hunting boots for rocky mountains

[excelpoint]

Another vote for Danner Pronghorns. I was very impressed with them when I was over in Colorado last month. Mine are uninsulated. I had them on for about 4 hours in about a foot of snow back over here the other week. Me feet remained dry and warm. The warmth may have been from the quality wool socks I was wearing though. If you are going to be hunting in snow or colder weather a lot i would suggest a light insulated pair.

[Traddicted]

I own 3 pair of Danners myself, and have never been disappointed with any of them. They range from 200 grams to 600 grams of Thinsulate, and they have always kept my feet dry.

[sagebrush]

I like light,well built boots with an aggressive sole. Some terrain can be downright dangerous without the aggressive sole. And they have to fit good or you will hunt less. Gary

[YORNOC]

Meindle perfekt hunter from Cabela's was the best rough terrain boot I've ever worn. Light, extremely comfortable, very supportive on steep inclines, rugged as a brama bull. Built for hard steep terrain. Great if you are on the move most of the time.
 If sitting in cold weather, thats a whole different animal.
Love Schnee's myself for any other type of hunting.
Merino wool socks of different weights are critical. I buy fairly lightweight pairs of different sizes and layer the socks to fit the exhertion level or temperature. I keep 4 lightweight pairs in my pack, 2 large,2 Xlarge. Good to throw on your hands when getting really cold on the way out too.

[McDave]

Hunting in the Rockies requires a lot of steep uphill and downhill walking.  So you need boots that fit snugly, but don't bind your feet.  In other words, you need boots that fit perfectly.  Whereas for walking long distances on the flats, you just need boots that are comfortably loose.  There are lots of fine boots that will fit your foot perfectly if your foot is the one they used as a model for the standard last.  They definitely didn't use my foot!  My foot is wider in the front and narrower in the heel than a standard last.  For years, I tried to force it into boots like Lowa boots, that are probably some of the finest boots made, but not for my feet.

Finally, one day I went to the Birkenstock store to get some sandals on sale, and saw that they also make boots.  I tried a pair on, and my feet told me they had finally found a home!  I can walk miles in those boots, up and down the steepest grades, and never have any pain from the boots (plenty of pain in general, but not from the boots).

My advice to you is to keep looking until you find a pair of boots that fit your feet like the Birkenstocks fit mine.

[jhg]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
Whatever you decide bring 2 pairs, preferably 3. Feet may get wet, boot might tear, be too close to the fire, whatever.

Sorry Bjorn, but this made me chuckle! I don't deny the wisdom, but if I ever start taking three pairs of boots anyplace just shoot me.

Joshua, not an extra boots just in case kind of guy.

[easyup]

I wore Danners for years until they were bought by LaCrosse and the accountants started in on the materials and workmanship.  Tried several and ended up loving Lowa Sheephunters for the rough stuff in AZ and WY, with a pair of gaiter for deep snow I am ready from any weather from 90 to well below zero degrees.

[Hookeye]

Two pair- one lightweight hiker/crosstrainer type, and the other an insulated leather 8 or 9".

I still have my 9", in suprisingly good shape (10 yrs old). Were Redheads (made by???), top of their line back then.

I wear them only when hunting, treat the leather before season and after. Before them I had another long lived pair of Brownings.

[kadbow]

Two pair, Assolo Sasslongs are my normal Sept boot but if it gets wet or snowy I use the taller Danner Frontiers.

[Wilder]

Kenetrek. Pricey but worth it.

[Bowshot]

The airbob sole suggestion is a good one. The Cabelas elk hunters (Danner) with the airbob sole are good if you get them to fit right. I went through 4 pairs in 2 different stores and found a pair to fit. All were the same size. Schnees makes good boots. I am currently wearing a pair of Hanwag Alaskans. Depending on the terrain, a good set of the light approach style shoes are the right choice.
Fit is the number one criteria followed by foot protection in my experience. Sore feet are no fun.
Terry

[1screagle]

Thanks for all the help guys, I will continue to read and soak in all this advise.

[Gary Logsdon]

I spent 4 weeks in 2008 and 2009 elk hunting at, below, and just above timberline (10,500'-12,000') wearing the same pair of uninsulated Danner Pronghorns.  Have nothing but phrase for them.

[K30bowfisher]

Take a look at Russell Boot and Moccasin, they custom build boots from a tracing of your foot. It isn't possible to find a better fitting shoe. By far the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. I bought my first pair 15 years ago and still have them. Not the cheapest option, but they are make good footwear.

[Tom Leemans]

Make sure they have good ankle support!

[1screagle]

I hear  alot of praise for the Danner Pronghorn boots. I have a pair I have only used for hunting. They may be about 7 years old but not a ton of miles or hours in them. They used to keep my feet dry. Now they don't. I called Danner to see if I could get them watertight again. They said no. I feel that they didn't live up to the name or price. Is it that I may have gotten boots made on a bad day? I'm afraid of wasting more money. 1 year warranty. Anyone offer more?