Moccasins

[Col Mike]

#2626

Looking for feedback on Carl Dyer’s Mocc’s particularly the 5 lace boot. I have been wearing barefoot running shoes and Steger mukluks for so many years that my feet have finally returned to their natural orientation. Have tried bean boots–3 different sizes and they still cramp or our to big. Now hunt in moderate temps. 0–+42 below +20 I wear the mukluks but need something for warmer–and these look good–although pricey but what the heck probably the last I’ll ever buy. In addition I’m not backpacking or carrying a heavy pack–well until the bison gets here:)

Any comments appreciated. After 32 years of issue combat boots my feet deserve the best:D

Thanks

Mike

[David Petersen]

#11381

Mike, send me a PM with your Bean boot size. If they fit, I’ll buy ’em! Elk, deer and bear absolutely cannot smell my trail in those boots, and I’ve not found any others that scentproof. For my purposes, scent-proof boots are more important than comfort and equal to silence, which mocs are probably the best at (silence, not scentproofness). I’m thinking that pilots had different boots than infantry, but it’s been soooo long ago I can’t recall. In any event we sure didn’t walk that far in them so my feet, unlike my heart and mind, weren’t damaged by time in service. 😯

[Col Mike]

#11465

Sorry Dave the 3rd pair went back last week-bean does have a great return policy. I hear you on scent control–my mukluks are rubber soled and moose hide upper. Never had a creature spook my trail with them. And yes you pilots had different boots and flight pay and that little .38 that we issued you so your delicate hands wouldn’t be damaged by the hefty feel of a .45:D

As I learn to age gracefully based on your and Linda’s advice–I’m striving for comfort:D

So can someone out there answer my first request?:lol:

Mike

Ps. Dave your heart and mind are undamaged–if they are we are all at risk.

[jpcarlson]

#11524

colmike wrote: Looking for feedback on Carl Dyer’s Mocc’s particularly the 5 lace boot. I have been wearing barefoot running shoes and Steger mukluks for so many years that my feet have finally returned to their natural orientation. Have tried bean boots–3 different sizes and they still cramp or our to big. Now hunt in moderate temps. 0–+42 below +20 I wear the mukluks but need something for warmer–and these look good–although pricey but what the heck probably the last I’ll ever buy. In addition I’m not backpacking or carrying a heavy pack–well until the bison gets here:)

Any comments appreciated. After 32 years of issue combat boots my feet deserve the best:D

Thanks

Mike

Mike,

I have had a pair of the Canoe Mocs for several years and love them! By looking at the prices, I can tell I bought them over 15 years ago as I didn’t pay that much:) They have been great, double sole. My only complaints are; very slippery when wet:), and I wish they were the 5 or 8 eye to keep more weeds out and allow me to tuck or balloon my pants when hunting. Can’t go wrong with these. I find the more I wear them, the less I want to wear anything else as my feet feel so constricted and the soles of all else feel so thick. I mostly wear them around the house, town, running errands, back and forth to work etc, but wouldn’t hesitate to wear them early season when the ground is still dry. We now have wet ground with a thin layer of ice/snow in the shade and I find it hard to stay on my feet with any terrain. Good luck with the mocs,

Jans

[David Petersen]

#12543

Mike, are the Stegers what you were telling me about earlier? Man, at $230 a pair they’d have to do the walking for me! Which model do you use?

And the Dyer moccs are way more! The pair I like the looks of best are nearly $400. What I’d worry most about with these is that the soles are leather, but no tread and no traction, and I’d fear the single-sole models would possibly bruise the feet???

JP — By “Canoe” moccs, which brand do you refer to? I googled it and got lots of hits, as if “canoe moccs” is a generic name, like “cowboy boots.” All I saw were low-topped loafers, not hunting boots. So I guess we’re not talking moccs here, but mukluks?

For hunting the Rockies and packing elk you need ankle support and good tread. I have done fine with the Beaners for decades but wouldn’t want less tread than that. The Dyers would not appear to have either tread or ankle support?? I’m not criticizing but merely reflecting what I seem to see on the website.

