Hunting/hiking/outdoor footwear
Key Takeaways
sharp edges on treads
Terrain and purpose
waterproof (also keeps the water in… if traveling through water and it comes in over boots)
leather vs. synthetic
insulation
Under Armour
Irish Setters
Courtney Boots
Merrel
Kenetrek
Muck Boots
Salomon
Danner
Keen
Columbia
Timberland
Transcript
Welcome! This is our Idaho office, and for the next few minutes, we're going to talk about footwear—specifically boots for hunting in the Rockies. While not everyone hunts in the Rockies, what applies here can also apply elsewhere. This is where we live and what we do. As an ammunition developer and now doing affiliate marketing, we want people to see how we live and work, and this is very much my office. The outdoors are also part of my office, as I’m rarely inside unless I’m asleep, and sometimes, even that happens outdoors.
Today, I want to talk about a few different brands of boots. Believe it or not, all of these boots are fairly new, bought within the last two years—except for these Ketchas, which I've had for five or six years. When hiking in snow, you want high tops or low tops with gaiters, but gaiters don't always work well with low tops. For my first few backpacking sheep hunts, which lasted 10 to 14 days, I wore Keens low tops. They were lightweight, durable, and comfortable for my big, flat feet. However, newer models have changed, and I’ll touch on that later.
I also have a pair of Danners here. These aren’t your father’s Danners—Danner has made many changes to keep up with the market, and they’re as comfortable as these Under Armours, which don’t even need breaking in. But remember, everyone’s feet are shaped differently, and boots are a personal choice, much like any other clothing. I also have a pair of Irish Setters—these have been around for years, and the new models are comfortable and easy to break in.
Then, I have my cold-weather Kenetrex, insulated with detachable chains for icy or slick conditions like those found in creek bottoms. If you need ankle support, you might prefer high tops, but I have strong ankles and usually hike in lower models. Most sheep seasons start in August, so I’m often not in the snow. However, here's the knock on Keens: the tread’s edges are smooth, which works well on flatter terrain, but if you're on muddy or grassy slopes, you'll slip. I've learned that the hard way, so I now prefer boots with a sharp edge on the tread to help grip the hillside.
Waterproof boots can be tricky. While waterproof might sound better, if water gets inside, they take days to dry. In contrast, non-waterproof boots dry much faster after getting wet. I have many boots because I wear different pairs for different needs, seasons, and terrains. When fishing, for example, I wear low tops that dry quickly after being in water. I don’t generally like insulated boots and prefer buying boots a size bigger to adjust the insulation with socks.
These Kenetrex are the only pair I have, and I like them—they're a good boot with sharp edges and cleats for slippery, slimy conditions like those found in wet climates. Some of these boots are two years old, but boot manufacturers often change their models, so when I find a pair I like, I stock up before they discontinue them.
That’s the rundown of wilderness boots for different seasons and purposes. You can find these brands at Cabela’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Bass Pro, and REI, and we'll provide links so you can shop online. I hope this helps and keeps you from having to reinvent the wheel. I’ve spent decades doing this and have made every mistake in the book. This video is here so you don’t have to make the same mistakes. Thanks for your time, and have a great day!
