Korkt wrote:I've been wearing steel cap boots for ever for no other reason than - if you want a pair of tough boots, you buy steel caps. Regular old leather an steel with a thick sole.
On Thursday I picked up a pair of new more modern boots by Keen. Waterproof, mesh, fancy gortex and plastics and all the rest.
After wearing them for the weekend, never again with a pair of steel caps I'm saying.
More comfortable, but without the extra weight my legs are really thanking me after 2 days on the weekend wearing them.
2c for anyone interested in boots.
I can see where you are coming from, I often go after rabbits in my sandshoes.
I still wear steelcaps daily, yes lightweight boots are lighter but they are NEVER as waterproof as properly maintained high legs and gaiters.
I have done a lot of extended walking in work boots and never had a missing sole, split stitching, cracked sole or torn out eyelets. Which can't be said for many of the people I have walked and hunted with over the years. I am pretty good at wiring up other peoples footwear with a sharp awl and tie wire or fishing line.
Steel caps do chill your toes sitting around at night.
I am appalled at the lack of ankle support in some of the lightweight walking boots nowadays.
But each to their own, I have tried the alternatives(I even wasted $350 a couple of years ago) but found them lacking as the sole split and they were no more waterproof in long wet grass and snow(less so).
Each to their own but a new hunter shouldn't let a lack of "proper" walking boots stop them from getting out there.
As a tip I have been using bamboo fibre socks lately and your feet don't sweat or stink.