Like Mike and others here, at my age I have a strong short-timer’s attitude and find it easy to excuse spending more on quality stuff than I ever have in my life, justifying that “it will be the last time I have to buy one of these so might as well get the best.” Alas, I didn’t work as hard as most of you guys at making money, and SS won’t allow for $400 moccs, though I wish it would. Next time around the reincarnation wheel I’m going to be a mocc maker! 😆

[Col Mike]

#12641

Dave

Links http://www.carldyers.com ,www.mukluks.com

On the dyer mocs I talked to them today and after that I’m thinking of the 5lace boot for every day in the woods until it gets cold–to me that means below +20F. Yes when it’s wet you have traction problems– One way around that is putting on those little rubber slippers that our fathers used to put over their dress shoes. Another solution that I use is just keep the body COG over the feet. I’m sure you remember that term from your fling wing days:

The second link takes you to my mainstay footwear both running dogs and hunting. For wet cold I have a pair of the camuk extremes. Description on website. Have used (not here, at -40F) awesome boots. For dry cold I have a pair of the Yukon’s.

I have tried bean boots and they just pinch my toes as all others since I started doing the barefoot stuff. Actually since then (about 6years ago) my balance and ability to move with the agility of my age, has improved–remember those little things I wore scampering around your mountain?

Your concern about ankle support hauling out elk–well I’m not an orthopedic guy but I think we have an internal skeleton for support back upped by muscles and ligaments and such–we are not designed to use an exo- skeleton for support.

My mantra is walk softly, keep the weight over COG and you don’t need that leather artificial support.

Can give more detail tomorrow on downstairs computer when Linda lets me back on–if desired.8)

Semper Fi my friend

Mike

[James Harvey]

#13565

colmike wrote: we are not designed to use an exo- skeleton for support.

True, but evolution has carved out a very poorly designed joint to do what we ask it to do.

I’ve never seen a nature documentary where a cheetah is chasing a gazelle and a loud pop is heard followed by a screaming cat nursing the torn ligaments in his ankle, but it happens on football fields every weekend 😉

I do love the look and idea of moc’s though, so I’m eager to hear how you go 😀

[Col Mike]

#13631

Jim–we did not evolve to chase footballs – the joints work best for chasing rabbits and Kudu–and running from lions:D

Just returned from wet,cold, windy hunt through the ridges–using the camuk extreme, nice dry warm feet and no problems with footing.

Not sure I’m ready to foot (intended) the bill for the dyer moc. will see and let you know.

Semper Fi

Mike

[Stephen Graf]

#14219

Fun thread all!

Who’d a thunk shoe talk could be fun. But while y’all talk high falooten and fancy foot wear, I’ve gone the other way and just use my $24 Service Rubber Boots I get at the farm store. They are very comfortable and quiet for me. And since it doesn’t really get that cold here, I just throw on some wool socks when it gets below 30.

My fancy foot wear stays in the closet so as not to get worn out.

[sinawalli]

#14672

Colmike

Have a look at Arrow Mocassins, I have 2 pairs, absolutely bomb proof! You won’t wear them out in your lifetime! They are way cheaper than Carl Dyers! I have the Bush Boot and Lace Boot.

Traction! Contact cement mixed with tire crumbs, painted on your soles long before hunting season= awesome traction!!

[Col Mike]

#14880

Bill

A big thanks–the double soled lace boot–I’m on it:D

Might have to talk to you about one of them knives8)

Mike

PS. Isn’t barefoot-en great?

[sinawalli]

#15460

colmike wrote: Bill

A big thanks–the double soled lace boot–I’m on it:D

Might have to talk to you about one of them knives8)

Mike

PS. Isn’t barefoot-en great?

