Best Relic Hunting Foot Wear?

[Davers]

Just Wondering What Others Consider the Best Boots for those long Days of Relic hunting.
In best 'I mean Price , Comfort , Durability , Overall Quality.

I usually wear Cleats of some kind their great for hunting Hill Sides , Climbing in & out of Creek Beds
And other Ravines but I would not dare walk across a old log ' Fallen Tree' & it's a pain to cross creeks using the slippery Rocks.
Also their great for Digging out the first couple inches of dirt over a Target.

Soo
Any Type of boot I get Must have a Good Cleat'ed bottom + be able to provide track'son on rocks and such..

The Cleat's still work good on Short Hunts and for around $5 a pair ( Used) - Works for me .
but
For those 6+ hour hunts like yesterday , They just Wont Cut it.

Thanks for any opinions.

Oh and watch out in those Hardwoods ; Those Large Acorns Hurt..Lol
Was also Carpet Bombed by the Oak's All day Yesterday. The Squirrels are loving it.

Davers

 

[OldJerseyGirl]

Can't tell you what is the best boot. But, I am thinking that in some parts of the country you would want protection from snakes also. Here in Jersey where we love I don't have to worry about that. But woods hunting I have a pair of mid high timberland boots that I love.

 

[Frankn]

I usually just wear trail hikers, like Merrells, although I just picked up a pear of Guide Gear 8 1/4" waterfroof boots for the winter. The price of boots is shooting up. I ordered these for $44 and they are now $54. I got them because the specs were right and most of the other boots are hovering around $100 on Sportsmans Guide site. I do have a pear of snake proof boots, but they are kind of high for some more casual usages. Frank

 

[Davers]

Snakes not a problem around here ..( ill likely be bit next time out).

The ones I see that would meet my needs run from around 100$-300$ & if I pay over 150 they better last Quite a Few years 'of normal wear'

Suppose "you get what you pay for"

Davers

 

[jdsly]

Flip flops

 

[DirtWarrior]

I'm partial to these ...

 

[markbxr400]

Flip flops

Ditto here in LA (lower Alabama). During the 2-3 days temps get below 40 degrees, I might throw on some tennis shoes.

 

[Higgy]

Just Wondering What Others Consider the Best Boots for those long Days of Relic hunting.

Good topic, Davers! I think boots and clothing are gear also. Look at it this way: You can have the hottest detector, a sweet GPS, the best digging tools, and do the most-thorough research, but if you are freezing cold or drippy hot, or your feet are wet and hurting, then you may miss that one last swing over the find of a lifetime.

I have a pair of LaCrosse Burly boots that I love in the Fall and Spring. They are so comfy and warm! Great in wet grass. Alternately, for other times in dry but cool weather I wear a pair of 8" Redwing leather boots. Fit like a glove. Finally, for lawns and parks I like my Keen low hikers. I love the shoes! Such a great sole, and I love the way they have a little extra rubber toecap, which is actually quite nice when you are on your knees a lot. They dont get the typical worn-out look.

These are what I wear, and while I am certainly not as seasoned an MDer as a lot of you, I have had a lifetime of outdoor sporting and wilderness travel. Footwear IS gear, and should be considered as much!

Was also Carpet Bombed by the Oak's All day Yesterday. The Squirrels are loving it.

Haha! I can definitely relate to that! I have a couple aluminum boats turned over outside my shed - under the oaks. I'll be working outside and periodically hear a loud bang!

 

[Davers]

Flip flops

I'm partial to these ...

Obliviously!!
You guys are NOT Serious Relic Hunters!! ' Nose In Air' ...

 

[TheHappyCanadian]

anything not steel-toed as I found out last night

 

[Davers]

ok

Ditto here in LA (lower Alabama). During the 2-3 days temps get below 40 degrees, I might throw on some tennis shoes.

Come-on

From Dothan - Mobile I,m pretty sure you have several nights where the temp gets down
into the 20's per , year.

Do yall have the Big Eastern Diamond Back's Like they do in SE Georgia & Fla?

 

[Davers]

anything not steel-toed as I found out last night

I hear ya..

A couple pair's of the Cleats I wear [ tho not the metal Baseball type] have metal in them somewhere
& with low discrimination set on my machine ( Esp, The Tejon) . They will make the machine tone.

Now I wonder about Metal eyelets .
Davers

 

[Davers]

Good topic, Davers! I think boots and clothing are gear also. Look at it this way: You can have the hottest detector, a sweet GPS, the best digging tools, and do the most-thorough research, but if you are freezing cold or drippy hot, or your feet are wet and hurting, then you may miss that one last swing over the find of a lifetime.

I have a pair of LaCrosse Burly boots that I love in the Fall and Spring. They are so comfy and warm! Great in wet grass. Alternately, for other times in dry but cool weather I wear a pair of 8" Redwing leather boots. Fit like a glove. Finally, for lawns and parks I like my Keen low hikers. I love the shoes! Such a great sole, and I love the way they have a little extra rubber toecap, which is actually quite nice when you are on your knees a lot. They dont get the typical worn-out look.

These are what I wear, and while I am certainly not as seasoned an MDer as a lot of you, I have had a lifetime of outdoor sporting and wilderness travel. Footwear IS gear, and should be considered as much!



Haha! I can definitely relate to that! I have a couple aluminum boats turned over outside my shed - under the oaks. I'll be working outside and periodically hear a loud bang!

Thanks For the interest & great post higgy.

Footwear is Def, gear IMO also ,Heck I was wondering if I should post this under "Tools"
but figured i'd get more reply's here.

Being Featured on " lifestyles of the Po & Broke"

A high end pair of Shoes or Boots Will be a Good investment.

Just looking the other day I amazed at the Diff, styles & Price Ranges

I,m Really rough on footwear , So I usually get my shoes From my Dad ( who gets a new pair every other month, if needed or not) or used but for Boots I want a new pair So they can conform to my foot overtime..
I have lots of wants & many needs ; this boot thing is becoming a need a I get Old.

Davers

 

[BVI Hunter]

Flip flops

Me too! :laughing7
Although I STILL have problems holding my Margarita while swinging the coil.....

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

I wear boots in areas that might have snakes, or if its wet, or muddy. But most times, Im just rocking some New Balance, since Im on my feet all the time. The boots are great. But I noticed if Im hunting on hillsides or slopes, they tend to start hurting after awhile...I tried the flip flop thing before in the summer...it was No bueno's

 

[DonDigger]

No flip-flops as I can't stand anything between my toes, but for (dry) summer hunting, even in the woods, I like to wear good sandals, cool and comfortable but securely strapped on. Since we do have rattlers and moccasins around here I wear boots when in the more marshy areas to stay drier and safer. Don't have enough hills locally to worry about cleats.

 

[prolab69]

when i buy new sneakers, my old ones still get the most use.

 

[wainzoid]

Its probably been 15 yrs since I have worn anything other than Merrell shoes or Rocky boots. And they all have been Gortex or Dri-plus.