SELECTING HUNTING BOOTS

[@petrotmyrcz308]

Outstanding video Desert Dog, worth it's weight in gold for sure. I had to laugh at your description of the old rubber boots, too hot or too cold and crap to walk in. Yet that's what us poor folk hunted in most of the time. When I got older, wiser and better paid, I too had different footwear for the seasons/conditions. As well as hunting, hiking, backpacking and running through the woods, I was blessed to have a job where I had to work four seasons in the northeast terrain and conditions. You're right, great footwear makes all the difference. Thanks for posting, I'll share this with my son.

[@zacktaylor3441]

Great video DD. Complete but concise and very well organized. Much appreciated as always

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Our winters here keep getting warmer with no snow anymore so I usually now wear lightweight hiking shoes most of the time or rubber boots if I’m hunting in a swampy creek bottom. Another informative video!

[@YellowHammer26]

👍👍thanks DD, I have several different pairs of boots for different applications but as you stated the right socks with your boots make all the difference in the world.

[@neillmurchison5329]

Good video on the subject. Thanks for your continued support and advice.

[@Yelladog78]

Those Thorogood 1957's are nice boots. I'm ordering them for work ( commercial maintenance)

[@marshallmaez4770]

Great info DD, on the socks too. Listen up people. 👍

[@rre9121]

Fantastic video and it couldn't have been made at a better time for me. Thanks a ton, love your content.

[@bentaylor216]

Really informative video. Thank you. A good piece of advice someone gave me about running shoes might apply here - if you find a pair that fits and you can afford it, buy at least two. Manufacturers are always changing the specs.

[@bradfieldrich]

Another useful and well-done video, DD! You didn’t mention the role of gaiters - a decent pair of gaiters can help with thorns and snow, and extend the utility of a mid-season boot into snow and tall brush. I have the Altras you showed, and a pair of their low top trail runners. The Altras are comfortable once you become accustomed to the zero drop. They also seriously lack rigidity. For this reason, this kind of shoe is not a great candidate for off-trail use, as you said. They are light, and there are very cool in heat. Finally, for me, boot weight is a big issue - if a boot is too heavy it’ll really limit how far and how long you can go.

[@mikehobbs7421]

+1 for gators

[@sloth_e]

Gaiters here, too. I've got several pairs of different sizes materials for different uses and seasons.

[@mikefromoh2925]

Awesome video! Loved the first video version, love the second one too. Much love from Ohio- on a budget. One boot accessory to at works is ArticShield boot covers. Also, I use a pair of neoprene wading gaiters at the top of my boots in deep snow.

[@jdean1851]

LOWA'S are my Daily Wear! for the last 20 years...

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

They make great products that seem to fit a wide range of people well.

[@petrotmyrcz308]

My daughter in law wears Lowa's and absolutely loves them. Plus, they're made in Slovakia!

[@carlsymington1386]

In North Dakota winter, Muck Arctic Extremes are awesome as long as you don't walk alot. They chafe after awhile. In summer any hiking shoe works great.

[@nt3523]

A good insole insert eliminated that problem for me. Stopped my feet from sliding in the boot.

[@christopherrowley7506]

Many modern boots and hiking/running shoes have stiff internal frames inside them made from plastic or other hard materials, especially around the heel. It's a way for manufacturers to get by using otherwise thin and cheap materials. But even expensive companies do this. I always get blisters in these, it doesn't matter how I choose the sizing. I have unusual shaped feet with a narrow heel and wide front pad, and the only boots I don't get blisters in have been the Boulder Boot by Lem's, if you have tolerance for a hippy company (they have no internal frame and have a wide toe box). And for running shoes, Nike frees also have no internal frame and they did good for me too. In other boots and shoes I've started cutting them open, removing that stiff part, and sewing them back up: and it's a night and day improvement and has gotten rid of my blister issues.

[@leeadams5941]

Excellent, the only thing I could add is Moc toe, which over the years I have found works for me where other styles do not...

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I use em (Thorogood Flyways) for upland hunting, but too hot for summer and not rigid enough for mountain hunting.

[@mdirtydogg]

Thank you for this very useful and interesting video.

[@sloth_e]

Choice of sox is severely underrated. I spend good money on Marino wool or a Marino blend. Not only do the provide comfort and moisture management, your feet dont smell even after 3 days use. Quite expensive but they will last far longer.

