Best hunting/hiking boot for living in a rainforest?

[Firstlight]

I'm seeking opinions / recommendations on a 100% waterproof boot for bowhunting, which for me means long hikes up steep inclines with lot's of rocky, uneven terrain.   I live in a temperate rainforest so it is very wet here most of the year, thus my problem.

While I prefer a leather boot and I have been skeptical of all rubber boots, I can't find a reliable leather boot, which  doesn't let in H20 after 2-3 years.

I am wondering what you guys think of rubber boots like Lacrosse (arrowhead) or Bogs or Muck boots VS. leather boots.  

I own goretex boots by Danner and Vasque but they have leaked water after a few years of hunting / hiking, even thou they were properly maintained.

What I'm looking for is a reliable boot that I can hike in with my bow and have good footing and traction along with being waterproof.  With our rocky terrain ankle support is important and I can't have my foot slipping around inside the boot.

It never stays below 25F for very long so I'm not so concerned about sub zero weather; it's just wet enough here to grow mushrooms on your hat!

Suggestions welcome.

[Yellow Dog]

As much as I love Muck boots be prepared to do a little repair now and then. I always make sure I have a fresh tube of AquaSeal with me. Since I've switched from Lacrosse style rubber boots there's been a trade off. Lightweight and comfort vs durability. I've never punched a hole in a pair of Lacrosse's busting through heavy thick stuff but I have with the last three pair of Muck's I've owned.

[Old Chief]

I've been looking for over 50 years for this pair of boots, so please let me know if you find them. I traded foot support for waterproof ness. I use quality leather boots dressed with Obenauf's heavy duty leather preservative and good gaiters. Not perfect, but works the best for me.

[seabound]

Only time will tell as far as durability, but I have some Bogs which have been excellent so far. All rubber with neoprene inside, I've been able to use them year round and it gets pretty cold here. They also feel "broken in" right out of the box, and as comfortable as shoes.

[KenH]

What about the LL Bean Maine Hunting Pac or whatever they're called?

[saltwatertom]

I just bought a pair of Lowa boots and I love them. They are expensive but worth it. I live work and play in the same kind of country as you. Kuiu makes some that are similar too, they sound good.
Lowas are leather and need to be treated and maintained. Extratuffs work well but not really any ankle support and they need to be replaced ever couple of years

[MnFn]

Boots for"steep rocky inclines and rainforest" sounds like a tall,tall order to fill.

I could not handle steep rocky inclines with my Mucks, I know that without a doubt. I really don't know what would.

My best so far have been Perfekt Hikers by Meindl. I use Obernauf's to seal them and they worked very well last on a elk hunt in Colorado during the week when it rained nearly every day.

I'll watch this thread with interest to see if anything else comes up.

[slivrslingr]

Your feet are going to get wet in that environment regardless of what you wear, I know this through experience.  Leather boots will leak, even with Gore-Tex and rubber boots will make your feet sweat.  I've lived and worked in SE Alaska, western Washington and the Oregon coast and have worn either Extra Tuffs or Lacrosse rubber boots.  They're great until you sidehill for long, then they're a bit rough on the ankles plus the traction sucks.  Some of the newer rubber boots have better tread though.  If you're hiking off trail all day, just wear comfortable hiking boots and deal with the wet feet.  Maybe get two pairs so you can rotate them.

[Firstlight]

Maybe I should look into the Meindl/ Obernauf's options...

The boot needs to be able to perform well while side-hilling cut blocks and slashes in steep terrain, while ideally having all day waterproofing for multiple days in a row...

yes, it is a tall order.

[Jock Whisky]

Well hello to a fellow Islander. After nearly 40 years working in the woods and hunting on the island the only boots I've found that are truly waterproof are rubber. If you choose to go that way I highly recommend a pair of Bama socks to be worn with them. They WILL help keep the perspiration from soaking your feet and they'll keep your socks from ending up down past your ankles. I've worked all day in the wet and come home with dry feet. The Bamas were soaked but my socks were dry.
Leather with airbob soles will work but your feet will eventually get wet.
The pores in Gore-Tex boots will plug up and now you get wet feet from condensation.
You have the Rolls Royce of leather boots made right on the island. Viberg Boots in Victoria. I've had a pair for sixteen years, resoled them once and they are still going although they will need replacement soon.

For rubber boots I just use a pair of Kamiks with a felt liner from Canadian Tire. My favorite was a lace up rubber boot by Acton but I don't think they are made anymore.

