Best Elk Hunting Boots

Best Overall

Danner Men’s Pronghorn 8″ Mossy Oak Break-Up Country 800G

Solidly built but comfortable.

  • Value: 9/10
  • Performance: 9.5/10
  • Cost: 8/10
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Best Budget

Irish Setter Men’s 838 Wingshooter Hunting Boot

Affordable boots that’ll last all season (and the seasons to come).

  • Value: 9/10
  • Performance: 8/10
  • Cost: 9/10
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Best Insulated

Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400

These boots will keep you warm and comfy while stalking.

  • Value: 9/10
  • Performance: 8.5/10
  • Cost: 8/10
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So it’s almost elk hunting season and you’ve yet to complete your hunting gear kit. Get ready to cross ‘hunting boots’ off that list ’cause we’ll be reviewing the best elk hunting boots in this article. Most of our picks are great for hiking too! Let’s get started!

Quick Comparison of the Best Elk Hunting Boots

Danner 41342 Men's Pronghorn 8 GTX 800G Hunting Shoe, Mossy Oak...
Irish Setter Men's 838 Wingshooter Waterproof Upland Hunting Boot- 7"
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hiking Boot with 400 gram...
Lowa Men's Tibet GTX Trekking Boot,Sepia/Black,7.5 M US
Rocky Men's Bearclaw 3D, Brown, 13 Wide US
Model
Danner 41342 Men's Pronghorn 8 GTX 800G Hunting Shoe, Mossy Oak...
Irish Setter Men's 838 Wingshooter Waterproof Upland Hunting Boot- 7"
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hiking Boot with 400 gram...
Lowa Men's Tibet GTX Trekking Boot,Sepia/Black,7.5 M US
Rocky Men's Bearclaw 3D, Brown, 13 Wide US
MSRP
$289.95
-
-
-
-
Material
Full-grain leather
Leather
Full-grain leather
Nubuck leather
Full-grain leather
Weight
59 oz per pair
1.5 lbs per boot
2.1 lbs per boot
3.97 lbs per boot
5.2 lbs per pair
Insulated?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Waterproof?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Danner 41342 Men's Pronghorn 8 GTX 800G Hunting Shoe, Mossy Oak...
Model
Danner 41342 Men's Pronghorn 8 GTX 800G Hunting Shoe, Mossy Oak...
MSRP
$289.95
Material
Full-grain leather
Weight
59 oz per pair
Insulated?
Yes
Waterproof?
Yes
More Info
Irish Setter Men's 838 Wingshooter Waterproof Upland Hunting Boot- 7"
Model
Irish Setter Men's 838 Wingshooter Waterproof Upland Hunting Boot- 7"
MSRP
-
Material
Leather
Weight
1.5 lbs per boot
Insulated?
Yes
Waterproof?
Yes
More Info
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hiking Boot with 400 gram...
Model
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hiking Boot with 400 gram...
MSRP
-
Material
Full-grain leather
Weight
2.1 lbs per boot
Insulated?
Yes
Waterproof?
Yes
More Info
Lowa Men's Tibet GTX Trekking Boot,Sepia/Black,7.5 M US
Model
Lowa Men's Tibet GTX Trekking Boot,Sepia/Black,7.5 M US
MSRP
-
Material
Nubuck leather
Weight
3.97 lbs per boot
Insulated?
Yes
Waterproof?
Yes
More Info
Rocky Men's Bearclaw 3D, Brown, 13 Wide US
Model
Rocky Men's Bearclaw 3D, Brown, 13 Wide US
MSRP
-
Material
Full-grain leather
Weight
5.2 lbs per pair
Insulated?
Yes
Waterproof?
Yes
More Info

Features to Consider + How to Choose

Fit

This is the most critical feature to consider. If you can, avoid ordering online so you can personally fit the boots and get the right size. But if you want to search the deals on Amazon, you always have the chance to return and get a different size with little hassle.

Don’t forget to include an allowance for when you’re wearing thick socks. It’s best to try boots on with the socks you’re planning to use on your hunts.

Weight

Your hunting boots’ weight will play a big role in the comfortability department. Insulated boots weigh more than non-insulated ones. So decide which feature is your priority – weight or insulation.

Material

Even if you get a non-waterproof pair of boots, it should be sturdy enough to last several seasons. A good-quality pair of boots are made from the most durable type of leather – full-grain.

Our recommendations for the best elk hunting boots below are made from durable and high-quality materials, so check them out. 

Ankle Support

Not every trail will be smooth or flat, so get a pair of boots with enough ankle support to keep you comfortable all season long and in the seasons to come.

Season

Photo © Jason Lugo

Not all boots are suited all-throughout the hunting season. If you’ll be hunting during the start of the season or during dry weather, you won’t need waterproof boots, so lightweight ones made from flexible materials will do.

