In hunting, oftentimes we fixate on the exciting pieces of gear. Rifles get the bulk of the attention, and certainly, without them not much hunting would happen. But there are other pieces of gear that are almost as essential to a hunt that go unmentioned. Unlike your rifle, their is one piece of gear that you are using literally the entire time you are in the backcountry. That gear is your hunting boots.
Different Styles
Hunting boots can come in a variety of different styles and types suited for different hunts. The first order of business is determining if you will be doing more hiking or sitting. If you answered sitting, insulation is a priority over comfortable hiking. Tree stand hunters may find that insulated gum boots perform better than a traditional hunting boot. This is because even the best gore-tex lined hunting boots won’t be as impervious to moisture as a classic rubber boot.
Once you have decided that you’d like a traditional lace up pair of boots, your search is far from over. Boots can range from light trail runner style shoes such as those offered by Salomon, all the way to expedition style mountaineering boots. Which pair of boots you need will depend on the expected temperatures, type of terrain, and amount of weight that you anticipate carrying.
Trail Runners
Trail runners are light, thin soled boots that usually have a basic goretex lining and no insulation. These waterproof running shoes are ideal for early season hunts where temperatures are expected to be fairly high. The thin soles are not ideal for hunts up in the rocks well above the treeline. However, as long as very rocky terrain or very heavy loads are avoided, trail runners offer a few key advantages.
Perhaps the most profound advantage is reduced weight. Trail runners are much lighter than a traditional boot. While this may not seem overly important, the end of your legs is one of the most inefficient ways that the human body can carry weight. An extra ounce on your feet is a larger burden than a pound on your back. This means that trail runners can allow you to move light and fast and cover more terrain.
Another benefit is that trail runners are not as dense as traditional hunting boots. This means that they dry out around the fire faster, and are easier on your feet. Trail runners require less breaking in and don’t typically require you pay your dues in blisters. An added benefit of trail runners is they tend to be the most affordable of the three types of hunting footwear.
Light Boots
The next common type of boot is a light hunting boot. Quality modern boots will have some kind of waterproofing lining, often Gore-tex. In my opinion this type of boot has little or no insulation. Somewhere around 400g of insulation would be my cut-off for this type of boot. These boots are good general purpose boots, especially if you hunt later season or carry your kill out on your back. They will keep your feet warmer than trailrunners in harsh weather and the higher ankle helps to keep your feet dry.
In addition, these type of boots have stiffer soles and better ankle support. These soles are harder on your feet and require more breaking in. On the other hand, they also will help you carry more weight with less risk of a sprained ankle or sore feet. For rockier areas or if you are a hunter who tends to carry a lot of equipment with you, these are a good choice.
Late Season Boots/High Country
The final type of boots are late season and high country boots. The most expensive type of boot, they usually have thick insulation ranging from 400g up to 1200g. This makes this type of boot warm but heavy. If you anticipate trekking through snow or standing on frigid ice and rock the insulation will be invaluable for taking care of your feet. In addition, these boots often have very stiff soles. These hard soles require a lot of break in, so don’t buy a pair of these boots and expect to put them on and hit the mountains.
However, the stiff soles do a couple of positive things for you. First of all, they protect your feet from the toughest rocks and terrain. Even under heavy pack loads your feet will be saved from sharp rocks and deep bruising. Another benefit of really stiff soles is that they attach well to crampons when tackling more technical slopes. This has a ton of value for mountain goat and sheep hunters, who often have to cover incredibly rugged country to get within range of their quarry.
Closing Thoughts
Picking the right type of boot for your hunt is as much of an art as it is a science. Unlike many other pieces of gear, boots should be tried on before purchasing. Like shotguns, the fit of a boot can make a world of difference in which pair of shoes is best for an individual.
Also of importance is selecting the level of stiffness, insulation, and ankle support for your hunts. Be honest with yourself about the condidions you usually encounter and make the appropriate choice. No style of boot is ‘better’ than any other, instead, they are built for different tasks. The only thing I insist on in all my hunting footwear is quality waterproofing. Regardless of the time of year, wet feet is a bad idea and its impacts can range from uncomfortable to dangerous.
In closing, remember that unlike any other piece of gear, you are using your footwear every second that you are out in the field. Shoes are one of those items where you get what you pay for. Buy the best that you can afford. Investing in a quality pair of boots is investing in outdoor experiences.