[Isaac678]

Hey there,
I have a question to ask actually I am needing advice on what boots to buy.
I want something that will last at least this season, but I don't want to drop a ton of cash. And comfort is really important to me.
Seen a lot of people wear the Ski Bum coupons brand but I’m interested in what you guys use before I buy.

 

[T.D.C.]

Are you looking for work, hunt, ski, hike or what boot?
Good, comfortable footwear is not cheap.

 

[mrmurl]

Not sure what you want them for, but the best all around boots I have found are Red Wing boots. You can get them lace up style or a pull on. Which ever you get will take a short amount of break in but once done they are really comfortable and last like iron.

 

[Isaac678]

Are you looking for work, hunt, ski, hike or what boot?
Good, comfortable footwear is not cheap.

mainly for hunting.

 

[toiville2feathers]

For birds and upland game, the Irish Setter Red Wing boot is the best choice.
If it is for big game hunting in snow or wet weather I prefer the waterproof insulated Wolverine boot with the knobby sole.
You do need to break them in before you go hunting. You sure don’t want blisters to spoil your hunting trip.

 

[T.D.C.]

Danner's are pretty close to Red Wings for less money.
The upland style is a softer leather with decent ankle support. [

 

[charlie sterner]

buy once, cry once. I still have a pair of Rocky boots I picked up in 1990!!! Back then Rocky's were very well made. I have used them hard, and even had them resoled. Money spent wisely. HOWEVER...I wouldn't recommend Rocky to anyone nowadays. PURE JUNK.

Things to look for in a boot. A good sole with traction that is sewn on. You can see the stitching. They can be resoled when worn out. Glued on soles WILL fall off eventually and they're usually softer material that wears thru quickly. If it ain't GORE TEX (or rubber) it ain't waterproof. I don't care what anyone says. The imitation crap just ain't the same. Get your boot a little bigger than needed, at least a size wider than usual if you stand hunt in cold weather. If you're going to do a lot of walking, say for upland birds, get one that fits PERFECTLY and wear them around the house a few days unlaced.

Use a good quality oil or wax like mink oil or snow seal to protect the leather. CLEAN the shoe with soapy water and let dry before oiling. Apply oil/wax frequently to keep the leather from drying out. If your boots get soaking wet, re-oil after they dry well. Like I said before, I'm still wearing boots from 1990 that look almost as good as new on the outside.

You said you don't want to spend a lot, but with proper care, good boots will last several years.

 

[45TAJ]

I wore Red Wings for 20 years. The last pair didnt seem to wear as well with less use and didnt have the comfort. Early on I'd buy them and wear'em to work the next day, pair after pair.

I ran into a lady who had managed a local store for over twenty years who was exceedingly knowledgeable. She sold RW and other top end brands plus lower price points. When i mentioned that the RWs didnt seem to feel as good, she said the kids were now running the biz, most all were being mfrd in China but "assembled here". What had been their second quality offering was now the top of their line...... i can not speak to the Irish Setter line, never had any. Very disappointing for me.

I had even called the factory, politely spoke to someone up the ladder mentionung that a major difference was noted and was politely stonewalled, kissed off.

I would search out an owner or manager who has been in the biz for 25 yrs or more and pick their brain for your price point and use. Hope you find something good.

 

[George Foster]

I have been wearing the Maine Hunting Shoe by LLBean for 50yrs now for my bird hunting. They are a rubber sole and leather top, you can send them in and have them resoled three or so times for a very reasonable price. I also have another pair of them with Gortex/Thinsulate inserts for colder weather. Beans has a Kangaroo leather boot such as The Red Wings which is a very good all leather boot also.

 

[Squeeze]

buy once, cry once. I still have a pair of Rocky boots I picked up in 1990!!! Back then Rocky's were very well made. I have used them hard, and even had them resoled. Money spent wisely. HOWEVER...I wouldn't recommend Rocky to anyone nowadays. PURE JUNK.

Things to look for in a boot. A good sole with traction that is sewn on. You can see the stitching. They can be resoled when worn out. Glued on soles WILL fall off eventually and they're usually softer material that wears thru quickly. If it ain't GORE TEX (or rubber) it ain't waterproof. I don't care what anyone says. The imitation crap just ain't the same.

Charlie,

Our experiences are similar. My very old pair of Rocky's is still going strong, albeit the soles are down to nothing. My Rocky Cornstalkers just disintegrated. So now I am looking for something that won't fall apart in a waterproof, insulated(600-1000gr Thinsulate), and am having a tough time finding something well built. I am looking at Irish Setter Elk Trackers, and the price isn't scaring me away, but a few reviews for "not waterproof" and "sole failure" are. Paying north of $200 for a pair of boots is OK, if the darn things last a few years. So my search is showing very few stitched sole boots, that are waterproof, and insulated...Any suggestions that I might be missing in my internet searches?

Thanks for any clues you may provide.
Squeeze

 

[Paul Workman]

Redwing made in USA

Not sure what you want them for, but the best all around boots I have found are Red Wing boots. You can get them lace up style or a pull on. Which ever you get will take a short amount of break in but once done they are really comfortable and last like iron.

TOTALLY AGREE!

Redwing makes boots for work or play that are simply incredible for comfort and wear (not to mention RW will re-sole them for you if ever needed!)

Depends on what you want them for. I've never been disappointed with boots from Cabela's (now owned by Bass Pro Shop). They actually have a staff of people that field test their boots before they recommend them.

Anywayz.... I wore a pair of hikers from Redwing for work and play (elk hunting) as my every-day footwear: lasted 8 years - wet or dry - before I wore holes in the uppers (too many thorns and rocky ledges, I guess).

 

[Bostoner]

Hey there,
I have a question to ask actually I am needing advice on what boots to buy.

 

[George Foster]

You could read the previous posts to see if they are of any help to you if not start a new post. What type boots of are you looking for and what are you going to be using them for.

 

[LarryDScott]

I still wear a pair of Rocky Eliminators w/the smooth
Vibram sole. Purchased prior to 1990 and are still
serviceable, w/o a resole.
When I retired I had 2 pair NIB Rocky boots w/the
cleated sole. The soles on these boots actually self
destructed while sitting in closet in the box.
They were constructed where they couldnt be resoled.
All I had left was $320.00 worth of boot laces,and no
warranty. LDS

 

[Trapper6L]

Another Red Wing user here. You'll have them a lot longer than you'll probably want them. To make them fit and fit right, I put on the normal socks I wear. Then put a plastic bread wrapper on my foot. Put my foot, socks, and bread wrapper in the boot. Now fill the boot with water. The leather will expand due to the water. Wear the boots until they have dried. As they dry, they conform EXACTLY to your foot. Obviously, this works for leather only boots. You only have to do this once but the boots will fit you perfectly. No sore spots, no chafing, no rubbing, no blisters, they fit perfect. Been doing this to my boots for 60 years now. Never had one get damaged or stained.
If you look around, find a product called Bear Grease. Liberally apply especially at seams and put the boots in the oven at 150F for an hour. They will not leak water when walking thru wet brush/grass. I'll also assume it works for snow.

 

[Zeus]

I am on my feet a lot at work on all different types of surfaces.....I like KEEN's....For 100-150 bucks you'll get a pair of boots that will last years. Great for hunting too as I trek around the prairie with them every year.

I do get an industry discount though.....so I don't pay quite that much for them. But I'd pay full price if I had to.

 

[Bostoner]

advice

Hey there,
I have a question to ask actually https://kennerregional.com/ I am needing advice on what boots to buy.

where can i get this?