My Pop, ever the dad he didn’t have to be, never missed an opportunity to share nuggets of fatherly, blue-collared wisdom with me. Among many came a piece of advice soon after I joined him at the sheet metal factory: “If you’re going to make a living on your feet, spend money on ’em.” His message was obvious, although I’d find out soon enough how much it sucks when you don’t, or can’t.

I worked the swing shift at the factory with Dad until I graduated high school, and throughout that time, two pair of Redwing boots were routinely parked by the front door. Soon after graduating, I found myself standing on the Corps’ infamous yellow footprints. For the next eight years my boots, erroneously referred to as slick black Cadillacs, were anything but a luxury. By the time I discharged, my feet were a brutally calloused mess, and my knees were worse for the wear.

The next 16 years were a far sight better. I returned to the grit and grime of a factory floor, but stayed true to Pop’s words. I can’t imagine the shape I’d be in had I not invested in my money-makers during that time.

Pop’s words have also proved to be invaluable throughout my outdoor writing career. Terrain and weather can be unforgiving. As ambassadors of our outdoor heritage, you owe it to your customers, as much as I owe it to readers, to share some fatherly advice — let them know how important good, purpose-driven boots are for outdoor pursuits. That said, let’s walk down a short list of great boots sure to meet their outdoor adventure needs.

Danner Pronghorn

Given my own extensive experience with Danner, their boots are a sure-fire shoe-in for this list. My current go-to boots for range time and thermal hog hunting are Danner Full Bores. As an avid precision shooter and hardcore hog hunter trekking across expansive crop fields, even through thick mud, I have done my level best to destroy them, but they still look new. Of course, Danner’s reputation for comfort and reliability wasn’t born overnight — the company has been busy making feet happy since 1932.

More than Danner’s Full Bore boots, the company’s Pronghorn series is among their most popular and, according to Danner, the cornerstone of their hunting lineup. Today, Danner’s fifth generation Pronghorn boots benefit from nearly 20 years of footwear innovation specifically geared towards hunters and are available in four 8-inch models: Realtree Edge in both 800-gram and 1,200-gram PrimaLoft insulation, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country in 800-gram PrimaLoft insulation, and non-insulated brown. Danner also offers a brown, 17-inch, side-zip Pronghorn snake boot boasting full-grain leather, 1000 denier and 360 Snake Guard protection.

All Pronghorn boots are built on an improved, athletic 851 last and feature Danner’s advanced TerraForce Next support, combined internal and external shank, Vibram SPE midsole and breathable yet waterproof Gore-Tex. Honestly, with Danner’s Pronghorn line offering everything from uninsulated and snake boots clear up to 1,200-gram PrimaLoft insulation, there’s something for every customer, for every season.

Irish Setter VaprTrek

As I mentioned earlier, I grew up with my Pop’s Red Wing boots as a regular feature next to our front door. When I was old enough to join him in the factory, there were two pairs by the door. While today’s Red Wing boots benefit from over 110 years of research and development, the boots also spawned the Irish Setter line in 1950, named after the reddish coat of Irish setter hunting dogs. At 64 years into Irish Setter’s legacy, I was introduced to the brand’s VaprTrek boots. Yes, I still own them and wear them often; they are incredibly comfortable and certainly among my favorites, especially in warmer weather.

Five years later, with Irish Setter now at 69 years young, the company’s most popular hunting boot, the VaprTrek, received an upgrade. While my 2014 VaprTrek boots weigh roughly 40 percent less than traditional-styled Irish Setter boots, the 2019 VaprTreks are lighter still, with even more advanced technology.

Irish Setter’s updated VaprTrek Hunting Boots feature Realtree Edge camouflage; UltraDry waterproof protection; uppers with a mix of full-grain leather and lightweight rip-stop fabric with military-grade, fast-drying linings; Cushin Comfort Tongues; ScentBan scent control; ArmaTec XT high-wear protection; EnerG impact comfort; multi-tiered, self-cleaning outsole lugs; and wrap-around insteps for enhanced protection and gripping while climbing and riding. Irish Setter VaprTrek Hunting Boots are available in two models: non-insulated and with 400-gram PrimaLoft insulation.

Kenetrek Mountain Extreme

“It was the toll on my feet that made me want to lay down and die.” These were the words of Jim Winjum on the back end of a 2002 sheep hunt high in the Northwest Territories’ Mackenzie Mountains, and his experience was the catalyst for a new boot brand, Kenetrek, launched in 2005. Who better to design boots for high-country hunters than a high-country hunter? Like many entrepreneurs, Winjum’s boot-making journey began with understanding the lifestyle, desires and needs of others who share his passion for rugged high-country pursuits.

Today, the result of Winjum’s there’s-got-to-be-a-better-way-to-do-it boot design, as well as feedback from end users, is Kenetrek’s 10-inch Mountain Extreme. Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Boots are handmade in Italy and available in two models: uninsulated and with 400-gram Thinsulate. Mountain Extreme features include premium 2.8mm full-grain leather uppers; seamless, single-piece, vamp construction; reinforced double- and triple-stitching; 7mm nylon midsoles; waterproof yet breathable WindTex protection; reinforced rubber sole guards and lightweight K-Talon outsoles for ultra-reliable traction.

