Boots for Elk

[gabenzeke]

I'm planning my first elk hunt in CO for 2016. I've been looking at various boots and it seems most people use non insulated models. I'm wondering if a model with 200 grams of thinsulate would be too hot during September?

 

[Brightwhite]

It would be to warm for me, but every person is different.

I prefer uninsulated year around for big game I Colorado. There's a lot of walking, hiking, and moving around that you are probably doing to keep you warm.

i have the Solomon quests for a lite duty boot and some Meindl's for a stiffer heavy duty boot. I like both.

 

[rbljack]

Years ago I used to elk hunt with a pair of Rocky Boots that had either 600 or 800 grams of thinsulate. We got snow in the bighorns, and my feet were cold. From what I could tell though, it wasn't because of the snow, it was because my feet would sweat and then get cold when I wasn't moving.

recently I tried a pair of Lowa GTX boots that are un-insulated. temps got down to the 28 degree point (but there was no snow), and my feet weren't cold. Im guessing the un-insulated boots work better for active hiking, but I cant be sure because im not comparing apples to apples. But if your going to be stand hunting or still hunting and not moving much, the 200 grams would be a good choice for later season. I think they might be too warm for a sept hunt, but never can tell what the weather will do. good luck.

 

[AZ Vince]

What kind of socks were you wearing?

I ask because the right kind of sock is important in keeping your foot dry from sweat. I favor heavy wool socks with a polypropylene liner sock.

My feet are heavy sweaters. I can drip sweat off my feet just sitting still and find that wool does the best job of all the choices out there.

 

[TheHardWay]

Lowa Tibets with a merino wool sock and a liner and you won't look back.

 

[280twoeighty]

I like some insul in my boots. But I don't hunt in warm weather. Take a look at Thorogood boots. They have a nice selection. Most USA made. Pretty affordable. The pair I have now are some of the best boots I have ever owned.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I ran a pair of Asolo Fugitive Uninsulated for this past Sept CO elk hunt. My feet would have sweat off if I was using insulated boots. Temps ranged from 30 in the morning to 60 in the afternoon.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have hundreds of elk miles on a pair of Rocky Lynx 800's (800gm Thinsulate) without any issues at all. I always wear a thin poly liner sock with merino socks over them.

But if you use a full leather boot with insulation, it's not going to breathe very well.

 

[KMT]

Everyone is different. Insulated boots would be too hot for me.

 

[dotman]

After spending a week in MT elk hunting in temps from 18* to 40* no way I would use insulated boots.

 

[Shrek]

High quality uninsulated leather boots coupled with wool socks is all you want or need from the 90's to 0. Keeping your feet dry is the key and although my Zamberlan Sella NW GTX boots fit me I'll be looking at their line for a non Goretex boot as the plastic bag liner called Goretex keeps water out but it just doesn't breath well enough. Seam seal the stitching and treat the leather and you're good to go with a non Goretex unisulated leather boot.
Last year I hunted down to -5* in my Hanwag Yukons and I was comfortable. This year I had a Goretex lined boot and I was having a little dampness so my feet were ok at 27* but not as good as my Yukons at -5*.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Shrek - what product have you used to seam seal a boot? I'm growing to hate goretex.

 

[Shrek]

Thinned silicon. Exactly the same as I use on my tent. Seems to have held up ok. This years boot had Goretex so it's had to tell if it kept all the water out but it does on my Yukons.

 

[Schnee's]

Now, everyone is going to perspire differently, having said that I have hunted in both insulated and uninsulated boots at various times of the year. My new go-to for 5*+is our uninsulated beartooth boot and I'll bring a thin wool liner sock or a puffier warm sock if i need it, but most the time I'm fine. If it is going to get colder or there is going to be a good amount of moisture, I will go with Pac's or insulated Beartooth boots and a gaiter

Matt @ Schnee's

 

[Dylanmj]

A lot of guys in Colorado where I live hunt in the Irish Setter Elk Tracker. 600 grams of thinsulate and goretex. I have sensitive feet and can be susceptible to cold, but these seem to be just right. Best part is, I didn't even go through a break in period.

 

[bates]

I would think un-insulated for Colorado in sept.

I hunted in October with snow on the ground in Colorado one year wearing, good socks, quests and gaiters. No issues and my feet didn't get cold.

Ultimately you need to get a boot that fits your foot. I've learned this the hard way, I have a funky right foot though.

Yesterday I spent an hour or so on the phone with Stephen Lathrop, based on my foot shape etc I have a pair of the Lowa Tibets on the way to try, but that is the boot he recommended for me and my foot, I guess based on what he was seeing, no way something like the cevedale/scarpa is going to work, wish I would of called earlier