Irish Setter 880 Elk Tracker Boot
Asolo Fugitive GTX Boot
Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Boot
Hunting is a sport that is enjoyed by people throughout the world. Being an experienced hunter myself, one this is certain: the level of gusto that is had during the occasion is heavily dependent on the type of footwear that is being used during the outing. Several years and many different hunting boots later, I have learned not only learned what boots work best for my legs and feet but the features that others should look for when they’re taking part in similar activities.
You don’t have to be a hunter to use the footwear; hiking is another pastime for which they could come in handy. Below are ten of the best boots that you will find anywhere online, chosen by me for their level of protection and comfort given when being worn. The comparison list and Buyer’s Guide will help you shorten your choices down to what you think is better for your next outdoor event, so don’t forget to read those areas before you move on to the top two picks shown at the conclusion.
Heavy Duty Boots Made For Your Outdoor Adventures
| Product Name | Material | Weight (pair) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Setter 880 Elk Tracker Hunting Boots Editor's Choice | Leather | 2 lbs 13 oz | |
| Asolo Fugitive GTXEditor's Choice | Leather | 2 lbs 3 oz | |
| Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX | Textile/Nubuk Leather | 2 lbs 13 oz | |
| Lowa Renegade GTX Mid | Leather and Nubuck | 2 lbs 8 oz | |
| LaSportiva Core GTX | Synthetic and mesh | 1 lbs 13 oz | |
| Zamberlan 996 Vioz GT | Leather | 3 lbs 3 oz | |
| Danner Pronghorn Realtree Xtra | Leather and Fabric | 4 lbs 1 oz | |
| Lowa Tibet GTX | Leather | 4 lbs | |
| Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni Heat | Leather and Nylon | 2 lbs 10 oz | |
| Danner High Ground 8 Realtree X 1000G-M | Leather and Textile | 3 lbs 8 oz |
The Irish Setter 880 Elk Tracker are rugged and heavy duty to the core, fitted entirely with durable leather that surrounds the rubber sole. The tread deserves mentioning more than anything else. It will firmly cling to whatever surface you are hiking on, having no incident of slips occurring. They are a mountaineer (and hunter’s) best friend. The collar is high and keeps all portions of the ankles shielded as well.
Highly recommended for people that do not sweat excessively.
- The high collar protects the upper foot from low brushes and rocks when used in areas with thick vegetation and/or obstacles to climb over
- Tread is hard and very strong, having the ability to cling on to slippery rocks without sliding
- Memory foam footbed is comfortable to wear but can be removed if needed
- The collar traps in heat and causes the boots to get hot inside, making sweating a possibility
- May feel tight around the arch when moderate to thick socks are worn with the product
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Read More Reviews The Asolo Fugitive GTX boots are good for anyone that considers style when looking for foot accessories. It’s sold in four different styles, having laces that stand out. This pair doesn’t have any insulation within the body but still does well at keeping feet relatively warm. You could use them in a cold region but may feel a bit uncomfortable when there’s lots of snow on the ground. The rubber front could peel a little if brushed by a hard surface, even slightly. If won’t break away completely, but isn’t something one would expect to see in a pair of mountain boots. Give them a try if the setbacks mentioned aren’t a major buying factor for you.
- Multiple shoe styles to pick from
- Thick laces keep the boots from loosening when they’re worn during long walks
- Although not insulated, provides decent warmth to the feet in cold climates
- The soles are thin and become hard on the foot bottom
- The Rubber steel toe may peel in muddy and rocky environments
- Lackes may tear quickly and need replacing early in the boot’s lifetime
At first glance, the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX almost looks like a cross between a high top sneaker and a normal hiking boot, but offer the same as the other products shown in terms of comfort and ease of movement. In fact, break-in becomes a thing of the past with these. You can slip them on and they will immediately conform to your feet, no matter if you’re flat-footed or have a protruding arch. It’s a great boot for anyone expecting to travel with heavy gear for long distances, and won’t strain the ankles in the process.
- The lacing is easy for users to stylize to their liking and goes through the loops quickly
- Break in time isn’t needed; the boots will conform to the feet almost immediately
- Doesn’t cause pain the ankles when carrying heavy gear while worn
- The tread tears easily, especially near the heel
- Soles may come apart from the back of the boots overtime
The Lowa Renegade is another lightweight boot with quickly slips on when you’re ready to go out. The fit is good around the toes and arches, providing adequate support but not too much tightness during impact with the surface. Just understand that the sole isn’t removable, so unless you are okay with the padding that’s given, you should probably look at some of this brand’s competitors that have been listed so far. Regardless, it’s a good boot for people that don’t plan on going on multiple hiking or hunting trips over a short time period.