LaCrosse Navigator Series

When it comes to hog hunting in ridiculously muddy crop fields or trekking through sloughs to reach my favorite hunting spots, I’ve depended on LaCrosse AlphaBurly Pro boots for the past several years. They’ve never let me down, and like those Danner Full Bores, they seem indestructible — my AlphaBurlys have never leaked and still look great, even after walking miles across downright brutal terrain.

New for 2019, LaCrosse introduced its Navigator series, composed of Atlas and Windrose boot lines — Windrose also includes boots specifically designed for women. Navigator series boots take LaCrosse on a new and exciting path of innovation: combined leather and rubber construction. As a result, the Navigator series promises uncompromising comfort, top-performing foot support and the same peace-of-mind waterproof protection I personally have come to rely upon from LaCrosse boots.

Navigator series Atlas boots are available in four 8-inch models: non-insulated brown, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country 400-grain and 1,200-grain PrimaLoft insulation, and Realtree Edge 800-grain PrimaLoft insulation. Atlas boots also boast shock-absorbing, rubberized EVA midsoles, cushioned polyurethane footbeds, high-profile rubber heel and toe cups for improved protection and support, LaCrosse Grip (LXG) outsole with InfiniTrac lugs and Dry-Core waterproof lining.

Windrose model boots feature NuBuck leather uppers, Dry-Core waterproof lining, rubber Durafit heel cups, rubberized EVA midsoles and Windrose outsoles with multi-directional lugs. Men’s Windrose models include uninsulated brown as well as Mossy Oak Break-Up Country with 600-gram Thinsulate Ultra and Realtree Edge with 1,000-gram Thinsulate Ultra insulation. Women’s 8-inch Windrose boots are offered in Realtree Edge with 600-gram Thinsulate Ultra insulation and non-insulated two-tone brown and midnight blue. If your customers are hunting for affordable boots offering premium comfort, support and durability, they’re sure to like LaCrosse’s Navigator Series.

Muck Arctic Ice Highlander

Few words epitomize generic trademark names like Muck. Regardless of brand, countless outdoor enthusiasts refer to boots designed to prevent water and mud infiltration as “muck” boots — a great problem to have if you’re a marketer for Muck Boots. For retailers, it’s hard to beat offering original Muck Boots for those good folks looking for muck boots. Even better, Muck Boots have a healthy reputation with consumers for comfortable, leak-proof reliability.

For warm, comfortable, 100-percent waterproof performance in extreme cold, Muck Boots offers Arctic Ice Highlander Boots. Arctic Ice Highlanders include elastic Spandera uppers, adjustable calf gussets and 8mm neoprene booties with fleece lining encapsulated by soft rubber. True to its name, the Arctic Ice Highlander also includes an EVA midsole and Vibram Arctic Grip outer sole complete with Icetrek technology for dependable trekking in extreme, icy environments.

Rocky King Snake Boa Fit System Snake Boots

Rocky Boots has been a heavy hitter in the hunting world for a long time; in fact, I wore Rocky snake boots for years and loved them. For the price, they couldn’t be beat. At the time, when snake boots were constructed of seriously rigid Cordura, my Rocky boots were also the most comfortable of any I had found. Today’s snake boots are less rigid and much more comfortable and offer better protection, and Rocky still ranks among the industry’s most popular hunting boots. The King Snake Boa Fit System Waterproof Snake Boot is proof they still belong among the outdoor industry’s top footwear producers.

Rocky’s 16-inch King Snake Boa Fit System Snake Boots feature Vapor Pass waterproof technology, removable Airport comfort-designed insoles, fiberglass shanks, Realtree Edge camo, and high-wall Vibram outsoles that are stitched into the upper for enhanced support and increased durability. RKS’ most striking feature is the Boa Fit lacing system. Simply turn the dial to tighten for a perfect fit. In a world filled with tall, traditionally laced snake boots, your customers are sure to love the speed, ease and precise fit Rocky’s Boa FIT system offers.

Thorogood Veracity GTX

Weinbrenner Shoe Company, producer of Thorogood boots, has been in business since 1892. The company’s stable business for most of its illustrious history has focused on the design and manufacture of “job-fitted” footwear; in fact, in 2014, Weinbrenner Shoe Company introduced their heritage line of boots. Throughout the 20th century and now into the 21st century, Thorogood has been a household name for work and lifestyle boots. The company’s foray into hunting boots as outdoor lifestyle footwear was not new by any stretch; however, their 8-inch Veracity GTX has certainly garnered well-deserved popularity among avid hunters who demand premium comfort, protection from the elements and long-term reliability.

Thorogood’s Veracity GTX Hunting Boots are offered in two models: uninsulated brown and Mossy Oak Break-Up Country with 600-gram Thinsulate insulation. Veracity GTX boots also boast Gore-Tex waterproof protection, Vibram cup TC4-rubber outsoles and removable, military-grade, Comfort 125 polyurethane insoles. Let’s be honest — shoe companies don’t clock 127 years of business and a reputation beyond reproach by producing shoddy boots. When it comes to Thorogood’s reputation and rich history, Veracity GTX Hunting Boots just might sell themselves.