Boot Pros and Cons

[Stick]

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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These are what I wear.  Great boots!

[Shiloh]

I wear Crispi's as well. They are "the only" boot that has ever kept my feet dry other than a lacrosse rubber.

[Marc]

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.

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

My understanding is that both of these American company boots are made in Vietnam...  Similar pricing...  Danner a bit more pricey but not much...

All else being equal, I upland hunt, and the

In my experience, waterproofing is to some degree subject to the terrain and the abuse you subject them to.  I have not had any (non-rubber) boots stay waterproof without treatment (hunting rocky/brushy country).

My advice, is get the ones that fit you best...  I would rather pay more for comfortable boots I can walk all day in, than ones that do not fit as well...  I would also rather have "cheaper" boots I had to replace more often that I could walk all day in, than ones than do not fit as well.

Both boots are reasonable choices...  Get the ones that are more comfortable on YOUR feet.

All else being equal (similar comfort), the Vaprtrek have an uninsulted option, and upland hunting in insulated boots has been unpleasant for me (too hot).  I would get the Vaprtrek for that reason alone.

[GobbleNut]

Here's another question regarding the need for waterproof footwear. Depending on where you hunt, at what point does having waterproof footwear become irrelevant?  The reason I ask is that the few times I have hunted somewhere where my feet got wet, I was getting wet almost up to my waste due to the high vegetation combined with either heavy morning dew and/or regular rain. 

I would have to have been wearing chest waders to keep from getting completely soaked every day I hunted. I would assume a guy would have to wear waterproof pants, at least, to prevent the eventual soaking of everything below waste level under those conditions.

Personally, I'm just glad I mostly hunt where I don't have to deal with that problem on a daily basis...which is why I am generally not prepared for it when I do go to places like that. 

[Dtrkyman]

Contact the boot manufacturer, a full goretex bootie is required and there are some companies that construct the bootie with additional layers of protection that makes them last longer!

I have a pair of Asolo that are still waterproof and probably 10 years old, more miles than I could guess on them, I wear them when I know it will be wet with gaiters. Have had 3 pairs of their boots over the years, they last and stay dry.

Crispi are fine boots but did not work for my feet at all, need to try boots on in my opinion!


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[Marc]

Here's another question regarding the need for waterproof footwear. Depending on where you hunt, at what point does having waterproof footwear become irrelevant?  The reason I ask is that the few times I have hunted somewhere where my feet got wet, I was getting wet almost up to my waste due to the high vegetation combined with either heavy morning dew and/or regular rain. 

For me it only becomes irrelevant if I am wading in water...  And the water level is over the top of my boots.

I know my pants will dry after walking in the dew (once the sun is up for a bit), but once your feet get wet, they stay wet, and uncomfortable...  And one foot infection will make you a lot more cognizant about wet feet.

For rain, I have some light camo rain pants, and of course a good rain coat.  I have hunted, and will hunt turkeys in the rain, but I do not like it...   I will generally hunt with diaphragm calls only, and I use an umbrella, and tend to be a lot less mobile (as getting a nomadic bird to answer is a lot less likely).

I have killed some nice birds in the rain...  The joy of doing so, is more that I can now get out of the stupid rain, rather than the joy of a successful hunt.

But...  As you know, hunting in the West, and often putting on miles on a hunt, dry and comfortable feet are paramount to the enjoyment of the whole experience (at least for me).  With today's technology, being comfortable is a lot more easy...  I do all I can to stay warm when it is cool and cool when it is warm, but the last thing I want to worry about is my feet hurting when I am walking....  Boots are still a challenge to me, cause I have a very narrow heel and high arch, so I appreciate comfortable foot wear.

[PalmettoRon]

I used to wear Russell boots. They are very comfortable, durable, decent on keeping your feet dry, but are heavy.

I wear Crispi Lapponia Lite boots now. They only weigh 1 lb 2 oz per boot, are very comfortable, durable and I've had zero issues with wet feet.

They required virtually no break in and I've never even had a hot spot despite as much as 11+ miles of steep up and down terrain.

[MarkTwain Hunter]

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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I have had the same experience with leather "Gortex" boots.  I switched to Lacrosse rubber boots.

[Tail Feathers]

Just got home from six days of hunting in Fl. The Chene light rubber boots kept me dry walking in lots of standing water daily.  Averaging about 5 miles per day, no blisters at all.  Plantar fasciitis was also kept in check.  I am quite pleased and they are priced about the same as LaCrosse and other similar boots.