Caulks in pac boots....overkill?

[Jesse Jaymes]

Made the decision on which pack boots I am needing. Pro Series thins from Hoffman. Found a paid Off the Shelf that are great....and priced well (if they haven't sold).

Read a few guys wanted the offered upgrade of the ankle support system offered on the Outback. I intend to use these as higher mileage packs, as these have the thinner liners, not 9mm wool/felt. Thinking the extra ankle support may be a great addition.

But these require a custom build, which per Hoffma, are 3+ weeks out. Would be extra shipping and BS as well. Probably a $40 increase at minimum.

If I go that route....they offer two modified soles with calks. Wanting to know, for a strictly hunting boot, are these a game changer or pain in the ass? Terrain will be completely varied, and double as chore boots around the compound. Thinking the calks would be great on snow pack driveways, plowing and spring thaw ice. Any downside to them?

Or just save a ton and be happy with what I've tried on, fits well, and has Air Bobs-which I think are a great tread for hunting in snow.


TYPOS....my bad. Calks. Don't know how you get CORKS out of that-sorry

 

[Ross]

My uncles used to swear by caulks but they were woods workers....met a guy in north Idaho last month wearing Hoffman pacs with caulks and he swore by them and routinely filed them....I just bought a pair of Hoffman pacs and chose no caulks....the caulks big advantage will be imo will be side hilling on slippery stuff where you need something for added grip to actually dig into something ice trees etc.....air Bobs are good caulks just another level up but do take some maintenance with them

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Maintenance on Air Bobs? What and how so? They clog and don't clean easily by walking?

 

[Wrench]

Do the air bobs and a set of spikes. Calks are great for traction....but imagine sneaking in golf shoes on rock or frozen dirt. If you use something like diamond trekkers you have the best of both worlds.

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[Ross]

Caulks take the maintenance not air bobs caulks will need replacing and or sharpening periodically contingent on use