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MSRP: $469

»Schnees.com

SCHNEE’S BEARTOOTH 0g

Tester: Tom Carpenter, PF Editor

This is one bad-ass boot. For the price, it should be. And is. The Beartooth is stiff but that’s by design: it will be hard to roll an ankle. Think mid- to late-season hunting, and rougher conditions (steep, rocks, wet, snowy, pretty cold too) for this boot. Other conditions will be easily conquered. They are warm. They are waterproof (there’s a membrane plus a rubber rim at the base) … you’ll stay dry unless you go in over the top. My dad would have said, “they are built like a brick s***house.” These things will last you a decade, maybe a lifetime. That may make the price worth it to you. They are surprisingly light. I have the weirdest feet in the world, and the boots started to break in nice after only a couple jaunts. The padding on the tongue, along the eyelets and around the collar makes them comfy as heck.

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MSRP: $559

»Gokeyusa.com

GOKEY HIGH PRAIRIE

Tester: Logan Hinners, PF & QF Graphic Design Manager

Classic boots handmade in the USA, using natural cow hides (imperfections make these boots unique), the Gokey High Prairie boots are good-looking and comfortable right out of the box. The craftsmanship and their high-grade materials make these time-tested moccasin-style boots soft, flexible, water resistant and easy to maintain. One disadvantage I’ve found with soft leather boot I the lacking ankle support for the more rugged and rocky terrains I occasionally hunt. With the combination of brass eyelets and brass speed hooks for lacing, Gokey has found a nice balance of both adjustability and convenience. These will be my new go to upland boots for the early to mid-Season when the weather is a little milder. In the end, no other company can claim 170 years of unmatched leather craftsmanship, and I expect to be using these classy boots for years to come.

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MSRP: $239

»Irishsetterboots.com

IRISH SETTER PINNACLE

Tester: Andy Fondrick, PF & QF Digital Marketing Coordinator

If you desire the Swiss Army Knife of hunting boots, Irish Setter’s Pinnacle boot could be what you’re searching for. They fit and feel like a more traditional hiking boot for warmer weather use, but the added insulation and waterproof material makes it a viable mid-season option that could be used in cold, wet hunting conditions. It’s a bit pricier than the tried-and-true Wingshooter, but the added features combined with the quality build and comfortable feel make it worth the investment. The Earth Field camouflage pattern may not be for everyone, but it gives this boot a unique look compared to your traditional leather hunting boot and translates well to other pursuits.

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MSRP: $260

»Crispius.com

CRISPI ATTIVA MID GTX

Tester: Luc Ramthun, PF & QF Corporate Partnership Representative

Two words: featherweight and tough. The Crispi Attiva Mid GTX is a very breathable, lightweight boot that is perfect for early season hunts or desert quail missions. They also cross over as your favorite summer hiking boot. I hiked these hard in over 100-degree temperatures with a light pair of socks and my feet were comfortable. The breath ability really stands out here! What makes these Italian-made technical hunting boots different is the weight on your foot and the durability of the product. A lower end shotgun may do the same job as a high-end Italian gun, but it’s not the same with boots. You will feel the difference after a long day’s hunt and will notice the difference in how they wear and last over the years. As a side note, if you primarily hunt the Midwest, I’d also recommend the Crispi Valdres as an all-around option that will also cross over to hunting trips out west.

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MSRP: $214.99

»Irishsetterboots.com

IRISH SETTER WINGSHOOTER

Tester: Andrew Vavra, PF & QF Director of Marketing

Since the 1950s, no style of boot has been more identifiable with upland hunters than the Irish Setter Wingshooter. Equally fashionable around town as they are functional in the field, this is one of the few boots you can comfortably and confidently wear in any setting. I’ve personally put more miles on my Wingshooters than any other type of footwear — period. That said, they certainly have their sweet spot and a few limitations. Depending on the insulation and ankle height, these boots will kick up birds from early through late season, but the sought after off-white Goodyear Welt sole does leave a little bit to be desired when it comes to traction in the snow and ice, which will result in some shuffle-stepping through the frozen marshes. Personally, I think that’s a small price to pay to look and feel as good as you do in a pair of classic Wingshooters.

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MSRP: $89.99

»Sportsmansguide.com

GUIDE GEAR FIELD SERIES UPLANDER

Tester: Casey Sill, PF & QF Public Relations Specialist

The Guide Gear Men’s Field Series Uplander Waterproof Hunting Boots feature 100 percent waterproof and breathable material, and the boot lives up to its name in that respect. The waterproofing is excellent, and the boots are lightweight and well suited for long hunts in varied terrain. The boot is comfortable and easy to get on and off. It features a padded tongue and collar, as well as OrthoLite insoles. The fit is just a hair on the large side, though that would allow for thicker socks to be worn during cold weather hunts, since the boots are not insulated. The only downside to the boot is traction. The tread is meager at best and might be an issue among wet rocks or otherwise slippery terrain. Overall the boot is of above average construction and has a solid price point.

