My Merrell hikers gave up the waterproof ghost around the toe region at the end of turkey season. I sprayed em with that waterproof stuff, but they ain’t coming back. So I’m in the market.
Not looking to spend a ton. It’s overwhelming when you start reading reviews online.
I like the hiker style/height.
Waterproofing a must.
Comfort out of the box is critical. I like a boot feels as much like an athletic shoe as possible. Long break-in don’t work for me.
What do y’all like?
I wear knee-high neoprenes when it’s real wet.

I bought Irish Setters 2 years ago and have been very pleased. I bought the pinnacle 11”. It’s comes in a lower height.

If you can find some muck shadow pursuit, I have been very pleased with mine and after several years they are still dry in the inside

Danner

x2

Danners are awesome. If you can find em , the featherlights are very comfortable and have the vibram sole. I've run about every brand there is but right now I'm on a Solamon Ultra X and I'm pretty impressed. They are as comfortable as any hiker I've ever had and are a little cheaper than the Danners.

The hikers Ive had that are leather (timberlands) seem to last longer (waterproof wise). Ive had merrils, columbia, keen, and others. My kids have gone through several pairs of less expensive hi-tec hiking boots and Ive been really impressed with how tough they are. The altitude line is what they both have now, but the Bandera and skamania lines also held up great. I may even go the hi-tec altitude route for my next pair.

I owned a pair of Asolo TPS 520 hikers for over 20 years; hands down, the BEST boot/shoe of any type I have ever owned. I wore them turkey hunting a lot when I did not feel need for snake boots. Not cheap; but are excellent. When a boot has been in a product line for over 20 years; virtually unchanged, that tells you something. I own 3 more pair of their hikers; they just happen to fit me perfectly. I prefer a lace to toe design.

Realistically that's a tough set of requirements. I just started wearing work boots because they check these boxes more so than a hiker. Hikers are so cheaply made in today's market it's just ridiculous even the ones that cost a couple hundred

I've worn a pair of Columbia leather hiking boots the last two seasons and they've done pretty well.......I put a lot of rough miles on them and usually go through a pair of some kind each year.......I'm about to be in the same market for a new pair again as well

My columbia boots are very comfortable but they lost their waterproofing by the end of the 1st turkey seaon. Otherwise they are great. Especially since I picked them up on clearance at Academy for $18.

Dang that's a steal on a pair of boots.......

Lots of places to trim dollars. For my purposes, boots aren't one of those.

Im a fan of Danner lace up boots. Only one's I've found that will hold up consistently. I wear them to work and tracking. I have a separate pair I hunt and trap in. I usually get a year out of the ones I wear everyday.

i took a chance on a pair of Carhartt waterproof work boots (6" wedge soft toe) - the uppers took a couple weeks to break in, but they're comfortable as heck
i'm pretty sure they make a boot with a lug bottom - but so far, i've been impressed - i've worn them steady since July & haven't had an issue at all

I have a pair of Danner... my first pair and I love them. Super comfortable

Just bought a pair of Danner Alsea (Gore Tex) boots last week and put about 30 miles on them over the week. I love them so far. Time will tell if they remain waterproof. So far so good

I've had really great experiences with Columbia hikers over the years. Comfortable first day. Waterproofing will last a couple of years with frequent wear, at least mine did. $80-100 unless you catch a sale. Vasque makes a great hiker too.

wingshooters

these are what I use for hunting and working. thick leather but not too much breakin. ive tried alot of different boots before these. they aint tennis shoes though.

Schnees, Crispi, zamberlan buy once cry once