Hunting boots differ from street-wear boots because they are designed to protect your feet from the rigors of hunting and the ravages of the elements. It is not uncommon for your feet to get cold or wet while tracking game. Even spending hours sitting in a tree stand can leave your feet very cold if you do not have the right footwear to keep you warm. Most hunting boots, such as the Irish Setter 2870 VaprTrek boots, are waterproof. Dry feet are happy feet because they also tend to stay warmer and don’t have the chaffing that can be caused by wet socks.

In addition, hunting boots are usually made with a thicker tread. This thick tread accomplishes several different things. For one, it helps keep your feet warm by adding a little more distance between the ground and your feet. The tread also increases safety by giving you a firm grip with each step. Thicker treads usually last a long time so you won’t have to replace your boots as quickly as you might have to with boots that are designed for street use.

Originally The Red Wing Shoe Company, the first set of boots was designed and released in 1950. In 1952, a local Irish Setter dog named “Red Mike of Doxmoe” inspired the founders to have an Irish Setter as a logo. The first full Irish Setter hunting boots were called Style 898 and released in 1956. The company has been creating and selling top-notch hunting boots ever since. Today, the company produces dozens of hunting boot styles for both men and women. The boots are available in ankle to knee height and designed for any type of terrain you may want to hunt on.

Sole: Rubber

Waterproof: Yes

Height: 8 inches

Weight: 19 ounces/boot

The comfort of your feet is important to your overall hunting enjoyment. If footwear doesn’t keep your feet dry and comfortable, you will not want to be out there very long. If the boots you choose are very heavy, you may find your legs getting tired only part way into your hunting trek. With those points in mind, you want to make sure that you have the right boot. That means you might spend a little more for hunting boots than you would for traditional street-wear boots.

The Irish Setter Men's 2870 VaprTrek hunting boot is fairly priced when compared to its competitors. Prices can range based on size and authorized retailer. On Amazon, you can purchase boots in your size from $107.99 to $175.55. The boot pricing falls mid-range for the style as other hunting boots can cost as little as $49.99 or as much as $259.99 depending on boot features.

At the end of the day, you want to make sure you are buying the best hunting boot, but you don’t want to take the time to look through lots of boot descriptions to compare their differences. That’s okay, because we put together this list of some of the top competitors to the Irish Setter Men's 2870 VaprTrek. We looked at what customers were saying about the boots and how well the brand was selling. In addition, we reviewed manufacturer brand reputation and boot durability.

This boot is a number one best seller on Amazon. Customers consistently comment on how the book is comfortable and durable in their reviews. A few comments said that the soles cracked, but it is hard to know if the problem was with a few select boots or with how the boots were used and stored. Storing boots outside where they are exposed to high ranges in temperatures will cause the rubber to break down quicker.

The unique materials making up this boot make it much lighter than most other hunting boots. A few ounces of difference may not seem like a big deal until you spend a whole day trudging through the woods. Then, suddenly, those extra ounces make a huge difference.

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Danner produces another highly-rated boot with their Pronghorn 8-Inch GTX 800G series. This men’s boot features a little more leather than the Irish Setter model, so it runs a little higher in price as well. That said, many reviewers commented that their Danner boots were the best hunting boots they had ever purchased. The GORE-TEX lining is specially formulated to be breathable to keep your feet both warm and dry no matter how long you are out in the wild. This boot also looks stylish, so with a little care, it could be used for more than just hunting.

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Next up is the Rocky Men's 8-Inch Retraction 800G Hunting Boot. You want a hunting boot that will be able to handle any temperature while you are out in the wild. Rocky’s option seems to do well in keeping feet a comfortable temperature. However, it lost some points due to a number of reports of stitching coming apart after a short time period. Some buyers also stated that the waterproofing was inconsistent with the passing of time. These might be isolated incidents, but there were enough comments made to make mention of it in our report.

Carhartt is a leader in the world of outdoor wear, so it was no surprise that their Men's 8-Inch Rugged Flex Hunting Boot would rank well among consumers. The boots rank well for build quality and durability, but there were some negative reviews when it came to comfort. The oiled leather that makes up much of the upper portion of the boot also seems to improve its waterproofing ability. This option had consistent four-star or better reviews from the majority of customers who chose to leave a comment.

It’s not uncommon for buyers to make a pro and con list when trying to decide whether or not to buy a certain product. To help save you time, we put together a pros and cons list for you. This list consists of data that we noted firsthand about the boots and that which was gleaned from online customer reviews and testimonials.

Pros

On the pro side, many customers commented on how comfortable these hunting boots were. It seems to run true to size with excellent arch support that adds to the comfort level. The boots are also priced in the middle of the road in terms of its competitors and other boots on the market. In terms of weight, the brand offers some of the lightest hunting boots available. Several customers commented they weighed about the same as a pair of walking shoes.

Cons

There were not many negative reviews for the 2870 VaprTrek, but the ones that were posted seemed to be consistent. Some of the hunters had problems with the soles cracking especially at the flex point near the ball of the foot. Another complaint that came up several times was that the waterproofing was inconsistent or seemed to stop working after not much time. As stated, though, there were relatively few of these comments and especially so when compared to the abundance of positive comments.

In the end, the best hunting boot is the one that fits well with how and where you hunt. Whether you are scouring a rocky surface or sloshing through wet snow, your boots should keep your feet comfortable and dry at all times. Ideally, you want to try on the boots before purchasing them, but that is not possible if you prefer to make your purchase online. Let’s face it, we often find the best deals and selection online. Fortunately, many online retailers have great return policies so that even if you buy a pair of hunting boots online, you can easily return them if you do not immediately find them comfortable or the right size.

When it comes to the Irish Setter 2870 Vaprtrek hunting boot, there’s a reason why it is a number one selling boot. Both lightweight and comfortable, it is a boot that you will want to wear time and again. It is waterproof meaning you can wear the boots in any type of weather or on any type of ground conditions. Our final verdict is that this is a great set of boots to buy that rates very well among purchasers. With that in mind, we highly recommend the Irish Setter 2870 Vaprtrek hunting boot.