But later during the season, you’ll encounter rain, mud, and snow. So you will need a waterproof and well-insulated pair of boots.

5 Best Elk Hunting Boots

Best Overall: Danner Men’s Pronghorn 8″ Mossy Oak Break-Up Country 800G

These Pronghorn boots are one of the best from Danner because they underwent several quality tests. 

These boots feature a full-grain leather upper, a rubberized EVA midsole that provides extreme comfort and durability, and a TERRA FORCE NEXT platform that offers arch support and torsion control. They also come with GORE-TEX liners so they’re both breathable and waterproof. 

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Comfortable
  • Great ankle support
  • Insulated
  • Comes with a 365-day warranty

Cons

  • Expensive

What Customers Say

Third set in 18 yearsThird set in 18 years of guiding. Comfortable and they last!

Karen H

This is my 2nd pair of pronghorns. I wore my 1st pair 50-60 hours per week all winter long for 4 1/2 years. I find myself wearing my pronghorns even when I am not at work because they are so comfortable. Best boots I have ever owned!!

Paul B.

Best Budget: Irish Setter Men’s 838 Wingshooter Hunting Boot

Description

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight (1.5 lbs per boot)
  • Comfortable
  • Insulated

Cons

  • Narrow fit
  • Poor stitching

What Customers Say

My husband cannot stop talking about how comfy these boots are. He wears them everywhere and never complains about anything with his feet. He’s got wide feel so they give his feet comfort. Great support and can be worn to dress up or down. Keep feet warm and dry. Higher sole so that took some getting used to but other than that great purchase.

Hanna Jones

They fit perfectly to the size of your tennis shoes. Comfort is amazing. Little to no break in period. They feel like tennis shoes but have the durability of boots. I’m a hunter so light weight comfortable boots are a must.

Blake

Best Insulated: Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400

The Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 boots ensure durability despite rugged terrain and daily use, thanks to the double and triple stitching throughout its full-grain leather upper. These boots feature a 7mm nylon midsole that provides stable and comfortable cushioning. The outsole on these boots also offer incredible grip and traction.

These Kenetrek boots take pride in their reinforced rubber sole guard that offers protection against abrasion and a forged boot hardware that provides corrosion resistance.

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Well-cushioned
  • Insulated
  • Lightweight (2.1 lbs per boot)

Cons

  • Expensive

What Customers Say

Use for hunting, 2nd pair, 1st pair 6 years old still work great. Came across some gift cards and bought another pair without hitting the pocketbook so hard.

Mike B.

These are the best hunting boots I have ever had you can walk all day all season in these,just make sure to get them broken in before the season, wish I would have bought them years ago.

Derek Henderson

Lowa Men’s Tibet GTX Trekking Boot

The Lowa Tibet GTX trekking boots are designed to keep your feet comfortable throughout miles of ascents and descents, loose shale, sharp rocks, and overall rough terrain. The boots’ tongues are padded and contoured strategically to wrap your instep in comfort and its special ankle flex design delivers easy walking.

These boots feature nubuck leather uppers, GORE-TEX linings, DuraPU® midsoles, and Vibram outsoles, so reliable underfoot cushioning and support are guaranteed.

Pros

  • No-slippage lacing system
  • Comfortable
  • Insulated
  • Waterproof
  • Ankle support

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavier than typical hiking boots

What Customers Say

Wore these hunting in 30 degree weather with thin running socks, and they felt great, kept my feet warm, and remain comfortable all times when on my feet.

Michael Good

These are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. I might get new insoles but they aren’t really necessary.

JK

Rocky Men’s Bearclaw 3D LTT Hunting Boots

The Rocky Bearclaw hunting boots will keep your feet dry and comfortable over miles of snow, rain, and mud, thanks to their breathable GORE-TEX® fabric membranes.

The design, feel, and style of these boots resembles the ones used by the military. They feature genuine Goodyear® welt construction and a storm welt for durability and shape-retention like no other. Not to mention the 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation that will keep your feet warm even in the coldest weather.

What we love most about these boots is that they’re easily broken in. 

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Waterproof
  • Insulated
  • Comfortable
  • Great shape retention

Cons

  • Poor traction

What Customers Say

Still new, only worn once but so far so good! Very comfortable. little warm for California hunting (summer) but should work great come fall chasing elk.

Brian Stone

I recently made a muddy, snowy hike in the Smokies and really gave them a workout. Yes, they were awesome to hike in! Here’s the thing though, when I got back, I hosed them off, put on a litttle brown shoe polish and gave them a quick brush. Thanks to the leather, they look brand new again. Hard to wear anything else lately!

Virginia Woolf

Conclusion

Once you get your new set of boots, make sure they’re broken in properly before using them for a hunting trip. You won’t want blisters getting in your way of bringing home elk meat. Happy hunting!

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Last update on 2024-04-24 / Images from Amazon Product API