Pac Boots or Insulated Hunting Boots

[WiscoHoundsman]

I am looking for thoughts and recommendations on an insulated hunting boot for a Wyoming Thorofare elk hunt in late October (21-28). The outfitter recommended having a pac boot such as the Kenetrek but i see there are several options. Looking over the past pac boot threads it seems the Kenetrek Grizzly or Northern could be good options or the Hoffman Guide boot. Other options i am considering are a 400g Meindl Comfort Fit boot. I have 3 pairs of Meindl boots i like and will be taking them as options to consider depending on the weather.

Any other thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[yfarm]

I hunted the south fork of the Shoshone the first week of October, we had freezing rain, wet snow the first 4 days and were in mud the entire week. Every hunter in camp was in leather boots that never dried the entire week as well as all their hunting clothes, particularly gloves. My preference after that experience would be Hoffman orSchnees pacs with the thinsulate liner and the more aggressive sole option. A pr of Showa 282 gloves over wool or fleece liners as well. Wet leather reins will soak gloves quickly.

 

[Lawnboi]

I can’t speak to the specific area but the double layer packs are extremely warm, I can’t see using them on nearly any mobile hunt.

The single slayer packs while not supportive work well for me when being mobile. I have a set of schnee hunter IIs that are my 90% winter boot. My Hoffman double insulated mountaineers only get pulled out for stationary hunts

 

[Pony Soldier]

I match the boots to the conditions. Dry ground - leather; wet to mud - thinsolite hoffman packs with airbobs. Dry snow and cold weather - felt lined hoffmans with corks. Especially with heavy timber and steep hillsides.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

Sounds like I should pick up a pac boot and make a decision based on conditions when we head in. Are we talking about pacs with the removable liner? The Hoffman’s guides appear not have a removable liner. Or more like the Hoffman mountaineer?

I have never used a pac boot so this is new to me. I have whitetail hunted with 800g boots for years. Just looking to be prepared as possible so cold feet don’t ruin a hunt.

 

[Lawnboi]

Sounds like I should pick up a pac boot and make a decision based on conditions when we head in. Are we talking about pacs with the removable liner? The Hoffman’s guides appear not have a removable liner. Or more like the Hoffman mountaineer?

I have never used a pac boot so this is new to me. I have whitetail hunted with 800g boots for years. Just looking to be prepared as possible so cold feet don’t ruin a hunt.

There’s a few styles of packs.

No liner I don’t even consider pacs.

Felt or thinsulate liners, felt is warmer.

Single or double insulated rubber bottoms, single rubber is self explanatory, you have a liner and a rubber outer. Double adds 2 layers of rubber with insulation inside. The mountaineers are double insulated and have a felt liner making them the warmest option.

Single layer thinsulate are nice for moving around in the winter. Double layer are for super cold, like sub zero and mostly stationary hunting. Both styles have their place in my quiver. Though I’m going to experiment with some vivo tundras this year.

Keep in mind none of these are all that supportive in the mountains if that’s what you require.

 

[6mm Remington]

Hoffman Thins Pro-Series Claw lug sole boot. 14" high or 12" both give great ankle and calf support. I have these boots and love them. Feet stay warm and dry and I do not get blisters wearing them. The traction is amazing with these as well.

Thinsulate Pro-Series Claw Lug Boot | Insulated Lineman Pac Boot | Hoffman Boots

Thinsulate Pro-Series claw lug pac boot with optional sole configurations. Warm, waterproof insulation for cold-weather outdoor & lineman work.

hoffmanboots.com

 

[Mtslackcountry]

I have a pair of these https://schnees.com/13-hunter-ii/
I wouldnt want a pair any taller than 13" . Also these boots are heavy and you give up support vs an all leather boot. I have hunted where your going and you will be on horses alot its 30 miles each way in there. I would not rely on pacs as my only boot. I rarely ever wear mine as they are just heavy. If you are able to I would pack a tradional leather boot, gaters and a pair of pacs just in case. I live in montana and use my pacs 2-3 days a year max. They are at least a pound heavier per foot than my Crispi hunting/ hiking boots. They are nice to have in the right conditions tho. Sloppy wet snow, or really deep and cold temps.

