Best Boots for North East...

[NYArrow]

I have searched and searched for a good lightweight, insulated hunting boot and I'm starting to believe they don't exist. There are many versions out there that are designed for long hiking Western Hunters problem is the insulation is very poor. What about a guy in the North East that hikes a few miles into the deep timber in the snow? What I have now works but just curious if there was something out there a few peeps may recommend.

[Stumpkiller]

I've got a pair of Sorel Crusaders that are good for sitting and a pair of Irish Setters that I prefer for moving.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

What have you tried?

Have you tried Danner Pronghorns?

How about Kenetrek?

Kenetrek Mens Mountain Extreme 1000 Insulated Hikers # KE-420-1000

Price: $395.95
 
Quantity:    
 
 
"Carry all the weight you can stand through below zero temperatures in the most hostile terrain imaginable. The 1000 grams of Thinsulate insulation combined with a Windtex, waterproof, breathable membrane keeps you warm and dry. Slippery vertical terrain meets its match with the firm nylon midsoles, steel shanks, and high traction K-Talon outsoles. Padded tongues, collars, and a firm yet flexible lacing system cradle you in comfort. Triple stitched one piece vamp uppers are made of thick 2.8 mm top grain leather."  


Do you use heavy duty Hiking Socks like Smartwool?

If I am hiking, I don't need a ton of insulation. When I am sitting on stand, I use 800 gram Rocky Boots with toe warmers and electric socks.

If I were going to hike in and sit in one spot, I would use 400 gram Pronghorns with heavy socks, toe warmers, and electric socks.

If I had the money, I would go with Kenetrek, but I will stay with Pronhorns for now.

Good luck,

Paul

[BowHuntingFool]

I picked up a pair of Danner Pronghorns from Cabelas on sale for $130.00, 800 grams...the best money I spent in a long time! Warm, waterproof and about 2 days to break em in if that!

[Tutanka]

Lowa, schnees, kenetrek, lathrop and sons, danner, and meindl, just to name a few. All high quality hiking boots, ranging from 450.00 to 150.00.

[gypsymech]

for what your talking about, i would go with steger mukluks, short, and wool gaiters. a thick pair, or 2 of smart wool socks and you will have happy feet. they are half the weight of my old sorrels and they do the job in the cold. get them 2 sizes over what you normally wear and you can stuff 2 liners in them. they don't have the ankle support a boot will have, and i wouldn't use them for any serious hiking, but they will keep your feet toasty, and unlike a rubber capped boot, they breathe for better moisture wicking. i own 2 pair, a tall and a short, just prefer the short cause they work better for me with the gaiters.

[Rob DiStefano]

i just bought a pair of hi-tec v-lite altitude ultra hikers.  like walking on sunshine.  sweet.

[wollelybugger]

I hunt in the Northeast and found that a good pair of leather boots with medium insulation and a light cotton sock keeps my feet warmer than the heavy boots with heavy socks. My feet would sweat when I walked and when you stopped you feet would freeze.

[Tajue17]

I'm in the same climate,, if its for standing in the stand or still hunting only then I use the boots ice fisherman in canada use and thats the Baffin Poler series rated to I think 150 below,, my feet with a thin athtletic running sock (you cannot wear heavy socks with these or your feet will cook) never once got even a slight chill with these and I used them this season down to 10 below during blackpowder.

the old fall back is a rubber boots 1-2 sizes too big with a wool insole and then double the wool socks but hiking I'm not sure if these would work

[Mike Vines]

I've never owned a pair, but I have heard good things about the L.L. Bean boots.

[fisherick]

If I'm on the move or stalking, I like my 200wt LL Bean hunting boot. It does not have square edges and you have a feel of ground with every step. In a treestand its good to 35* and if colder I'll slip on the Boot Blankets-good to 0*.
When temps are lower than that I wear a felt lined Sorel Trapper boot and if on stand I'll slip on the Boot Blankets. This system will serve me to below zero conditions. My socks consist of a Polypro sock liner and a heavy wool sock.

[Swamp Yankee]

x3 on LL Bean hunting boot.

[maineac]

I wear lacrosse burlys int he earl season and muck cold weather boot in the winter.  A couple of layers of wool socks, varying to meet the temps and I have all I need.  I like the burlys for early season as they have a little insulation and good feel for walking quietly.  The mucks have a much stiffer tread, but I usually don't use them until very late int eh season and there is often snow.

[Hopewell Tom]

Hard to go wrong with some type of insulated RBLT(rubber bottom leather top). For the cold and snow I have a pair of Schenees(Bozeman, Montana) with insulated boot and removable liner. If I tramp enough, my feet sometimes seem too warm...

[ronp]

I like my LL Bean Maine Hunters.  Made in The US.  I wear a couple pair of wool socks.  I like them for snowshoing when the snow gets deep.  Mine are uninsulated but I may get an insulated pair.

[RRock]

This will give you a chuckle but it works, at least for me. A local farmer told me about this. Get a pair of nike or similar shoe, wear a thin pair of dress socks under a heavy pair of wool socks. For the boot part of the get up, a pair of rubber farm muck boots (not the brand name muck boots) that you buy at the local feed mill or farm supply store. I've been using this setup for several years now in some pretty cold temps for several hours. Don't know how it would work in sub zero temps, never tried and we normally don't get them around here and this set up is light. Also don't get the rubber boots to tight.

[Earl Jeff]

In cold weather I wear a good pair of medium weight boots (insulation) to walk to my stand.
then on go the boot blankets, my feet never get cold with boot blankets and hand warmers inside.

[Two Dogs]

Muck WoodyMax

[Mark Sherlinski]

Hunt all over the NE, Western states and Canada and I don't think you can beat Schnee's out of Montana. There are at least 7 of us from PA that ordered them and I don't know of anyone that does not use them and like them.

[Rob DiStefano]

i have two pair of ll bean boots (leather uppers, rubber bottoms.  the first pair are the hi-tops the other the lows.  they are *great* boots ***EXCEPT*** they will chaffe the sides of most folks' feet because the overlap stitch seam of the leather and rubber is *exactly* where yer ankle is located.  didn't learn with the first pair, how stupid of me.  

they're both going back - VERY POOR CONSTRUCTION DESIGN!