Yes, barefoot in is awesome! That’s the issue I have with Bean boots. Don’t like the heel on them. I see Arrow makes a mukluk, might be looking at them for winter! If you get the lace boot, get them a bit bigger, especially if you plan to wear them with a couple of pairs of socks. I’m sure if you talk to Paul there, he will get you sorted out.

BTW, always open to knife conversation!!

[David Petersen]

#15772

I phoned Arrow, a nice man. The boots you are talking about are unlined and the double leather sole has no tread. They are not suitable, I was told, for snow or other slick walking or really cold weather, and like all leather footwear they are not waterproof. (I took the opportunity to tell them about Montana Pitch Blend, which is far superior to Snow Seal, which Arrow recommends.) The Arrow mukluks, however, are felt lined and have crepe soles, just like LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe, and were originally designed for use with snowshoes. But they aren’t waterproof either and I quit wearing my Beans when snow is on the ground because the tread is insufficiently aggressive. So all these sound like fair-weather footwear, which is good as it will save me money I don’t have for a product, albeit cool and sexy, I don’t really need. But that still leaves me with no warm, lightweight, waterproof, snow-gripping winter boots.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#15868

I love my Bean’s for early season, and you can’t beat how quiet they are. But once there is snow on the ground, I live in my Schnee’s Guide boots with the bob sole. I have yet to find anything better.

[paleoman]

#15937

David Petersen wrote: I phoned Arrow, a nice man. The boots you are talking about are unlined and the double leather sole has no tread. They are not suitable, I was told, for snow or other slick walking or really cold weather, and like all leather footwear they are not waterproof. (I took the opportunity to tell them about Montana Pitch Blend, which is far superior to Snow Seal, which Arrow recommends.) The Arrow mukluks, however, are felt lined and have crepe soles, just like LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe, and were originally designed for use with snowshoes. But they aren’t waterproof either and I quit wearing my Beans when snow is on the ground because the tread is insufficiently aggressive. So all these sound like fair-weather footwear, which is good as it will save me money I don’t have for a product, albeit cool and sexy, I don’t really need. But that still leaves me with no warm, lightweight, waterproof, snow-gripping winter boots.

I have walked hundreds of miles of utility right of way in winter in a pair of 400 gram thinsulate Irish Setter boots by Red Wing. I don’t know what model they are, but rubber bottomed with excellent tread. I can’t have less with what I do. Leather uppers but unless I go over the top in the goo I’ve been quite happy with them and hope they still make them because mine are now pretty beat. Well, back to the Halloween candy…

[David Petersen]

#15960

Scott– Thanks amigo. Redwing is always a good bet in leather boots. I have a pair of RW work boots I’ve had more than 20 years, two resoles (“oilproof,” not treaded for hiking) and the uppers are still in such good shape I can, and have, shine ’em up and wear them as dress shoes. But they’re uninsulated. When you go online you get pages of different models. It’s as if Irish Setter is part of the Redwind name, not a model, so it’s confusing. Anyhow they all look really heavy, which my skinny old legs don’t like. Even the Schnee Outfitters, among the lightest boots they make, slow me down. Fortunately I rarely hunt in snow and deep cold but get ‘er done in lovely Sept. in Beans. This year much of the bow season got rained out and I was packing an egg-sized (jumbo) hernia and further slowed by pain meds, so I didn’t get ‘er done and now, post surgery and still 10 days out from doc’s OK to pack elk meat, I have no choice but to take the rifle out to make meat (limited draw cow tag), as most elk are gone, all leaves are off, no bugling, they don’t need water, etc. So I’ll probably just suck it up and go out in leather hiking boots with lug soles and hope it happens fast.

Sorry to detract the mocc and uglug guys from their thread.

[paleoman]

#15961

Here’s my boots! Can’t seem to find the exact same ones, but I’d buy another pair. Light, good tread and with gaiters in deeper snow they have worked well enough for me.

[paleoman]

#15968

Dave – I was fooling around with boot photos when you posted…glad to hear you are recovering…didn’t know about all that. Enjoy the pain meds:wink:

[Col Mike]

#15969

Thanks for all the input. It appears, like bow’s and arrows we all have our preferences. One of the neat things about this forum is that everyone inputs and no one takes offense–even though most times YOUR all wrong 8).