Schnee makes a really good rubber bottom leather top with good soles like airbob. They would be better than LL Bean or lacross for our neck of the woods. I think that may be your best compromise. Check them out on Google

[Jerry Jeffer]

I would go with leather and just keep them up to date on mink oil or coon fat. My feet stay dry this way for many years. Eventually though, it gets too wet in some situations too stay dry at all.

[Firstlight]

Hey, Jock Whiskey, good to run into an islander.  I'm about 45 min North of Victoria.  Are you South Island?

I appreciate your suggestions, I'll begin the big search.  

I just recently heard of Viberg's and was going to go there to try on a pair of Danner Rainforest.

Do you recall what type of boot you like from Viberg's?  Not so sure about the almost $500.00 price tag on some of them, thou.

While the Rainforest looks like a great boot, you know how the "wet" is here and my other Danner's w/ gortex got my feet wet and it wasn't from sweat.

I'll look into the airbob / Schnee style as well.

[V I Archer]

I cut my teeth hunting blacktails in around the South Island and black bears around Cowichan/ Nit Nat area.  

Never been a fan of rubber boots.  They are usually void of any real support and I sweat more in them.  I will wear a pair of Canadian Tire generic rubber boots for stalking around creeks or relatively flat ground.  If climbing into alpine or negotiating the cut blocks and mossy, rocky hillsides, there is no substitute for quality, solid hiking boots.  Meindels are great.  I am trying Hanwag Yukons this year for goats and maybe caribou.  They are an all leather, no gortex backpacking boot.  Treat them well, I wax at every opportunity.  They will last, in my opinion longer than any rubber boot out there.

[Jock Whisky]

I'm up in Campbell Crik in God's country.

My boots were uninsulated hunters. I had them built with airbob soles rather than vibram. Seemed a bit better for grip.
I know the price is high but they will last a ling time if you look after them. Viberg can tell you the best way to do this. And they are rebuildable unlike many others today.  Viberg stands behind their product. I had the sole come loose at the toe, returned them and they were fixed and returned no charge. It can be a good thing having the manufacturer right in your back yard.

Schnees are a good alternative, well made with good soles. The rubber bottoms will really help to keep your feet dry and they have good support. Not sure about rebuilding.

One thing with Vibergs and maybe Danners. My boots were terribly stiff when I first got them. It hurt my ankles to bend down. Solved that by leaving them filled with water overnight and then walking them dry the next day. (take an extra pair of dry socks) After that they were the best fitting boot I'd ever worn.

[MnFn]

I forgot to mention this fall will be my fourth trip to Colorado for elk hunting in my Meindl boots. Still my best option so far.

[Tree Killer]

Have you looked at Schnee's pac boots?  I wear a pair almost all winter...from late season Blacktail hunting to photography to shed hunting.

[Bladepeek]

I must just be extraordinarily lucky, but I've had 3 pairs of Meindls with GoreTex and not one of them has leaked. I can stand in the lake and as long as I don't go in above the top of the closed tongue, I do not get wet. The outer leather does, but dries as I walk. The inside has never gotten wet.My source for the last 2 pairs - perfect hikers and all leather high top hunters - has been Cabelas. If I ever buy a pair that does leak, I know Cabelas will replace them.

I have old, weak ankles and I just don't get the support I need from rubber boots and my feet sweat terribly in them.

[MO Bow]

I've only ever worn Xtra-Tuffs climbing through the same crap in and around Juneau, Admiralty, Kuiu, most places worth hunting/fishing in SE AK.  

I never needed it, but a buddy of mine wore a pair of those lace-up ankle braces for extra ankle support.  

My feet would sweat, but that's unavoidable when you're trying to climb 4500' in a couple hours, or while hiking all day.

I started out using them thinking i could upgrade to some Meindls if they didn't work out so well...never needed to upgrade.

If you get the xtra tuffs, make sure you get the insulated version.  I added a wool sole for a little more padding.

[Hud]

I really like Obenauf's Heavy Duty for leather boots. Boots need to be dry and clean (saddle soap) or other cleaner. I would definitely stick with leather, with a good sole for rocks, logs, and such.  I would considerd one of the top brands and depending on the amount of use, even two pair.  Much of the problem can be solved with excellent fitting, and moisture wicking socks. Use a boot dryer, or stuff newspaper inside.