Good hunting boots for newbie

Hello. Just getting into hunting (at the very very beginning). Without a lot of money to experiment with, I was hoping I could get some input on good deer hunting boots. I'll be mainly hunting in Tx hill country general area. I looked the other day at bass PS and was overwhelmed. I know this a personal preference kinda thing, but still would like input. Even if it's just brands to stay away from. Thanks in advance

For most deer hunting, I just wear my every day work boots. If you're on a budget, don't think you have to have boots specifically for deer hunting, unless you're doing some major hiking, which isn't likely in this state.

If you do feel the need, I would get a lightweight, soft soled boot that will be comfortable and quiet. I have been using some Browning upland boots for awhile now, and I think they're perfect for most hunting situations. Just because a boot is labeled for deer doesn't mean that's your best option. People kill thousands of deer every year in Wal Mart tennis shoes. You don't need some massive, 5 lb. boots with 1,000 grams of Thinsulate and mud grips, and in fact, boots like that can be a hindrance.

Tell us more about the way you hunt and your budget.

Danner Pronghorns

Snake boots #1 during early season.

I wear Danner Sharptail snake boots year round in south Texas. If you are not worried about snakes, the pronghorns are hard to beat.

Varies with the conditions. As has been said, if you are blind hunting and not hiking through heavy brush boots aren't even necessary. Lots of other places to spend money on hunting stuff since you likely already have some footwear in your closet that will do in a pinch.

Boots to consider:
-I have a decent pair of Danner lace-up Snake boots for when the snakes are active (the cheap BPS Readhead zip-ups I'd previously had were harder to get on, less comfortable, and fell apart within a year or two)
-Any decent hiking boots. It gets hot here so heavy insulation is not usually needed. If you will be on your feet a lot, I wouldn't go to cheap.
-On those rare super cold mornings here in STX, I actually keep a really cheap pair of ski boots in my cabin. They may look silly, but nothing fun about sitting in a blind with frozen feet.
-and I have been known to wear tennis shoes, or even flip-flops if the conditions were right.

Get signed up as a member for the Danner/LaCrosse Close Out emails. you can save bigtime mega bux.

+1 on light weight amounts of insulation, but goretex or some other waterproof membrane can be a lifesaver. Keep your arse and feet dry & warm and you'll be OK into the 'teens. Take a wool saddle blanket to the blind to cover your legs & feet with with if you are going to sit still in under 20*s for more than couple hours....and don't snore.

I've been wearing a pair of Danners with ummm mebbe 400grams of thinsulate & goretex for 30+ years and have beat the poowah out of them...they are UGLY but warm and dry, bought them a 1/2 size large and wear wool over cotton in cold weather & add a 1st layer of silk under 15-20*'s. They are also a cream colored low rib tread that does not track mud..not the best in limestone rocky stuff but don't pick up 10lbs of mud per boot either where I hunt most of the time like my Browning deep lug Mtn Climbers do.
Ron

I use the Danner Pronghorns andRocky Snakeboots that tie, and zip up the side. Also use Lacrosse Alpha Burly'e for wet, and extreme cold weather. Under Armour also makes a great boot Have fun buy a couple pair

Stay away from Rocky. I bought a pair several years ago and after two years the soles started to fall apart. Years ago I bought a pair of Wolverines at academy, back when they were good. They lasted many years
and were comfortable. In the hill country insulated boots may only be needed in December and January but I think they are a must. More important is waterproofing and I think gore tex is the best. If you are just starting out and on a budget keep in mind that you can always upgrade in the future, keep on your budget. My wife bought me a pair from Cabelas several years ago that I love they are light and comfortable about 150.00 I think. I would suggest looking into a warm pair of bibs and jacket in the 150 gram plus of thinsulate. You can catch them on sale at a good price but will be some of the best money you can spend.

X2

You can't go wrong with Danners.

Chippewas are more comfortable than Danners imo. Take no time to break in. you can find Chippewa blemished/imperfects on sale on the interweb for about $150.00. Cain't beat that.

I have or now own both. IMO there is no comparison in how long it took to break in my Danners compared to Chippewas. I wore my Danners the entire first day out of the box. Chippewas I could only get a couple hours to half day at most out of every pair I've owned. Once broke in they are comfortable. I used to wear Chippewas 365 days per year.

Breaking in quick isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

I've been wearing Irish Setter for the past 4 years after having gone thru a pair of Danners in two years. These are the most comfortable boots - easy to put on and....take off with 400grams insulation, will keep your feet warm in Texas with no problems.

