Topic: The Best Elk Hunting Boots for 2022 (Read 139 times)
previous topic - next topic
It's your post, so post it!
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Lodestar is a proven, tough boot built to traverse nasty terrain without sacrificing co*fort, especially during warm early-season hunts.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The Lodestar is one of the few boots I’ve slipped on that actually fits like it was built for my foot. I’ve had whitetail-hunting boots that fit the same, but not boots designed to traverse steep terrain. LaCrosse does say this model’s deep heel cup and EVA midsole are the reason each pair fits like a glove, and after a few miles, it’s hard to argue this point. But if I had to pick one feature that concerns me, it’s the construction and stitching. This boot is lightweight, but I’d like to see how they hold up to copious backcountry miles.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
Meindl boot materials are resilient (if properly cared for), and the ankle support is more than adequate when you need to leave the trail and get within archery range.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
For years, my Meindl boots have been my hands-down favorite hunting boot. It doesn’t matter if I’m chasing elk in the mountains, deer in the river bottom, or trekking through thick cover to flush a pheasant—these boots handle it all. But like any footwear, proper maintenance will ensure you get as many miles out of a pair as you can. Fortunately, Meindl makes its own proprietary waterproof and wax treatments and easy-to-follow instructions that make it easy to keep each pair strong and stable, season after season.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
Whenever I lace up my Lowas, it feels like I’m strapping into a ski boot. The materials and construction offer terrific support without the added weight.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
When I’m not wearing my Meindl boots, I’m wearing my Lowas. During the early archery season or those times when I don’t need insulation, excess weight, or submarine-grade waterproofness, I lace up this pair. The materials and construction are rock solid, and the tread is perfect for trekking up rocks and mountain scree. And the design wraps and locks my ankles tight, which is perfect for run-and-gun situations when your two legs are trying to close the gap on an animal that has four. That said, think about using aftermarket insoles, athletic tape, and moleskin with these. The tradeoff for traveling fast and light might mean a few hotspots or blisters.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
A hunting friend and I wore Danner Pronghorn boots while elk hunting for years, and they never failed. Danner continues to make improvements to this lineup every year.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
One of the reasons I like these boots so much is because of the ankle support. Whether intentional or not, my Pronghorns fit a little tight around my feet, but that doesn’t bother me too much because lacing them securely around my ankles means I’m avoiding possible injuries. The other thing the Pronghorns have going for them is they’ve always kept my feet dry and warm in wet conditions—something other boots constructed with similar materials don’t do. While they don’t have the greatest traction, they outperform their price point. And if you’re looking for an affordable elk hunting boot, these are hard to beat.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
Not only will these tall boots protect and support your ankles, they’re packed with 1,000 grams of insulation, which can make the difference between staying in the field or going home with freezing feet in the late season.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Irish Setter’s Elk Tracker lineup has garnered the respect of countless elk hunters, especially those hunting in tough conditions in the Rocky Mountain West. At a glance, the first thing that sets this pair apart from others is its height. Like some of the best rubber hunting boots, these reach a full twelve inches tall, and there’s enough leather to lock in your ankles, support your lower legs, and protect your bottom calf from all things that can scratch and poke off the trail. But it’s what’s inside the boots that really matters. Loaded with 1,000 grams of insulation, the Elk Trackers are excellent for cold-weather hunting, and thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane and all-leather construction, your toes will stay warm and dry in rain, snow, or mud.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
These boots have rock-solid ankle support and are impervious to even the harshest and wettest weather conditions.
Pros
Cons
Product Description:
I admit I was a little worried the Crispi GTXs would fit a little too rigid and solid around my foot and ankle, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much give these boots offer and how soft my steps felt on the footbed. If it feels like the GTXs were built for the wettest conditions you’ll encounter, you’re correct. These waterproof boots will keep your feet dry, so you don’t have to worry about them sloshing around in a pool of water, or spending a day at camp while your boots dry. One piece of advice, however—Crispi boots sometimes feel snug, so if you like to wear thick socks for insulation or cushion, consider upping your boots half a size larger.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
KUIU’s SCARPA Rebel K10 boots offer excellent traction and ankle support for the steepest, roughest conditions you might encounter while chasing elk.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
While I haven’t tested the boots in the conditions they were designed for, there are some features that make it stand taller (pun intended) than other models on this list. The first is the boot’s impressive 10-inch over-the-ankle height. Properly laced, this pair won’t let your ankle or lower leg twist or fail on the steepest verticals or declines. Second, the synthetic materials don’t take as long to dry as leather, and you don’t have to worry about shrinking or maintenance issues. Last, the boots contain just 200gm of recycled Primaloft Gold Eco insulation, which is just enough to keep your feet warm in frigid temps while you’re on the move.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The hefty outsole, rubber rands, and reinforced construction, make the Wasatch GTX a sturdy and durable elk-hunting boot.
