A pair of rugged, sturdy boots needs to be the inspiration of your elk searching journey. However not simply any boots will do. These Irish Setter Elk Tracker XD boots could also be what you’ve been on the lookout for.
by Leon Pantenburg
Disclaimer: Irish Setter equipped the product for this assessment. I don’t work for Pink Wing or Irish Setter boots, there isn’t any ongoing promoting relationship between Irish Setter and Survival Widespread Sense, and no one had any enter on this assessment. I used to be not paid to put in writing this put up, and all I ever promise is a good shake.
If you happen to’re going elk searching this fall, the time to start out preparations is in the course of the early summer season. Take a look at and purchase essential new gear, begin making searching plans, get in form and for those who’re getting new footwear, begin breaking these boots in properly earlier than you get to the trailhead.
Elk searching just isn’t for the faint-hearted, (says the man with quadruple coronary heart bypasses and two synthetic knees!) The exercise usually takes place in distant mountains or desert. The animals vary over large areas, and discovering a herd could take a whole lot of mountaineering, climbing and glassing. The hunter who’s in poor bodily form will quickly remorse that lack of preparation.
After which, elk searching ceases to be enjoyable as quickly because the animal is down. It turns into arduous work, because the carcass is gutted, skinned, quartered and packed out.
High quality footwear is paramount, and that is one space the place you don’t wish to economize. Tips on how to resolve on one of the best boot for elk hunting? Properly, perform some research. Or higher but, speak to a number of skilled elk hunters.
These Irish Setter elk Tracker boots are an amazing selection for that fall western hunt.
These Irish Setter Elk Tracker XD® boots are checking all of the containers for me. I examined the fashion #3980, an eight-inch non-insulated, UltraDry™ with Discipline Camo Desert Leather-based higher boot.
Listed below are the Elk Tracker XD specs:
It was a number of months earlier than searching seasons, so I began subject testing within the Mississippi warmth as quickly because the boots arrived in June. I wore them nightly on my two-mile canine stroll, usually in stifling warmth. It was a beautiful probability to take a look at how scorching the boots would get, and what issues would possibly crop up in extraordinarily heat circumstances.
The Elk Tracker is a good boot for arduous situation searching within the mountains or deserts.
From that first stroll, after I laced up the brand new, stiff boots over my wool socks and took off, the Elk Trackers had been comfy. There have been no scorching spots or chaffing or rubbing, despite the fact that the leather-based was fairly stiff. Now, after some 100 miles, the boots are broken-in, very comfy and able to hit the mountains.
The great things:
Sizes: The boots are available in sizes 8-14 in Common [D] and Huge [EE] widths. Your boots must deal with a whole lot of weight, and your ft will naturally swell. These of us with large ft anyway should begin out with a wide-width boot. Ensure you buy the correct-sized boots!
Lacing: The lacing system is superb. A locking hook row keeps the boot tight throughout lacing and these assist tighten boots for a safe match. A lace-to-toe match permits a tighter match which reduces discomfort brought on by motion throughout the boot, particularly when descending steep terrain.
Sole: A Vibram® rubber outsole options bulls-eye air bobs with a tread sample that releases mud and grime for superior traction. I’ve worn an analogous tread sample for years in my Cabala’s Clothing store boots. I’ve been very proud of how properly the sample works in quite a lot of environments. The twin-density sole offers most underfoot cushion.
The tread sample is self-cleaning and sturdy.
Boot temperature: TempSens® expertise helps regulate the temperature throughout the boot. In scorching circumstances, the system reacts so moisture is hyper-wicked away from the foot, facilitating evaporative cooling. This helps maintain ft cooler, drier and extra comfy. So far as I can inform, this technique works very well. On a number of days, mountaineering in temps within the excessive 90s, my ft by no means obtained uncomfortably scorching. After all, in these circumstances, each a part of me was scorching, and I sweat by my garments and hat.
In colder circumstances, the system additionally pulls moisture from the pores and skin, in line with Irish Setter, however traps it to create a thermal barrier that helps preserve a continuing, comfy temperature contained in the boot. We’ll see how that performs out in cooler climate.
Cushin® consolation tongue: Irish Setter claims the Elk Trackers present consolation within the shin space whereas ScentBan® scent management eliminates odors throughout the boot. My expertise is that the consolation tongue works very well.
Michael Pantenburg wades the Salmon River in Idaho on an Idaho elk hunt. On this case, one of the best elk hunter boots had been waders.
Heavy obligation uppers: Prime quality leather-based boots are a ache to interrupt in. It takes time for thick leather-based to heat up, soften and mildew to your ft. And there aren’t any actual brief cuts. (Listed below are some ideas for breaking in boots.) You simply should put on them.
That mentioned, the Trackers weren’t that dangerous to interrupt in. When breaking in boots (and I break in a whole lot of footwear!) my first selection is taking frequent, brief walks till the boots are comfy. Irish Setter Discipline Camo Desert Leather-based® gives concealment and matches quite a lot of terrain.
Primaloft® Insulation offers heat in chilly environments.
Welt: The welt is an extended strip of leather-based, about one centimeter large, that sits between the higher and the outsole. By adhering the welt first to the higher (by way of a sew to the canvas plyrib on the underside of the insole) after which stitching the welt to the outsole, the shoe is definitely resoleable and nearly waterproof. So long as the higher stays in good condition the shoe might be resoled as many occasions as wanted.
Strong, semi-stiff sole with aggressive tread: I don’t desire a sneaker-like, delicate sole elk searching boot. As talked about, you might find yourself hauling heavy hundreds lengthy distances. You don’t desire a boot the place you are feeling each rock and pebble on the trail. (Do not forget that heavy pack?) The strong sole, mixed with the leather-based uppers, present one of the best insurance coverage towards a twisted or damaged ankle.
Moisture barrier: My expertise is that the liners can’t take away moisture as quick because it accumulates throughout vigorous train. This implies the sneakers retain moisture and forestall it from being launched. This entire waterproof liner side typically neglected when individuals are shopping for sneakers or boots, and it will probably make the distinction between scorching, soggy ft or comfy mountaineering. (Listed below are 5 causes I don’t like waterproof liners in most mountaineering footwear.)
That mentioned, the Irish Setter UltraDry™ waterproof building has not confirmed to be uncomfortable to date, and the boots had been broken-in throughout some actually scorching circumstances. The important thing to using waterproof liners is to dry out the boots at any time when doable. Last judgement on the Elk Tracker liners is withheld till the boots have been worn extra.
There are a whole lot of components that decide how comfy your mountaineering footwear will probably be. Take into account these items if you find yourself purchasing:
So do you want a pair of Elk Trackers?
A backcountry hunter/hiker should have footwear appropriate to the circumstances that they’ll depend on. My expertise to date is that the Elk Tracker boots are strong, dependable performers, and are properly definitely worth the funding. I wouldn’t hesitate to depend on them for an excessive backcountry hunt and you possibly can too!