Danner Pronghorn all leather - Good general backcountry hunting boot?

[TauPhi111]

After my first back country elk hunt this year, which put the final nail in the coffin for my old hunting boots, I'm looking to get a new pair this year that will be used almost exclusively for mountain and western hunting. I've been considering a pair of Danner Pronghorns, the all leather version with 400 gram insulation, as a general western hunting boot that'll cover me for everything from early season elk and pronghorn hunts with summer like temps, to late season elk hunts. I know Danner's aren't Kennetreks or Schnees or Crispis or Lowas, but I'm also upgrading my tent, sleeping bag, and several other pieces of gear so I'm not sure my gear budget will have room for a 4-5 hundred dollar pair of boots. Anyone use these and will they last me several years of hunting? I live in the east, so I only go on 1, maybe 2 trips out west a year, and I hunt bears and deer in the mountains of PA a handful of times a year. Most of my other hunting is OH archery, and I have other boots for that. Thanks!!

 

[Idaho Lefty]

After my first back country elk hunt this year, which put the final nail in the coffin for my old hunting boots, I'm looking to get a new pair this year that will be used almost exclusively for mountain and western hunting. I've been considering a pair of Danner Pronghorns, the all leather version with 400 gram insulation, as a general western hunting boot that'll cover me for everything from early season elk and pronghorn hunts with summer like temps, to late season elk hunts. I know Danner's aren't Kennetreks or Schnees or Crispis or Lowas, but I'm also upgrading my tent, sleeping bag, and several other pieces of gear so I'm not sure my gear budget will have room for a 4-5 hundred dollar pair of boots. Anyone use these and will they last me several years of hunting? I live in the east, so I only go on 1, maybe 2 trips out west a year, and I hunt bears and deer in the mountains of PA a handful of times a year. Most of my other hunting is OH archery, and I have other boots for that. Thanks!!

I think that, the Pronghorns are the BEST Boot you can buy for, a reasonable price, IMO !
I have a 6 year old pair, part leather part, Canvas or, Nylon that, is still water proof, soles look great, leather good, etc.
The only complaint, I have ever had, has been that, the Speed Lace "studs" ground into my leg bone and I've had to put, Dr Scholl's, "pads" over the bottoms of, said "studs" for protection. 400 gram Insulation is perfect unless, in a foot of Snow and standing in it for, long periods of, time. I clean, add polish and Waterproof mine, once a year then "AIR" them out for, several days, to neutralize the scent. I think you'll like them, as I do ! Good luck !

 

[realunlucky]

These boots offer basically no support I hope I never have to pack an elk while wearing them. All reviews I've read now they have tons of durability issues also. I have a set I wear them for hunting antelope like I said very comfortable. These are 12+ years old but get used very sparingly as I've grown to love wearing a more substantial boot. I'd think you you need to look at serria trading post. Should be able to find some solmans or zimberlands for the same money hopefully

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[TauPhi111]

These boots offer basically no support I hope I never have to pack an elk while wearing them. All reviews I've read now they have tons of durability issues also. I have a set I wear them for hunting antelope like I said very comfortable. These are 12+ years old but get used very sparingly as I've grown to love wearing a more substantial boot. I'd think you you need to look at serria trading post. Should be able to find some solmans or zimberlands for the same money hopefully

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To realunlucky and others, if there are brands of boots that are in the same price range as danner, but have better quality and performance, please let me know. I am all ears. How are the Meindle boots by Cabelas? I've heard some positive chatter about them too.

But also, solmans and zimberlands didn't turn up anything on google. Did you mean Saloman, Timberland, or Zamberlan? Saloman doesn't seem to make real hunting boots. I didn't think "Tims" were great hunting boots either. Never heard of Zamberlan until now.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

I have a pair of the un insulated pronghorns and I wouldn't recommend them for anything resembling mountain hunting. Poor support and poor tread. They are very comfortable for walking easy terrain but not the correct boot for heavy loads or difficult terrain.

I now wear mine to work sometimes just to give them a little workout. Spend more money and buy a better suited boot.

 

[realunlucky]

I've used the Cabela's meindl and had great luck but I've heard the newer ones are cheaper quality. What size boot you wear? I've got some 13 with some life left I'd send you

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[TauPhi111]

I've used the Cabela's meindl and had great luck but I've heard the newer ones are cheaper quality. What size boot you wear? I've got some 13 with some life left I'd send you

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I wear a 9.5 but thanks for the offer.

 

[realunlucky]

I wear a 9.5 but thanks for the offer.

Stp has some asolo boots around that price range

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[5MilesBack]

I've been hunting elk for over 35 years now, and the absolute worst boots I've ever had on my feet were Pronghorns. I'd wear tennis shoes before I ever tried them again. No support, no traction, and not comfortable at all for me. You couldn't give me another set.

I love my two pair of Zamberlan boots, but they've discontinued what I use......the Dakota's. With Superfeet Orange insoles, they are the best boots I've worn for elk hunting.

 

[WRO]

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/l...ZZUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&codes-processed=true

These are a great option, as well as the evo s and alp. You may even be able to find a set of triolets or charmoz from scarpa for that low 200.00 range.