Therefore I have made the decision to buy nothing. Will continue to wear the camuk extreme for hunting in wet cold and the Yukon in dry cold–warmer temps I will just wear thinner socks.

Bruce–looked at the Schnee–again like bean to much boot–man are they heavy–check out the weight of the mukluks. Remember the old infantry maxim “every pound on the foot is of 10 lbs. on the back.”

Dave–not sure what snow gripping boots are–but in the early 80’s when I was reconing the AK pipeline the scouts showed me how to walk on snow and ice in moosehide/polar bear mukluks up pressure ridges across tundra and mountains. Back in the world no one wanted to hear that particularly the defense contractors who made those hideous boots. Remember we won the big one in boon dockers–low ankle height shoes.

What a neat discussion from so many of experience.

Time for a “sundowner” with Dr Ed 😀

Mike

[sinawalli]

#16036

While my Arrows aren’t totally waterproof, it does take awhile to get wet unless you submerge totally! The tire crumbs/contact cement mixture on the soles work really well! Walked some really wet, steep billed terrain no problem.

[Col Mike]

#16082

Bill:D I’m with you sent pm.

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#16131

colmike wrote:

Bruce–looked at the Schnee–again like bean to much boot–man are they heavy–check out the weight of the mukluks. Remember the old infantry maxim “every pound on the foot is of 10 lbs. on the back.”

Yeah, I hear you Mike, but for later season in the northern Rockies, cold temps and deep snow, I’m happy to go a little heavier and know my feet will be warm and dry. Also, later in the season, I tend to do more sitting when I’m hunting, so I like a warm, thick boot. So far, I haven’t been able to find a boot that is sufficiently warm enough while still being lightweight.

[sinawalli]

#16621

Glad we can all agree to disagree! Lol! Happy hunting, warm feet with whatever you choose to wear on your feet!

Mike, got your PM, glad I was able to help, we’ll talk!! Cheers!

[codger]

#16701

i have a pair of Dyer mmoccasins ive had over 20 years now they have been mostly worn in the woods so the soles havent worn through theyare excellent.

[Fallguy]

#27109

Dave light weight winter boots I use are the Steger Mukluks. The model I have is the Artic’s with an extra felt sole (under 200.00). They are like wearing slippers. The gum rubber sole gives you a good grip on the snow. You can treat the them with silicone spray to water proof. The only time that would necessary is in wet snow. The other option is in wet conditions to wear a pair Tingly rubber boots over them.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#28802

I’d like to pick up a pair of Arrow mocs one of these days. Not sure how much actual hunting I would do in them, but they sure look great for bumming around! Right now I have a pair of Geier bison mocs, and they are incredibly comfortable.

[jpcarlson]

#50336

I love my mocs for dry weather but I have to second Bruce here on the Schnees with bob soles. I would love a lighter version of these but haven’t found one. The bob sole grips on everything, even ice. They stay dry and warm, and they take a lot of wear and tear. I would venture to say I haven’t found their equal and have worn a pair out.

Jans

[Col Mike]

#50560

There are a lot of folks here that spend much more time then I have hunting and their opinions in footwear are all valid. However—8) I have a bit of time walking in the tundra of the Aleutians (2years) and mushing from Prudhoe bay to Fairbanks. If you want foot wear that keeps you warm and dry in cold -50 and wet +30 and rain, and on ice snow, and such–I will say it again and last time check out steger mukluks– moosehide, rubber covered, camuks extreme. Weigh about 2 1/2 lbs for a pair. Yes a bit pricey but my present pair is 5yrs. old. That light weight will surprise you. So strap on those ole lug soles and all that weight.

I have never had cold feet and I disagree with Don Thomas and the Tip of The Week. Sorry Doc–just my opinion.

Semper Fi

Mike

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