Any ideas about waterproof leather boots ?

[Liver and Onions]

I need a new pair of hunting boots before bear season arrives....I'll be following dogs so I need a good pair of leather boots that are as waterproof as leather can be. Any suggestions ? I am willing to pay top dollar for high quality.
L & O

[NEMichsportsman]

I know what you mean about quality leather boots...I have had a pair for about 10 yrs. a lot of mink oil and tlc, but now some of the clasp things for the laces have pulled out, and the soles are showing some wear. I wish like heck that I could recall the name of the company that made them, and I have been looking for them ever since...I am now resigning myself to get something in the Rocky line probably Bear Stalkers but would love to find a high quality leather boot.

jp

[BowDad]

Check out Danner boots. I have a pair of Danners made for Cabela's (elk hunter I think) they are very tough and well made. If your looking for comfort and wearability check out the Browning Kangaroo's, they are a pleasure to wear.

[338bar]

I have a pair of Rocky cornstalkers and also a pair of Timberlines. I bought the Timberlines for working around the house (those 30 dollar specials just didn't cut it) but have tried them for some grouse hunting. Both are waterproof, well made, and I could hunt in either pair, but although the Rockys aren't leather they are much more comfortable to walk in as the sole is mostly dense foam as has a lot of "give" (good for my back). My feet also stay more comfortable in various temperature ranges. That could have something to do with the gortex lining but it's been my experience. The one down side is they don't have the same stiffness as the Timberlines so they probably don't have the same ankle support. But I have survived my "incorrect foot placement" experiences so far. Could be that Danner or another brand are more comfortable than the Rockys but I'll stay with the Rocky's for hunting. Just for reference, the Rockys were about $130.00 and the Timberlines were about $90.00.

[Hunter333]

My brother has a pair of Rocky's and wouldnt buy anything else now. He says that they are absolutely waterproof, after walking in Lake Michigan to test them. You will probably get a hundred different answers as to which boot to buy so good luck!!!!!!

[Mr. Racks]

Rocky no doubt put's out a great boot, but I bought a pair of Lacrosse Guide Series leather boots last season and fell in love, they were easy to break in and my feet have never been wet in them do to the gortex liner system. They offer up to 800 grams of thinsulate also if you find the right dealer.

[Hunt4Ever]

Danners. I'll warn you, if you buy one pair, you will never want anything else. they are the best boots I've ever worn. I have three pair. They are waterproof, very easy on the feet, but spendy. You won't regret it.

[Bushwhacker]

Boots are like trucks, everybody has their favorite. I'll give you my opinion, and I wear boots for work everyday. I had one pair of Rocky's and the sole fell off in a little over a year, I'll never buy them again. I have a pair of Wolverine Dura Shocks for work, seem to be good and with some silicone spray are waterproof, but I found out after I bought them that they were made in China, won't buy them again. The best hunting boot, bar none, is the L.L. Bean, "Bean Boot", they used to be called the "Maine Hunting Shoe". Rubber bottom, so waterproof, leather top and you can walk all day after a little break in. The best part, when the rubber bottom wears out after a few years, you send them in and for a few bucks, they put new bottoms on for you. I have a pair of 16" tops, that I have had for 20 years, I'm on my third pair of bottoms, and will probably get one more year out of them, then send them in next summer. I have insulated bottoms and have hunted in snowy moose swamps and all during deer season with no problem, plus they don't have those ugly vibram lugged soles that do nothing but pick up mud. Get the Hunting Gear catalogue from Beans, as they won"t have the high tops in their regular catalogue.
Good luck and keep your powder and feet dry.
Bushwhacker

[Youper]

I also like the Bean boots for wet conditions. I first bought a pair just for the summer time, because the dew it so thick till ten or noon. Unlike Bushwacker though, I wish they had the vibrum lug sole. I don't have alot of mud to contend with, and the Bean soles are not as sure footed on the slash and boulders I have to contend with while hunting. But when the snow melts on top of your Bean boots, your feet stay dry, and much warmer. The leather boots I have used in past years will work for about three days with snowseal, but from then till the end of the season they never quite get dry.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I hate to say it, but the best pair of hunting boots that I ever had was an inexpensive pair of Texas Steers that I bought at Kmart a gazillion years ago (pre-Rosie days.....she was just a snot nosed kid then). I doused them liberally with mink oil at the begining of the season, and then once again about midway through the season. Those boots lasted me 10 years, and I abused the heck out of them......wore them through mud and water all the time. They were comfortable as a pair of tennis shoes, and one day I went to put them on and I actually pulled the upper part of the boot off the sole! I haven't had another pair like 'em since.:(