So called waterproof boots are where?

[Elric]

In 2016, I bought a pair of Cabela's 8" Iron Ridge waterproof, non-insulated boots. 2016 bird season was great, dry feet. Pulled them out for dove season in 2017. The first time I walked through heavy dew, the left boot was dry, and the right boot totally let go. Like pulling a plunger up and pushing it down.

Bought a pair of Rocky 17" snake boots in 2016, unfortunately 1/2 size too large, but they were dry. Gave them away in 2017, bought a new pair. Small pinholes at a few places on the top of the arches, but fairly dry. Took them out at the start of Woodcock season, and they are letting water in, at this time not totally gone, but my felt packs are saturated. Not dripping wet, but NOT normal.

I go in broken country, fallen trees, hummocks, streams, you never know... Must have ankle support. Laces. Pull-on rubber boots just don't have the support....

Anything 12" or so, waterproof, and laces? Non-insulated, I don't stand hunt anymore...

 

[Bret4207]

I had good luck with Rockys on the job. But nothing last forever.

 

[fiver]

Rocky's are pretty good if you don't get too much insulation in them otherwise they get ridiculously over size.
I used to have a pair of Columbia's that were a combination of duck shoe and hiking boot that I could stand in 4-5"s of water all day and stay dry in.
comfortable too, I miss those boots.
the closest I have seen is some LL-bean boots, and a brand called White those are pretty pricy but dang good boots that hold up.

 

[Intheshop]

150$ Rockys here bought on closeout for 100 a cpl years ago.... and I "like" hunting in the rain/snow. But they positively do not get used for anything but hunting.

Kinda funny? LL Bean duck boot story;
A cpl years ago bought a mens size 10,pr of those slip on style Bean boots. Was planning on bow hunting in them so no insulation. I get them off epay for <20$ to the door. They arrive and they're flippin brand new.... woohoo. First time I wear them hunting,get these monster blisters on my heels. Pi$$ed don't do justice.

Well,now I know why they were cheap on the bay.... someone had the same thing happen. Tossed'm to the side and forgot about them.A month ago needed a pr of,these are gonna get trashed,shoes to weed wack in. Try the beaners,only gonna wear them 20 minutes at s time. Dang if they didn't break in perfectly, after a few laps around the property. So,now got some nice bow hunting,warm weather shoes. BTW,new Bean catalog came the other day,they're listed at 110$.

 

[Rex]

I've an older pair of Cabela's that remain dry but the sole has been glued on 3 times. That seems to be the weak spot on mine.

 

[RBHarter]

I have a pair of low top Irish Setters 4 yr still dry last yr , kind of a hiker type .
I have a pair 8" Danners , 600 gram Thinsilate . Too hot for all of the hunts I had them for but so far they haven't let any water in 4 seasons I guess .
Last are the multiple Red Wings . Unless they crack or are coming apart they have always stayed dry . From the hiker styles to the 8" . The Reno store offered free "tune ups" every 6 months for Red Wings and Irish Setters , new laces and deep oil in brand oil . I would recommend that a guy get the lined boots even if not insulated boots dry boots and feet are worth it even when you're pounding 100-140° concrete or scrapping ice and stomping mud .

Oiling boots has always been a necessary evil to me so the last 18-19 yr of having someone else do it as CS is awesome .

 

[John]

I really like my muck boots. Waterproof, warm as they need to be and stand up to quite a bit of walking.

 

[Spindrift]

Boots with gore-tex (or similar) membrane will start to leak sooner or later. My favourite boots are from Sweden, they are called Lundhag. From the ankle and down, they are mode from very robust rubber material, while the upper part is leather. Mine are heavily used for many years in rough terrain. I like them

 

[RicinYakima]

I'm reasonable happy with my Danner Rangers, but don't know if civilians can buy them. Got them after 9/11 at Anniston Arsenal while doing some training there. While I have mainly worn them in Eastern WA, it does snow a lot in the mountains and have worn them there. Also they are only 10 inches. FWIW.

