Which boots?

+1 for Crispi. I currently have the Briksdal (insulated) and the Valdres (uninsulated). I've used many others over the years including Danner, Irish Setter, Meindle, Scarpa and Kenetrek. Crispi is easily my favorite. The Flex Rating they provide is helpful. All Kenetreks would end up as 5 on their scale (which is great if you are going to need crampons too, but otherwise too stiff for me), whereas the Briksdal is a 4 and the Valdres a 3. A quality, comfortable, full shank book is a great asset in the Rocky Mountains for elk, especially when you are packing them out. I use Irish Setter Trail Phantom for upland bird hunting when it's below freezing, but it would be entirely inadequate for my use in the mountains.

I've had good luck with the Cabela's Meindl boots, as well as Danner's Pronghorn boots. Both used in Shoshone's mountains in Wyoming. Good boots equals good feet.

Bmccart said:

Going on my first elk hunt next fall, gonna buy a pair of boots here in the next week or so to be able to get them broke in this season. Kennetrek, crispi etc are out of my price range. Wanting to stay under $300. Going to be going during 3rd rifle season in Colorado. I'm thinking a 400 or 600 gram boot with a heated insole that I can turn on when I get where I'm going. I think 1000 is too much because my feet sweat bad. I do have merino socks already also

mainly looking at the danner powderhorn, danner elk hunter or the Irish setter elk tracker.

who has experience with these or recommendations for others in this price range? I mainly hunt whitetails in MO and the only hunting boots I've worn for the last 10 years are my muck woody elites so any advise is appreciated.

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Not danner

SilverbulletMAG said:

....positive feedback on a boot (or any other product) from actual owners/users speaks more than any marketing BS. In the base of the Crispi boots, the "hype" is for good reason. Just like you seem to like the Hanwag boots and want to recommend them.

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CHANGED REPLY per Len's spanking*
As an actual owner/user of Crispi's, Kennetrek's, Lowa's, Scarpa's, Salomon's and putting them thru hell, I simply liked the Hanwags better for my feet and abuse level.

clownbuster said:

Proving my point genius. Using your words - all we see is Crispi marketing "BS" on all these forums. He asked for opinions. I have one. Based on use. Sorry I'm not sorry that my real-world advice from 600+ boot-miles a year in three states just defecated in your morning big glass of Crispi Kool-Aid. Your post to me, based on because you were offended, didn't help him. Mine has a chance, yours doesn't.

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Did you just get triggered over a discussion about boots?lol That's adorable...

Country Bumpkin said:

well, this is evidence of unicorns. The original pronghorns were great, they were made of quality materials, comfortable and held up a few seasons for hard hunting. Once they outsourced to China, they became useless shams imo.

the bad thing is that they feel great in the store, so ppl buy them..... they fail almost immediately and are too weak to provide any ankle support.

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That's is a true story, bought a pair of Anerican made dinners, the elk hunter??? Wore them for two weeks and walked a hundred miles easily, climbed. They lasted 4 years and bought another pair along with the pronghorns. What s disaster, total junk. Now it's Lowa and Crispier. Great boots, fits narrow feet, like Kennetrek also but they don't fit as well as Lowa.

SilverbulletMAG said:

Did you just get triggered over a discussion about boots?lol That's adorable...

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CHANGED per Len's spanking*
Sorry SilverbulletMAG, didn't mean to offend your favorite boot manufacturer, please accept my deepest apologies.

Lots of opinions! Someone likes about every kind? Some like American made?
Some Asain? I like Italian made boots? It's about YOUR feet and what feels good on YOU! This is a true case of One Mans Meat....

clownbuster said:

LOL, sorry little snowflake. How's this: try simply posting something helpful for the OP. That better for ya little fella??

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Sorry you get so emotional over a boot forum, different strokes for different folks. Would always like to hear what makes a hunt more enjoyable and good boots are at the top of the list. There are very few hunters that hunt as hard and put as many miles on boots as my group, we climb into **** holes looking for the elusive 200" plus Muley.
Can't wait to hear your suggestions on rifles and calibers

Just one other thing to keep in mind, if you have wide feet, there are only a few boot companies that actually build a wide boot.

Bmccart said:

Going on my first elk hunt next fall, gonna buy a pair of boots here in the next week or so to be able to get them broke in this season. Kennetrek, crispi etc are out of my price range. Wanting to stay under $300. Going to be going during 3rd rifle season in Colorado. I'm thinking a 400 or 600 gram boot with a heated insole that I can turn on when I get where I'm going. I think 1000 is too much because my feet sweat bad. I do have merino socks already also

mainly looking at the danner powderhorn, danner elk hunter or the Irish setter elk tracker.

who has experience with these or recommendations for others in this price range? I mainly hunt whitetails in MO and the only hunting boots I've worn for the last 10 years are my muck woody elites so any advise is appreciated.

Click to expand...

I will generally wait til bass Pro has a sale on Redhead boots and buy a pair of them. $70 or $80 and comfortable, warm and pretty much water proof. They're also light.

I know you said $300, but my Kennetrek 400 gr thinsulate boots are 12 years old and still look almost new. I choked spending that much for boots ($355 back then) but they have become my favorite boots. Great traction, comfort, and stability on uneven or rugged terrain. I went with them after basically wearing out other brands within a few years of use.

Just got back from a goat hunt in British Columbia. Have always had Danner pronghorn boots and loved them until they started making them overseas. Upgraded to Danner East Ridge and broke them in well before the hunt. After the first day I could have cried in disgust. Although comfortable and warm they offered zero traction on the steep snowy slopes we were climbing. I was constantly losing traction and while crossing an avalanche slide I covered more vertical ground in a half second than I care to think about. Could have easily been the end of my life. Luckily I had an extra pair of boots intended for hunting moose bogs that I finished the remainder of the hunt with. They were Le Chameau Chasseur boots that I wear when I am in marshy conditions. Provided me adequate traction but little ankle support. When I got back I called Danner customer service and told them of my disgust with the soles on the East Ridge. Very understanding lady provided me with an acceptable refund and offered a pair of Danner Santiam boots with the Bob sole at a considerable discount. They are similar to Danner Elk Hunter boots. Do not make the same mistake I did. If possible try your choice of boots out in terrain similar to what you will be hunting. Being on the Eastern Shore of Maryland I did not have that option. I now wear the East Ridge for work and the Santiams will be my hunting boots. Danner customer service was spectacular!

[QUOTESorry you get so emotional over a boot forum, different strokes for different folks. Would always like to hear what makes a hunt more enjoyable and good boots are at the top of the list. There are very few hunters that hunt as hard and put as many miles on boots as my group, we climb into *Rule 4 Violation* holes looking for the elusive 200" plus Muley.
Can't wait to hear your suggestions on rifles and calibers[/QUOTE]

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