Happy Feet: Boots for a Colorado Hunting Trip

If you’re going to purchase new boots for an elk hunt this year, now is the time to do it! Don’t wait until the final weeks before your hunt.

If you’re considering a new pair of boots, here are a few things to consider:

What Brand is Best?

The best boot is the one that fits your feet. Might sound like a lame answer. But it’s true. Different boots will fit differently on each person’s foot. What’s right for your hunting buddy may or may not be right for you.

Try on a number of different boot brands and styles. If there’s any discomfort in the store, it’s not going to get any better when you’re out elk hunting in rough terrain. A good pair of boots should feel comfortable right out of the box.

What Features to Look For?

While we can’t recommend a specific brand that fits your particular feet, there are a few features to keep in mind.

Look for a boot with a waterproof, breathable membrane like Gore-Tex or something comparable. Even in the warm days of September, the grass and brush can be soaking wet with dew early in the morning and a waterproof boot is essential.

Look for a boot that has a full rubber rand and other marks of durability. Most guides can tell you stories of sub-par boots that bit the dust halfway through a hunt. A full rubber rand protects the boot from rocks, downed timber and other obstacles that can damage boots. 

Other features to look out for include the stiffness (or flexibility) of the sole and the height of the boot. These two things are personal preference more than anything else. Some hunters prefer a very stiff boot when climbing steep slopes and on uneven terrain. Others prefer the nimble feel of a more flexible sole. Try on several styles to find a stiffness and height that’s comfortable for you.

Finally, you’ll want to consider insulation. Both insulated and non-insulated hunting boots are available from every brand. In part, this decision will be influenced by when you are hunting. If you’ll be hunting 3rd rifle season in November, an insulated boot is probably a good idea. But to some degree, the insulation decision will also be influenced by your own comfort. If your feet tend to run hot you can probably get away with a non-insulated boot most of the season. If your feet tend to run cold, you might want an insulated boot even on a September archery hunt. After all, temps in September can get chilly and snow is always a possibility in Colorado. 

Will I Need to Break Them In?

Whether or not your boots need to be “broken in”, you should start wearing them immediately! The Colorado elk season will be here before we know it. If there’s a problem with your boot, you’ll want to address it sooner rather than later. There’s not a worse time to discover that your boots give you blisters, than when you’re on an elk hunt. 

If you’re thinking about new boots this year, go ahead and start the process now. With plenty of time between now and your hunt, you’ll be able to make changes if necessary.

If you have any questions about our guided elk hunts in Colorado, please don’t hesitate to call Adam directly at 208-691-3014 or send us a message. We’d love to help you plan a memorable hunting experience! For other information and prices, please explore the rest of our website.