Top 5 Best Elk Hunting Boots: Ultimate 2021 Buying Guide
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When shopping for the best apparel for when hunting season rolls around, of course you’ll want to purchase nothing but the best! With all sorts of recommendations, suggestions and advertisements trying to coax you into buying their specific product, it can be confusing and almost frustrating trying to decide which product is exactly right for you!
You have every right to be picky, especially when it comes to choosing the best elk hunting boots. Whether you’ve never gone hunting before or you’re a seasoned veteran, it’s always a good idea to be open and welcoming to new products and suggestions when you’re needing to update your hunting wardrobe.
Best Boots for Elk Hunting: Our Picks
These high quality, waterproof boots are perfect for hunting elk, because they’re American-made and 100% leather.
Pros
- ScentBan technology to eliminate any odor-causing bacteria
- Bulls-Eye Air Bob Aggressive sole for traction
- Thinsulate Ultra insulation
Cons
- They tend to be a bit pricier than other boots in this style
- Heavier in weight, so they are not ideal for long treks/hiking
- Since they’re leather, they will retain heat, causing your feet to sweat
Customer Opinion
While these are on the pricier side, the reviews speak highly of these boots and how well they do their job. Customers have enjoyed how their traction holds, even in some unsafe conditions. Lace them up and get hunting!
Taking all the best qualities of a traditional work boot and combining them with top-notch protective technology, the Danner Men’s Pronghorn boot is a force to be reckoned with in the hunting world. The craftsmen behind the making of these boots pay attention to detail and take pride in their work, so you are guaranteed quality!
Pros
- Cheaper option than Irish Setter
- Waterproof
- Cushioned, and softened with a padded collar for ultimate comfort
- Provides great support
Cons
- Waterproof qualities may affect boot being breathable
- Leather may also affect breathability
Customer Opinion
Those who have purchased these boots have boasted going above and beyond in the world of hunting in general. Customers have stated although they are light they are rugged-- withstanding every terrain put in their way, by both surviving extreme conditions and providing excellent non-slip properties as well.
You can be on a serious wilderness expedition or just be spending time in your tree stand, or maybe even be taking a hike around town… Whatever your endeavors may be, Rocky Men’s Bearclaw hunting boot will get the job done.
Pros
- Tough on any terrain
- Good for trips involving hiking/traveling long distances by foot
- Insulated, so good for extreme cold
- Waterproof
Cons
- Not good for weather that isn’t cold; insulation can overheat
- Come up mid-calf, may be too long for people who prefer shorter boots
Customer Opinion
Some customers have called this boot “military tough” and “the greatest and only brand of boots they will ever buy again”; the only negative thing I saw was that they need to be broken in a bit before being used on long distance walking. After a couple of months of wearing them, they’re the perfect boot.
As one of the cheaper options, you wouldn’t expect much from these boots, right? On the contrary, these boots from RunFun are some of the most qualified contenders in this quest for the perfect elk hunting boot.
Pros
- Cheaper than the other options
- Waterproof, and also breathable!
- Lightweight
- Anti-slip sole
Cons
- Synthetic material may not be preferred
- They only come in camouflage
Customer Opinion
These boots are great for yardwork, hunting, hiking, and much more! They don’t even need to be broken in, according to customers; they just fit your foot as soon as you get them!
The lightweight, unique design of this boot makes it the ultimate choice for your elk hunting trip. You’ll be able to pursue your prey in the stealthiest, most comfortable setting possible!
Pros
- 100% leather & textile
- Omni-Grip non-marking traction rubber
- Techlite lightweight midsole
- Waterproof
Cons
- Probably not best for long-distance walking or hiking
- Not ideal for extreme cold
Customer Opinion
Customers raved about how perfect these boots were when faced with wintry weather, and how stylish they are. Not only are these great hunting boots, they are dual-purposed, making them fashionable enough to wear as everyday boots!
FAQ about Elk Hunting Boots
When you’re on the market for new elk hunting boots, the task at hand may raise some questions. What brand is best for me? Which pair is within my price range? Are these boots built to last? All of your burning questions can be answered here at the FAQ about elk hunting boots!
How do I know if the boots are perfect for me?
You have to take into consideration all of the amenities of each of your boot choices. Some boots are heavier, sort of like a work boot, and some are more lightweight. If you’re looking to have a more stealthy hunt, your best bet would likely be to choose the lightweight boot.
Do I really need waterproof boots?
While a waterproof boot seems like something you’d always need while hunting, that isn’t always the case. You’d want waterproof boots when dealing with certain types of terrain, like a wet or snowy location. However, you can also benefit from waterproof boots if you plan on hunting on a drier terrain. The waterproof liner on a boot will also keep dirt, dust and debris from entering into your shoes.
