Boots

[longspur]

Every year just before turkey season I buy a pair of boots for every day use. I wear them every day from the time I get up to the time I get ready to turn in. Regardless of make and model after about six or seven months they start to leak. After 10 or 11 months the souls are coming loose and have holes wore in the bottom. Last year I bought a pair of Cabela's treestand lll uninsulated. They still have good tread and still don't leak. Best pair of boots I have ever had on my feet. Guess want...Discontinued.

[Turkeyman]

Well, "waterproof boots" are a pet peeve of mine. Quite simply, if they're not rubber your feet will get wet. So find a pair of rubber boots which are comfortable and you like the fit. Now...there are many boots which, splashing through some water then getting onto dry ground again, won't leak. Those boots are "highly water resistant", but not waterproof. Waterproof means you can submerge them in a bucket of water and check them tomorrow...they'll still be totally dry inside. I wear Muck boots because I like the comfort. BUT, they're not waterproof. I did that submersion in a bucket of water test and they were wet inside! Called Muck. The girl I talked to said that marketing didn't want to use totally waterproof neoprene due to the cost, thus they were "highly water resistant", but not waterproof. So, you have to determine if your going to be splashing through water, or standing in it. That will determine your purchase.

PS...I'd love to see Muck come out with a waterproof neoprene...I love the comfort of their boots.

[zeke632]

I bought a pair of Crispi Valdres in December because they are light and "supposed" to keep feet dry as well as any leather boots out there. They were on sale at Black Ovis but still pretty darn expensive. If they do what they are said to do then it will be worth it for me.
Year and years ago I hunted/worked everything in a Red Wing boot that was discontinued, all leather and if you kept them oiled my feet stayed dry under most conditions. Went through the Rocky boot phase until the last 2 pair would get you wet if someone spit near them. Never found a Lacrosse that fit me comfortably. Had good luck with several pairs of Danner Pronghorns until the last pair, which squeak like a new saddle. The noise coming from someplace between the top of the sole and the bottom of the material that the insole sits on. Driving me nuts!  Also had a couple pairs of Danners that were completely camouflage with leather toes. I forget the name, super comfortable and fairly water resistant for about 2/3rds of a turkey season. I don't know if Goretex wears out or if things leak where it's stitched up.
I waded ankle deep water yesterday in the Crispis and stayed dry, time will tell. If I were betting though I'd bet that water will find its way eventually.