Right alongside your bow or gun, your boots are the most important piece of gear you own. Without proper footwear, how can you expect to traverse dangerous scree fields, traipse through thickets and over blowdowns or slog through mud and muck in order to close the distance on your game? The 12 new boots on the following pages will allow you to strut with confidence this hunting season, whether you’re chasing bulls and bucks or roosters and ducks.#1 – Bogs Copperhead Though perhaps not aesthetically pleasing, this snake boot’s exterior patchwork of camouflaged materials does serve a purpose. The woven nylon armor along the upper incorporates puncture-proof material. A rear zipper provides a snug fit and allows for easy on-off. Price: $195#2 – Lowa Baikal GTX This multi-purpose boot from German bootmaker Lowa features the company’s new G3 outsole. The sole combines a soft-rubber blend and a proprietary textile to increase the Baikal’s gripping ability. The split-leather upper features a Gore-Tex lining insulated with fleece. Price: $280#3 – Under Armour Ridge Reaper The sleek, contoured lines of the Ridge Reaper–one of seven boots UA is unveiling this fall–adhere to UA’s mission of outfitting athletes who hunt. Key features include a high-abrasion toecap, Gore-Tex lining and a waterproof full-grain leather upper. Price: $200#4 – Irish Setter Black Bear The Black Bear solves a common problem with tall, stiff leather boots. The top of the tongue is made of four-way stretch nylon, which flexes around the shin and prevents rubbing. An internal padded waffle mesh provides additional comfort. Price: $169-$179 #5 – Kayland Hunter USA This new mountain boot combines top-of-the-line materials: a Vibram Foura sole; an eVent Cambrelle liner; a water-repellent, oiled-suede upper; and a full rubber rand. U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan are currently outfitted with this boot. Price: $270#6 – Wolverine Dogwood Play Dirty Designed to perform in the mud, the Dogwood sports a unique hard-shell toe wrap–a slick, rigid shell that cleans up easily. The nubby texture of the outsole extends up onto the sole’s sidewalls, providing a solid foothold even in the slop. Price: $130 #7 – Danner Pathfinder GTX This new, fully camouflaged offering combines several proven technologies, including a proprietary grippy, stable outsole. The lightweight yet rugged upper provides stability and support, as well as waterproofness and breathability. Price: $190 #8 – LaCrosse Alpha Mudlite LaCrosse continues to produce high-quality rubber footwear with the new Alpha Mudlite line. Available in several heights, the Mudlite features a puncture-resistant brushed-nylon exterior, rubber-over-neoprene construction and an antimicrobial lining. Price: $60-$140#9 – Columbia Bugaboot Plus XTM This boot combines 600 grams of insulation, a reflective yet breathable liner and an extra-high upper build. Price: $160 #10 – Rocky Long Range Both insulated and non-insulated models feature a leather, Cordura or leather-Cordura-mix exterior. All boots have a multi-component 10-layer sole. Price: $169-$199 #11 – Muck Uplander Laces on a Muck? This bird boot features a waterproof 5mm flex-foam bootie with four-way stretch nylon. A wraparound bumper protects toes. Price: $185 #12 – Cabela’s Silent Stalk The leather upper on this sneaker-like boot incorporates Cabela’s Microtex fabric, popular in its hunting clothes, making it ideal for spot-and-stalk hunters. Price: $130
A quick (and suitably dirty) briefing on the new hunting boots you’ll be wearing into battle this fall.