The only downfall of waterproof boots is the fact that they are quite a bit less breathable than non-waterproof boots, causing your feet to harvest bacteria that can cause a pungent odor, and blisters that can cause significant pain.
What’s the difference in insulated and non-insulated boots?
The answer to this one is quite simple: if you are hunting in extreme weather (cold specifically) you will definitely want to make sure you are investing in insulated boots. When you are dealing with temperatures that you are not used to on a regular basis, your body may not know how to properly adjust to the sudden change in temperature. You would buy an insulated coat and pants for extremely cold weather, right? Well, the same goes for your boots!
However, your surroundings definitely come into play when discussing insulation. For example, you wouldn’t want to purchase insulated boots if you were hunting in the extreme heat-- your feet would be completely swamped and just downright nasty. If your trip entails a lot of hiking or long distance walking, it’s also probably not the best idea to invest in the insulated boots. Purchasing insulated boots would be ideal if you planned on sitting in your stand in the freezing cold for hours on end, or if you’ll be in one location for extended periods of time.
Why should I get a lightweight boot?
You’d definitely want to skip out on an especially heavy boots if you’ll be doing a lot of moving around or are walking long distances during your hunt. Heavier boots are meant more for stability and assurance that you will have better traction, but will most definitely slow you down if you are in a situation where you need to move quickly.
Why should I or shouldn’t I get real leather boots?
While one of the main staples of real leather versus synthetic material boots is the difference in price, there are also plenty of other ways the material of your boot can affect your need to purchase. Quality leather can form to the shape of your feet over time, making your boots fit like a glove.
Most people choose leather over synthetic simply for the malleability. Leather is also much tougher than any synthetic material, with the ability to take on abuse from all kinds of terrain and conditions; it just lasts longer!
With all that being said, buying synthetic isn’t necessarily a negative. Synthetic materials tend to be more breathable, causing significantly less foot sweat than what a leather boot would cause. Technological advances also help synthetic materials to withstand all sorts of conditions that normally only a real leather boot would, so you don’t have to immediately assume you NEED leather boots! Either way, whichever material suits your needs best, you should definitely go with.
How to Choose the Best Elk Hunting Boots
1. Decide what type of weather conditions you’ll be hunting in
Weather and terrain plays a HUGE part in deciding which boots to go with. While the weather is quite unpredictable at times, you can get a pretty good idea about the types of terrain you’ll be dealing with if you familiarize yourself with the area and pay close attention to the weather channel as well.
2. Figure out your price range
As you can tell from the options above, boots can definitely cost a pretty penny. If you are in the market for good, sturdy, durable boots that are built to last, then you’ll need to be able to shell out a couple hundred bucks, at least. On the contrary, if you are only planning to go on one big hunting trip this year, you could invest in some that are slightly cheaper. Just remember to read the description of each product to determine if it is exactly right for you!
3. Choose the best fit for you
There are a LOT of things to consider when choosing the perfect elk hunting boot; it can certainly become overwhelming when presented all of the options. The best way to go about it would be to research as many brands as you can, pay attention and take note of all the different qualities of each boot, and just narrow all of your options to find your best fit.
4. Make sure to do research on each product you consider
You’d never buy an outfit or a regular pair of shoes without trying them on or reading reviews, would you? While reading online reviews may not be the absolute best way to go about forming your opinion about your purchase decision, it can certainly help. Online reviews are constantly updating and changing, not to mention literally everyone is different so people will experience things differently.
The best thing you can do is just research the brand and exact product, weigh out the pros and the cons of each one, and make your decision based on your newly formed opinion of the product. It’s also a good idea to order from a brand that offers refunds and exchanges just in case the boots end up not working out for you, so you aren’t out of all that money.
Verdict
All in all, each product we mentioned has unique qualities of their own, but one just outshines the rest; the RunFun Men’s Camo Waterproof Lightweight Anti-Slip Hunting Boots! While these aren’t the high-end, 100% leather you were expecting to win this battle, but price has little to do with it! RunFun offers the most bang for your buck; their boots are lightweight, breathable, waterproof and durable, which is more than you could ever ask for from a hunting boot! Not to mention, you don’t have to sell any arms or legs in order to afford them. They’re still nice for the price without breaking the bank!
Once you’ve narrowed your options down to just a few, it should be relatively easy to decide which of the best elk hunting boots is ideal for your hunting trip. Just keep in mind all of the most important details of your trip, such as the weather, the type of terrain, and the amount of distance you’ll be walking or traveling during your trip. All these factors will come into play whenever you are deciding which boot to go with. The other contenders were close in the running, but they just don’t quite possess all of the qualities that the RunFun boots do!
