Boots for caribou hunting across muskeg

[cactusjack]

I will be DIY Caribou hunting near the brooks range in August/September. Tried it a couple years ago, and didn't have a great experience using classic leather/Gore-Tex mountain boots. Especially once they started freezing solid over night. Any recommendations on better footwear?

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I will be DIY Caribou hunting near the brooks range in August/September. Tried it a couple years ago, and didn't have a great experience using classic leather/Gore-Tex mountain boots. Especially once they started freezing solid over night. Any recommendations on better footwear?

Need more info on the area you are hunting. If in any area with BOGS use MUCK Boots. Rubber bottoms Neuropryme tops up to your knees.

 

[ZSteinle]

Muck arctic

 

[TxPhred]

I will be DIY Caribou hunting near the brooks range in August/September. Tried it a couple years ago, and didn't have a great experience using classic leather/Gore-Tex mountain boots. Especially once they started freezing solid over night. Any recommendations on better footwear?

I have had good luck with Zamberlans http://www.zamberlanusa.com/product...-men-s-insulated-hunting-boots-waxed-chestnut
Good luck with your hunt.

 

[cactusjack]

Need more info on the area you are hunting. If in any area with BOGS use MUCK Boots. Rubber bottoms Neuropryme tops up to your knees.

I am not exactly sure yet. Ram aviation drops us off. Last time it was along the Kukpuk river. Mix of low rocky ridges and big stretches of muskeg without open water. Once everything froze solid traveling the creek bottoms was the way to go.

 

[Gravel Road]

Spent plenty of time slogging around in the Brooks range tundra and we always just wore the Danner Fort Lewis boots. They are leather, but no way would I wear hot muck boots. Seems like you would have sweaty feet. I think the way the tundra tussocks are spaced, you would need more ankle support than a muck type boot.

 

[cactusjack]

Spent plenty of time slogging around in the Brooks range tundra and we always just wore the Danner Fort Lewis boots. They are leather, but no way would I wear hot muck boots. Seems like you would have sweaty feet. I think the way the tundra tussocks are spaced, you would need more ankle support than a muck type boot.

Agreed…ankle support was key.

 

[idcwby]

I will be DIY Caribou hunting near the brooks range in August/September. Tried it a couple years ago, and didn't have a great experience using classic leather/Gore-Tex mountain boots. Especially once they started freezing solid over night. Any recommendations on better footwear?

Were your boots insulated?

 

[cactusjack]

Were your boots insulated?

Yes.

 

[idcwby]

Yes.

There goes my idea. . I had the same issue this last year elk hunting and when I switched to my insulated boots my feet stayed warm and the boots didn't freeze up as bad.

 

[idcwby]

I know weight is usually an issue in these hunts, but do you think bringing a second set of boots would help?

 

[cactusjack]

I know weight is usually an issue in these hunts, but do you think bringing a second set of boots would help?

That's a great idea. I think this is what I'll end up doing.

 

[TxPhred]

I know weight is usually an issue in these hunts, but do you think bringing a second set of boots would help?

So I would suggest this as well. But at the least, please take along additional inserts / soles. Your feet may stay dry but all feet sweat and this, in my urbahn experience, is why feet get cold.You can change out the soles for dry ones, let the wet pair dry and your feet will thank you. Boots last longer if moisture is removed faster as well.

 

[Barehandlineman11]

I wear 1000g kennetrek boots been great. I heard they shut down a lot of hunting especially out of kotzibue