Setter EnerG, due to them being on sale and fitting me.  So far so good.  Made in Vietnam.

My previous pair were Browning's and they were very comfortable...  Soles came off both boots after several seasons...  Before that, Rocky (same thing)...  While most everyone I know loves Danner, they just have not fit me comfortably.

I am hard on boots...  I figure 4 seasons, and if I get 5, they are pretty good.

Most comfortable boots I had were expensive hiking boots...  Waterproof, light weight, and very comfortable.  Hiking boots are made for trails, and they did not hold up for hunting (in which I am rarely on a trail).  I went through several pairs during my 2 year warranty with them.  I believe I am now banned from REI.

Danner, Rocky, Irish Setter, Lacrosse, Browning, and other companies make good boots. If you are covering ground while hunting, good boots are paramount...   But good boots for me, might not be good boots for you and vice versa...  If the fit me comfortably, I would get Danner...  Leather has held up better than synthetic, but leather tends to be heavier, and there seems to be more choices with synthetic lately.

I will say that for rubber boots, Lacrosse have been hands down the best I have used.