Top 3 Hunting Boots: From Kenetrek to Salomon

iSportsman Staff

The season is in full swing across the country, and while average folks are taking their winter jackets out of storage you may be taking your hunting gear down from the shelf as well. If you’ve found that you should have replaced your hunting boots after last season, we have three top recommendations for you. 

L.L. Bean’s Men’s Maine Hunting Shoes

L.L. Bean is the name brand everyone has heard of, and the Maine Hunting Shoe has a history spanning back over 100 years. In 1911, Leon Leonwood Bean returned from a hunting trip with soggy socks and decided to completely revolutionize the outdoor apparel industry. Even though you can now buy a full wardrobe for yourself and your grandmother at L.L. Bean, the Maine Hunting Shoe still stands the test of time as one of the best hunting boots on the market. 

With a moccasin-like flexible sole, leather upper molds for moisture protection, a custom leg fit, and quality-designed soles for improved traction and durability—these boots stand the test of time for hunters nationwide.  

Ralph, who inherited his first pair of Maine Hunting Shoes in 1950, retired his original set for an updated pair in 2021 and said: “The new ones are just as I remember only better! Nice to know some things don’t change.” 

The L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoe will run you $159.00, and you can get them here. 

Salomon’s Quest Rove Gore-Tex Hunting Boots

Salomon debuted their original hiking shoe in 1990, combining the knowledge of Nordic Ski boot-making with evolved footwear design to provide more protection, comfort, grip and stability. The result is a great-fitting shoe for every walker, hiker, backpacker, and hunter. By offering a modern, stylish, and expertly designed hunting boot Salomon is quickly becoming the go-to brand in the United States. 

The Quest Rove GTX has premium suede leather and waterproof GORE-TEX for protection and durability, with strategic reinforcements on the toe and heel to protect your feet from rocks, tree stumps and more. The bottom of the shoe even has Mud Contagrip: This allows for maximum grip on loose, soft, rugged or uneven surfaces thanks to its deep, shar lugs. The high collar also increases stability, especially when you’re lugged down with gear and game!  

The Salomon Quest Rove Gore-Tex Boot will run you $160.00, and you can buy yours here.  

Kenetrek’s Mountain Extreme Non-Insulated Hunting Boots

Kenetrek boots were founded on a passion for sheep hunting and recognizing the need for a good pair of boots that leave you well covered and comfortable—even when you’re strapped down with a heavy pack and rifle, heading up above the tree line for a week of chasing game in rough weather. Kenetrek is the boot brand based on experience, making top-tier boots for outdoorsmen, linesmen, wildland firefighters and more. 

The Mountain Extreme boot can withstand the extremes of Dall sheep hunting in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories—places where you’ll find six inches of packed snow in August. To combat these extreme conditions, the Mountain Extreme offers 10” tall leather uppers made from full grain 2.8mm leather with one-piece construction and now seams or tongue for abrasion resistance and waterproofing. Targeted high-wear areas are double and triple-stitched for long-term use, while 7mm nylon midsoles provide extra support when out in the field. Owners of the Mountain Extreme boot hail it for its comfort and durability, describing it as the toughest boot on the market that you don’t have to break in. 

The Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Non-insulated boots go for $500.00, and you can get yours here. 

Don’t learn the hard way this fall that the right pair of boots means everything while out in the field! 

Also check out the best hiking shoes for your next trek on iSportsmanUSA.