16ga.com ~ View topic - What Are Your Favorite Bird Hunting Boots?

Most painful boots I ever owned were Irish Setters, so I have avoided Redwings for many years. Now that I have orthotics, I don't think I would consider buying any boots I could not try on first.
I always wanted a pair of the Browning Kangaroos for upland, but never got around to trying a pair.
Have heard a lot of beefs with Russells on an African hunting forum I frequent.

Member Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 1863 Location: Wisconsin

You could get a pair of Russell's measured with your orthotics. You wearing wedges? Reno

Wearing full foot orthotics.

Member Joined: 17 May 2014 Posts: 17 Location: San Diego

Irish Setters for the last 40 years. Red Wing was the only boot I could find that fit the size 12A skis attached to my ankles.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1380 Location: Denver, Colorado

Russells, measured with my orthodics, have been a very good investment. Make sure you're properly measured and then just enjoy them. For duck or elk hunting I use other options. The little work you must do to maintain them is well worth it.

I have used Bean and Danner boots. I liked the Beans but as I grew older they didn't give enough support. The Danners were great for support but would leak after year one or two. For the past 20 years or more I have used Russell boots for upland hunting, except for winter and then I use Muck Wetlanders. If I am working a swamp edge and it is really wet I also use the Wetlanders.

Everybody needs to figure out what boot works for them. The last will vary from one company to another.

Good Hunting,
Mike

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 601 Location: Virginia

I mostly use Bean boots. Got a pair of the bison leather uppers a couple years ago after I gave my 1975 Bean boots to my son (after my foot outgrew the bottoms). When it gets colder, I use the insulated bottom Bean boots I bought around 1985. If it gets really cold for here, I go with a pair of insulated Dunhams. I can't recall when I got those, but it's been at least 20 years. I apply a layer of Snow Seal to all once a year.

Dan

Joined: 16 May 2014 Posts: 6 Location: Wisconsin

Red Wing 8 inch Waterproof Made in USA. Wouldn't trade them!

I have a pair of rounded toe Danners with Goretex and Vibram Gumlite non lug soles that I bought in Seattle in 2000 for use here for quail and in Canada field duck shooting. Excellent, comfy boots.

But the BEST ones I have owned are the pair of ugly camo Walmart insulated Wolverene or? boots that I bought in Weyburn, Sask for $50 when I left my Danners at home a few years ago. Fit perfect with good soles and felt ten years old right out of the box. Only prob is they are not waterproof.

Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 106 Location: Desert Southwest

I spend a lot of time in boots at work, so that's where I spend my money. Most of my Redwing and Thoroughgood boots have translated well to the field. Of course it depends on weather and terrain but my favorites for dry conditions and mild terrain is an old pair of Redwings (202 or 212 is the model). If it's rocky or just raining I got a pair of Danner mountain lites last year from the Mrs. They're great for backpacking in the mountains and translate well to hunting mountain terrain. If I'm back in Wisconsin and hunting flooded fields I opt for XtraTuffs aka alaskan sneakers. They aren't nearly as comfortable as the others, but the waterproofness pays in dividends.

They aren't bad for swinging flies in the arctic either...
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Anyone care to share your boot maintenance process? I could probably take a bit better care of mine.

Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 163 Location: Utah

Anyone care to share your boot maintenance process? I could probably take a bit better care of mine.[/quote]

I use Obenauf's (Heavy Duty) and I think it is basically bees wax and a few other ingredients. You don't need to heat the boots first, the stuff just melts in as you rub it on the boot. It is really easy to use. I have Russell boots that are over 20 years old with no cracked leather and they see plenty of wet conditions.

Good Hunting,
Mike

Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 591 Location: SoCal-FL- NYC

I use Obenaufs on some, mink oil or Huberd's Shoe Grease on others. The smell of Huberd's reminds me of my father.
Realized I have several pairs of boots I have neglected. Will get to it!

Joined: 28 Aug 2014 Posts: 924 Location: Eastern Tennessee

Being my first year I asked my hunting partners (mostly in their 60's & 70's) what I should consider.

As someone mentioned before, I as well, live in a marshy area dominated by farm fields that don't require additional watering (Growing up in southern IL & western NC I remember many of those water spraying items in the fields, never see them here).

Between the extreme cold and wet conditions I received almost exclusive recommendations for Muck boots. They have been used for Turkey hunts, Dove hunts, Duck scouting, and Pheasant scouting. I have been happy with the purchase and would be happy to recommend to someone else in a similar area.

Before I purchased them (1st few months) I was wearing some cheap Wally-World boots that hurt my feet.