Recommend Boots for habitat work

[Booner21]

I am in the market for a new pair of boots for habitat work and general outdoor work. I would like uninsulated waterproof non rubber and steel toe for using a chainsaw. These will be used for hanging deer stands, digging holes, planting plots etc as well as working around the house etc basically 4 season work outside. Rubber boots just don’t have the foot support while hanging on a tree on tree steps for long periods of time hanging stands. . I would like to keep it under 200. I know the caveat of waterproof, I won’t be wading but may cross a creak from time to time. my Georgia leather boots had my feet soaking wet after walking in wet grass this weekend despite a heavy coat of mink oil recently. Looking at danner, redwing, Ariat. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


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[DJN]

The boot you described is what I’ve worn to work for 15 of the past 23 years. I’ve had ones that I’ve loved (that are no longer made) and ones I’ve hated. Currently have a pair of Cabela’s Roughneck Ledger

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cab...E&lcab.rm=TRUE&productId=1751039&type=product

Have had them 18 months or so and have been very happy with them. I ordered my normal size and they fit as they should.

 

[roymunson]

I don't know about the safety toe, but I am on pair #7 or so of my Vasque Breeze's. They do ok on waterproof, but aren't perfect. They are light and have a soft vibram sole. I wear them 6 days a week to work and work the woods in the off season.

https://www.vasque.com/mens-hiking-footwear/mens-hiking-boots/breeze-iii-gtx-07190.html

When I get a new pair, i put the old pair on standby for when I have to clear drain lines at the chicken plant.

 

[scott44]

Back in 2015 I went hunting in CO with my son and I wanted a comfortable hiking/hunting boot and I went with Meindl light hiker from Cabela's, great boot, comfortable and water proof. After using them for hunting I started using them for everyday habitat work and the soles just started coming apart but the uppers are still in good shape. I just bought a new pair right from Meindl the same price as 5yrs ago, no steel toe tho.

https://meindlusa.com/collections/all-products/products/comfort-fit®-light-hiker

 

[rocksnstumps]

Not sure how set you are on having steel toes and how cold winter is by you but too cold for me when winter activity like chainsaw work is best. I have many pairs of mostly good leather safety boots saved over the years that with the steel toe are just too cold to use. The inside support has broken down enough that not comfortable for all day standing on factory concrete floors but still mostly decent otherwise. With a yearly safety shoe budget covered by work they got replaced. They are delegated to weed wacking and brush work during the warmer months.

My go to ones for milder winter and spring months are a Chippewa goretex lined 8" hunting boot and for the colder months are Red Wing Irish Setter model with 200g thinsulate. They double as my snow shoe boots above 10F Degs or so. I think more important to have good soles that you can keep your footing while chainsaw work than the small amount of protection a steel toe offers from a saw. Top of your foot past the end of the steel toe is most likely to see an injury anyway. Sure the safety police may squack but I don't feel the need for steel toe and feel a warm foot is going to allow me to keep my footing better and stay at work longer.

 

[Native Hunter]

I just go barefooted in my Buffalo Briefs.....

 

[Booner21]

Not sure how set you are on having steel toes and how cold winter is by you but too cold for me when winter activity like chainsaw work is best. I have many pairs of mostly good leather safety boots saved over the years that with the steel toe are just too cold to use. The inside support has broken down enough that not comfortable for all day standing on factory concrete floors but still mostly decent otherwise. With a yearly safety shoe budget covered by work they got replaced. They are delegated to weed wacking and brush work during the warmer months.

My go to ones for milder winter and spring months are a Chippewa goretex lined 8" hunting boot and for the colder months are Red Wing Irish Setter model with 200g thinsulate. They double as my snow shoe boots above 10F Degs or so. I think more important to have good soles that you can keep your footing while chainsaw work than the small amount of protection a steel toe offers from a saw. Top of your foot past the end of the steel toe is most likely to see an injury anyway. Sure the safety police may squack but I don't feel the need for steel toe and feel a warm foot is going to allow me to keep my footing better and stay at work longer.

