Irish Setter Hunting Boots
Posted 2017-10-31T05:02:00Z
Realtree Footwear for Your Next Hunt
Fall turkey hunters cover a lot of ground trying to find autumn flocks. To do that, you need serious foot support from your hunting boots.
Truth is, I'm a boot hoarder. I keep them for years and years, even as soles wear down and seams pop. Laces fray and I replace them. As a multi-situation, traveling turkey hunter, and one who truly overdoes the "failure to prepare is preparing to fail" bit, I've got old boots stashed in the truck. I patch 18-inch rubber boots, chest waders and do my best to never throw them away too soon. But yeah . . .
I really love getting a new pair or two every season.
This fall I'm turkey hunting with several boots included in this photo essay. But these models aren't just for walking long and far for autumn birds; these options are great for deer hunting. And small game. And predator hunting. Shooting sports. Lace 'em up when field hunting waterfowl too. Wear them for whatever you do outdoors, even fishing, hiking and camping.
So please take a look at this click-through blog gallery and see if any of these Irish Setter hunting boots are right for you.
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Editor's note: This blog post was first published Oct. 8, 2016.
I killed a nice Maine fall gobbler this past week wearing the Irish Setter® VaprTrek boots, so currently this pair is my lucky favorite.
My honest takeway: Comfort from the first wear, with literally no "break-in period" required. Durable so far this season (I hunt most days, except Sunday), and with solid ankle protection. And here's the kicker, the "waterproofing" claimed in promotional literature holds true.
Style 822, the pair I'm wearing a lot these days, is a 9-inch boot with 800 grams of PrimaLoft® insulation in Realtree Xtra® camouflage. MSRP: $189.99.
Boot Details:
Irish Setter® VaprTrek boots with RPM™ technology are extremely lightweight and hunt-ready. The existing 8-inch VaprTrek hunting boots, which are 40 percent lighter than traditional Irish Setter big game hunting boots without sacrificing support or stability, have become a favorite. Irish Setter has extended this incredible technology to all-season hiker heights and late-season styles.
Irish Setter VaprTrek LS boots with RPM technology are exceptionally lightweight and built for late-season hunting. VaprTrek LS boots offer 600, 800 or 1200 grams of Primaloft® insulation. The outsole featuring RPM composite material and rubber pods provides superior traction on snow, ice and uneven terrain. Rubber lugs are added to key areas of the outsole to increase traction during heel strike and push off. VaprTrek LS boots include StableStep – an Irish Setter exclusive technology which cups the heel and arch area for added underfoot stability and support. A ¾ length shank also enhances stability. Armatec™ heel and toe protection guards against ground hazards.
A lightweight, breathable upper consisting of 300 denier Honeycomb Ripstop fabric includes a memory foam collar which forms to fit the ankle for comfortable stability in the boot shaft. The Cushin‚Ñ¢ Comfort Tongue offers long-lasting comfort in the shin area. Underfoot comfort is enhanced with a removable, anatomically correct polyurethane and high-rebound foam footbed with a ScentBan‚Ñ¢ odor-inhibiting top cover. And a ScentBan lining delivers scent control through a process that kills odor-causing bacteria. Irish Setter VaprTrek hunting boots incorporate UltraDry‚Ñ¢ waterproofing so feet stay dry and boots stay breathable. A hidden lacing system minimizes debris in the laces and provides a handsome aesthetic.
Okay, sure, the name of the boot implies "rut" as in whitetails, and that's sure enough cool with many of you. What's apparent right away is this sure isn't your great-grandfather's hunting boot of his younger days. It smacks of serious quality, and is as sturdy as a Chevy truck.
The support is ridiculously comfortable. Full disclosure: I truly love these boots, but, in my humble opinion, the Irish Setter® RutMaster 2.0 boots will likely wear better for short walks to your blind (or treestand) rather than covering a lot of ground on foot (though I've done that with this pair, too).
This fall, I'm hunting with style No. 4881 in Realtree® Xtra camouflage. It's got 800 grams of PrimaLoft® insulation for crisper pre-dawn walks to your hunting location. Though it's been a fairly mild October here in northern New England, with just a few early mornings in the high-30s, that snow is bound to come at some point. MSRP: $169.99.