- Lighter in weight compared to many hunting boots (2 lb, 8 oz)
- The foot slips in and out fast; easy to put on
- Forms an ergonomic fit around the arches, even before break-in
- The soles do not come off and age quickly
- Unless good socks are worn, the boots could bring on discomfort around the heel area
Last on the list is the La Sportiva Core High, a synthetic pair of hiking boots that are easy on the weight but very comfortable, at least when worn for periods that aren’t too prolonged. There is no leather here, and water could end up leaking into the inside if it rains while you have them on. As a result, these are best for climates that are dry or receive little rainfall. But overall, the boots could definitely help for anyone that wants a tread similar to heavier boots, but built with lighter materials around the foot and legs.
- The tough tread gives a firm grip to whatever ground the feet are rested upon
- Excellent support around the midsole; wraps around the ankle in a way that keep the area stable yet flexible all at once
- Feet will stay dry with it’s perforated Gore-Tex technology
- Water may leak in the inside around the toe areas
- Construction consists of mostly fabric and does not hold up as well as boots with more leather materials
The Zamberlan 996 Vioz GT is a great looking pair of boots that are mostly black, with grey and red highlights. Tread is key here and allows the bottom to slow down movement quickly when traveling downhill on slopes and declines. Its collar is mostly nylon, so sweating is minimal and movement isn’t blocked in any way.
Still, it’s great for what it does right and looks very stylish on its own right.
- The lower tread add resistance to the legs when traveling on downhill slopes (where abrupt stops are possible)
- Nylon material in the collar aids movement in the ankles and reduces moisture
- Great arch support
- The sole’s edges may peel and break with heavy use on rough surfaces
- The leather scratches easily and may cause the boots to crack around the area that’s damaged
The Danner Pronghorn is a strikingly beautiful pair of boots with a thick leather exterior that’ll block water from coming inside. If you’re picky about choosing the correct size for your feet, you won’t have to worry about this brand. The dimensions are accurate and should be purchased according to the measurements listed by the manufacturer.
Although wearing them with thick socks may make the inside feel a little tight, it’s not a major area of concern and should go away after being worn for a day or two.
- The waterproof leather is great for wearing in icy or snowy conditions
- Sizing is accurate and will not necessitate or larger or smaller size than what’s specified by the manufacturer
- Doesn’t allow the feet to become too hot when used in regions with moderate temperatures
- Feels tight when worn with winter socks
- Ice has a tendency erode the rubber steel toe after a few months
The Lowa Tibet GTX Boots are sold in brown or black, having a smooth leather lining along the exterior. This is waterproof and will prevent moisture from coming inside the feet, even during heavy downpours. Break-in time is very short of nearly nonexistent; your feet will feel right at home from the moment you place them inside. And while the shaft isn’t as tall as some of the other boots are (shown later), they do a brilliant job of protecting your ankles from irritation when your walking long distances on uneven terrain.
- There is extra padding around the collar to help prevent discomfort around the ankles during extended travel of foot
- Small pores located on the sides and top of the boots allow air to flow through the interior, regulating temperature in the process
- The heels and ankles are made of flexible material, giving it the feeling of needing no “break in” period
- Completely waterproof
- Stains show easily on the leather and are difficult to get out during cleaning
- Lack of grip around the heel area
- The boots are heavy and may cause strain in people who aren’t accustomed to wearing hiking footwear
The Columbia Bugaboot Plus 3 has a 7-inch shaft and is woven from leather and textile. It is the boot for anyone that has a sensitivity to heavy footwear. Although not the lightest, the material keeps the arches and heels flexible without moving around too loosely.
Its temperature rating is also pretty low, so try them out if you hate having cold feet during travel outside.
- The midsole is flexible and lightweight, making the boots easy to wear for people sensitive to heavy shoes
- Upper feet are completely reinforced when worn and shields the inside from shock when used on dense surfaces with pebbles
- Low temperature rating (-25F/-32C)
- The boot lace holes are fabric and difficult to tie on when taken off
The Danner High Ground 8 is a light brown boot that’s recommended for anyone tends to sweat no matter what type of socks are used. But even if you do sweat in them, they have soles that are built to prevent microbes from developing, lowering the chances of odor and adding longevity to the product overall.
- The boot’s color (brown/green) helps hide stains, making them appear in good condition long after the purchase date
- Liner traps in the air and makes the boot feel comfortable when used with thick or thin socks
- Antimicrobial footbed lowers the amount of odor-causing bacteria to develop inside the boots
- Water may seep in from the top during heavy rainfalls
- Sizing runs small in both length and width
Buyer’s Guide
Keeping your feet protected from the ground is very important when it comes to hunting and hiking in the wilderness. Getting the right boot could save you from not only discomfort but injury as well. Below are great tips and suggestion that you should use before you decide of the set from above that interests you. Of course, you should always stick to what you think is best for your feet, so don’t worry about prioritizing your own personal preferences.
