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Hey all, looking to get some boots for myself and my kids. I'm not an every weekend hunter so not going to get some $700 boots to sit in the shoe bin for majority of the year but would like some suggestions on some cheaper boots that are still relatively comfy and dont leak or dont leak to much ha.
Cheers all
$200 lace up skellerup Ashley's. Add innersoles. Gaiters over the top. Not ideal in really hot sunny conditions but no boots are. I wear them more than 50% of all my hunting.
I was wandering around the warehouse today waiting for her indoors to buy her wool - some of the trail type boots actually would be okay for hunting - spray them with a waterproofer regularly and wear puttees they would do the job and the price is cheap as - sort of 1/3rd the cost of the named brands - but yeah keep them clean water proofer dont see why not -
The other 50% of the time it's either my now old n worn sarvo boots....or my Oliver safety toe work boots,which are pretty close to the old John bull combat boots,just as light but much better padding and comfort.
I have an expensive pair of Salewas which I really like but also a cheap pair of Grisport Hikers which I also like but don't wear as much as I like the stiffer sole on the Salewas.
The Grisport was my go to boot for 2 years before upgrading.
I've had a good decade out of my Scarpas. They're still going, but terminal. Pretty expensive at the time, but good value over 10 years. They've had a lot of use. Wish I could say it was all hunting, but mainly tramping. More importantly, the most comfortable boot I've ever owned. Heavy though. Not sure what I'll get next.
Solomon serve me well so far
I've done well from army surplus boots (here in Chch at least). Last pair was some higher boots like the old Asolos (from the 90's) with worn soles, cost $80 from memory to resole them, paid about the same for the boots, bit less again for Formthotic inner soles, all up under $250 for my comfiest boot I've had. Was a bit of a gamble but I was able to use the boot before I invested in the re-sole and new inner soles, so I think it was pretty good.
They are not super high, and have hooks rather than eyelets for the lacing above the ankle so not too much of an issue to get on, and I like the extra ankle support, as I have a slightly dodgy ankle.
If you are visiting Chch might be worth a look at Army and Outdoors...
For good cheaper boots look at Salomon Quest boots.often on sale.
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Whatever you do, take two pieces of advice from a couple of horrible experiences.
1: don't buy new boots then head out on a 3 day hunt with them. Wear them in first. Get some miles on them first.
2: don't overlook the importance of insoles.
I had a new pair of jungle boots, worn in on a few weekend mountain walks etc, everything looked good until day one on a hunt they got wet (which is the point of these style boots) and the insoles started moving around and kept folding over and made the 2 day hunt a real pain. I had sore feet for a week after!
I like the Oboz Bridger boots. They're comfy, waterproof and currently on sale from Kathmandu.
If boots fit well, and are well made, they shouldn't need 'breaking in". All the Salewas I have bought have been comfortable from day one and never shown any sign of giving blisters or hurting my feet. They fit me perfectly. Also, I have never had any issues with sole delamination with Salewas, as I have with other boots.
My advice would be to try lots on within your budget and see what feels best and fits you best. And don't buy gumboots.
What Shearer said , don’t but gum boots, and even if you don’t use them every week they still need to be comfortable , they will piss you and your feet off in 30 minutes if there not.
now I am not saying its for everyone but are we becoming a nation of soft hunters - cause well I would quess half the young pig hunters in the Naki will be going out ripping around some steep rough country after the dogs and hogs in yup red bands and loving it
Gumboots work, like an WW2 303 works. But there are better options these days.