The Pronghorns suck for mountain hunting.

For reference, I've owned and actually hunted in pronghorns.

 

[LaHunter]

I have no experience with the Danner Pronghorns, but do a google search and you will likely find a lot of negative reviews by guys who were looking for a true mountain hunting boot. Do a search on this forum or other hunting forums.
I have a few years of use from Lowa Tibet GTX boots. These are legit high quality mountain hunting boots. I use these primarily in mid-late October at 9000' with merino socks and stay comfortable, even in snow. Obviously, proper fit to your feet is critical.
Check out shoes.com, they run 20-30% off sales often, so you can buy some high quality boots for a discount. That is where I got my Tibets.
Cheap / poor fitting boots will ruin a hunt really quick. It is hard to get your mind wrapped around spending the money that high quality boots cost, but you will not regret it during your hunt.

 

[TauPhi111]

Wow I had no idea these would be so disliked by hunters. Guess they're called pronghorns for a reason (flat ground). I'll stay away. Def not opposed to spending 300+ on boots. I just need a pair plus a bunch of other gear for next year. Maybe my best bet is to look for a killer sale on some high end ones

 

[5MilesBack]

Maybe my best bet is to look for a killer sale on some high end ones

That's the only way I buy my gear. I found my 7" Zamberlan Dakota's on Amazon for $86 on clearance (last pair of 13's), and my 10" Dakota's for $113 on clearance. I've picked up Kenetrek's on there for 40-45% off on Black Friday as well.

 

[mfllood3800]

The Salomons are a great hiking boot- flexible, breathable. But they aren't the best for side hilling or hauling 150 lbs as they are too flexible.
They have their place in my application- like scouting, or even an early season hunt where I am not above tree line and wont pack beyond a mile or 2.
I used Beendares water proofing fix on mine so they fit a lot better in the needs dept for me.
These can be found for around $150 on sale more frequently than any other boot I have seen.
lol
I found them on sale at all the major sale times, when other boot companies weren't giving discounts.

There are some locals who work with guiding outfits that just traded in the Kenetreks for crispi's. I was surprised to hear this, but I had been running crispi's for a while now and can see how they would love them. But hard to find these on sale.
I got my Summits when a new shop opened, needed a min order and offered crazy discounts to all of us.
I liked em so much, I opted to spend the $$ on black fri sale for an insulated set of Nev, so my whole season is covered.

I would personally put boots up there as a top 3 item for quality need. For me personally, even above tent or sleeping bag. Boots, pack and optics, are items I use 100% of the time I go out.

The higher I go, older I get, and more weight I haul, I am steering more to the stiffer boot.

 

[keller]

I have the cabelas meindl perfekt hunter boots and like them real well good support while carrying a pack.wore them brown bear hunting on Kodiak last year as wet as a hunt as ive ever done nothing dries out they didn't leak a drop.they have some sole stiffness not like a kenetrek. gonna try them on a dall sheep hunt in 2018 hope they are stiff enough for that.i also have 2 pair of danner pronghorns I bought on sale for training so I don't wear my good boots out and for wearing around the house in snow for being waterproof.i don't like them and wish I would have never bought them now I'm stuck with 2 pair.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

Wow I had no idea these would be so disliked by hunters. Guess they're called pronghorns for a reason (flat ground). I'll stay away. Def not opposed to spending 300+ on boots. I just need a pair plus a bunch of other gear for next year. Maybe my best bet is to look for a killer sale on some high end ones

Just make sure you buy a quality boot that works with your feet as opposed to a high end boot on sale that doesn't. I had to order and send back a few pairs before I found the best fit for me. Well worth the shipping costs IMHO.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

Wow I had no idea these would be so disliked by hunters. Guess they're called pronghorns for a reason (flat ground). I'll stay away. Def not opposed to spending 300+ on boots. I just need a pair plus a bunch of other gear for next year. Maybe my best bet is to look for a killer sale on some high end ones

I have the Meindl boots and they have been good from Mississippi to Montana to Utah to Canada. As stated above, whatever you buy, make sure they fit your feet. For instance, Lowa boots just don’t fit my feet. Meindls don’t fit my hunting buddy’s feet.

 

[kylem]

When I first moved out west I thought my pronghorns were going to be all I needed, but it only took one off trail hike to realize I needed something else. I ended up going with zamberlans which I really like, but from the days I've spent shed hunting in my new balance running shoes I can say that I would rather hunt in them than the pronghorns.

 

[tyeager2964]

When I bought boots last year for my trip out west I looked for stiff uninsulated boots. My favorite were asolo tps followed closely by vasque st Elias. I ended up with the St Elias and while they are not as stiff as other boots they definitely are the most comfortable all day boots I have owned.

I also hunt and fish pa mts. They don't have the vertical gain of mts out west but they can be just as steep and my St Elias side hill and go up and down really well. They worked in Colorado and they work back here as well

 

[Blockcaver]

Cabelas Meindl Perfekt Hunters for me. I still have a pair od Danner Pronghorn all leather boots......likely 12 years old. So uncomfortable I never wear them.....and will never wear them out.