Boots are a very personal gear item. Well, I guess not as personal as underwear. But with boot selection, hunters know immediately when they find the perfect boot for their foot conformation and their hunting style. And when you do find just that right boot, it's an extremely gratifying feeling.
But there's more to it than that. Chances are, if you're like me, you hunt in hot early season, in the moderate mid-season and late in the year when having cold, wet toes can be downright dangerous. So it's usually a mistake to try to settle on one particular hunting boot and say it's the "ultimate solution" for you and simply buy two or three pairs.
Instead, try to find a boot that fits for part of your hunting needs, say from warm early season into the mid-season, then another one or two to meet your feet's needs for later season hunts that take place in snow and ice and bitter cold winds, and perhaps another for hunting in swampy habitat or waterfowling.
With the recent release of Wolverine's new Sightline Hunting Boot, I believe I've found my personal perfect boot for the early to mid-season period. I had a hunch these might be good boots to check out, since I'd worn many of this well-respected company's offerings previously and never been disappointed with any of them. Those, along with Bass Pro's own RedHead brand boots, had been consistently two of my best sources for reliable, rugged footwear.
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| Wolverine Sightline 7" Insulated Waterproof Hunting Boots for Ladies | Wolverine Sightline 7" Insulated Waterproof Hunting Boots for Men |
When I opened the box and began examining them, they met my first test. Simply put, they looked good. They appeared rugged, yet comfortable and every detail was impeccably put together. And for you ladies there's also good news. Wolverine offers two types of Sightline boots made just for you. A short mid-cut hiker, non-insulated boot and a 7 inch higher one with insulation.
This boot is lightweight, at 2 pounds, 2 ounces for the ladies insulated, 2 pounds, 1 ounce for the uninsulated, and 2 pounds, 8 ounces for the men's insulated version. This makes it great for those hunts where you might like to do lots of walking. The light weight means less to carry all day.
The boot has an athletic fit, much like a high quality sneaker, but is much more rugged for the needs of the hunter. It features waterproof leather and diesel mesh uppers along with Wolverine PC Dry Silver waterproof membrane linings.
Insulation is 200 gram Thinsulate Ultra for light weight and warmth. Amazingly, this addition adds only one ounce compared to the uninsulated versions. This is perfect for those chilly mornings on a bow stand or early season gobbler hunts.
Traction is excellent, thanks to a nylon shank and rubber lug outsole that also offers good support for the lower foot. The compression molded CMEVA midsole offered crucial support for the arch during long hikes I took walking up rocky, rugged terrain and cushioned shocks when I lost balanced and slammed my foot down to catch myself.
Removable open-cell polyurethane footbeds also helped the comfort level. I tested the waterproofing with the company's PC Dry Silver membrane linings by wearing them in heavy rains and walking through several shallow creeks. My feet stayed dry in both cases.
In short, if you want a high-quality, lightweight early to mid-fall boot, this is a great choice. Whether it's your own perfect personal choice, only time and experience will answer that.
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