 

[Bret4207]

Well, since someone else mentioned them, I'll talk Mucks. I have horrible ankles, it's a genetic issue from my mother who underwent many crude and painful operations as a child in the 30's/40's to correct things and walked with a limp her entire life. Fortunately I'm not that bad but mine roll over at every chance. I've worn lace up boots almost exclusively for most of my life, out side of running shoes or dress occasions. But int he last few years it's gotten so I can't wear lace up boots due to arthritis in my ankles. If you don't have it, imagine every step being a wrenching pain like a badly pulled muscle. Not fun at all! I'd been real happy with Bean Maine Guide Shoes (boots) for fall and spring wear until it got where I couldn't flex my ankles enough to put them on or take them off. Plus, they got stupid expensive. I wore Mickey Mouse boots in the winter, but the weight got tot my ankles and knees. I'd bought a pair of Muck boots back when they first hit the market and was very, very disappointed as the soles fell off within a few weeks. Fast forward 12-15 years and I can't find anything that will keep my feet warm and dry that I can get my foot into. Out of desperation (I abhor paying more than $25.00 or so for boots, they simply don't last for me, I've paid hundreds and gave up after they all failed in a few months) I plunked down my dollars for a set of Muck Artic boots. I was in heaven! I've only managed to roll an ankle once in them so far and I've gotten 2 winters out of them, and winter here means pretty much all day wear from dawn to dusk or beyond, from late September to the end of April/Early May. I've worn them in every activity from cutting logs to welding to farm work to hunting. As with most of my boots they've finally developed cracks that I can't fix any longer where the boot flexes at the ball of my foot. Our local farm store carries another brand they say is better than the current Mucks, made by the guy that invented Mucks. He apparently sold out to a larger company some years back. Yes, they are hot, but I'm usually cold any way. Yes, they are bulky and look stupid and you aren't going to dance in them. Yes, they cling to your calf if you have a muscular build, but that keeps sawdust and wood chip out. They simply work for me and they don't let water in. For a rubber boot they are great for walking. They make uninsulated models. They are an option that fits pretty closlely to the foot and don't flop around allowing you to roll an ankle IME. Mucks are, as is everything these days, stupid expensive, but they last and you get your moneys worth. I have to buy at least one size larger than I used to think my feet are. I used to wear a 9 1/2 and then a 10. Now I'm in 11's in Mucks and 12's in my summer time Walmart $19.00 sneakers. No idea why, but my old LaCrosse leather Wellingtons still fit fine, so I think they are making shoes smaller these days.

Got a little long winded, as usual, but I just wanted to put that option out there as the OP said ankles were an issue, and every step is an ankle issue for me.

 

[RicinYakima]

Not the size they used to be? In 1968 in the Army my boot size was 8 EEE, these were real boots made on the Munson last, same as the WWII paratrooper jump boots. As I got older my civilian shoes sized kept going up to finally 10 "extra wide" in Asian made New Balance walkers. In 2010 I had a pair of custom Whites made for me in Spokane (everyone who has foot problems owe them selves one comfortable pair of shoes!) They use the same lasts the company bought in 1904. My size? Nine E. They told me that your foot will lengthen one full size from age 20 to 75, and width changes depending upon how many poor fitting shoes you have worn over your life time. So with arthritis in my feet, I wear my 3 pound high top shoes because they are the most comfortable. FWIW

 

[Bret4207]

Ya know, Waksupi on the other site told me years back I was a prime candidate for properly made boots. I think he was involved in making custom lasts at one point. I looked into it at the time and I was seeing something north of $500 just to get started. I still wonder if it might be worth it someday.

 

[Bret4207]

Oops, dup.

 

[RicinYakima]

Custom Whites are about $500, and they send you a measureing package. They have a waiting list, but not too bad at three months.