Pros
Cons
Product description:
Like the KUIU SCARPA, I was not able to test the Wasatch in the elements it’s built for. However, if you’re familiar with the brand’s Outfitter series, know this latest iteration features more support, traction, and performance. Given it’s engineered for low-level sheep hunting, that shouldn’t co*e as a surprise. Zamberlan says the midsoles are slightly stiffer than the Outfitter, but that the Gore-Tex membranes are the same and offer both breathability and water protection. The 11-inch height should assist and protect anyone concerned about lower-leg or ankle injuries. The price range might not fall into many hunter’s budgets, but for some serious hunting in some seriously nasty conditions, it’s worth trying on a pair, if only for co*parison.
Like my bloody-toed, elk-hunting friend at the beginning of this story, there are countless other hunters that have experienced similar miserable outings because they weren’t properly fitted for the boot they’re wearing, or they failed to break them in. You can avoid the same circumstance by preparing well in advance of your hunt—give yourself plenty of time to try different options before settling on your favorite. But more than anything else, ask a footwear professional (possibly at a specialty running store) for a proper measurement.
“When it co*es to sizing your foot, there are more variances than simply the length between the back of your heel and the front of your big toe. You also need to consider arch height and foot width,” says elk-hunting fanatic and LaCrosse Footwear’s Marketing Manager Troy Hellman. “Some can get away with footwear that’s slightly off from what they wear in daily life, but when you introduce tough terrain and heavy packs over long distances, an inaccuracy will quickly magnify into pain and disco*fort.”
Second, don’t wear your boots for the first time a week before your hunt. Break them in by doing more than just walking around the house or office. Hike in varied terrain and try to replicate the conditions you’ll be in. And if you plan to swap out the insoles with an aftermarket set, remember, it might change the inside volume and fit.
Deciding on a specific elk-hunting boot construction might be more of a personal preference than anything. However, Hellman says that for early-season hunts, he prefers a flexible and lightweight eight-inch-high boot with a lot of ankle support and flexible underfoot for uneven terrain. For the late season, consider a boot with a stiffer underfoot to keep your feet from fatiguing in slick conditions. Moreover, late-season hunts can still require a decent amount of hiking, so don’t go overboard on boot insulation if you don’t have to. Sweaty feet can cause hot spots and blisters.
“I typically bowhunt elk in the early fall and cross creeks, sidehill, and carry a heavy pack through steep canyons. That’s why I prefer a fully waterproof, eight-inch tall boot with ankle support like the LaCrosse Lodestar,” Hellman says. “When the weather turns cold and temps drop in the late season, I reco*mend a boot with a more aggressive outsole to bite into the snow and mud. I’d also opt to wear thicker, high-quality socks over 400g or more of insulation.”
Like so many other pieces of hunting gear and clothing, when it co*es to the best elk-hunting boots, which typically cost anywhere from $200 to $600, you often get what you pay for. But by the time you spend so much time, money, and energy preparing for your next elk hunt, the last thing you want to do is pinch pennies on protection and co*fort for the one thing that’s going to get you out and back. If you emphasize co*fort, materials and construction, and overall fit, you’ll serve yourself better than trying to work with a specific price tag in mind.
For better or worse, I put a lot of miles on several the best elk hunting boots and brands or styles for a long time, and while I’d like to say trial and error has helped me zero in on a few pairs that are just right for me, I could easily change my mind the next time I slip on something new and different. So, for the purpose of this review, I relied on the good, bad, and ugly. With these boots, I either observed them in the field, personally tested, or interviewed other elk hunters on the ones I’ve never laced up myself.
Your personal hunting style and the terrain you anticipate covering are some of the most important factors to consider when buying the best elk hunting boots. After you’ve found a few designs built for the task, work backwards and check the boxes for things like boot fit, boot weight, and construction. The fact is there are numerous great elk hunting boots out there, and the key is just finding the one that’s right for you.
The post The Best Elk Hunting Boots for 2022 appeared first on Outdoor Life.
[/html]