Hunting Footwear
When it comes to ensuring comfort on a hunting trip, an experienced hunter knows that footwear takes a large amount of it upon itself. Issues with boots can result in distress, pain, or harm. Those are no good companions on your adventures.
Outdoor activities require your footwear to perform at the highest level. Though some people may not experience problems wearing regular boots or even sneakers, hunting and tactical boots are made for reasons.
When picking hunting boots, you need to accept the fact that there are no universal boots that work well in every situation. Well, this may be a harsh truth for some. But being mindful of it will spare you from troubles and unnecessary waste of money. So be very conscious about hunting seasons, activity level, terrain, weather conditions.
Now let’s get to the details and talk about features different boots have.
Material
Leather was always an excellent material for boots, yet, with technical advancement, synthetic materials caught up to leather and now compete on equal terms.
Leather is a very durable material. Boots made of it can survive through challenging conditions for a long time. Also, leather is malleable. It will mold your feet and add some extra comfort over time. Leather hunting boots beautifully deal with rocks and other hard objects, and treated with special coating, they repel water (yet, it doesn’t make them truly waterproof).
As great as leather boots may seem, some people choose synthetic materials because of their better breathability. Of course, different materials breathe differently. Synthetic boots are lighter, which makes a huge deal when it comes to active hunting.
Waterproofness
Some people may see this feature as a must for their boots, but let’s give it a second thought. Waterproof boots don’t let water inside, but it also works in reverse: sweat and water, once inside, can’t go outside. Wet feet may suffer from blisters. It will make you miserable, especially if you move much.
Still, waterproof boots are salvation if you hunt in wet areas, in rainy or snowy conditions, or when there is morning dew.
Insulation
As with waterproofness, the same thought should come to your mind considering insulation: do you need it? If you are a fan of tree-stand hunting or your hunting method involves a lot of sitting, then the answer is yes, as you don’t move enough to keep your feet warm. But, if moving around is a significant part of the hunting process, you might not need insulation, as your body will do all the work. In cold weather, you don’t want your feet to be sweaty all the time.
Mid-sole
Hunting boots have soft, mid-stiff, and stiff mid-soles. Soft mid-soles provide better foot control and make boots quieter, but if you carry something weighty or walk in rough terrain, it may cause trouble. Mid-stiff and stiff mid-soles will protect your feet and provide support.
Here is one more tip. Pay attention to size. Inexperienced hunters may take under advisement everything mentioned above, but come to the store and try on boots wearing regular non-hunting socks. As a result, you’ll be disappointed when your feet start aching because of the wrong size. Also, try on boots at the end of the day when your feet are a bit swollen.
As society becomes more liberated and conscious, many women are eager to hunt or participate in tactical activities. To keep up with demand, many brands manufacture hunting and tactical footwear for women. In GRITR Sports, men and women are welcome to search for the best hunting boots that will make outdoor activities much more fun and safe.