 

[Brian Fahs]

I match the boots to the conditions. Dry ground - leather; wet to mud - thinsolite hoffman packs with airbobs. Dry snow and cold weather - felt lined hoffmans with corks. Especially with heavy timber and steep hillsides.

Very well said.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Hoffman Thins Pro-Series Claw lug sole boot. 14" high or 12" both give great ankle and calf support. I have these boots and love them. Feet stay warm and dry and I do not get blisters wearing them. The traction is amazing with these as well.

View attachment 1077219

Thinsulate Pro-Series Claw Lug Boot | Insulated Lineman Pac Boot | Hoffman Boots

Thinsulate Pro-Series claw lug pac boot with optional sole configurations. Warm, waterproof insulation for cold-weather outdoor & lineman work.

hoffmanboots.com

These are awesome boots. I ran into a guy on a jobsite who was tying rebar in these. That job kills most boots but he was pleased with how tough these boots are. Warm dry feet for sure.

 

[Brian Fahs]

As others said, my schnee hunters with air Bob soles for walking. For cold snowy conditions hoffman felt pacs are the ticket.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

I have a pair of these https://schnees.com/13-hunter-ii/
I wouldnt want a pair any taller than 13" . Also these boots are heavy and you give up support vs an all leather boot. I have hunted where your going and you will be on horses alot its 30 miles each way in there. I would not rely on pacs as my only boot. I rarely ever wear mine as they are just heavy. If you are able to I would pack a tradional leather boot, gaters and a pair of pacs just in case. I live in montana and use my pacs 2-3 days a year max. They are at least a pound heavier per foot than my Crispi hunting/ hiking boots. They are nice to have in the right conditions tho. Sloppy wet snow, or really deep and cold temps.

Agreed on not relying on only pac boots. I will ware one pair of boots in and have one packed. I already planned on a non insulated boot & gaiters that i have been using for several years. Seems like the consensus is to get a pac boot as i have not seen may recommendations on an regular insulated hunting boot. I will dig through the pac options mentioned and will still consider picking up a pair of https://meindlusa.com/collections/winter-boots/products/comfort-fit-hunter insulated hunting boots. That would not have the liner or rubber bottom. I have a pair of these in an 800g format that i use sitting for whitetail in WI.

I also am considering/planning on taking toe warmers if the weather looks that cold.

My understanding from the outfitter is that we will ride out each morning and basically glass a lot. He prefers me to not even have a pack/backpack. So we will stay fairly close to the horses.

 

[Lawnboi]

Agreed on not relying on only pac boots. I will ware one pair of boots in and have one packed. I already planned on a non insulated boot & gaiters that i have been using for several years. Seems like the consensus is to get a pac boot as i have not seen may recommendations on an regular insulated hunting boot. I will dig through the pac options mentioned and will still consider picking up a pair of https://meindlusa.com/collections/winter-boots/products/comfort-fit-hunter insulated hunting boots. That would not have the liner or rubber bottom. I have a pair of these in an 800g format that i use sitting for whitetail in WI.

I also am considering/planning on taking toe warmers if the weather looks that cold.

My understanding from the outfitter is that we will ride out each morning and basically glass a lot. He prefers me to not even have a pack/backpack. So we will stay fairly close to the horses.

I almost always keep a set of single walled pac boots in the truck. The temp needed to go from non insulated hikers to a pac boots is pretty distinct to me, if I’m looking at sub 20 all day with any sitting I’m in a pac boot.

I have never found insulated hunting boots to do much over a set of uninsulated leather boots.

 

[wind gypsy]

I have hoffman felt voyager boots with the outback ankle strap added for additional support. They work fine, just heavy AF. I'm fine stomping around the MN northwoods for whitetails with them but wouldn't want to cover ground like i would in a typical day elk hunting with them on my feet.

For long cold glassing sessions I just bring boot blankets and foot warmers to supplement my uninsulated leather boots. Sounds like maybe that wouldn't be as useful if spending a fair bit of time on horseback and you'd benefit more from pac boots than in most typical elk hunting situations.

 

[voltage]

I brought Schnees Beartooths 0g and Hoffman Guide 12" with the heavy liner on my Thorofare hunt last October. I used both depending on the daily conditions. We spent hours on horses and sitting every day. Walking was minimal.