Opinion on water resistant or non-water resistant barefoot boots for all season hunting?

[dbarrett4053]

For the last 4 years I have been wearing Kenetrek Hardscrabbles as my year 'round boot. They are all leather and I have mainly worn an all leather boot for hiking all my life. Due to some foot and ankle injuries that I have attributed to week feet/ankles from hiking in stiff boots all the time, I have switched over to barefoot shoes as my daily shoes for a month now and have started recovering nicely from my injury that happened while hunting in october. I have noticed way more strength in my feet and ankles just over this short amount of time. I have always had a waterproof/water resistant leather boot and am used to them in both hot/warm and cold weather. I have thought about buying some synthetic material boots/shoes for hiking but am worried about durability and water resistance.

In barefoot shoes there are very few boots that are water resistant and have the grip I want. I'm in Utah so from sept-december (even august sometimes) there is the possibility of snow and that is where I really get concerned not having a waterproof boot.

I'm wondering if people here use a non waterproof synthetic boot/shoe in the spring/summer/fall and then a separate boot in the colder months of october-december? Or if they have a barefoot boot they recommend for year round use? I'm not worried about insulation as I have never worn an insulated boot even when I go ice fishing. I use socks and moisture regulation to handle my foot warmth.

I'm interested in the vivo tracker esc or the magna tracker esc but am also open to other ideas since I am now buying all new footwear.

 

[Big_wals]

I usually prefer a non water resistant boot and just use a good leather treatment, but if you’re looking for a waterproof option I bought a pair of these last fall and have been very happy with them.

Chamois

About Chamois Combines comfort, lightness and toughness. 6mm MountainGrip lugs provide superb grip for steep muddy trails Premium leather upper with a slight nubuck finish and full waterproof, breathable lining completes the highest level of protection.

usa.freetbarefoot.com

 

[dbarrett4053]

I usually prefer a non water resistant boot and just use a good leather treatment, but if you’re looking for a waterproof option I bought a pair of these last fall and have been very happy with them.

Chamois

About Chamois Combines comfort, lightness and toughness. 6mm MountainGrip lugs provide superb grip for steep muddy trails Premium leather upper with a slight nubuck finish and full waterproof, breathable lining completes the highest level of protection.

usa.freetbarefoot.com

Those boots look really interesting to me. How has durability been? What do you wear for july-sept scouting/hunting?

 

[Greenstig]

One of the reasons why Tracker ESCs are highly revered around here is because they aren’t waterproof.

Membrane “waterproofing” in outdoor footwear is a marketing sham. They all leak within hours or days of real, actual use. Even more so in barefoot shoes due to the added flexibility and minimalist design.

The real problem occurs during multi-day hunting trips. Shoes with a waterproof liner are less breathable and take significantly longer to dry compared to their unlined counterparts. The difference in real world breathability and comfort is profound.

If you are out in conditions wet enough to actually necessitate waterproofing, Seal Skinz socks are the way. Two pairs can be rotated and dried far quicker than any boot.

 

[Big_wals]

Those boots look really interesting to me. How has durability been? What do you wear for july-sept scouting/hunting?

Post in thread 'Freet Impala - Zero Drop Hunting Boot'
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/freet-impala-zero-drop-hunting-boot.394761/post-4503633

Durability has been about on par with Vivos so far. I broke an eyelet on mine when I took a slide down some snowy rocks, they sent me a replacement pair of boots for free. I generally wear leather boots when I’m hunting. Vivo ESCs before, now I’ll use these Freets till they’re wore out. Summer time hiking and scouting I just grab Vivo or Altra trail runners.

 

[Big_wals]

The Freet sole has a spot in the tread for a gaiter strap to catch. That was a big selling point for me as you obviously can’t hook the strap in front of an elevated heel with zero drop boots. Wearing Vivos with gaiters I was always fighting the strap sliding off the back of the sole going downhill, if you don’t catch it soon enough suddenly your gaiter is riding up and there’s snow in the top of your boot. Still happens some with these, but not as often.

 

[North of 60]

Those look nice/functional and Thx for showing them...i was wondering how wide the toe box is compared to Altra lone peaks? They look fairly wide and it is difficult to tell.

 

[Big_wals]

I’ve only had one pair of Altra trail runners and I’m not actually sure what model they are… but I would say the Freets are wider.