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MSRP: $380

»Whitesboots.com

WHITE’S OWYHEE

Tester: Aaron Black-Schmidt, PF & QF Video Production Specialist

White’s has made its name protecting the feet of wildland firefighters, so testing their new hunting line was a no-brainer. The Owyhee is non-insulated and perhaps best suited for the steep terrain familiar to upland hunters out west. It would also be a good fit for the Northwoods. Vibram™ outersoles and PU injected midsoles create a flexible grip on all kinds of surfaces. A wide rubber band circles the entire boot, adding to the waterproofing also found in the six-inch breathable leather upper. What really impressed me was the comfort. A fast 3-mile hike right out of the gate didn’t produce a single blister or hot-spot. The footbed is almost squishy and the inner fabric was supple, yet still providing plenty of ankle support. An ideal choice for a hunter tackling different types of terrain and wanting a short break-in period. White’s Boots do run slightly large, and their hunting lineup also features a taller, insulated boot as well as a lighter hiker model.

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MSRP: $459

»Schnees.com

SCHNEE’S TIMBERLINE

Tester: Andrew Vavra, PF & QF Director of Marketing

Although billed as an early season option, I think the Schnee’s Timberline boots could easily succeed from September in the Sandhills through December in the Northwoods. My first impression was they would need an extraordinary amount of break-in time due to the perceived stiffness, but this proved false. On top of the overall incredible comfort and ankle support these boots provide, two things stood out most. First, the ultra-aggressive lugs found on the Vibram™ outsoles can tackle any terrain you can throw at them while not picking up debris or carrying muck along for the ride. Second, the full rubber wrap protecting the bottom of the boot provides unmatched durability and instills confidence that these boots will last well beyond the typical season or two of slicing through prairie grass and cattails while watching your traditional “moc toe” style boot unravel at the seams. Make no mistake, these are not your traditional upland boots when it comes to both aesthetics and feel — but if you’re looking for a packhorse that can take you from the mountains to the prairies, you’d be hard pressed to find a better do-it-all solution.

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MSRP: $189.99

»Irishsetterboots.com

IRISH SETTER WOMEN’S VAPRTREK

Tester: Rachel Hoveland, PF & QF Web Developer

A comfortable, super lightweight option when looking for a waterproof, active upland boot. The fit is very supportive and snug. I would recommend sizing up if you have a wide foot or plan to wear thicker socks. The boots are impressively lightweight, especially for how much support they provide. The tread on the boots is aggressive and allows for hiking through obstacles and rough terrain with ease. I especially liked how the tread goes up high on the toes and sides of the boot, allowing for great grip when treading uneven surfaces. The boots are insulated with 400g of Primaloft insulation that was still impressively breathable. The insulation should be perfect to stay warm hiking on a cool morning without getting too hot when the afternoon warms up. Perfect insulation for an active boot, but definitely not insulated enough for standing still on very cold mornings. Waterproof enough to hike through ankle-deep water with no issue.

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MSRP: $260

»Scheels.com

DANNER PRONGHORN

Tester: Hunter Buth, PF & QF Graphic Designer

The Danner Pronghorn 400g boots felt great right out of the box. The first thing I noticed was the tasteful yet functional camo pattern, the undeniably high-quality materials used throughout, and the aggressive outsole. Simply put, these boots feel solid and the amount of ankle support they provide is incredible. In fact, I would equate these to a worn in snowboard boot. I strongly believe it would be difficult to sustain an ankle or foot injury in these boots. As far as thermal properties are concerned, the 400g of insulation is center of the bullseye for being adaptable and functional all year long, and the camo pattern is begging you to go sit in the turkey woods or climb up a tree stand when not following a good bird dog.

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MSRP: $214.99

»Scheels.com

LACROSSE ALPHABURLY PRO

Tester: Andy Fondrick, PF & QF Digital Marketing Coordinator

The Lacrosse Alphaburly Pro 18 rubber boot is a great early-season option for anyone looking for a knee-high boot. It has no problem competing in the higher end of the rubber boot family with excellent durability and tread, all without sacrificing comfort. While it isn’t an insulated boot and wouldn’t be the first option for late-season hunts, the quality of the neoprene material still allows for some colder weather usage and should be a versatile boot whether you are hitting the wet edge of a cattail slough or doing yard work in the summer. Even though this isn’t the cheapest option you will find, it’s not far off in price from some of its competitors. Plus the adjustable rear gusset makes for an easy on/off, plus a snug acomfortable fit and that really makes this model stand out from the crowd.