Waterproof hunting boots
Equipment
What is the best quality waterproof hiking and hunting boot for chasing whitetails and elk? I have used Danner and the older Cabelas/Meindl, both with goretex, and after a couple short years both leaked. Looking for something lightweight that will hold up and get me across shallow creeks without wet feet.
I still really like Meindl’s. Goretex will wear out. I always use Obenauf’s heavy duty leather preservative to treat the leather. Helps with water proofness and keeps the leather from cracking.
Crispi are very nice. Good for narrow feet. Small toe box. Zamberlain are excellent too. Nice big toe box on those.
I have 10 yr old Meindl insulated I really like. Just purchased Crispi Nevadas that I haven't hunted in yet. Very comfortable around town breaking in.
Depends on terrain. Where you're chasing whitetail could be night and day difference from where you're chasing elk.
I've been looking also, and keen with their keen dry seems to be worth looking at. Go on you tube and search keen Pittsburg , a fellow bowhunter does a review and swears by them.
HDE - Terrain consists of deep ravines and valleys, more agricultural land and mud rather than rocks.
Also, I have wide feet. Looking for a couple different pairs, 1 pair light non-insulated hikers and 1 pair of insulated 8" or 10" boots.
LB - I have worn Keen hikers for quite a few years, but something has changed. The last two pairs I have ordered have been tight at the front of the shoe and do not seem to be loosening up after breaking in.
i have had good luck with meindl and nothing fits my feet better. now that cabela's no longer offers them, the last pair i purchased from hoffman boots in kellogg, idaho. there is also meindlusa.com for those that may be interested.
you mentioned lightweight and admittedly, meindl is not the best option. crispi and zamberlain make lighter-weight boots. i tried a pair of zamberlain and was surprised at how light they were.
as far as waterproof, as suggested above it is important to apply a waterproof material. i do mine once a year in late summer. i leave them on the deck in the sun to let them get nice and warm, and then apply the paste and let it soak in.
another thing that helps me keep dry is wearing gaiters particularly if crossing a stream or walking through a lot of wet grass.
There is no waterproof layer that will hold up more than a couple years. I’ve never heard of it. And when I think about it it makes sense.
Picture than thin membrane flexing back and forth. If you go walk like 10 miles that’s approx 20,000 steps. So 10,000 per foot. So that’s one single day. In one single day that membrane flexes back and forth 10,000 - 20,000 times depending on how far you walk. Now add years worth of time. It’s amazing it lasts through a single hunt never mind years
I wear Crispi Idaho GTX... Best boot (for me) that I have owned for fit right out of the box. I use them only in September elk hunting and without fail by year 2 they will leak to some degree.. Crispi has always been really good to me on warranty but I have since realized that this gortex does breakdown and now I just clean and treat and unfortunately buy new ones every third year.. My brother wears Kennetrek and the issues are the same for whatever that's worth.
I should add that the leak issues only show up when the rain has everything soaked.. For creek crossings etc. like you mentioned some proper care and the boots will perform well.
Aside from starting with a gore-tex or similarly lined, full-leather boot that has as few seams possible in the toe box or lower tongue region... Wax the puddin' out of your boots, really working it into seams, stitching, and near eyelets. I think that step is critical. Repeat as necessary throughout the season as GG said.
I really like my HanWag Tatra Top gtx's. A few years and many hundred miles in, and they still keep water at bay. Although I don't tend to submerge my feet and or intentionally stay submerged to find out if they're truly waterproof; after a quick walk through a stream, bog area, or after a long rainy day... all good. The HanWag trappers look bombproof for an insulated boot.
Biggest thing is find what boot make/model agrees with your feet. So if you can't try before you buy, better work with retailers that have a pain free return/exchange policy.
I’ve had great luck with Alfa Bever
hunting boots. They're lightweight, super durable, and completely waterproof. I've crossed several creeks without any issues, and they’re comfortable enough for long hunts.
Love my Cabelas/Meindl so much, after 20 plus years sole dry rotted off. Sent them to a Meindl approved cobbler in WA for new soles and had them waterproof them. Been using them on hikes with no leaks at all crossing creeks almost to the top. Great comfortable boots.
I’m using Crispi Colorado GTX. They’re comfortable and so far dry, but I’ve not given them a tough waterproof test.
Everyone is different!! I personally think Lowa makes the best boot and fits my foot better than any other boot! But you may not! Either order several different boots or go to a store that sells high end boots! Lowa, Crispi, Kinetek etc... Only you can be the judge of what fits you the best! But they all require treatments and upkeep to keep them waterproof! I clean and treat my boots at the end if every season and do a re-treat before i go out the next year and I have Lowa boots that are 6 years old and in great condition! But really good boots aren't cheap! I find that the European boots are the best!
Keen, Dannner or others are garbage now days, same with Merrel!! They used to be good, but they are now made in China! I think Danner has 2 boots made in America, and I wouldn't buy them, they leak!
Also, if you have any foot issues, buy high quality insoles!!
Good Luck and God Bless!
What about Baffin? Anybody try this brand?
"There is no waterproof layer that will hold up more than a couple years." That's been my experience, too. Had one pair that leaked right out of the box; the next day they went back to the seller.
It isn't the material but the stitching lines that let water in. Those little needle holes stretch from being constantly flexed.
Any quality leather hiking boot that is comfortable and fits me well is what I prefer. Then I just clean with saddle soap and use mink oil to waterproof them. They still breath, I do snow work and ice fish in them (on warm days) and feet stay warm and dry.
My current serious hiking boots are Crispi Guide GTX. I've always preferred full leather over synthetics. I warm them up and apply Obenauf’s liberally, rubbing it into the seams and tongue particularly. Leave them someplace warm and add a couple more treatments a couple days apart. They will keep my feet dry on a ten day hunt in some pretty wet terrain. And as someone mentioned above, wear good gaiters. A lot of the wet inside a boot wicks down from pants and socks. I don't count on Gortex in any article of clothing to keep me dry for long.
Spike- I've never owned a Baffin boot. I tried to, but i couldn't get any of them to fit me. I usually wear a size 11. I had a 13 baffin on and it was still to small. I've never seen a boot with such an incredibly odd fit- super narrow and way undersized. I know different boots fit different people's feet but this was not that- this was that basic concept on steroids.
I have had a lot of trouble with my feet over the years. 7 surgeries in all . Plus a tricky back which prevents me from bending over to put them on pull them off, tie laces, etc. Muck Arctics seem to be the best for walking and climbing trees, plus cross wet places.
I use them all season long. A boot hook helps a lot in getting them off. Avoids calf cramps too.
Anyone had boots from the muck boot spin off company (can't remember the name, but one of the original owners of muck started it)?
“I should add that the leak issues only show up when the rain has everything soaked.. ”
If you’re not wearing waterproof gaiters, it’s pretty hard to know if your boots are leaking or your pants & socks are just wicking water down into your boots….
I am currently in a pair of Zamberlins which I’ve had a bit over a year. They were brand new at the start of the ‘23 Elk season, and probably coming up on 1,000 miles on ‘em. They need a coat of waterproofing, but I can step through puddles without any issues.
I would never use anything on them that’s not intended specifically for use on a GTX boot. Mink oil is great for softening leather… which is a terrible thing to do to a good hiking boot.
But I can only recommend the Zams if they fit YOUR feet. Lots of good boots out there; Fit is Key.
German made meindl comfort fit hikers.
Scoot, you are thinking of Dryshod boots. I don’t have any first hand experience, but the Amish around here all wear them.
