Great Hunting Boots…
Last year I had a pair of Rocky boots that were only about 2 or 3 years old. However, the tread on them was worn out terribly. I slipped all over the place, and nearly killed myself falling off of the steps of the hunting cabin. I decided I had to come up with a new pair…and I hit the jackpot. I searched for a pair of boots, and looked at several pair on sale at various stores. However, I couldn’t find any wide width boots, which I have to have. That is one reason I have bought Rocky boots the last couple of times.
Right before season, I was at Cabela’s in Wheeling, WV, and I started looking for a pair of boots that would last me a while. After trying on 2 or 3 pairs, I came across the Irish Setter Mountain Claw boot. This is a great boot! It was comfortable, and it has a great tread. The only time I even slipped while in the woods this year was when I stepped on a stick that was angled down the hill (if you’ve ever slipped on one of these, you know what I mean!) I hiked up and down the mountains in rain, snow and sleet, and never had any problems. I also never got cold feet. I hate getting cold feet while on stand. In fact, usually I can stay warm if I can just keep my feet warm. These boots did a great job, all the way around.
The only problem I have found with these boots is that the eyelets cut into the boot strings. In fact, I have already run 3 or 4 pairs of laces though them. I am going to try to find a small file to run through the eyelets (they are metal) to see if I can rub off the edge that is cutting into the laces. Either that, or I’m going to leather laces.
I recommend these boots if you are looking for new ones. They are comfortable, warm, and have great traction–everything you need in a great pair of boots.
In a future post, I will tell you why I will not be buying anymore Rocky products…
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I too left the Rocky Boot company after 20 years of using their product. I have bought my last pair of Rocky’s. By coincidence, I also bought a pair of Irish Setters this year — different make — but I have to tell you, I am extremely happy with their performance — warm, dry, and gripped like they had suction cups … and I hunt the same territory as Kris — steep and usually unforgiving. I’m sold. As long as Irish Setter keeps making them well, I’ll keep buying them.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:51 am
I was hunting with Kris this year and took a very bad fall while wearing Rocky boots (mine are more like 6 or 7 years old, I think). In the places where I was “baseball sliding” to get off the mountain, Kris was walking without any trouble. I can guarantee I’ll have some of those Irish Setters by next season!
December 24th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Look like a good pair of boots. I bought the Drury Dream Season pair this year, and am very happy with them.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Arthur, how are those boots in cold weather? I actually looked at those before buying my Irish Setters. I thought they looked like great bow hunting/early season boots, but was afraid of how they would work in really cold weather…
December 25th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I too bought a pair of Irish Setters and I absolutely love them. I bought a pair of their elk boots more for scouting and I ended up wearing them almost everyday they are so comfortable and they look great , and keep my feet dry and warm.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
When you buy a pair of Rocky’s check out the warranty. If it is bought in the closeout store you get 6mos. If it is bought at the outlet store in Nelsonville,OH. is is 1 yr. I purchased a pair of 1000gr. boots to hunt in my tree stand. I had these boots probably 5-6 yrs. which sounds like a long time but only wore them maybe 10 times and mostly sitting. To make along story short the soles completely disintegrated. I called Rocky to plead my case. They said one year thats it for the warranty. I can tell you for a fact that Redwing and also Cabelas cover this type of failure on a boot and that I have bought my last pair of Rocky’s!
October 27th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Look like a good pair of boots. i want that kind of shoes.. i want to wear that, when i go to my farm..