Bird Hunting Boots - What do you all Like and Why

[AverageGuy]

Bill, I am wearing these this season and really like them. http://www.schnees.com/product/SCHNEES- ... ance-Boots

[Bill in Oregon]

Good to know, AG. Are the soles stiff enough to handle rocky terrain? Wish Sportsman's carried them so that I could try them on over in Las Cruces.

[J D Patrick]

Bill, I am wearing these this season and really like them. http://www.schnees.com/product/SCHNEES- ... ance-Boots

man, all these nice boots are only in medium,,,,,,won't fit my big feet,,,,,

[AverageGuy]

Good to know, AG. Are the soles stiff enough to handle rocky terrain? Wish Sportsman's carried them so that I could try them on over in Las Cruces.

Bill, for me they work fine for day hunts in rocky terrain such as the area you mention. I elk hunt north of Las Cruces so am familiar with the terrain and have been wearing Danner Pronghorns for those hunts. The Pronghorns are light and I can feel the terrain and therefore be quiet when stalking into bow range... These Schnees are head and shoulder better than the Danners. I also have a stiffer sole pair of Danners which are very similar to their "Grouse Boot" The Schnees are a better boot than those Danners as well in my view.

But if I drew a sheep tag in the mountains and could only take one pair of boots I would wear my 10 inch uninsulated Kennetrec MT. Boots which have a stiffer sole, and more weight because of it. I will wear these Schnees for all my bird hunting until some deep snow comes. In deep snow in the cattail sloughs I will wear my Kennetrec boots and gaiters.

[bhennessy]

I found a couple mentions of Irish Setter boots in this thread, specifically one about them leaking, but does anyone own a pair and want to comment on them? They are owned by Red Wing, a brand I wore at work for for a long time and liked. I'm looking at their 9" Wingshooter, either in zip up or lace up.

Frankly the zip ups look super comfortable, but does anyone hunt in this type of boot? I'm a bit worried about them sliding around on my feet.

I'm headed to NE this winter and don't think my old boots I wear here in the deep south will hack it. Nothing worse than cold, wet feet. Obviously the price is a bit better than other options, so I'm hoping that the guy who's boots leaked after s year isn't the norm. Thanks in advance.

[AverageGuy]

I have no Experience with IS boots to offer.

For hunting in cold wet winter conditions in an all leather boot I have never heard anyone who spent the money on Kenetreks say anything but good about them. I have an insulated and an uninsulated pair of their 10 inch Mt boot. Worth every penny. The band of rubber around them dramatically reduces the rapid wear that walking in heavy bird hunting grass produces on unprotected leather toed boots.

[blue04]

I have Irish Setter wingshooter boots. 9"

I love them. They are very comfortable for walking, and they aren't leaking yet. I'm just starting my 3rd season with them. These are the boots I wear in warm weather (dove season) and any time I'm doing any significant walking (Upland, Turkey hunting, etc). The soles will probably be worn enough by the end of this season (maybe sooner) that I'll need to get a new pair. Mid-way through last season I started to feel that the support was breaking down in them, so I replaced the factory insoles with new aftermarket insoles. It made a big difference and will probably allow me to get an extra season out of them.

[bhennessy]

Thanks Gents I ordered a pair of Irish Setters today. I'm a big fan of Red Wings so that, and cost tipped the scales.

[stubblejumper]

I purchased some Meindl ultralight hunters before the season, and I wore them all season. I couldn't be more pleased with them. They are light, comfortable, and waterproof. I do a lot of walking in a day, and they are standing up just fine after after using them for over 30 days of upland, pronghorn, and moose hunting.

[TTIERNS]

Try Lowa boots. They are where Kenetrek basically got their mold. Look similar and both are excellent boots but the Lowa's are less expensive.

[bhennessy]

Bought the Irish Setter Wing Shooters and hunted this season with them. Between Nebraska in December and Louisiana for the rest of the season I can say they are good boots. Waterproof, warm and durable. My only complaint is that my feet are narrow and they are not, nor do they make a narrow boot. I’ve been wearing thick socks, and I am going to by an aftermarket insole which hopefully should take up some volume inside the boot.

[AverageGuy]

I hunted in my Schnees Upland boots whenever it was dry for the last 6 months (which was the majority of the season), and they were excellent. Immediately comfortable and light, fit like a glove on my narrow foot, no breakin, great sole (light, flexible, good grip but not too deep), tight lace up system. They should have put a double layer on the toe as they are showing wear from alot of miles in the grass, weeds, cattails and that is their weak point. Got a tip to put SuperGlue on the toe and going to try that. To be fair, I spend alot of time in the field and the majority of it is in very heavy grass cover which is going to abrade any boot.

When it got wet I used my uninsulated 10 inch Kenetreks. Not sure I will ever wear those Kenetreks out.

[stubblejumper]

Meindl Ultralights, very light, very comfortable, and waterproof.

[AverageGuy]

[quote="stubblejumper"]Meindl Ultralights, very light, very comfortable, and waterproof.[/quote

http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS- ... Collection

31% complain of leaking sooner than later. Experiences and opinions vary on everything it seems.

[JTracyII]

Danner Pronghorn here. I'm on my second pair and like them.