I refuse to wear anything else, make fun of guys that do and have solemnly sworn to never befriend any man that owns anything resembling Jerusalem Cruisers (those are Jesus looking sandals), or Crocs. I took a damn oath folks, and I won't break it. Nevertheless, my terribly hideous feet only know the comfort of two styles of shoes. #1. Ariat cowboy boots. And #2. Danner Pronghorns. But since we're all big outdoor enthusiasts here, let's focus on the latter.
The Danner Pronghorn, in my own self-proclaimed infinite wisdom, is the staple, the pinnacle, the sexiest of all hunting boots. I revere the Pronghorn for its lightweight construction, extreme ruggedness and durability, traction, outstanding comfort, waterproof protection, and little to no break-in time. The Pronghorn has single handedly, kicked the competition straight to the curb and hasn't looked back since its inception nearly two decades ago. Okay, so I'm a wee bit bias, but I hunt hard, have owned plenty of crappy boots that don't, and would fight Cameron Hanes just to defend the magnificent Pronghorns honor. I'm what you might call, "A Pronghorn loyalist".
I was blessed with my first pair of Pronghorns nearly ten years ago and I still wear that exact same pair today. Of course, I own more than one pair now, three to be exact, but I'm on a quest to see how long it takes to wear my first pair of Pronghorns out. They've unwaveringly carried my sorry butt through swampy marshes in 110-degree heat, over high passes in frigid temps, and have repeatedly performed every little task, in-between, from trash duty to mowing lawns, with such poise. I opted for the Pronghorn 8" Realtree Xtra Green because I'm a sucker for camo and I don't particularly like an insulated boot. I'd rather wear a quality sock that better suites my current environment and conditions, rather than buy an insulted boot that's useless to me in anything over 50-degrees Fahrenheit.
The angelic Danner Pronghorn 8" Realtree Xtra Green retails for around $190 bucks, and that's a small price to pay for a boot of this caliber. And here's the deal, summer is the prime time to scout for new boots. Most generally stores will have marked them down for the off-season months and if you buy them now, that'll give the both of you several months to get well acquainted before fall's hunting seasons open backup. Think of it a summer fling for your feet, a budding relationship for your toes that'll build into a beautiful marriage later on. And who knows where your new Pronghorns might take you. Maybe on a DIY elk trip in the San Juan Mountains. Or on a record book whitetail hunt in the heart of Kansas. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, just as long as you're hunting, having fun, and not wearing Crocs. Viva la Pronghorn...
Hugs, Handshakes and Happy Feet.
Trav