 

[Big_wals]

What do you wear for july-sept scouting/hunting?

https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/primus-trail-knit-fg-mens-aw22?colour=Ultimate+Grey

These are hands down my favorite shoe if I don’t need a boot. Even for work. Keep an eye out on Ebay, I’ve bought my last couple pairs on there for around $120.

 

[Lawnboi]

Waterproof socks is the key to making non waterproof boots work. IMO it works even better than a plain old waterproof boots because you can actually change out socks and stay dry.

6 days of saturation on Jim green troopers was made tolerable with a couple pair of waterproof socks.

I did find that outsole matters too, my gel lathrop outsole got wet and wouldn’t dry, the gel actually soaked up water and froze into a bumpy mess.

 

[dbarrett4053]

Waterproof socks is the key to making non waterproof boots work. IMO it works even better than a plain old waterproof boots because you can actually change out socks and stay dry.

6 days of saturation on Jim green troopers was made tolerable with a couple pair of waterproof socks.

I did find that outsole matters too, my gel lathrop outsole got wet and wouldn’t dry, the gel actually soaked up water and froze into a bumpy mess.
View attachment 1030223

I had no idea they even made waterproof socks until it was mentioned in this thread lol...shows how often I buy new gear. Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding how they work but wouldn't those be just as un-breathable as waterproof boots? I would assume the socks have a liner too? I'm trying to decide whether to go with some Jim Greens, the tracker esc, or the freet Chamois. I really like the sole on the chamois because they have a place for a gaiter strap. So I dunno yet. I don't like buying new boots every year so I want something durable.

 

[Lawnboi]

I had no idea they even made waterproof socks until it was mentioned in this thread lol...shows how often I buy new gear. Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding how they work but wouldn't those be just as un-breathable as waterproof boots? I would assume the socks have a liner too? I'm trying to decide whether to go with some Jim Greens, the tracker esc, or the freet Chamois. I really like the sol on the chamois because they have a pace for a gaiter strap. So I dunno yet. I don't like buying new boots every year so I want something durable.

The best part of waterproof socks is you can choose when to wear them. I have I’ll keep a couple pairs in my pack along with a standard sock on a cold wet hunt. I use sealskins socks and they are supposedly breathable like any other membrane. As I said I had the. When I needed them, otherwise I just wore normal darn tough socks.

As an example, that hunt above, it was wet and sloppy nearly every day. Including snow and rain. Most days especially at the beginning when my dwr was working, or it was well below freezing, I could get away with a standard sock. Rain/snow and saturated brush and mud meant I put on my waterproof socks. My feet stayed functional and dry for the most part. Once my buddies kenetreks got wet inside they never dried. I could get my Jim greens dry by the fire fairly easily. And of course purse on dried day I could just walk them dry.

I have vivos and Jim greens. The troopers are useless without a resole in the above conditions, but with a resole I like them more than the vivos.

 

[Greenstig]

I had no idea they even made waterproof socks until it was mentioned in this thread lol...shows how often I buy new gear. Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding how they work but wouldn't those be just as un-breathable as waterproof boots? I would assume the socks have a liner too? I'm trying to decide whether to go with some Jim Greens, the tracker esc, or the freet Chamois. I really like the sol on the chamois because they have a pace for a gaiter strap. So I dunno yet. I don't like buying new boots every year so I want something durable.

Breathability isn’t great, but you can rotate between two pairs, turn them inside out in your tent and let them dry out between wearings. Can’t do that with leather boots.

Again, I wouldn’t even consider them necessary unless you’re hunting in a marsh or a multi-day hunt in sustained wet conditions (rain or slush, like in @Lawnboi’s photo)

 

[dbarrett4053]

The best part of waterproof socks is you can choose when to wear them. I have I’ll keep a couple pairs in my pack along with a standard sock on a cold wet hunt. I use sealskins socks and they are supposedly breathable like any other membrane. As I said I had the. When I needed them, otherwise I just wore normal darn tough socks.

As an example, that hunt above, it was wet and sloppy nearly every day. Including snow and rain. Most days especially at the beginning when my dwr was working, or it was well below freezing, I could get away with a standard sock. Rain/snow and saturated brush and mud meant I put on my waterproof socks. My feet stayed functional and dry for the most part. Once my buddies kenetreks got wet inside they never dried. I could get my Jim greens dry by the fire fairly easily. And of course purse on dried day I could just walk them dry.