Boot Weight
If boots are known for one thing, it’s their weight. Because of this attribute, some people are picky about wearing them. But due to the variety of brands that are now manufacturing them, it’s possible to find the footwear in sizes that won’t cause any strain on the feet, even when they’re worn for long occasions. As for hunting, you might be willing to sacrifice weight for comfort in the boot’s interior. But if not, check out the weight that is listed for the brands that get your interest. You might not have to do this though, as most of the lightweight products tend to appear smaller, most notably around the collar and overall height.
Laces
Laces are an important part of every shoe but are oftentimes forgotten about. You should always check on the quality of the material and thickness with each new pair of shoes you buy, and this goes for boots as well. You don’t want to find a perfect set of footwear only to end up with laces that are low in quality and force you to order strings from a different source separately. Good laces can come in all shapes, but those featured on boots tend to be rounded. It makes the material slip through the holes easier when they are laced up.
They will always prevent the entire boot from loosening as you walk around in them, holding the tongue firmly in place. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to know exactly with 100 percent certainty whether or not the laces on your boots will perform this way. As a general rule of thumb, boots that are made to decrease annoyingly loose movement around the upper foot is usually indicative of such laces included with the footwear itself.
Where They Are Worn
Hunting boots are great for the fact that they can be worn in just about any type of weather, no matter how hot or cold the temperature averages. Of course, people using them in a hot climate will have to deal with hot soles and sweaty feet more often than those in cooler weather, but brands that have perforated sides along the area that’s above the tread can lower the amount of moisture that develops inside.
Furthermore, try to have an idea of the terrain that you’ll be walking on before you finalize your pick. Some boots are better for the rain and mud while others could do wonder for protecting your feet from shrubbery in heavily forested areas. Hunters sometimes must hide out in locations that can be described as such, so boots with a high collar and guarded protection along the ankles would suffice in such a situation.
Breathability
As mentioned, having boots that will help prevent your feet from becoming too sweaty is detrimental to how comfortable you’ll be when they are worn in the outdoors. Temperature ratings are giving to many boots and help indicate how much warmth the foot will feet in the cold. Those with shorter ratings are often the moistest and are generally better for people that do not sweat as easily. As you know, sweat causes bacteria to grow inside the boots, leading to strong odors after the product is worn a couple times. Soles may also have an effect on this, particularly if they have anti-microbial features embedded into the material. It helps lower the bacterial growth which in turn keeps the inside from smelling too strongly of an unpleasant whiff.
Coller Height
A boot collar’s height is commonly known as it’s shaft. It is the measurement taken from the base of the shoe’s ankle to the topmost areas along the collar. Both high and low shafts have their advantages and setbacks. As for for the lows, the ankle stays flexible and allow the wearer to run more easily. Many of them are also lighter in weight than their taller counterparts.
High collar boots will protect against rain and minimize discomfort along the ankles, as most of them are reinforced to wrap comfortably along the lower leg/upper foot as walking commences. The disadvantage may come when attempting to actually put the boots on or off, along with lowered movement around the ankle. To decide which is best for you, think about the activities you plan on doing when you’re out in the field. If they involve long hikes in moderate-to-warm weather, a lower shaft is suggested. But if you’re in a location with a rugged ground, unpredictable weather, and icy conditions, higher shafts are the way to go.
Sole Replacement
If you’re the type of person that likes to customize your shoes after they have been bought, knowing what type of sole is provided in the boots could help you save money in the long run. That’s because some brands are fitted with pairs that cannot be removed from the boot at all unless done by force. Of course, you don’t want to damage a sole that’s permanently stitched into the rubber tread, so having a set that is removable will be useful if you want to switch out the soles for a more comfortable pair. If the boot manufacturer doesn’t indicate whether or not this is possible, then stick with soles that give the utmost comfort, so that you won’t be affected too much if they are in fact unable to be removed.
Conclusion
A good pair of hunting boots could last for several years until they need another replacement. Knowing this, you should definitely want a pair that will be able to hold up for at least a year after the initial purchase date. Those reviewed above all have great aspects in their design that make them recommended, but the clear winners are the Lowa Men’s Tibet GTX and Columbia Bugaboot Plus III. Picked for their breathability and strong treads, these will help you stay well guarded against whatever terrain you set your foot upon. For the other products reviewed, they are excellent as well, especially if you’re more concerned about specific features such as shaft height and arch flexibility. But no matter which pair you have your eyes fixed on, it’s a given your feet will be secured from the harsh obstacles that are synonymous with mountain hunting.
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