Going on my 1st elk hunt in 2013 & I need new boots.  Can you help point me in the right direction.  I will be hunting very steep country at tree line in September in CO.  My guide said non-insulated boots are best.  I personally love Danner Pronghorn Classic boots, but I dont know if they are tough enough. Also, I need a boot that is compatible w my arch support inserts.  Some boots dont have enough room for them. Thanks for helping narrow my search.

Here's my first choice;


http://www.lintonoutdoors.com/produ...-1000.html


I say you'll be happy with the insulation.

DANNER...

Congratulations on your first Colorado elk hunt. I hunt Colorado at timberline during the ML season and for the most part I stand and still hunt. There are lots of brands out there that are great and some that are not so great and everyone has an opinion. Here are a few things I have learned over the years:

My feet tend to sweat...a lot. I wear uninsulated, waterproof and BREATHEABLE boots. Goretex is good. It has to be pretty cold for me to wear an insulated boot because my feet get too hot, then sweat and then get really cold when I sit on stand for awhile. 

I pack an extra pair of socks and put them on when I reach my stand. Wear quality socks. Most advanced technology socks work great. Something to wick away moisture which will work in conjunction with the breatheable boot.

A light boot with good traction and support is a must. Some brands call them a sneaker style of boot.

Don't buy them mail order. A good fit is a must. When you find the right boot, there will be no break-in period and no sore feet. Size and fit vary even in different styles from the same manufacturer.

Never ever buy Rocky Boots.

You are wise to look into a quality pair of boots to match your hunting conditions well before the season. If you are distracted by cold, sore feet, you are not going to see the elk much less get a shot at one! Good luck.
 

 

 

Ask me two years ago and I would have said hands down 'Danner'.  I've been a Danner fan for close to 20 years.  Paid $250 for a pair of Danner steel toed work boots.  Stiching totally came out after one winter.  I'm looking for new boots too!  Won't buy Danners next time!!!

Dean
H2O Elkaholic

I can't really through a brand out at you but I will share my thoughts. Since I live and hunt Colorado I can tell you that I wear 200 gram insulated boots in September. I have several pairs so that I can trade them out daily. I buy the best socks I can find and use arch supports. The early mornings and sometimes late evenings can be a bit chilly, hense the insulation. I always carry a couple pair of extra socks in my pack for trading them out. I get miserable if my feet get cold and I can remedy the feet sweating by changing socks. I am hunting both archery and blackpowder this year and am prepared for snow. We have not had a snow storm in September for several years and way over due. Boots must be breathable, waterproof, good traction with a farely flexible soal. I agree, do not buy them mail order. Buy a pair, wear them around the house for a day or two on the carpet and see if they are comfortable. If not return them and try again. DO NOT BUY ROCKY BOOTS. Have a great hunt here in CO. and good luck!

Fairly common theme - "Don't buy Rocky Boots"

I agree, had one pair, on Season 2 - the soles disinegrated. Would never buy another pair.

There are some real avid Elk hunters posting.

As was talked about -

Multiple pairs, switch daily. Extra socks.

I have two pairs that I hunt elk in, plus a pair of camp boots.

Currently have two sets that I use when hunting elk:

Danner Pronghorn - have not had a problem with them.

And I am currently experimenting with a boot called Tec's. So far so good.

Recommend stay away from any boot that has poor ankle support if hunting in steep slope country.

Also look for the old style vibram lug soles, if you can find them.

Break them in.

I like 400gram - but also have another set of 800gram if it gets really cold.

Have a blast.

Tom

Elk hunting, hiking, and anything else boot:

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.ph...ory_id=444

I own Vasque Sundowner, GoreTex, ALL leather boots and they are designed for hiking and provide good ankle support. They would not be my choice if I was hunting from Horseback. I also wear orthotics and need boots that can work with my foot beds.

Thanks for the insights.  Keep it coming.

Put me in the "NO!" for Rocky boots category----voice of experience! And the "YES" for trying on before you buy category!

On Danner, I have only had two pair, both used in Western Elk, Sheep hunts and Eastern Mtn Deer, bear and Boar hunts. First lasted around 15 years before one began to leak a little. Had second pair over 15 years with no problems but have no clue about current quality control.

Probably the "best" boots I have ever owned are my Courtney Tyre Tracks that I got in Zimbabwe 10 years ago...unlined or insulated.....not for hunting Elk in snow but I have worn them in NM and AZ....they are only ankle boots but they have many many miles in sand , rock, mountains, etc and even rain and dampness and I have no complaints....still feel like and wear like new.I got mine for eqvilent of around $60 bucks for Elephant skin. I understand the same boot in Cape Buffalo now costs around $375!!!!!

red wings$ 350 but still kicking

Just had a very good friend and hunting buddy tell me his Kenneteks are the best boot he has ever owned....he hunts the Rockies hard for Elk...

I put my vote in for the Vasque boots too (I think mine are the older model 10" Sundowners), but I don't think you can get them anymore. Every now and then they show up on Ebay, but even as used boots they still go for $100. I found mine at the Sierra Trading Post on clearance at least 15 years ago. The best boots I have ever worn. I don't know how many hundreds of miles I have put on them but they are still in great shape and still waterproof. I wore them on my goat and sheeps hunts, and I still wear them every year for antelope, deer, and elk hunting here in CO. I think they are about 600 or 800 gram Thinsulate, which are a little warm for the earlier seasons, but not terrible. The warmth does come in handy in the colder weather, and I have hunted in deep snow with them lots of times. I have a pair of uninsulated Wolverines that fit well and are great for flat ground (I got them primarily for antelope and upland game hunting), but the first time I wore them on a steep slope, even though they were well broken in, they tore the skin on my heels to shreds.

I have my Danner's packed and ready for black powder elk season. I have used Danner Grouse and Pronghorn boots in the past. I liked the grouse the best but at$300 a pair I got new pronghorn classics this summer for$ 189. Take plenty of socks and keep ur feet dry as possible.

I have gotten 10 years of elk hunting out of my Cabela's
Elk hunter boot.  Lots of hiking at and above 10,000 feet elevation.
They are about shot now.  Good grips and comfortable. 
200 gram insulation in them.  Not to warm or to cold. 
Good luck.