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A good pair of hunting boots is, literally, the foundation of a successful hunt. A hunter’s footwear will make the difference between a comfortable and productive hunt and one that is painful and even dangerous.

The choice of the right hunting boot depends on the type of game that is pursued, the terrain and the weather. In warmer climates and for early season turkey and grouse hunting, lightweight boots with little or no insulation are preferred. Bow and arrow hunters, in particular, seek lightweight athletic style boots while hunters in colder climates, especially those who will remain sedentary for long periods, choose a heavier, insulated pair. Scent protection is another consideration, especially for deer hunters, and, in areas that are habitats to poisonous snakes, boots offering snake protection are essential.

Three major American boot manufactures– Rocky, Danner/LaCrosse and Wolverine-- produce a variety of boots for virtually the entire range of hunting.

DIFFERENT BOOTS FOR DIFFERENT SHOOTS

Early in the hunting season, archers take to the field.

These hunters, who actively stalk their game, do best with a lightweight athletic style boot. Insulation is less important than overall waterproofing and an active outsole designed for high traction and quick movement.

This fall, Rocky is introducing the Broadhead, an archery-specific boot but one that can also be worn by any hunter involved in active stalking.

The Broadhead has been compared to a hunting sneaker, notes Rocky spokesman Brandon Puttbrese. Weighing only a pound and a half per pair, the Gore-Tex® waterproof boot incorporates Rocky’s SIQ scent control technology.

“The fabric is treated with chemicals that control human odor at a microbial level before the boot goes into production,” Puttbrese explained.

He notes that the Broadhead is uninsulated and therefore is suitable for mild weather, which in the south can extend into November and December.

At the opposite end of the hunting spectrum, Rocky is introducing the MTN Stalker, a nine-inch heavy duty boot with 1000 grams of insulation. The MTN Stalker is designed for big game hunting, Puttbrese explained. “It is a boot with an aggressive outsole that can support the hunter in rocky territory where the elevation changes rapidly but remains just as useful for tramping through a muddy field.”

While the Broadhead and the MTN Stalker are new, Rocky’s Corn Stalker is in its 25th year of production.

A versatile boot, the Corn Stalker has served for work and hiking as well as hunting.

“It is an annual strong seller, a value driven boot but with performance enhancements including welt construction and Gore-Tex uppers.” Puttbrese explained.