Light "Hikers" For Spring Turkey Hunting.- Thoughts.

[Jimspur]

A good hiking boot with turtle skin gaiters are my preference. I really like Zamberlan boots.


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Similar to my setup. Lowa Ranger III GTX with Turtle Skin snake gaiters.

[justin.arps]

I'm the guy who will get up and leave a lukewarm bird at 150 yards to get on one gobbling hard on his own 3/4 of a  mile away.  So I choose my footwear carefully to keep me mobile and quick on the feet as possible.  I wear Irish Setter VaprTrek snake boots.  They seriously ARE 17" tall running shoes.  There are ZERO venomous snakes within about 8 miles of my home property.  I could hunt in my bare feet except for the thorns.  But the VaprTreks are STILL what I choose to wear when I hunt there.  They are THAT good.

These are the same boots I'm going to run this year, they feel amazing so far! I went from muck boots to these and man what A difference in weight and comfort.


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[Marc]

My initial thought when buying boots is that fit is everything.  I am looking for waterproof, and good foot/ankle support (which becomes more important as we get over 40).

But if the boots don't fit well, they will be miserable with any amount of walking.

I hunt some steep and rocky stuff, and even the best rubber boots are not a good choice.  I prefer good upland boots that are waterproof.  Here in California, I do not want them to be insulated, as walking long distances in "non-cold" weather makes your feet sweat, as well as being uncomfortably hot...

Hiking boots can be comfortable, but they are made for walking on "hiking trails," and do not have the support that hunting boots have.  I hunted with hiking boots for years with no problems, and never had an injury...  Until I did.

I have injured both ankles (one badly), and while I previously preferred good hiking boots for comfort and weight, I am a bit more cautious after twisting my ankles in them on rocky terrain and currently prefer the support of good hunting boots.  When I used "good" hiking boots, I noticed no difference in durability, and actually preferred hiking boots over hunting boots due to weight and comfort; I chuckar hunted some of the worst stuff in them, and was quite comfortable.  (I remember researching for the best soles for my purposes though).

I have a narrow foot, and found some Browning boots on close-out at a local sporting good store...  Wish I had bought three pairs...  Very comfortable, good support, but I maybe have another two seasons out of them.  Apparently they are no longer made.

Due to having narrow feet, I prefer to try on boots, as so few fit me well.  I primarily use them for upland hunting, and put some mileage on them, and having good-fitting boots that keep your feet dry is worth while...

As far as rubber boots, I do use them for snipe, and pheasant, and even quail hunting flat ground and ditch banks, currently  I use them primarily for pigeon hunting dairies...  Lacrosse has been the best brand I have used, although admittedly, I have not purchased a pair for at least 10 years.

[Chordeiles]

Zamberlan 996.....and snake gaiters when it gets warmer.

[bigriverbum]

My initial thought when buying boots is that fit is everything.  I am looking for waterproof, and good foot/ankle support (which becomes more important as we get over 40).

But if the boots don't fit well, they will be miserable with any amount of walking.

I hunt some steep and rocky stuff, and even the best rubber boots are not a good choice.  I prefer good upland boots that are waterproof.  Here in California, I do not want them to be insulated, as walking long distances in "non-cold" weather makes your feet sweat, as well as being uncomfortably hot...

Hiking boots can be comfortable, but they are made for walking on "hiking trails," and do not have the support that hunting boots have.  I hunted with hiking boots for years with no problems, and never had an injury...  Until I did.

I have injured both ankles (one badly), and while I previously preferred good hiking boots for comfort and weight, I am a bit more cautious after twisting my ankles in them on rocky terrain and currently prefer the support of good hunting boots.  When I used "good" hiking boots, I noticed no difference in durability, and actually preferred hiking boots over hunting boots due to weight and comfort; I chuckar hunted some of the worst stuff in them, and was quite comfortable.  (I remember researching for the best soles for my purposes though).