[@phild9813]

I live in Wyoming and hunt various species year round. I find a good waterproof uninsulated 6-8” lace up to encompass most of those needs. Gore tex for me is mandatory. I do wear a gore tex lace up snowmobile boot in the thick of winter for coyotes and such. I’ll also wear a light duty lower height Keen for hot weather. The most important thing for me starting out is fit. If it doesn’t fit great to begin with, it’s never going to get better.

[@phild9813]

Socks are important, and I add gaiters to the mix in most situations.

[@barrywebb-l7n]

@@phild9813 Insoles are also important

[@stevencaldwell838]

I live in Southern California… really all I need is a good pair of comfortable, sturdy, waterproof boots. For higher, colder elevations, a pair of wool socks.

[@Master-AGN]

Always appreciated information

[@nt3523]

My un-insulated kenetreks are my mid and late season boots. Just wear warmer socks. 20 below no problem.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

That's what I usually do. Of course, I have naturally hot feet.

[@nt3523]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Same here. And on the boot wax, most of it is just beeswax. Way cheaper.

[@yo9758]

I broken both my feet so i need all the support I can get I’ll stick with my wellcos and Bellevilles I don’t care how heavy or hot they are plus they last for ever unlike most boots still got my ones from basic and they got some miles on them

[@falba1492]

Desert Dog, I never thought of Merino wool shocks for hot weather. I see you like Darn Tough as well, which I’ve only ever used for cold weather. Do you prefer something like the lightweight T4018 with no cushioning (higher Merino content), or the T3001 with cushioning. Both are from their tactical line. I know you aren’t pushing brands here, but Darn Tough is one great product.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I like the 2100 lightweight hunting sock with cushion. They are comfy but breath very good. I actually think Merino is more beneficial in hot weather than in cold. I have trusted Darn Tough for many years. I know there is a great deal of competition these days, but it's hard to not be loyal to a company that has never let you down or sold out to China.

[@jmgates09]

I wear Thorogoods for everything

[@falba1492]

Have you ever used Obenauf's Leather Oil. I really like the stuff. You know it’s wet and hot as hell in my stomping grounds, and this is the best waterproofing leather conditioner I’ve ever used. Mind you, I’ve never used the Kenetrek.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Lowa and Kenetrek specifically state that Obenaufs and any animal-base oil products will delaminate the rands on their boots.

[@petrotmyrcz308]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 That's good to know. In forestry school, we were advised to use mink oil, or use sno-seal and heat it into the boots. Many good pairs of loggers boots met an early demise thanks to that info.

[@mackellyman5642]

Also, don't scrimp on socks or underwear...

[@jrhunt414]

Love my wig wam socks and jockey underwear. Money well spent. Dries very quickly, can wash them in a stream over lunch break. Never scrimp on what touches your sack or feet.

[@Bunduki]

Hi DD, l was recommended to try Bamboo Socks , l gave them a try in the African bush , particularly when on a job in Kenya . I was impressed with comfort & breathability & good wear & tear factor. Cheers

[@kamiazhong1369]

Hello, how can I contact you for reviewing our products?

[@ronlowney4700]

🧐 FYI: Early This Morning Nosler Released Their First Load Data On The 7mm prc! 😁

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

It's a day that will go down in hunting history, lol.

[@ronlowney4700]

😂

[@ronlowney4700]

🤠 I still haven't given up my 270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield! 😜

[@ronlowney4700]

😃 FYI: I wanted YOU be the first to know: Both the same day that Horneday Released their Cartridge Specifications (and Reloading Data) and Nosler Released Their Reloading Data! 😜 I keep up on these things "Religiously" 😇! 🤣

[@righand]

Let’s remember that proper care for rubber boots is cleaning them with a mid soap and water and hitting them with an armor all type spray. Also, I wouldn’t want to walk more than a couple miles in my Irish setter rubber boots.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

From years of experience in car restoration...I would never put Armor All on any rubber product I care about.

[@righand]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 what do you recommend to preventing rubber from cracking?

[@r.d.9399]

So many shit products being sold in this country. Doing your research long before you buy is the best advice I could give anyone

[@igorchumakov7584]

👍👍👍

[@REDNECKROOTS]

I only use rubber boots. Scent control is way better with rubber. I've used both and I can say without a doubt I've gotten busted way less in rubber. V

[@lavanice]

Wow stay away from cheap columbia boot.