Lightweight Hunting Boots?

[graybird]

I need to purchase a pair of light weight hunting boots. I've been wearing a pair of Rocky boots for a few years now, but they are no longer water proof. I prefer something that is uninsulated with a soft sole.

I've been looking at the following boots: Danner Pronghorn GTX, Danner Jackal II GTX, Kenetrek Hardscrabble Hiker, Hanwag Banks GTX and Hanwag Cheyenne GTX.

Any thoughts or comments about the above boots, or another I haven't listed, is much appreciated.

[Brocka]

I myself am in the same boat, I'm torn between the Pronghorn & the Under Armour Ridge Reaper. I was impressed with how light the UA boot is. Have you checked that out?

[graybird]

I myself am in the same boat, I'm torn between the Pronghorn & the Under Armour Ridge Reaper. I was impressed with how light the UA boot is. Have you checked that out?

I have not looked at the Under Armour boot. Guess I'd better add another to the list.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have the Danner Pronghorn and it is a great boot. Very comfortable from the getgo.

[labman]

Lowa Tibet Pro GTX

[Brocka]

I have not looked at the Under Armour boot. Guess I'd better add another to the list.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Hey no problem, So far I am pretty impressed with my other UA gear and I haven't really heard anything bad about the boots yet, I am pretty sure its their first boot so i am guessing there will be a few things that get changed for next years models but so far they look/feel to be a quality product.

[FieldNStream]

Check out cabelas Ultralight hunting boot by meindl, 800 gram thinsulate available, 3.2 lbs. $220.00 bought a pair last year and I love how comfortable they are.

[backstraps]

Some of the above mentioned are not very (light weight).

Try the Lowa Renegade. I've had good luck with those.

I tried on some UA Speed Freaks this weekend they felt good and were true to size, but didn't buy them.

[sjsmallfield]

Danner Jackel II for me. Love em. Light weight and they cling to the rocks really well. I think the new Danner Pronghorns will be my next pair of boots but not for the early season. Good luck!

[wolftalonID]

Danner Pronghorn is by far the best boot I have ever hunted in. As long as they make them, I will be using them.

[FieldNStream]

Check out cabelas lightweight hunter by meindl 3.2 lbs

[Ikeepitcold]

Lowa Tibet Pro GTX

You can't go wrong with the Lowa Tibet. I love mine, I also have the sheep hunters and are a great insulated choice.

[graybird]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. I'll be heading to Sportsmans Warehouse this weekend, or next, to starting trying some on.

Thanks again!

Graybird

[Brocka]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. I'll be heading to Sportsmans Warehouse this weekend, or next, to starting trying some on.

Thanks again!

Graybird

I walked around Sportmans warehouse today with the UA boot on my left foot and the Danner Pronghorn on my right...I couldn't really tell a difference & ended up going with the Danner because they had a 1 year warranty compared to the UA of 30 days...

[graybird]

I ended up going with the Danner Pronghorn today.

I just found out I drew a limited entry turkey tag for Colorado that has taken 3 years to draw, so I need some new boots for scouting and they should be ready to go by opening day.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Graybird

[size16]

Me and my Brother go hunting, and we used to have the hardest time finding hunting boots. I have wear 16's and he wears 15's. We Get our the Best Hunting Boots (https://www.xlfeet.com/Large-Hunting-Boots-size-7-18-s/44998.htm) at XLfeet.com. I prefert the BOGS, since they are super warm, and waterproof, but if my feet were smaller, I would definitely go with the Magnum Boots.

Most of the Magnum Boots have the patented ion-mask surface technology too. It's awesome, and they have a video of it at the bottom of this page (https://www.xlfeet.com/Large-Hunting-Boots-size-7-18-s/44998.htm) that will amaze you! It enables sweat to escape your boots, while leaving the outside waterproof, and resistant to chemicals. It was designed for military uniforms, and it's perfect for hunting! Since gortex in boots like danner can break down after absorbing blood, we prefer magnum with ion-mask.

Our recommendation would be the Magnum Spider 8.1 HPi - MultiCam (https://www.xlfeet.com/Magnum-Spider-8-1-HPi-MultiCam-p/5380.htm)

[JBudd]

You can't go wrong with the pronghorns but I recently purchased a pair of Under Armours Speed Freaks and I love them. Fit to the foot very well, lightweight, and they have a really good sole.

[quicknick]

I have a pair of pronghorns and a pair of Under Armor Valsetz I just picked up. There is really no comparison on weight the Valsetz are far and away much lighter, but they aren't water proof and probably wont last as long.

[Texans42]

Columiba peak freak... Outdry water proof/ breathable and 17 oz a shoe...

[JMSZ]

I know this is an older thread, but I just found out that Belleville now makes hiker-type boots, 6" high, waterproof, etc. I just bought a pair, I'll let you know how they work it.

I've got wide feet (4E in New Balance) and I've had good luck with Belleville. The only other hikers I've been able to find that fit are Merrells, which are great, they're extremely comfortable, but the eyelets are cloth and the last two pairs had eyelets rip out at about the 9-month point.

