Best two recommendations I can give you are Cabelas Mendl boots: Perfekt hunter and Alaskan hunter. I like the Perfekts because they give plenty of support without being extremely stiff. Alaskan hunters will be a stiffer boot if you like lots of support.
Notice on both of those boots, they say Made In Germany. Don't buy any Mendls that say "imported" those are made in Asia and are not the same quality
You probably can't go wrong going uninsulated either. With whatever boots you choose, you should get merino wool socks. Best thing that ever happened to feet!
Best boot you will buy
elkmtngear's Link
Best of Luck Jeff
1. Usually one foot is longer and sometimes wider, so purchase the boots to fit that foot.and then make do the other foot. Check you your feet and you might be surprised.
2. I have always replaced the boot insole with one that gives my feet the best support. Normally the insole that come with the boots do not. Make sure you fit the new replacement insole to see if the boot will fit before you purchase it.
3. Give your self plenty of toe room especially if you might use a thin under-sock under your regular sock.
4. Trim your toe nails prior to the hunt. Tape any hot spots on your toes to prevent blisters.
5. I like a stiffer boot to give me a lot of ankle support so a boot (8 in boot) that is a few inches above the ankle is good. Stiffer boot also helps in packing out a heavy load.
6. I also like at least 400 gr. of insulation.
7 "waterproof" breathable, is important. Treat boots if needed.
8. I like a fairly aggressive tread to aid in climbing/side-hilling, and down hill travel.
9. if the new boots do not have a protective toe cap, I apply a toe cap with an after market coating.
10. wear boots (break in) at least 2 months prior to the hunt.
11. Sore feet, blisters, tired feet, ankle strain, can all ruin your hunt.
12. You feet, ie boots with make or break your hunt.
My best, Paul
Since I hunt out of my camper, space isn't an issue, so I also bring along a pair of Cabela's boots with 400 grams insulation... just in case. It doesn't happen often, but when it dumps a foot of snow and dips into single digits, I'm glad I have them.
Go to their web-site and build a boot specific to your needs and more importantly ''to your feet''! To have a over the counter boot fit the way a boot built specifically to ''your'' feet is rare. After 30+ years of wearing $200+ over the counter boots, I made the plunge for Russell's and my feet thank me on every outing.
I'm not sure of the terrain you are hunting but I use the lightest boots available for early season elk hunting. I cover miles and miles while elk hunting and you will be thankful having light boots! It's pretty tough to beat Lowa Renegades or similar Scarpa boots. Take a look at the reviews!
You will find out you can stalk a lot quieter in softer soles and lighter boots! I LOVE Lowa Tibets for sheep and mtn goat hunting but they are IMPOSSIBLE to stalk quietly with stiff soles, higher ankle support, more weight, and less flexibility. The thicker the soles, leather, etc the tougher it will be to stalk quietly!
I throw in the garbage the insoles that come with all my boots. I need a lot of cushion so put in replacement insoles. Superfeet don't work for my feet because they are so hard but some guys swear by them. Depending on the thickness of insoles you buy you may need to buy a 1/2 larger size boot.
I would also recommend socks with padding in the bottom that dry super quick. I really like Thorlos. They make them in different thickness. I would rather put on thicker socks in the winter than be stuck with insulated boots hunting in Sept and Oct!
Everyone's feet are a little different so find a pair that work for you!
Just my two cents worth!!
I don't think they make them any more.
But, for elk hunting, I wouldn't bother with insulated boots. Your feet will be more likely to sweat, and then good luck keeping them warm.
Everyone's feet are different, so try on a bunch and see what feels best. The Denalis are good right away for me, but once they are broken in, they are so comfortable that I don't want to take them off at the end of the day. With other boots I've had it's all I could think about.
Good luck and, as others have pointed out, look for a good aftermarket insole. I have prescription ones that work well for me.
My left foot is a little wider then my right so I buy what fits the left and the right don't mind.
I try to have a good inch extra for length in the toe box for movement. It sucks having toes at the front of your boots on the steep downhills you will be facing.
If you have heavy boots, you literally lift thousands of pounds a day when wearing a heavy boot.
Back country camping, I wear the boot since carrying multiple pairs of shoes in doesn't make sense.
Every year, a couple hundred people do the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. It's about 2600 miles and takes 4 months. They don't wear boots. They wear tennis shoes or trail shoes and replace them every two to three weeks. There's a reason for that. Part of it is that they're on a developed trail, but it's mostly due to the fact that, when you're doing 20 to 25 miles a day with elevation gain/loss, a heavy boot wears you out. Boot (shoe) wt is one of the top considerations when they select what they put on their feet.
When I choose a boot, I err on the side of hot and wear it big with 2 pairs of thick Merino wool socks. IMO, it's better to have 2 pairs of socks on when it's hot than it is to have one pair of socks on when it's cold. An uninsulated boot with two pairs of Merino wool socks will do you fine down to 10 degrees and in the snow. You won't see much worse than that elk hunting. If you're hunting into Oct, consider bringing foot warmers.
I sat 6 days in NE in 7 degree weather from dawn till dusk in hiking shoes/gators with two pairs of Bass Pro Merino wool socks with a toe warmer between each sock - replaced the toe warmer mid day. Was never cold for a second.
Smartwool socks are the bomb
I'm kindof curious about your comment in regard to 2 wool socks? I imagine putting 2 sets of socks adds weight...just like wearing heavier boots? I hunt Colo and Wyo on a regular basis and never have cold feet with just 1 pair of socks....even in the middle of winter. I usually am pretty active and don't sit very long...however, sweaty feet are a constant problem! I don't like wet feet! I was hunting elk in Wyo this year in mid November in single diget weather....hiking in snow and never had a problem with cold feet with uninsulated boots and 1 pair of socks. If my feet sweat while hiking and it was 7 degrees and I sat down after a long hike ...that would be a definite problem with cold!
If you think about, carrying gators around every day is additional weight on your back. I've never had a problem with my feet getting wet by a little dew or even rain while hunting elk in Colo and Wyo. I add a fresh coat of Nikwax to my boots before the season. If it rains I obviously have rainpants plus gortex boots and I'm pretty much good. Obviously rainpants are more weight on your back but a necessity when it rains. I can't think of any reason why someone would carry rainpants plus gators all day?
2 pairs of socks + gators = more weight on your back!
On the insulation issue, I agree with what most have said on unisulated boots doing the job. However, you don't hunt in the mountains that often and I haven't found 200 gr of insulation to add much weight or make my feet sweat that much. So you would have some insulated boots to wear when hunting your home state on stand