I thought they quit making Chippewas 40 years ago??? Sounds like something a Carpetbagger from up North would wear. Danner Pronghorns for sure

They still make them and sell tons of them in Texas snake country. Every Western Wear store in South Texas will have Chippewas or Justin Snake Boots on their shelves. Sounds like as statement from someone who has never been to Texas would make.

I hunt in the hill country and I have a pair of these Irish Setters...They are a little warm early in the season, but very comfortable and easy to get on and off. Just right when it gets cold out! When it is still warm and if it is dry out...I just wear an old pair of leather boots that have been retired to the ranch...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ES4WR0/ref=twister_B0046H9JMS

I have 4 pair of Danners. One pair is 15 years old and have 1000 grams of insulation (way to hot for Texas), pair medium insulated Pronghorns (still to hot for 80% of hunting days), 2 pair of upland uninsulated. Depend on weather forecast I will take what I feel is best, usually (80%) of time I am hunting in my tennis shoes because they are most comfortable. Feet hurting because of cheep, uncomfortable, or not broke in boots will ruin a hunt.

STXranchman I grew up in Bryan,Texas long before you were a twinkle in you daddy's eye!!!!!!!! I'm very familiar with the Chippewas brand , and it's still a Yankee boot.

I picked up some under amour boots today at bass ps. Reg 189, got them for 139. Non insulated gore tex. Called brow tines I believe. Very comfortable.

You just redefined old.

Sneaky there is always a "Smart A_ _' in the crowd!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course. It's a position I don't mind filling, myself.

If you are older than 58 then you might be on to something. It don't matter where it is made it still the top choice for snake boots in South Texas.

I personally like slip on boots over lace up but that is all preference. I have a pair of Justin snake boots I got on sale for 90 dollars and I wear them all season, heck I even dove hunt in them.

They are super comfortable and being snake proof is awesome. In the winter my feet can get cold so I pack on thick wool socks, otherwise they work great.

Justin Snakeboot, but get some knee high socks.

@150$ Amazon


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8J8...JWNJWVYZSAE18FT

Meindl boots mais in Germany.

made?

For early season I wear my red wing boots that I wear for farm/ranch work. I hate cold feet so I bought a pair of insulated boots last year. Don't even remember the name. I hunt in fayette county from a blind so didn't anything fancy. Just wanted to be insulated.

Yea I'm 65 so I got you!!!!!!!!!! We used Irish Setters or Red Wing Hunters back in the day!!! Was not such things as Camo, unless it was WWII surplus

Whatever you do don't get anything that cactus can get through because it will bring you to your knees in the dark and break off so when you try to pull the boot off it will catch and cause you terrific pain! Not that this happened to me!

Thanks for the awesome tip I wish u would've given me three weeks ago! Yikes!

I bought a pair of Danner Pronghorns to try and I like them but I will say they are not as good as Cabela's "Perfekt" boot from Meindl. They are not cheap but they are both comfortable and sturdy.

Cabela's "Perfekt" Boot

I have a pair of rubber boots, scent Lok and spray painted tennis shoes. I use the tennis shoes field hunting hogs at night. The rubber boots I wear during deer season. Always consider comfort and durability in your purchase. If I had to do it again I would get rid ok the Scent Lok and find something light weight

Guys, my hunting buddies call me the Imelda Marcos of hunting boots...I DON"T agree although I do have many pairs of boots. I got the moniker because a three day hunt will result in me taking at least 6 pairs of boots and well because I always change socks/boots at midday.

My personal favorite uninsulated hunting boot for early season is Danner Pronghorns (full leather.) My hands down favorite hunting boot are Meindl's (with Cabelas's label) with 400 Gram insulation (I even pheasant hunt in these boots)...I don't have a favorite snake boot, as they ALL hurt my feet, but I would AVOID the Rocky Snake boots, as they seem worse than the others. Haven't owned a pair of them Yankee snake boots though.

Heavily insulated Muck boots are great to hunt in (in areas without cactus) in really cold weather and they are very comfortable. Stay away from the entry level Muck boots ($100 at Cabelas) unless you want to bust your butt a lot, and they are miserable to hunt in. I do not like the ankle fit style rubber boots that seemed so popular a couple of years ago.

Redwing boots don't fit my feet and are very painful to me (yea I got a couple pairs, sigh). Red wings either fit your feet or they don't.

Merrell makes some really warm and dry hiking boots (ankle high) in 400 gram insulation that always go hunting with me...

I wear Meindl lightweight hikers daily.

My first observation on boots...buy the BEST pair of boots you can afford...you and your feet will thank me years from now...