I have vivos and Jim greens. The troopers are useless without a resole in the above conditions, but with a resole I like them more than the vivos.

Oh okay, that makes sense! Out of curiosity what did you resole your troopers with and how much did that cost? That sucks that that the stock sole isn't sufficient.

 

[dbarrett4053]

Breathability isn’t great, but you can rotate between two pairs, turn them inside out in your tent and let them dry out between wearings. Can’t do that with leather boots.

Again, I wouldn’t even consider them necessary unless you’re hunting in a marsh or a multi-day hunt in sustained wet conditions (rain or slush, like in @Lawnboi’s photo)

Gotcha, that makes sense.

 

[Greenstig]

Gotcha, that makes sense.

Another consideration beyond the waterproof/non-waterproof discussion:

If you jumping straight into Vivo/JG/Freet from wearing Kennetrek’s daily for the last couple of years, you’re gonna have a bad time.

Since you were inquiring about bigger, stiffer boots on here just a few weeks ago, I’m assuming you’re new to the barefoot concept. Go slow and transition properly. Depending on your age and weekly mileage, it might take a year or more for your feet to become strong enough to hunt in the more minimalist boots you’ve listed. Muscles can adapt relatively quickly, but it takes much longer to strengthen tendons and ligaments. It’s a commitment, but worth it in the end to avoid injury.

I’m going to diverge from the other recommendations and suggest you look at Lems boots if you want a daily driver. They aren’t the most durable, but they’re great transitional boots. Wide toe box and zero drop with more stack height than Vivo’s/JG/Freet.

 

[dbarrett4053]

I wasn't wearing the kenetreks daily...just when hiking/hunting. I made the switch to barefoot shoes the day after that post I made and am glad I did. I now wear them all day everyday. I've been doing mtn tough workouts in them daily and my feet, ankles and knees are doing much better and feeling stronger. I have been stretching every day (heel raises, etc) and some short easy trail hiking with my barefoot shoes and am slowly working up to longer distances. I used them for my first off trail hiking experience on Saturday. I was side hilling in some super steep rocks/shale (not on purpose, but I ended up there lol). I was sliding like crazy and it required some flex in my ankles. It felt really odd to be honest.

I may have transitioned faster than I should have, but here we are.

It was a situation that I have rolled my ankles many times in my kenetreks. It was a different feeling with these shoes but I didn't roll an ankle or hurt my foot or knees. I honestly wish I would have switched over sooner but again it was something I never knew existed and I thought stronger boot would save my ankles.

I'm definitely not gonna go full send hunting on the barefoots though yet. I'm gonna take some regular boots too.

 

[nm.otter]

look at Lems boots if you want a daily driver. They aren’t the most durable, but they’re great transitional boots. Wide toe box and zero drop with more stack height than Vivo’s/JG/Freet.

These might be another transitional option. I'm about to try a pair for wildland fire work.

 

[dbarrett4053]

Another consideration beyond the waterproof/non-waterproof discussion:

If you jumping straight into Vivo/JG/Freet from wearing Kennetrek’s daily for the last couple of years, you’re gonna have a bad time.

Since you were inquiring about bigger, stiffer boots on here just a few weeks ago, I’m assuming you’re new to the barefoot concept. Go slow and transition properly. Depending on your age and weekly mileage, it might take a year or more for your feet to become strong enough to hunt in the more minimalist boots you’ve listed. Muscles can adapt relatively quickly, but it takes much longer to strengthen tendons and ligaments. It’s a commitment, but worth it in the end to avoid injury.

I’m going to diverge from the other recommendations and suggest you look at Lems boots if you want a daily driver. They aren’t the most durable, but they’re great transitional boots. Wide toe box and zero drop with more stack height than Vivo’s/JG/Freet.

I wonder how much of a stack height is too high to make it to where I have the danger of rolling my ankle more? Does anyone know?

I think the Lems Boulders that I looked at were like 17mm or something.

 

[dbarrett4053]

My main thing is I want to have the boots to at least get them broken in and start using them a little bit before I start scouting for archery in June. Mainly so they aren't foreign to me and I know what to expect. I'm definitely not gonna go full send though.