[JMSZ]

I know this is an older thread, but I just found out that Belleville now makes hiker-type boots, 6" high, waterproof, etc. I just bought a pair, I'll let you know how they work it.

I've got wide feet (4E in New Balance) and I've had good luck with Belleville. The only other hikers I've been able to find that fit are Merrells, which are great, they're extremely comfortable, but the eyelets are cloth and the last two pairs had eyelets rip out at about the 9-month point.

I'm resurrecting this to report on the Belleville boots, they're the Tactical Research 555.

I like them, but they have some serious design flaws and poor QC, so from a practical standpoint I have to say the ones that I got are junk.

I got the first pair, laced them up and a speedlace eyelet popped out. The rivets for the eyelets weren't fully spread and one slipped out.

Got a second pair, the eyelets held, but all of the rivets were questionable as to whether they would hold, so I used a center punch on all of them.

Longer term, the upper eyelet design puts all of the stress on a small spot on the leather, so they will rip through at some point. I now wear them around the yard, etc, but I really don't expect them to make it to hunting season next year, especially if they get wet a few more times, but we'll see.

The eyelets Belleville normally uses crimps onto the leather itself, eliminating the stress point issue.

In addition, they are advertised as being waterproof, but they aren't.

The basic design of the boots is actually really good, after a short break-in they are really comfortable, I like wearing the, and they have a good tread design.

If Belleville fixes the eyelets and the waterproofing, they'd be great boots.

As I'm sure many of the military guys here relate to, I've had multiple pairs of Belleville boots, most of which have had the soles worn flat while the rest of the boot still has some life left in it. So, this isn't typical of the manufacturer, it's just cutting corners and poor QC on this particular design.

[H3Dad]

I have the pronghorns the jackel and UA boots. They are all great boots for the price, however the pronghorns are a little heavy and offer the best support with a stiffer sole. They are definitely a boot. The jackel is much lighter with fair support but you can still cover the miles with these boots, it was hard for me to trash these boots even after wearing the soles out. UA I have only had one year yet they fit like a glove and are very light. They are more like a shoe rather than a boot. I think I could jog in these boots. I do like them however packing heavier loads they don't feel as solid and supportive as the Danner boots but definitely a great 3-4 day boot as long as the country isn't to rough.

[dihardhunter]

Salomon 4D GTX Cosmics - wore them 14 straight days between 9 and 12.5K feet last year and they performed flawlessly. Less than 3 pounds for the pair. I think it was 45 ounces, but I'd have to check my records to be sure.

[JMSZ]

Salomon 4D GTX Cosmics - wore them 14 straight days between 9 and 12.5K feet last year and they performed flawlessly. Less than 3 pounds for the pair. I think it was 45 ounces, but I'd have to check my records to be sure.


I got a pair of those boots, they are awesome, except for one thing...I need a wide and they don't come in wides. The regulars almost fit, but were too narrow through my arch.

The boots look and feel bullet proof, curious to see how they'll hold up long-term.

[dihardhunter]

So far I've been extremely impressed. Got a killer deal on some neon green ones which almost hurt my eyes. Stepped in a few elk wallows and tromped through a few creeks and they are stained up nice now. Not so blinding. Logic says they should outperform most "hunting" boots since the backpacking industry has been on the ball far longer than the hunting industry. The hunting industry gets most of their "cutting edge" improvements second hand from that industry...somebody else's old news in other words.

[T43]

Stay away from the Mendle light hunters mentioned. I picked up a pair of these. They were poorly built in Viet Nam and just had the Mendle name. I would never pay that much for a boot of that quality. I ended up returning them and picked up some Zamberlan Dakotas a little heavier but 3 times better boot.

[Murdy]

+1 on the Zamberlan Dakotas. Picked up a pair recently -- super comfortable and seem really well built.

[Iowahunter]

Guys with the Lowa Tibets...what seasons did you hunt with them? We're planning a muzzleloader hunt this Sept and as bad as my feet sweat, these looked warm. I'm looking at Salewa Alp Trainer Mids. Anyone have any experience with these?

[mnhunter]

Another vote for the Salomon's I have the Quest 4d GTX's, a step down from the cosmics. They are awesome! I have had great luck with them.

http://www.salomon.com/us/product/quest-4d-gtx.html

[Westmeetseast]

New to the sight

I agree with everyone saying the salomons - great boots, super light and durable, i sometimes also pack in my salomon trail runners and hunt from camp in those if its warm.

I also wear Asolo Fugitives GTX - there much stiffer, but great if you packing in heavey loads, or your hunting an area with a ton of rocks, there super tough! True backpacking boots.

As far as some of the other boots like Danners and UA i guess it depends on your hunting styles, for me those boots will never last. Last pair of danners i had i destroyed on top of a mountian in wyoming in 2 days, thank good for my salomon trailrunners at that point.

[Catahoula12]

Look at KEEN Siskiyou mid... waterproof no insulation.. lightweight and very comfortable.. I have two pair. They come in a black olive/ camo print...