Midway has Rocky boots on sale

[bigbossman]

These - Rocky Adaptagrip 8" Waterproof Uninsulated:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2431109266/rocky-adaptagrip-8-waterproof-uninsulated-hunting-boots-leather-brown-and-realtree-xtra-green-mens?cm_vc=ProductFinding

At about $70, looks like almost half off and a decent deal. I need a pair of uninsulated high-tops, and these look like they would fit the bill. My regular boots have Thinsulate insulation - great for winter, not so good for summer.

I cannot find any on-line reviews, though. does anyone have experience with Rocky boots in general or these in particular?

[BadMatt]

How cold can the uninsulated handle?

[MJB]

All I can say is you get what you pay for......

[Bowhunter_619]

I don't have those specifically but I have had great luck with Rocky Boots. Been wearing them for a long time and I have logged a lot of miles and they have done my feet well. Looks like a good deal, those boots are normally around 119.

[bigbossman]

How cold can the uninsulated handle?

Not much, I hope. I'm looking for a summer boot, so I'm hoping these will be fit the bill.

All I can say is you get what you pay for......

Maybe. I'll let you know, if there is any interest. I got a lot of mileage out of my 1st pair of Rocky boots, and the insulated Wolverines I have now have been giving good service. Both pair cost about as much as these do when not on sale. A few year back I picked up a pair of Keen low-top hikers for about $70, and have been beating the hell out of them ever since.

Anyway - I bought a pair. If they're comfortable, reasonably light, and last 3 or so years I'll be happy.

[Bull Elk]

One of the first things I learned hunting out of state in the month of November.......don't scrimp on boots! You will pay heavily for doing do. I know Bigbossman is speaking about summer boots, and these offered through Midway might fit his needs, but for all of you that will be heading for an out of state hunt later this fall, PLEASE make sure to buy good quality boot and get those that have thinsulate or good insulation. If you don't, and you do any stand hunting at all, you will have a heavy price for cutting costs where you should not do so.

[bigbossman]

One of the first things I learned hunting out of state in the month of November.......don't scrimp on boots!

Very good advice, of course.

The Wolverines I use regularly for hunting pigs are a case in point. I didn't buy them based on price, I bought them based on whether they fit my requirements. IIRC, they cost me about $160 or so about 3 years ago.

Fist and foremost is comfort and being waterproof. Right up next to that is boot construction (which is part of the comfort criteria) - I'm on the heavy side, and between that and the terrain I cover my boots get the crap beat out of them and only last 4 years or so anyway. In my youth I bought cheaper house-brand or off-brand boots, and they've always broken down on me within a year of any serious use......sometimes a lot sooner. Good for street-wear but that's about it..... and who needs boots just for street wear?

I also prefer some (but not a lot) of Thinsulate, as winter hunts can see temps in the 20's and sometimes teens in CA (I don't hunt anywhere else). Cold feet will take the joy out of everything, and Bull Elk is right on target with the "stand hunting" insight. If you sit still for even 10 minutes in cold weather and your boots (AND socks) are not up to snuff, your suffering will be legendary.

That being said - the boots that Midway is selling are a brand name that I used once and was satisfied with. Maybe they've changed, maybe they're cheap Chinese crap and I will have wasted my money. If they were "Red Head" brand, I would have passed...... but maybe they came out of the same factory? Dunno.

I'm hoping that they will be good boots for rabbits and quail and such, during the summer when I'm not killing myself in steep, brush choked ravines or scrambling up rocky ridges. The low-top Keen hikers I'm using now are light, waterproof, and well constructed, but are not keeping twigs and burrs from getting in my boots. The Wolverine's are up to the task, but way too hot in 100 degree temps.

In any case, we'll see.

[NapalmCheese]

How cold can the uninsulated handle?

My mountaineering boots are lightly insulated (200 gram primaloft) and I wear thin socks under them. My feet will start to get cold if I'm standing in the snow, but if I'm moving or stand on an insulated pad they are fine.

The boots I've used in WY on hunting trips are Tevas, 100% uninsulated, and very light. If it weren't for cactus getting through them I'd probably bring them again this year (who am I kidding, I'm cheap enough I'll probably bring them anyway). I wear heavy mountaineering socks under them and don't have a problem with cold feet.

Your boots and socks work as a system. Light boots with light socks are great when it's hot. Light boots with heavy socks will work in cool-cold temperutures. Heavy boots with light socks will work in cool-cold temperatures. Heavy boots with heavy socks and an overboot (or one that's built in) are what you need when it's really cold.

Other contributing factors to how warm a boot feels are the fit, your circulation, how you lace them and how tight you lace them. Also the material can have some effect, if they are DWR treated on the outside such that water beads up and rolls off they will stay warmer than if that water continues to sit on the boot or soaks into the outer material (to be blocked by the waterproof breathable membrane).

[Bull Elk]

I'm kind of a boot nut. I have a number of boots for all uses. I use my uninsulated, but waterproof boots in the bird fields. I have Rocky's with 400, 800 and 1200 grams of Thinsulate. The year I didn't have the 1200 grams of Thinsulate I had real problems sitting in the stand for 10-12 hours. I was shoving hand warmers in my boots. Of course, since I bought the boots with 1200 grams of Thinsulate I've not needed them. 75% of the time when hunting in Colorado the 3rd or 4th seasons (November), I'm wearing boots with 400 grams of Thinsulate.............but, I always have my other boots. Too much planning and cost go into this once a year hunt to have it become miserable due to your feet getting cold. I'll check out the boots Bigbossman has mentioned that are on sale at Midway as its about time to replace those that I have that are uninsulated.