LaCrosse boots
Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Optics, Gear, Calls, Clothing and Other Accessories
Forum Description: You can't shoot it if you can't see it, sneak up on it or fool it!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=25167
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 17:55
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: LaCrosse boots
Posted By: BEAR
Subject: LaCrosse boots
Date Posted: 17 June 2016 at 07:18
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My e-mail to LaCrosse.
I've been a happy purchaser of LaCrosse boots for many years. About 3 years ago I bought a pair of LaCrosse boots from Gander Mountain, ' Silencer Mobu Brown 800 gr' insulated. This purchase was to get a quality boot for Maine and New Brunswick black bear hunting. I've hunted them 3 seasons, each 6 days long. The right boot is leaking badly. I believe the 'over-molded' bottom is the problem. It appears to be not properly bonded; and is actually channeling water into my boot. I have just returned from New Brunswick (with my bear). With little rain this year, just wet vegetation, my foot was wet enough after only 3 hours (short walk in to my stand) that my wool sock had to be wrung out by hand. The tread is like new and the boots have really not even been broken in. Do you guarantee your boots? ******************************************************** I like the boots, but what good is a nice boot if it has 1/4 inch of water in it? We will see what LaCrosse does for me. |
Replies:
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 17 June 2016 at 07:40
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If only Sheels would have had a 9 wide insulated Kenetrek, my
feet would/might have been dry. Soft, dry Little Italians on your feet. |
Posted By: deaddog
Date Posted: 17 June 2016 at 18:19
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It's been at least ten years since LaCrosse moved from being made in
LaCrosse, WI to China. Needless to say they aren't near the quality. I have a pair made in the mid 1990's and I take better care of them than most of my guns. DD ------------- Endeavor to persevere. |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 17 June 2016 at 19:05
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Bear, I'd be bettin' Gander takes care of you if you had contacted them but then you emailed the factory it sounds like, no telling what will happen there. I had a pair of cowboy boots from them (Gander Mt) years back....wore 'em for nearly 3yrs and the inner lining came out...they replaced them on a pro rated cost with the current version then, which was fair by me. Let us know how you make out. good luck ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 18 June 2016 at 00:29
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To bad nothing is made with the quality of the USA tag!
At MYGAWDS I looked at $500-600 Kenetrek boots; but they are made in Thailand or Italy. Three years ago my new Wolverine boots (china) delaminated at the plastic molding. Wolverine sent me their top of the line boot. Funny thing is I bought these LaCrosse boots to use bear hunting when the Wolverine boots that were my bear boots leaked! Now the LaCrosse boots are also leaking. Maybe it is just a bear hunting thing. |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 18 June 2016 at 02:05
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HUMMM ?
When I bear hunt it's not the boots that start to leak. BUT My composure !!! 
Get some Kennys . My boy and I use them. His will last for a few years the he sends them in to get rebuilt. That's saying something for a boot. There is some place in Wisconsin that makes very custom boot he has tried. They work as well but are $500 a boot and there not water proof, you have to grease them up. AND they won't rebuild them... ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 18 June 2016 at 02:06
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BEAR;
Now you know perfectly well those boots at Scheels were more like $400.00. You can get a pair of White boots, handmade in Spokane Washington, for more money. I know that because I've got a pair that were made for my feet (12AAA). If I had it to do over again, I'd get the Italian Kenetreks. 900F ------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 18 June 2016 at 16:14
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I have a pair of Danner Pronghorns. I have only hunted
in them for 2 seasons, but they are still dry on the inside and they are comfortable. Wing master ------------- I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on. |
Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 19 June 2016 at 18:03
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I ain't in the same class as youse folks but I have a pair of Cabela's boots since 2000 and only wear them for fall hunting..makes them last longer.....very good boot and comfy and still waterproof and warm...1000grams of insulation. They have been in WI, MT & CO hunting over the years. Most likely they were made in China tho. can only dream about those custom made boots.  ------------- Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 20 June 2016 at 01:56
| Danners are made by LaCrosse people...also china. |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 08:29
Want ones that last? Westco. Made in USA, and without a doubt the least comfy to ever own. Just had a set resoled after 20 years of faithful service. They are heavy and stiff, but I challenge any snake or angry beaver to rip through them. My current set is 1000gr insul., and of course Cadillac and mink oil save the socks. Probably a bit more boot then anyone would ever want or need in the field though. They specialize in professional lineman and miners boots....stay away from the logger heals 
------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 10:10
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cool boots JSG. Their web site let me build my boot. with
only insulation and an insert sole, cost was just $592, guess that includes shipping and no tax. Wish they had a wide heel option instead of the cowboy built up high heel. Are they water proof? |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 11:04
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Whoa!!!!! Call them! Stay away from that logger heal! It's the "goto" for anyone who where's pins,but you will wish they were never made if you have to walk or hike in them. Just too much of a good thing with those. They are almost an inch and a half thick and will drive your calves and lower back insane in short order. Probably take some persuading, but they should have the old Vibram heel laying around somewhere. Did I also mention they are heavy and stiff? ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 11:17
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Cadillac or Red Wing boot oil every week til they are broke in, then whatever the manufacture recommends after that to keep them water repellent.....thats if you get the all leather option. When the smoothed out sole finally came loose from the leather, the wife said,"just get another pair of them. You've had them for so long."......then she saw the price tag and rushed to the local boot repair shop and had new soles sewn on......nice soft vibram's.....she's a keeper! ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 11:51
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I think I'm going to pass on them. I like comfort when