Boot Details:
Irish Setter has engineered a new generation of the RutMaster™ knee boot. RutMaster 2.0 hunting boots are waterproof and scent-free, providing excellent traction, superior fit, and easy on/off convenience. The RutMaster 2.0 features lighter weight (3.5mm) neoprene, ScentBan™ technology, RPM™ outsole and ExoFlex® technology.
RutMaster 2.0 boots feature a patent-pending ExoFlex panel that extends from the top of the boot down to the ankle for a snug, comfortable fit. An adjustable side gusset provides additional fit control. The Mud Claw RPM II Sole lightens the boot for all-day comfort without sacrificing comfort or durability. An aggressive lug pattern creates superb stability and traction on the toughest terrain and is designed to release mud and dirt. RutMaster 2.0 incorporates a convenient heel kick plate, integrated pull-on handle and a removable polyurethane footbed.
"We keep refining and improving our knee boot collection. This new design with ExoFlex™ technology is our best yet," said Charley Bryant, Irish Setter Line Manager for Red Wing Shoe Company. "Our field testers absolutely love these boots." [True that. – S.H.]
Stephanie Mallory, longtime Realtree PR coordinator, Realtree.com contributor and of Realblog fame, might want to put these on her wish list.
Or maybe you're reading this as a woman who hunts. Or maybe you're married to one, have a daughter or sister who hunts, and would like a cool pair of boots for them.
Boot Details:
Please click through to the first pair of boots reviewed in this post for the information you need.
Style No. 2862, pictured here, is an 8-inch boot in Realtree Xtra® camouflage. MSRP: $149.99.
Yes, for sure, the pink on women's apparel and hunting gear is sometimes the subject of social media debate among women and men alike. But you know how that territory can be at times. To me, it's all good.
Do you winter hunters want a cold-weather boot?
Check it out.
Boot Details:
Irish Setter Gunflint II Big Game hunting boots offer late-season warmth, traction, comfort and performance.
Gunflint boots are built with Thinsulate® Ultra insulation, Goodyear welt construction and UltraDry™ waterproofing. The rugged Bulls-Eye® Air Bob Carbon Rubber sole features an aggressive lug pattern that provides more contact points with the ground for greater stability and traction on uneven terrain. EVA midsoles provide all-day comfort and cushion against shock. Sturdy steel shanks deliver additional under-foot support. Camo nylon and full grain waterproof leather uppers enhance durability and weather resistance.
Style No. 2811, shown here, is available in Realtree Xtra® camo and with 400 grams of Thinsulate® Ultra insulation. MSRP: $139.99.
Yep, this is a turkey blog, written by a two-season turkey hunter. And you're looking for tips and tactics for fall turkey season.
Well, I can definitely see you hardcore fall flock and run-and-gun spring gobbler hunters slipping a pair of these on, especially to cover a lot of ground. In places like Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and even California where I've hunted wild turkeys, that's a reality. You walk. And you walk some more. And it's rugged and real and great.
Despite the "Elk Tracker" name, this boot will work for all hunters, especially when walking long and far.
Boot Details:
Irish Setter has developed lighter versions of its award-winning Elk Tracker boots to provide another option for hardcore hunters. To reduce weight, new Elk Tracker boot uppers feature abrasion-resistant nylon along with full-grain waterproof leathers.
All Irish Setter Elk Trackers combine a variety of features which contribute to their comfort and durability. Genuine leather welt construction provides some flexibility with enough rigidity and torsion control for stability on uneven terrain. And the cushioning of the removable Comfort Cork EVA Footbed with Memory Foam and ScentBan™ Odor Inhibitor comes standard on all models. Locking lace hooks help tighten boots for a secure fit. Primaloft® Insulation provides warmth in cold environments. The aggressive Bulls-Eye® Air Bob aggressive sole offers superb stability and traction on the toughest terrain. The dual-density sole provides maximum underfoot cushion. Leather/fabric versions feature UltraDry™ waterproofing to keep feet dry. All leather upper versions feature a Gore-Tex® membrane which blocks moisture from the outside, while allowing moisture inside to evaporate.
Style No. 885 is a 10-inch boot with 400 grams of Primaloft® Insulation, UltraDry™, Leather and Realtree Xtra® upper. MSRP: $219.99.
