I am looking for a 400 gram goretex 8-10 inch hunting boot for a 1st week Oct hunt in the tetons this year. I have my 800 gram boots but the outfitter says he wears a 400 gram all season. Looked at the Kennetrek but are a bit pricey at close to $500. Looking in the mid $200 as a top price range. Anybody wear Danners ? Was hoping I might find a fathers day special.
Decent boot for an elk hunt
- Thread starter milkie62
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Airedale56
Well-Known Member
I like my Irish Setter Elk Trackers very much.
800 grams insulation. Had them over 10 years.
I add Obenaufs waterproof dressing to mine.
Your 800 gram boots might work just fine for your hunt, but.. Father's Day!
800 grams insulation. Had them over 10 years.
I add Obenaufs waterproof dressing to mine.
Your 800 gram boots might work just fine for your hunt, but.. Father's Day!
Rick Richard
Well-Known Member
I have hunted that area many times and never needed insulated boots at that time of the year. Good luck on your hunt.
Danner elk hunter use to be the cabelas elk hunter
Laelkhunter
Well-Known Member
If your 800 fit you well, I would use them. I think the outfitter is just making suggestions. He probably has some hunters show up with no insulation boots or pac boots. What if you do get snow and your 800 gram boots are sitting home, and your feet freeze? I would not buy a cheap pair of boots just to get the 400 grams of insulation he suggests, I would use the boots that are already broken in, and I know fit my feet.
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corsair4360
Well-Known Member
I agree with lealkhunter.... boots that fit are the key. Second is keeping your feet warm.
I use an old pair of Rockies that work really well and the toes are small enough to slip in and out of stirrups nicely, I don't recall the level of insulation but since the early 90's on late Sept Wyoming Wilderness hunts I've yet to be cold, WET yes but never cold. one thing to be sure to buy is a pair with tough, solid leather across the back of your heels. If you ever walk a horse down hill she might just kick you in the heel with her front horse shoe,,,,that really hurts as I did wearing a pair of Maine guide boots once. I would avoid the really aggressive soles that tend to be wide and just might be too snug in your stirrups.
UplandFreak
Well-Known Member
I wear danner pronghorns and love them.
Caveman0101
Well-Known Member
400 gr Danner Pronghorn is my preferred boot and if it turns cold 2 pair of wool socks and you're ok unless you sit still too long in snow less than 10 degrees or so. But I would suggest bringing 800gr or better just in case. 2 years ago 1st season we had 2 feet of snow and below zero temps for the first few days of season at 9000'. It can happen.
jlostrander
Well-Known Member
I would go with non insulated boots at the time of year. Key is getting them ready prior to the hunt. Any good boot is going to have a price. If your feet run cold get the 400 gram boots and break them in.
billcaldwell
Well-Known Member
I know Kenetrek boot prices are scary. But I will never own anything other than Kenetrek......ever. You can sign up on dvor.com and they will send you e-mails daily of what sales events they have currently.
www.dvor.com
I just bought a pair of Mountain Extreme 400 gram thinsulate for $325 on the above link. This event has been going for awhile, so they might not have you size now. Give them a try!
They have a Kenetrek sale 4 or 5 times a year. If the sales event you are looking for doesn't appear in their e-mail, just "search" what you're looking for in their search bar.
I'm now on my fourth pair of Kenetreks. I wear the non-insulated Mountain Extreme every day in the summer, and wear the 400 gram Mountain Extremes for elk hunting. I'll never look back. Also, as scary as the retail prices are, they are worth every penny!
Good luck!
Results for kenetrek boots - Dvor.com
I just bought a pair of Mountain Extreme 400 gram thinsulate for $325 on the above link. This event has been going for awhile, so they might not have you size now. Give them a try!
They have a Kenetrek sale 4 or 5 times a year. If the sales event you are looking for doesn't appear in their e-mail, just "search" what you're looking for in their search bar.
I'm now on my fourth pair of Kenetreks. I wear the non-insulated Mountain Extreme every day in the summer, and wear the 400 gram Mountain Extremes for elk hunting. I'll never look back. Also, as scary as the retail prices are, they are worth every penny!
Good luck!
I have tried a lot of different boots over the years and have found the Danner Rain Forest and Santiam fit my narrow arch the best and have a great balance of weight vs. durability. I also have the Danner Elk Hunters but they don't fit my foot as well. Danner builds a lot of junk boots in China nowadays but these 3 models are handbuilt in Portland and are factory rebuildable. The Rain Forests are available non-insulated and with 200G insulation. The Santiams come with 400G of insulation.
As far as insulation a lot of it depends on good your circulation in your feet is and how active you will be hunting. I believe it's better to create insulation with socks rather than have it built in the boots. Boot insulation becomes matted over time and is much harder to dry than a pair of socks. For 80% of my hunting (still hunting and spot and stalk) I wear the non-insulated Rain Forest with medium or heavy wool socks. If I am going to be sitting for more than an hour in the snow or a cold treestand I wear the Santiams.
All three of these have much softer leather and less rigid soles than my Kennetrek Mountain Extremes or Meindle/Cabelas Outfitter boots. The only time I where these is if I will be packing a lot of weight on my back.
I like the Rain Forests so well I bought a second pair and wear them everywhere (summer hikes, to work...) The first has 7 seasons on them and the second is going on 3. Other than typical scuffs and worn soles both pairs are in great shape. The Rain Forests are $270 on the Danner site now and the Santiams are $277. I usually find them cheaper from distributors than thru Danner. Great boots at any cost!
Hope this helps-
As far as insulation a lot of it depends on good your circulation in your feet is and how active you will be hunting. I believe it's better to create insulation with socks rather than have it built in the boots. Boot insulation becomes matted over time and is much harder to dry than a pair of socks. For 80% of my hunting (still hunting and spot and stalk) I wear the non-insulated Rain Forest with medium or heavy wool socks. If I am going to be sitting for more than an hour in the snow or a cold treestand I wear the Santiams.
All three of these have much softer leather and less rigid soles than my Kennetrek Mountain Extremes or Meindle/Cabelas Outfitter boots. The only time I where these is if I will be packing a lot of weight on my back.
I like the Rain Forests so well I bought a second pair and wear them everywhere (summer hikes, to work...) The first has 7 seasons on them and the second is going on 3. Other than typical scuffs and worn soles both pairs are in great shape. The Rain Forests are $270 on the Danner site now and the Santiams are $277. I usually find them cheaper from distributors than thru Danner. Great boots at any cost!
Hope this helps-
