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Hi all,

I'm curious as to what your boots of choice are when it comes to hunting in Oregon climates on both sides of the mountain. Both wet and mild and high and dry. While I'm knowledgeable with gore-tex and boot construction, I'm fairly unknowledgeable when it comes to Thinsulate numbers. I am one who tends to overdo everything but I don't want to oversweat my feet with 1000g of Thinsulate when in reality in oregon you're looking at at warmer temps. I prefer a stiffer sole overall but don't know if it's generally needed for a general deer here. I plan to put in for an elk tag next year and if I am successful I don't to screw myself by getting something too soft. I'm curious what is everyone's go-to boot choices here in the PNW. If I could afford Kenetreks or Schnees I would but I'm looking more around the $300 range max.

Thoughts?
 
Go to the Danner outlet on Airport way. 2 min east of 205.


Ask someone and you'll get a good answer.


Personally, I couldn't find an all leather boot there 5 years ago and ended up with a 9" full leather (i.e. Waterproof and sturdy, yet fits like a glove so there is flexibility) and they have held up great - although I'm kind of OCD about my guns and boots being clean and oiled.



I'd check out Danner first though. They just didn't have anything in my size/price range/color at the time I was buying.
 
Good socks are just as important, I'm not brand specific but prefer something that has at least 25-40% wool. I can't for the life of me like 100% wool socks.
 
Good socks are just as important, I'm not brand specific but prefer something that has at least 25-40% wool. I can't for the life of me like 100% wool socks.

I'm a big believer in wool socks. I have decently price Wigwams which are 66% merino wool. I think it will be hard to get 100% wool since they don't have the ability to stretch.
 
Ya, they weren't 100% I think, but a much higher percentage I think like 80% or something. They sucked. Too hot, too itchy.
 
I've used Danners quite a bit, but they only seem to last one season. Then they leak. I want to know if there's anything out there that lasts longer as well,,,

Muk's work okay, but they can be to warm in summer,,,
 
Danner - Grouse 8" Brown

57300.jpeg

Or the Canadian if you want insulated. Either one is very comfortable and stout. Not heavy to me (but I wear 8" steel toes all day every day)

Both are gore-tex
 
I've used Danners quite a bit, but they only seem to last one season. Then they leak. I want to know if there's anything out there that lasts longer as well,,,

Muk's work okay, but they can be to warm in summer,,,

I've tried every kind of boot brand under $375... if you USE the boot a lot the gore-tex waterproof barrier will leak after a year with pretty much every brand that I've tried.

Maybe the super spendy brands last longer
 
Danners are great boots!! Also check out Vasque. They have the number 1 hiking boot for the last 5 years. I love my Vasques, I will be getting a new pair after about 5000+ miles on mine in every kind of weather. Vasque breeze 3 gtx is the new version of the one I have.
 
I've used Danners quite a bit, but they only seem to last one season. Then they leak. I want to know if there's anything out there that lasts longer as well,,,

Muk's work okay, but they can be to warm in summer,,,


I've tried every kind of boot brand under $375... if you USE the boot a lot the gore-tex waterproof barrier will leak after a year with pretty much every brand that I've tried.

Maybe the super spendy brands last longer


That's why I wanted an all leather boot.

Oil them or use Sno Seal on them and they are super waterproof without being too hot in the summer.
 
All leather is nice. My work boots always are. Still leak after a year even with regular care. Maybe I'm just too hard on them. I like Obenauf's products

It's the constant flexing of the toe that breaks down the gore-tex, then they start to leak usually around the bottom of the tounge/ top of toe area where it constantly flexes.
 
Redwing, brother, redwing.

All leather, insulate is not necessary in my experience.

Buy some American made redwings and oil them up with huberds shoe grease.

Winning.
 
Crispi boots. Worth the price. I have them used them for two seasons now and they are the best hunting-hiking boots I have ever used. Waterproof and beyond comfortable, at least for me.

I also still have several pairs of Danners. One pair, some insulated Tinners which are a work boot, aren't made any more but held up well and stayed waterproof for at least five years of reasonable use. The other two pairs not at all. Darner's Upland Boots (or whatever version they are called now) lasted barely a season, and their Pronghorns, not even a month. Sloppy and leaking with hardly any use. I am a size 9 and weigh less than 170 lbs, so its not like I blew the boots out or anything, their quality was just not what is used to be. Darner's customer service or lack of on these newer hunting boots was what sent me try Crispi.
 
I've seen the Danner Canadians in the factory outlet, and that is a kind of leather porn, classy design and American construction.

But even if they offered a military discount I doubt I would use a boot with that much insulation. I wore uninsulated Danners for two cold winters in the former Soviet Union with wool socks and my feet were happy in the snow and wind.
 
Lasportiva, Kenetrek, Meindels in that order. Danners last me about 2 months. The Lasportiva makalu are a mountaineer boot and are what I have on every day for work. Might be to stiff for some but still waterproof after 9 months of daily use as I work outside rain or shine and am very very hard on boots ymmv
 
Redwing, brother, redwing.

All leather, insulate is not necessary in my experience.

Buy some American made redwings and oil them up with huberds shoe grease.

Winning.
I have a pair of redwings, very comfortable.
 
I think you have to determine what's important in a boot before you can consider brand. Fall hunting typically means wet, so at least get a waterproof boot. I personally want a lightweight boot so no insulation and a flexible sole. I like to feel the ground as much as possible and wear the proper socks for the temps.
I currently wear Crispi Lapponias and Merrill Outbound Mids. Both lightweight, Gortex hiking boots with flexible soles. I also have a couple pairs of Danner Jag's for shorter jaunts and kicking around camp.
When the weather turns really cold or wet, a pair of Sorel pack boots fit the bill.
I quit buying full leather, 8-10" boots a long time ago because I just didn't need them. Lightweight is more important to me than coverage and protection.
 
Danner Elk Hunters. It's weird to hear guys say they're wearing out Danners. I've put over 100 trail miles in mine over the last two years, humping a 45lb pack. They've held up geat. Just used them this past weekend elk hunting, and put another 36 miles in.
I use the non insulated. Ive worn them down in the teens with no problems, I just wear wool socks. I wear thin athletics in the summer months.
 
I'm curious as to what your boots of choice are when it comes to hunting in Oregon climates on both sides of the mountain. Both wet and mild and high and dry.

If your hunting west of the Cascade crest you will want a full leather hard boot, the lightweight leather/nylon breathable goretex will not withstand a single day of hiking with the western blackberry vines.

Ive never encountered the berry vines in central or eastern Oregon but there's still a few thorny plants but Ive found I can be careful enough with some lightweight nylon goretex boots that double for summer hiking since they are more breathable. I have 2 pairs of boots, but if I had to only afford 1 pair it would be the hard full leather ones since they go anywhere and thorns wont compromise. I absolutely have to have dry feet.

I find for warmth that has more to do with the socks and keeping the feet dry, 100% midweight wool socks work best for me but other wool/synthetic blends are good too.

I've had excellent use from Zamberlan 996 VIOZ GTX boots.

zamb-996-voiz-gt1.jpg
 

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