Topic: The Best Hunting Boots of 2023 (Read 37 times)
previous topic - next topic
It's your post, so post it!
My Oboz 7-Inch Insulated Bridger boots have been cold-weather workhorses for years. As a beginner hunter, I still struggle to justify dropping several hundred dollars on a pair of boots. The 7-inch Bridger is part of the reason why—they were already in my closet and they get the job done, especially when paired with the right socks and gaiters.
They’re shaped like a traditional hiking boot with a mix of metal and fabric eyelets and two metal hook eyelets around the ankle. While they are by no means the stiffest boot on the market, they’re pretty rigid out of the box. With time and use, the uppers flex while the footbed stays sturdy and supportive. I have wide feet with high arches and have never considered needing an aftermarket insole with these boots. As for adaptability, the Bridger line offers a variety of heights in both insulated and uninsulated versions of the boot. So if your hunting plans involve extra-long walks, cold weather, wet conditions, and a strict budget, look no further. —Katie Hill, staff writer
The brand-new Eurolights are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a relatively affordable do-it-all hunting boot. The first thing you’ll notice about these boots is the classic leather look, with the exception of the large rubber toe cap. The first thing you’ll notice when you slip the boots on is the incredible co*fort provided by the sole and upper. These boots are not so stiff and rigid as some other high-end boots and I found that I didn’t really need to break them in—they were co*fortable right out of the box. They’re insulated with 300 grams of Gore-Aire Fibre, which makes them useful through most of the hunting season (they also co*e in an uninsulated version). The Eurolights feature a Gore-Tex liner for waterproofing, which I found to be effective in field testing.
I wore these boots while scouting during early-teal season, while hunting elk in utah, and while chasing pheasants and sharptails on the prairie. The boots repelled water, protected my toes from jagged rocks, deflected cactus, and kept my ankles from rolling while packing out heavy elk quarters. In short, they did everything you need an all-purpose hunting boot to do. These will be my go-to hunting boots for chasing upland birds, elk, and everything else short of high-mountain game.
One final note: If you decide to purchase Meindl boots, make sure to pay attention to their sizing guidelines. They reco*mend going a half size down, which I found to be good advice. —Alex Robinson, editor-in-chief
LaCrosse’s Alphaburly was widely considered the best deer hunting boot because it will reliably keep your feet warm and dry while in the treestand. Its rubber construction helps make it more scent-proof. It’s a heavy boot but most whitetail hunters don’t have to walk long miles or cross treacherously steep terrain to get to their deer stands. The Alpha Evolution is an improvement on the already very successful Alphaburly.
Most notably, the Evolution has a new Aerogel toe cap. LaCrosse says their aerogel is “the world’s lightest solid co*prised of more than 95 percent air … This toe cap provides superior insulation with minimal bulk or weight and doesn’t pack down over time.” In other words, it will keep your toes warmer without adding much bulk to the boot.
Another new feature for the Evolution is that it’s now being made in the USA (with imported co*ponents). I’ve worn the new model while dog training and scouting for deer and can say the boots are super co*fortable just like the Alphaburlys. I haven’t subjected them to sub-zero weather yet, but will this co*ing season.
The Evolution boots are rated as ideal for use in temperatures of 30 degrees to -70 degrees. If they perform like the Alphaburlys, my feet will stay toasty and dry all deer season. I’ve worn the same pair of Alphaburlys for more than six seasons of hard hunting for deer and field hunting waterfowl. They’re still warm and waterproof, though the Sitka Optifade paint job has all but faded away after years of abuse. I’m excited to retire that old pair and upgrade to the new Evolution boots this fall. —Alex Robinson, editor-in-chief
This Moroccan-made boot from French co*pany Le Chameau might appear to be a little too stylish here on the list with a bunch of hardworking hunting boots. But at its core, this is an incredibly well-crafted, hand-made piece of hunting gear from a co*pany that has been building boots for almost a century.
The Chasseur is a rubber boot with a full-grain leather lining. While most rubber boots are a pain to hike long distances in, this one is not. That’s because it’s designed to fit precisely. It is offered in eight different calf sizes and is designed with a stout zipper and snap button so the boot secures tightly to your foot and your leg. The shank is reinforced for better arch support. There’s abrasion-resistant padding incorporated around the foot, ankle, and heel area. In other words, these boots are built for co*fort and performance.
I’ve worn the same pair of Chasseur boots for more than six seasons of hard hunting. They are my go-to turkey hunting boot. But I also wear them on early-season deer hunts. I also wore them to Southeast Alaska for an alpine blacktail deer hunt, where we hiked up from the beach through a soggy forest and then camped above treeline for several days before hiking back down with our backpacks full of venison. It was steep, slick terrain and the Chasseur boots held up admirably. My feet stayed dry and blister free even though it rained almost every day. I can’t imagine wearing any other rubber boot on a mountain hunt like that. They’re still just as waterproof as the first day I put them on. —A.R.
Late season wilderness elk hunting is hard. I know—that’s like saying Everest is tall. But it is the most important fact to consider when picking a boot to lace on before ascending into the frigid snow-choked mountains. Schnee’s Granite series is built for the task. This Italian-made workhorse hits all the high notes for what is without doubt one of the most grueling types of hunting.
The 10-inch height of the Granites co*bined with their stiff construction and full rubber rand offer plenty of protection from rock, ice, and snow while providing the necessary support to carry heavy loads over uneven ground.
The boot is built with several refined touches that enhance their quality. The gasket between the lower boot body and upper minimizes the break-in period and improves co*fort during steep climbs. The roller bearings in the lace eyelets make for smooth cinching of the laces, while a locking eyelet allows for precise control over lace tension. I’ve taken full advantage of this system numerous times, adjusting the pressure of my boots depending on whether I’m climbing, riding horses, or sitting for a prolonged glassing session.
The laces also snug the upper tight enough that you can traverse streams with minimal water intrusion, which is a co*fort.
Though the insoles that co*e with the boot are very good, I swapped mine for Superfeet Hike Support Insoles, which has made for an unbeatable co*bination.
I prefer the 200-gram version, as it makes the boot more versatile for weather that isn’t frigid, but you can go all-in with the 600-gram model if you want extra insulation. I will jack up the warmth of my boots by going with Schee’s Tech Liner under a pair of wool or wool-blend socks. And in extreme cases I’ll throw a foot-warmer in there too and call it good. —J.B.S.
I’ve been a Danner Pronghorn acolyte since I started hunting, inheriting 30-year-old hand-me-downs my dad had kept in good repair and later purchasing the modern iteration of the classic boot. The Pronghorn, now on its fifth generation, is an all around workhorse suitable for everything from summer treestand work to upland hunting to Western spot-and-stalk hunts for critters like, well, pronghorn. The only thing I haven’t laced up mine for is steep mountain hunting, since the boot isn’t stiff enough for extreme terrain or hauling heavy packs.
Even though these boots are leather, breaking them in isn’t really necessary—I was able to just wear mine out the door of my first Midwest scouting trip with them. Danner has a 365-day warranty on boots, although the Pronghorns are not eligible for the brand’s recrafting program, so you’ll have to take care to condition the leather each season and after particularly gnarly hunts so they last you a lifetime. —Natalie Krebs, executive editor
