Boots for elk hunting...

[Bowspirit]

Playing with the idea of an elk hunt on public land in Colorado next year. Just out of curiosity, what would you diehard elk chasers recommend as a good boot for elk hunting?

[DBerrard]

I'd search "elk boots" --matching all terms. Quite a few good threads for ya  
Seems most prefer Danner  or Schnee's..

[Paul WA]

Love my Danners, just picked up my 3rd pair. Got these from Sportsman Guide for 107.00...PR

[Brian Krebs]

I live in elk country - my next boots are as tall as I can get them -16 or18 inch tall -rubber bottom leather top boots: with inserts......ready for 99 percent of everything here - year round.

[JOKER]

Lowa Tibet GTX!!

[just_a_hunter]

I have 3 different pairs that I choose from.

Danner pronghorn unisulated for warm to cold weather.

Danner pronghorn 400 gram for cold to 4" of snow weather.

Danner pronghorn 800 gram for 0 to -30 and lot's of snow weather.

Did I mention Danner pronghorn's are good boots?

Todd

[wingnut]

Jason and I have worn a lot of different boots in elk county over the years but firmly believe our current boot is by far the best we have hunted.  It is the Cabelas' Elk Hunter.  Lace to the toe, light insulation, good ankle support and real comfortable.  You can wear, lighter socks up to double up because of the lace style the boot expands to fit.

I believe they are made by Danner and are styled after the military heavy boot.

Mike

[hunt it]

Cabelas Mountain Hunter by Meindl is one of the best there is. I have two pair of mountain boots I payed $500.00 a pair for and they sit on the shelf while I wear those Mountain hunters $270.00. They are also the best boot I have ever had to just wear and go. I had no issues with breaking in that most stiff mountain boots give you. If you are going to be carrying alot of weight in pack and packing out elk then you'll need alot of support and stiff soles and uppers. It's amazing how much a good boot helps carrying heavy weight.

[BobCo 1965]

I prefer lace to the toe style boots. I have a pair of Danner Elk hunters that worked very well. They are five years young right now.

[Zmonster]

I agree with just_a_hunter


  Danner Pronghorns

[snag]

I put in several miles every year elk hunting in my home state Oregon. I hunt steep and rough terrain. I have a pair of Danner Pronghorns...for the money they are ok. But since I bought some Asolo 530 hiking boots they are the best boot I have used for over 30yrs of walking in the mountains. They are tough, waterproof, and comfortable right out of the box. But like any new boot wear them and break them in months before the hunt.

[mmgrode]

I also like the Lowa Tibet GTX boot.  Good support, waterproof and breatheable, accomodate clamp ons if needed, and are very durable. It's a good boot, but there are others out there worth trying on.  That's really the key...try a whole bunch on and find out which one you prefer.  Happy hunting, Matt

[d. ward]

I wear Danners as well.But I would like to mention one thing.Elk do like to sometimes hide in swampie area's.If you use a low angle support type hikeing boot.You may end up with wet feet pending where you gotta chase the elk.I like the Danners I have.They are about 9"-10" tall and work great........bowdoc

[d. ward]

Whoooops I did forget to mention..If you choose Danners.I would go with the more expensive models that are made in the good old U.S.A.not Danners imports..bowdoc

[beachbowhunter]

Meindel Perfekt Hikers from Cabelas...

[kadbow]

Danner Frontier - goretex, uninsulated.

[BLACK WOLF]

I tried a pair of running shoes this year...and I fell in love with how less fatigued and how light on my feet I felt. I'm a pretty fit guy and I definitely felt a difference.

I thought I might need more ankle support or have problems with pebbles or debrie getting down in my foot...but never had a problem.

I'm gonna try and find a pair of waterproof hiking shoes that are as light or feel the same as those running shoes felt and get a pair of gators to go along with them.

If I find a good pair...I think I will have just found the ultimate elk hunting gear for my feet...at least for me.

Ray  

[SL]

I have to agree with Black Wolf. I usually take my Pronghorns and a pair of Nike hitops that are broke in good. I spend most of my time in the nikes. If the weather is decent and you have the means to take extra shoes they are great. If I could only take one pair it would be the Danners.
SL

[snag]

Sportsman's Warehouse has the Pronghorn's on sale for $99 right now...if that's the way you decide to go.

[amar911]

Ray (Blackwolf),

The hunting setup (light boots and gaiters) you describe is very common in Africa. I have an old pair of Hightecs that is basically just a hightop athletic shoe made with more durable materials. The newer models of Hightecs, Merrells, and North Faces, etc., are comfortable but are bulkier and have sole materials that tend to be loud when walking and are definitely not the best for stalking animals. Best to find something with a quieter sole. For gaiters try the safari gaiters made by Boyt or by TexasHuntCo. The ones by Boyt are canvas and cost about $10 and the ones by TexasHuntCo are cordura and cost about $30. Both work very well, but the TexashuntCo gaiters are more durable and do better in wet grass. The Boyt gaiters are a little quieter and lots cheaper. Unless you feel the need to buy the best, the Boyts will do everything you need at a third the price. I have both kinds and highly recommend them. I use them on almost every hunt wherever I am.

Allan