hunting. to stiff. Remember my 'break in time" is limited. |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 12:12
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Can always wear them for other things.....fishing, yote's, groundhogs....etc. The thing is, with the quality and craftsmanship there is usually a trade off. Not often you can get a boot that will take a serious amount of abuse that isn't built like it's part steel. Comfortable boots usually are disposable if worn heavy and hard. The quality boots and quality boot manufacturer's are a fading breed. Most want the comfort without the willingness to put the time into breaking in and upkeeping a wellmade pair. I wear mine almost daily so a high quality pair of heavy construction is a good investment. Have you tried looking into Cove boot and shoe? They have an outlet just south of Altoona now. They make boots for the military and Carolinas footwear as well as Iron Age. They are a local made boot source even though they are factory seconds at the outlet. You may be stuck with Chinese boots if you aren't in a position to invest heavily into a good break in. My son swears by Danners these days. They seem comfy enough, but he goes through them 2x a year for his work. ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 15:55
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I'm sure my Danners are made in China, but they are
comfortable and still dry. Wing master ------------- I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on. |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 21 June 2016 at 16:00
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Just looked at their site, and the sole you would want is the vibram 1275 or the track one. Gotta look under custom options, not the build your own section for that. Same goes for how much insul you want added. I worked a set up for myself and quickly hit 800 bucks with the voltfoe's. Steel shank and all the extra leather adds up apparently. Got an email off to them to see if they have a composite shank instead of the steel. Used on Ebay they still bring a couple hundred bucks. After 20 years and lotsa oiling mine are still standing upright at 16 high with no lean. They are a good heavy leather boot. I swear saddles are more forgiving though. If I had to be put in the middle of nowhere and had to rely on one set, they would be the ones on my feet. Just as a heads up, each boot goes in a little over 3 pounds. You will notice the weight if you hoof it alot. A good deer season and 5-10 miles a day, your legs will be screaming. I love concrete days because I get to wear my mucks and sneakers. I average around 8 miles a day in mine according to my I phone app. Feels weird when I don't wear them anymore.
------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: deaddog
Date Posted: 25 June 2016 at 02:45
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Courteney Selous safari boots made in Zimbabwe. They are a bugger
to break in but smoooth sailing after that. Cape buffalo lower and soft Impala toungue and upper. The soles are like truck tire tread. I don't think they make anything insulated though. Mine were about $300 ten years ago. They come with beeswax and polish up to look like new still. Just looked at their website courteneyboot.com they are still $300. DD ------------- Endeavor to persevere. |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 25 June 2016 at 05:37
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Courteney Selous, I sold them my cape buffalo hide (back half).
DD you could be walking in my boots! |
Posted By: deaddog
Date Posted: 25 June 2016 at 06:37
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Strange but true. ------------- Endeavor to persevere. |
Posted By: Goatlocker
Date Posted: 30 June 2016 at 01:04
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Surprised none of you guys have mentioned "Russell" of WI. Very well
made boots and moccasins made to order. Not cheap but highly regarded. ------------- Goatlocker Give me a fast boat for I intend to go in harm's way. |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 30 June 2016 at 21:19
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I contacted Courtoney Boots. After a bit of groveling and begging, they seem to be interested in my boot design. Seems that they aren't a custom boot shop....however, the thought of a US market that has a need for insulated boots would mean a big increase in sales. My thoughts of Thinsulate in a 1400 weight, composite toe with the extra toe overlay kinda struck a note with them. I'll keep you posted on how this progresses. J ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: Goatlocker
Date Posted: 01 July 2016 at 04:01
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Extra toe overlay seems to be popular with the boots designed for use
in Africa. J, have you checked out those very styles that Russell makes? ------------- Goatlocker Give me a fast boat for I intend to go in harm's way. |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 01 July 2016 at 04:33
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I did actually. In business since 1898! I liked the Joof boot concept but it would still need the composite toe,(deadfalls and rocks everywhere here), and something better then the 400gr of Thinsulate that they offer. For the price....the Courtoney is the better deal...even if it's not "Made in the USA". Boot will be pulling double duty for me. Cold weather game hunting and heavily insulated with composite toe for high voltage work in freezers. Think -10*f for 10+ hours at a time. I was even considering another set of Wesco's Volt-toe, but once again 2x the money and I really don't need that much of an expense if I can help it. Mistress needs more money at the moment as well and kinda weighing the options. IronAge used to make a good miners boot at 1000gr.s with the steel shanks and toe but not in composite which is what OSHA requires now for any electrical work. I also go with the glue on toe protector. Extends the life years!....that and lotsa boot oil. J ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: Goatlocker
Date Posted: 01 July 2016 at 13:01
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Long hrs at -10 below makes me think bunny boots are in order. I wore
those in antarctica for long stretches at a time, plenty warm but heavy and cumbersome. ------------- Goatlocker Give me a fast boat for I intend to go in harm's way. |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 02 July 2016 at 04:42
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Yup. or even Muk's. Neither are good for my environment though. Always liked the Muks
------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 01 August 2016 at 06:48
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Settled on 1200 grams of Thinsulate. They said they would give it a whirl as long as I supply the Thinsulate and the toes........ever try to buy just composite toes?.......I think I have a set in my chicken teeth box, now where did I put that?
------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: Goatlocker
Date Posted: 17 August 2016 at 11:27
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Hmm, i imagine any good saddlery shop or shoe repair shop could take
an old pair you might have around and use as a template to cut out some new pieces for the toes from select material. Where though does one buy the thinsulate in that small a batch I wonder. ------------- Goatlocker Give me a fast boat for I intend to go in harm's way. |