Damn hunting boots!

Toss them!
Get Kenetreks!

I love my Pronghorns.  Bought my first pair 2 years ago before elk season and didn't even break them in.  I just laced them up and started hunting.  My feet are like leather from running though so that may have helped.  They are still going good, not sure but it sounds like you ran into some bad luck. 

I've had my pronghorns for 3 years now.  Just ordered another pair of pronghorn classics from Cabelas last week.  I myself am not pleased with the new style either.

My old one were great but the new are not!  I still have my old ones for back up but if it's wet my feet will be soaked.

Make sure you wear a quality pair of wool socks and it'll likely solve your issue. I have had a terrible problem with my heels blistering over the years and have been through multiple brands of boots. In the end I am using the pronghorns (with the toe and heal cap) and a good pair of scheels wool socks and it has basically ended my blistering problems. I grabbed the wrong pair for pheasant opener and blistered the crap out of both feet even with the big bandaids in place this year. Switched socks for the next weekend and problem solved. Keep in mind those socks are probably $10 for one pair.

I know your pain I went about three years before I figured this out. I think it was in 06' I had blisters on both heals that were the size of a silver dollar! I tried moleskin, bandaids, vasoline, lots of different boots, different breakin techniques (filling with water and such) and for me the wool socks ended up being the ticket! At worst you'll only be out $10-$20, I think it would be worth a try.

I cannot support the pronghorns.  At least the ones I had about five years ago.  I went with the Oregon made GTX I think (not sure...called elk hunters by Cabelas).  They are okay.  My next purchase will be Kennetrek.

And yes, I am going to get some light weight wool socks.  Dumb.  See, horsager was right...again!  Ha ha.

 I have a pair of pronghorns I bought 3 years ago, and I have walked them out.  The seams have popped where my feet flex at the joints on both boots.  Regardless of the fact that they are wore out my heels have always blistered from them if I do not wear a good sock.  My sock of choice is smartwool, I have never developed a blister while wearing a smartwool sock.

When it comes to socks you'll be hard pressed to beat synthetic blends whether you're running, walking, hunting, working, bolting from zombies...ect.  and yes I also own wool.  I literally have 3 drawers full of socks (and you thought I was kidding with my sock drawer sorting comments) 

Will not buy another pair of Danners. Have the Pronghorns and a pair of Frontiers and both are far from waterproof, and I put wax on them twice a year.  Will admit they make a VERY comfortable boot, but if you have to walk around water so your feet don't get wet they aren't worth it.  Next pair will be Kenetrek's. 

I have always bought my hunting boots from Red Wing ever since they came out with the waterproof hunting boots .  A number of years ago they carried a brand called VASQUE , they were absolutely amazing , you could walk from sunrise to sunset and never have to worry about blisters , aching feet etc .

Well they finally wore out so i bought another pair of Red Wings cause Vasque didnt make hunting boots anymore , They ended up being the most uncomfortable hunting boots I have ever owned .

I hear a lot of good comments on the american made Danners , but may have to try the Kenetreks

Most people won't have problems in our flat country but my new found love for the badlands and the western state have proven to me how valuable good boots are.  My Wyoming trip would have been very bad if I had not been very strong mentally.  Both my friends could not believe I was still going every day after they seen my feet after the first two days.

Pheasant 54 Said:
I have always bought my hunting boots from Red Wing ever since they came out with the waterproof hunting boots .  A number of years ago they carried a brand called VASQUE , they were absolutely amazing , you could walk from sunrise to sunset and never have to worry about blisters , aching feet etc .

Well they finally wore out so i bought another pair of Red Wings cause Vasque didnt make hunting boots anymore , They ended up being the most uncomfortable hunting boots I have ever owned .

I hear a lot of good comments on the american made Danners , but may have to try the Kenetreks

that is key right there. the danners with the american flag sewn on them will not leak or make you sore. pronghorns and their other 150.00 boots are made in china and are junk

 Does anyone else "doublesock" ?  I wear a thin synthetic, wicking sock with a medium weight wool sock outside of it. The synthetic sock slips very friction free in the wool sock. No blisters here.

My pronghorns were comfy from day 1, waterproof though is another story.  They have leaked water like a screen door from day 1 as well.

Thankfully it was a dry hunting season for me and I was able to use my desert boots.  Military style jungle or desert boots are still the most comfortable things on my feet.  Too bad they aren't waterproof!


Those kenetreks I hear so much about, are they a stiff sole or a soft sole?  I prefer a soft soled boot for the badlands, or just hunting in general.