I have a narrow foot, and found some Browning boots on close-out at a local sporting good store...  Wish I had bought three pairs...  Very comfortable, good support, but I maybe have another two seasons out of them.  Apparently they are no longer made.

Due to having narrow feet, I prefer to try on boots, as so few fit me well.  I primarily use them for upland hunting, and put some mileage on them, and having good-fitting boots that keep your feet dry is worth while...

As far as rubber boots, I do use them for snipe, and pheasant, and even quail hunting flat ground and ditch banks, currently  I use them primarily for pigeon hunting dairies...  Lacrosse has been the best brand I have used, although admittedly, I have not purchased a pair for at least 10 years.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/danner-vital-waterproof-camo-hunting-boots-for-men?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop%7CPromo%7CPromo%7CMed%7CSpringTurkeyHunting&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi7yCBhDJARIsAMWFScPzj2gf3zvgycsk7-qPIIFAd1J5JxrPTDj76UUn0gkVvU_Dz-NE8dwaAsiJEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

i love these and they're a steal at this price. sadly i have to wear wides(i've been told i have fred flinstone feet) so i gotta take care of the pair i already have.

i hunt in places with darn near vertical climbs in rocky terrain that can quickly turn into crossing swamps with a trout stream in the middle.  these fit the bill.  ankle support, light weight, comfortable, and waterPROOF. i went trout fishing in them last year after getting a bird and stayed bone dry walking along the bank

[CodyF]

Terrain dependent. Steeper mountains (read rocky mountain high country) I like a pretty stiff boot, currently running a La Sportiva Trango I believe is the model. But for last season I started running my Salomon Speedcross 5's, these have been pretty awesome for chasing turkeys. I prefer not having gore tex because it's warm out and my feet will get wet regardless since they are low tops. This year I've thought about looking into the new Salomons that are essentially a speed cross mid, look slick online, if they fit like the Speedcross then they will be worth it.

[Ol timer]

Like the OP states long walks on sandy trails is good for Hiking, I don't believe Sneakers are proper hunting foot wear unless you got a good health care plan. Copperheads are not hunter friendly.

[GobbleNut]

Like the OP states long walks on sandy trails is good for Hiking, I don't believe Sneakers are proper hunting foot wear unless you got a good health care plan. Copperheads are not hunter friendly.

Admittedly, you have to balance your footwear against the places you hunt and the circumstances you hunt under.  Snakes are most certainly one of those considerations, but there are places where they really don't come into play. 

One of those places is the high-mountain country of the west.  I can't tell you how many times I have had guys come here from those states where snakes are actually a consideration with calf-high snake boots as their footwear of choice.  Those light hikers that they would never consider wearing where they normally hunt would be a much better choice for covering the miles they will likely be walking here.

Moral of the story for the traveling turkey hunter is to either find out what will be your best footwear choice where you will be hunting,...or bring along a variety of options.   

[bigriverbum]

Like the OP states long walks on sandy trails is good for Hiking, I don't believe Sneakers are proper hunting foot wear unless you got a good health care plan. Copperheads are not hunter friendly.

Admittedly, you have to balance your footwear against the places you hunt and the circumstances you hunt under.  Snakes are most certainly one of those considerations, but there are places where they really don't come into play. 

One of those places is the high-mountain country of the west.  I can't tell you how many times I have had guys come here from those states where snakes are actually a consideration with calf-high snake boots as their footwear of choice.  Those light hikers that they would never consider wearing where they normally hunt would be a much better choice for covering the miles they will likely be walking here.

Moral of the story for the traveling turkey hunter is to either find out what will be your best footwear choice where you will be hunting,...or bring along a variety of options.   

i once hiked to the top of yosemite falls in a brand new pair of keens that i put on a week after getting out of a cast from foot surgery. not my brightest idea

i also once went ice climbing in a pair of wal-mart "work boots". i had to drag myself up a 100 foot sheet of ice with just my arms and ice picks. did i mention i don't like heights?