Pac boot for whitetail hunting verses Muck boots?

[timberlinehunter]

I am currently using my Muck boots for hunting whitetails in the midwest - mostly the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These boots are ok but are a major pain to take on and off since I have such a high instep. Has anyone used the pac boot style books for hunting whitetails? I am considering maybe Hoffman or Schnees as it looks like they offer some quality boots that hold up. Whats everyone's thought on this? Am I better off sticking with my Mucks?

 

[Phat Cowboy]

I'm from MT right down the road from Schnees AWESOME boots for hiking in the winter. I'd say if your hiking long distance and/or spot n stalking in colder conditions the Schnees packs are going to work well. I however use insulated rubber boots for all my deer hunting were I'm not going far and/or sitting in a treestand/blind. My mucks have beat up my feet when I've done a lot of hiking in them as they get pretty hot and my feet don't sit secure in them. If your concerned about taking them on & off the pac style boots are a lot of work they have a lot of lacing.

 

[elkstabber]

I've used the LL Bean boot for 20+ years. It is great for whitetails because it will let you walk through 6-8" water, but not as good for hiking in mountains. It is soft enough that they are reasonably quiet. Much quieter than the muck boots. LL Bean invented the "duck boot" if I remember right. You're looking for the Maine Hunting Shoe.

I use these with a footbed. If you have a super high instep then you'll want to put in footbeds.

LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe

 

[Runningwater]

I have both (Muck Wetland and Kenetrek hunters) and hunt with both when the conditions are right. I'd say the pacs are more comfortable, breath better, are warmer, and better for covering ground in. The mucks are for wet and/or mucky. If the ground is solid/frozen and or you aren't planning on much water/mud over your ankles I'd always take the pac boots (or hiking boots for that matter). I spend plenty of time in my mucks and they're great for what their made to do but it usually is up on the Kenai in AK.

 

[Runningwater]

FWIW, the hoffman/schees/kenetrec pacs have a lot more structure/support than the LL's Beans imo. The Beans are nice for a lot of things as well (and might be just what you're looking for), but they aren't really the same animal as the others mentioned.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I love my Muckmasters but do agree that getting them off is kind of like climbing that last hill on a long walk.

I’m going to make one of those boot jacks this week to help with that though.

 

[elkstabber]

FWIW, the hoffman/schees/kenetrec pacs have a lot more structure/support than the LL's Beans imo. The Beans are nice for a lot of things as well (and might be just what you're looking for), but they aren't really the same animal as the others mentioned.

I agree with Runningwater. The LL Bean boots are much less supportive. They are lighter in weight and have much softer/more flexible bottoms. This could be good or bad depending on the application. The soft bottoms make them much quieter. It also makes them less likely to develop hot spots. Being softer means that they go on and off easy too.

But, they won't be good for hills because they aren't very supportive. If you've got steep hills with dry oak leaves the soft bottoms of the LL Bean boots will be slippery.

LL Bean is like Hoffman, Kenetrek, and Schnees because they are all made in the USA. The Bean boots are roughly half the price of the others.

 

[ChrisS]

Depends on the time of the year and how you're hunting. the pacs are going to be a lot warmer than the mucks. If you're stand hunting, no problem.

I do a lot of hunting in the Adirondacks where it's 90% hiking 5-8 miles daily. I typically use hiking boots most of the time and mucks occasionally - usually for deep snow or if we're hunting swampy lowlands that day. I just got some Schnees this year to try for late November and cooler weather stand hunting closer to home. My buddy swears by them.

 

[danarnold]

I snagged a pair of baffin snow boots off ebay for $85 a few years ago was pretty much in the same boat, super happy with them, mucks make my feet sweat/freeze out
I wasnt sure howd they do long distance, ended up having to walk out 8 plus miles wearing them...love em

 

[OneRingTrTa]

I have Kennetrek's Northerners and LaCrosse Burly's. Both fine boots. When its rally cold the Kennetrek's come out. I might say that day in and day out I use the Burlys they are just to easy to get on and off. I hate driving in either so the burly's are usually my first choice.

 

[Michael54]

I just sent matt from schnees a message asking him the same question last night. I use my mucks wetlands here in pa for deer season. If i have to get into any large volumes of walking in my mucks i pay for it for the next few days.

 

[timberlinehunter]

Thanks guys for all the great info! I am leaning towards giving the Schnees Hunter II boots a try. I'm curious, has anyone used these for ice fishing too? Sounds like they would be plenty warm enough...

 

[Usi05]

I run pac boots in UP when sitting and when hiking during rifle season.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisS]

Thanks guys for all the great info! I am leaning towards giving the Schnees Hunter II boots a try. I'm curious, has anyone used these for ice fishing too? Sounds like they would be plenty warm enough...

That’s my plan. My buddy uses his on the ice too.

 

[Michael54]

I'm very big on customer service. Between the way I've been treated from Jim from Hoffmans today and Matt from Schnees going out of his way to try and help me out I don't see myself buying boots from cabelas ever again for sure. One thing have seen over and over with the people that have the pac boots is definitely get an extra set of liners.

 

[HoffmanBoots]

I agree with Runningwater. The LL Bean boots are much less supportive. They are lighter in weight and have much softer/more flexible bottoms. This could be good or bad depending on the application. The soft bottoms make them much quieter. It also makes them less likely to develop hot spots. Being softer means that they go on and off easy too.

But, they won't be good for hills because they aren't very supportive. If you've got steep hills with dry oak leaves the soft bottoms of the LL Bean boots will be slippery.

LL Bean is like Hoffman, Kenetrek, and Schnees because they are all made in the USA. The Bean boots are roughly half the price of the others.

Really does depend on how much support your looking for. The LL Bean boots are made with much lighter weight leathers and the traction system are not as good in steeper conditions. The heavier leathers do provide more support and protection and will offer more rebuilds when need. Both the Hoffman's and Schnees are made here is the states. Keep posted on Rokslide, we will be giving away a pair of pacs next month.

 

[BluMtn]

Years ago when we use to have a lot of snow during our hunting seasons I use to wear Whites pac boots with calks on the soles. It was great for getting around on steep hillsides and climbing around on frozen deadfall. Every once in awhile I would happen upon a fellow hunter who would see my tracks and would make the statement " your the guy" referring to my boot tracks.

 

[LostArra]

I've used a lot of the rubber boots (Muck, LaCrosse,even some cheapo BassPro). For any type of walking over 100 yards I would strongly suggest using some good insoles with your arch profile since the factory insoles, as in most boots, are terribly lacking in support.

I've had Schnees pac boots a long time and are much nicer for any purpose as long as it's not too warm.

 

[Lawnboi]

I tried the muck thing, my feet sweat too much.

Back to pacs I went with Schnee a and have been very happy. Whatever you get, make sure to get the warmest model they make.

For me pacs don’t sweat out as bad, liner changes help, they are more comfortable, and easier to walk in for me. I’m in mine from oct-April here in WI

 

[Ariettabob]

I’ll 3rd or 4th, whatever, the Schnee’s. A bunch of guys in my camp in the Adirondacks switched over to them from Bean boots so I took the plunge and will never go back. The warmth, support and overall comfort is light years ahead. I have the Hunter II model and use them from early season thru ice fishing and love them. I’ve never tried the Hoffmans but I suspect they are of equal quality to the Schnees.