I am fortunate to have good circulation and can get by with a light liner sock with uninsulated boots as long as I am working in as cold of weather as we ever see here around 0. My current pair have a steel toe and I haven’t seen cold feet for the last ten years with them. I wear them a lot in the summer and will check out the Chippewas. I do have dedicated hunting boots for that use


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[Booner21]

I just go barefooted in my Buffalo Briefs.....

Bigger Cahones than I have


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[Native Hunter]

Bigger Cahones than I have


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Lol I was joking. I wear orthotics in my boots due to having foot problems in the past. I would be afraid not to use them now.

 

[roymunson]

Lol I was joking. I wear orthotics in my boots due to having foot problems in the past. I would be afraid not to use them now.

Same here. Arthritic in both ankles and no cartilage on either one due to a genetic deal I have going on. Without my orthodics , I'd make it to the end of the driveway.

 

[Native Hunter]

Same here. Arthritic in both ankles and no cartilage on either one due to a genetic deal I have going on. Without my orthodics , I'd make it to the end of the driveway.

Ouch, that sounds painful. I'm slowly getting over a round of plantar fasciitis in one foot. At the current time, I only feel it a little in the mornings and hoping it is on the road to going completely away. Even though it is much better, I wouldn't risk not wearing the shoe inserts.

 

[Dukslayr]

For what it’s worth I just disposed of my 10 year old Rocky steel toed speed lace boots. They were good boots but didn’t get a lot of hardcore daily use and the last couple of years they had worn out to the point that I couldn’t get them comfortable anymore and the leather was cracking. This time around I went with a pair of Ariat pull on work boots. My entire life growing up my father wore a pair of “cowboy” boots with a steel toe when we were out working on the farm (mostly cutting and splitting wood). I always thought it was funny back then. After I bought my first nice pair of casual wear “cowboy” boots I quickly learned that all boots aren’t as uncomfortable as they look. I have since worn out several pairs of Ariat casual wear boots...and boots are now my daily non-work shoe between October and March. I’m looking forward to trying out the Ariat work boots and hope I like them as much or more than my lace ups.

 

[Booner21]

For what it’s worth I just disposed of my 10 year old Rocky steel toed speed lace boots. They were good boots but didn’t get a lot of hardcore daily use and the last couple of years they had worn out to the point that I couldn’t get them comfortable anymore and the leather was cracking. This time around I went with a pair of Ariat pull on work boots. My entire life growing up my father wore a pair of “cowboy” boots with a steel toe when we were out working on the farm (mostly cutting and splitting wood). I always thought it was funny back then. After I bought my first nice pair of casual wear “cowboy” boots I quickly learned that all boots aren’t as uncomfortable as they look. I have since worn out several pairs of Ariat casual wear boots...and boots are now my daily non-work shoe between October and March. I’m looking forward to trying out the Ariat work boots and hope I like them as much or more than my lace ups.

I was really on the fence about pull ons and ankle support. I don’t have weak ankles but wasn’t sure about not having tightly laced boots. I ended up buying a pair of danner usa quarry boots. I don’t wear them daily more like once every two weeks hopeful to get a very long life from them.


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[H20fwler]

I didn’t weigh in on this thread when it first came out because I’ve always just bought cheap boots and replaced as needed.
Last fall while putting in crazy miles grouse hunting my feet started killing me by the second day. When I was younger it didn’t bother me but now my old foot bones ache if not in comfortable gear.
This winter I bought a pair of Danner uninsulated waterproof Pronghorns in camo. They are almost like wearing tennis shoes, very light weight.
Started wearing them while doing stuff out at the farm and while mushroom hunting this spring to get them broken in.
So far so good very comfy boots that don’t make my feet hot.

 

[Mortenson]

I got my dad some Danners for Christmas and he said they're really comfortable. He hasn't done any huge hikes in them, but for what his needs are it seems like they'll be a great boot. I usually just wear my work Redwing 606 boots for everything except deer hunting.