I have long been a fan of Cabela’s hunting boots, for the money they are hard to beat.
I wore the 8-inch Axis boot last deer season, for some 60-plus days, and it might be the best one yet. Comfortable the first time I put them on, no break-in time needed. Lightweight enough (2.7 pounds pair) and substantial soles that permit smooth and sure-footed stalking, and great ankle support. This is a great boot for both deer and elk hunting.
The boot uppers are built of nubuck leather with 600-denier nylon. They feature waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX moisture-wicking linings to keep your feet dry and comfortable, and 400 grams Thinsulate insulation. I have found that 400 grams insulation is about perfect for an all-around boot that you’ll wear for both heavy walking and a couple hours of stand-hunting.
Perhaps the best feature of the Axis boot is the soles. Dual-density lugs with ridged perimeter outer lugs provide great traction and soft interior lugs absorb shock. They have rubber toe bumpers for added protection.
Choose one size up from your normal casual shoe size, and the boot should fit you perfectly with a liner sock and thicker wool sock.
The Axis boot is available in Realtree XTRA® or TrueTimber® Kanati. Great value at $140. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by customers at cabelas.com.