Hunting footwear

[James Harvey]

#2706

Smithhammer suggested in another thread that it is worth trying something other than heavy boots for stalking, and it got me wondering just what everyone likes to wear when they hunt. I suppose everyone hunts different terrain/weather/conditions too, so maybe some words about your considerations, likes/dislike etc as well?

Recently I’ve been wearing some Merrel running shoes I have been running in. They have a ‘barefoot’ sole, so no support of any kind, just a soft, flexible plastic/rubber substance to slightly reduce the pain of stepping on sharp rocks 😛

(edited part)

This is what they look like

They are really light, and I can feel a lot through the sole, like a stick that is bending too far. Great for being sneaky. But the sole can be ‘clacky’ when I step on big rocks to avoid noisy terrain, so have to be extra careful there. Also the uppers on them are basically non-existent ‘breathing’ material. Great for the heat, but the ridiculously long thorns that the tiny golf ball sized cactus sport around here go right through them. Ouch.

I like the idea of all leather moccasins, but I already owned these Merrel’s so they have been used instead.

So what do you guys like to wear?

[sinawalli]

#12091

Good topic!! I highly recommend these guys! http://www.arrowmoc.com/

I have a pair of bush boots, and a pair of the 3 lace. You will never wear them out, unless you seriously abuse them! Very comfortable! The leather sole can be slippery, but I put a mixture of tire crumbs and contact cement, and it works great. If it wear out, just put some more on! Very quiet in the bush. My buddy wears runners, but I prefer something a bit higher, to keep the crud out. My alternate footware are a couple of pairs of LL Bean Maine Hunting Boots. One pair is about 25 years old, and still going strong, they are uninsulated, the other pair are about 5 years old, and have the gore tex/thinsulate liner, for cooler/winter wear.

[archer38]

#12093

I Bear hunt more than anything else so rubber boots are my first choice there. I wear Superlites in bear season. For years I wore Mukluks in the fall and into late deer season.Its really hard to beat a pair of good Mukluks and a good quality pair may seem pricey, but they’re worth it in the end. I have a lite pair of hiking shoes for summer and early fall walks but again, there’s just something about walking the woods in moccasins.

[JodyS]

#12129

The LL Bean Maine hunting shoe/boot is the best that I have found. They have soft soles for sneaking, and for feeling the ground. They make both the insulated and un-insulated models. I have the un-insulated type, so for winter hunting good wool socks are a must. Get the speed laces –you have to request them– and you have great hunting/sneaking boots.

I bought my first pair over a year ago, thanks to recommendations about them on this site, and I have been very pleased with them.

Jody

[sinawalli]

#12872

JodyS wrote: The LL Bean Maine hunting shoe/boot is the best that I have found. They have soft soles for sneaking, and for feeling the ground. They make both the insulated and un-insulated models. I have the un-insulated type, so for winter hunting good wool socks are a must. Get the speed laces –you have to request them– and you have great hunting/sneaking boots.

I bought my first pair over a year ago, thanks to recommendations about them on this site, and I have been very pleased with them.

Jody

My only beef with the LL Bean boots is the heel, wish they had a flat sole.I have Danners, Meindl’s, all great foot wear, but not suitable for bowhunting. Waaaaay to awkward and clumsy!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#13172

I often wear a pair of Danner Jackals. Decent ankle support, but lightweight, with a rubber compound on the sole that is designed to be quiet.

I’ve also snuck around in a pair of 5 Fingers. They are wicked quiet, but take some getting used to.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#13220

Danner jackals are good indeed. Anything with a low heel is good. I’ve hunted with my Solomon running shoes, and my schnees outfitters, although the schnees have 0 traction and can be flat dangerous on wet steep rocky terrain. My favorite hunting shoes are my worn out Asolo Fugitive. They have a low heel, great traction, and surprisingly quiet.

[wahoo]

#13243

the country I hunt is steep and rocky so I use a heavy boot Lowa Baffin pros – very comfy . Snow rain all seasons.I also carry a heavy pack so my feet are thankful of the boots I wear.

[James Harvey]

#13248

Sinawalli, those arrowmocs look neat, when I finally get some mocs, I’ll be giving them a good hard look.

Smithhammer, I think the 5 fingers and my merrel’s are pretty well identical, minus of course the fingers. I saw some green berets running around an Afghan mountain in 5 fingers once, mad buggers.

Another range of boots I like the look of are things like the Nike SFB, which is a military style boot, but very light weight with a sole more like a runner.

[James Harvey]

#13251

wahoo wrote: I also carry a heavy pack so my feet are thankful of the boots I wear.

I’d always wear boots with a heavy pack too. I’m so cheap I wear my army issued boots 🙂

[sinawalli]

#13257

ausjim wrote: Sinawalli, those arrowmocs look neat, when I finally get some mocs, I’ll be giving them a good hard look.

Smithhammer, I think the 5 fingers and my merrel’s are pretty well identical, minus of course the fingers. I saw some green berets running around an Afghan mountain in 5 fingers once, mad buggers.

Another range of boots I like the look of are things like the Nike SFB, which is a military style boot, but very light weight with a sole more like a runner.

Arrows are by and far the best bang for your buck! They are as good as Dyers, Quoddy, Russell, for waaay less money! Paul Ouelette (owner) is a great guy, and very easy to deal with! You can not go wrong!

Thought about using my five fingers, but prefer something to cover my ankles. If you go the mocassins route, be sure to get some gore tex socks, as they aren’t waterproof.

[T Downing]

#13267

Salomon Speedcross. Super lightweight and the sole is soft, for lack of a better word. I backpack and trail run in these shoes as well. Tough to beat.

[Nutmeg]

#14405

I have to 2nd the Maine Guide hunting boot. (nut)

[Stumpkiller]

#14428

I wear Merrell “Sights” early season, Vasque hiking boots later and Irish Setter Thinsulate 400 or Sorel Crusaders in the winter.

[Joseph Miller]

#14899

The original Xtra Tufs that were made in the USA are the best wet and/or cold weather hunting boots I have ever used. They are now being made in China and the quality has gone right down the tubes.

[Bunyan Morris]

#15585

I like good light weight hiking boots. I bought a pair of Keen’s a couple of years ago. I am tough on shoes and these have stood the test of time. Rugged soles, durable a nd very light.

[grumpy]

#33909

TREADSAFE if you check out the guys putting a new roof on your house you might find them wearing TREADSAFE shoes. They are made with a small tread pattern so they stick to most anything even when wet. Not good for trucking through mud, or snow, but good traction on rocks without restricting ankle flex. They used to be made with leather uppers, but recently switched to plastic. Actually I think they are made for resturant workers who walk on wet tiles. Roofers wear them tight so they don’t slip around on your foot, and have an extra larger pair for cold weather/heavy socks. Since I’m frugal (not cheap, frugal) this is the good part. They are in WallMart for less than $30. Sorry, no fashon colors, just basic black.

Short ugly old man with a white mustash… Wears a dirty old hat…

[wideangle]

#39368

Hikers on the Appalacian Trail give these Montrail AT hikers great reviews. They hike a lot more than the average bowhunter.

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