I've got a pair of Russell South 40 Birdshooters that haven't been out of the closet in three years. I can't get comfortable in them. I've gone back to -- a better description would be -- I've stuck with my 10" L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoes for decades now as I find them the most comfortable and best suited to my needs.

New boots
 

I went on Cabelas web and ran through all the boots looking over all the comments and they run across the board for likes and dislikes. I tackle tested 2 pair of Danner and came away with the uninsulated Pronghorn which someone has given the nod to. Insulated boots in Texas I don't need and quail hunting in Carlsbad NM is what I bought them for. Cabelas is good about taking trying and returning if don't work for you. Good luck.

The one thing that is clear is that the boots for one type of country is not the best for another. Many well respected members recommending a variety of boots. I would take the advise from members that hunt the same type of environment.
For here in AZ where I mainly hunt. You need solid leather uppers. Light insulation, boots with great arch support and a tough non slip sole. I like boots like Kenetreks that have a rubber toe cap and 1" rubber strip from the soles up along the uppers. Tough country with rocks that cut like a knife, and many types of cactus that penetrate thin leather or canvas boots.
As Chris Dawe can attest from hunting with me last fall, this area is tough on boots.

I have a pair of 'OLD " half worn out Russell boots that have gone back to Russell to be resoled and reconditioned several times. I put them on daily and I love them . One of the best investments that I have made !

Allan

Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards Danner mainly because they're available on Amazon and I have several hundred dollars worth of American Express points. But I may end up buying another pair as well and it sounds like Russel might be the way to go. Maybe a pair for early season hunting and another for late season. My current boots are Gander Mountain brand upland boots. I don't think they even sell them anymore but they took 3 seasons of abuse and just started literally falling apart towards the end of last year.

I forgot to mention-----Russell's "South 40 Birdshooters" with vibram soles

Allan

I also need new pair of leather hunting boots. In the past I have had great service out of bean boots but they to get more uncomfortable as time goes by. Ordered Russell' one time and that did not work. Have heard good things about Danner, may give them a try.

Truer words have never been spoken Phil ,I paid out good money for a pair of Miendle's (spell?) figuring from the pics Phil had sent me the terrain would be similar to what I hunt ,there's nothing up here but rocks ....but pics are deceiving... the rocks in Arizona were like razors ,took the side out of my 400 dollar boot in the first morning !

i do not know why phil but i find that amusing...charlie

I have always wondered, in the Westerns they always show the cowboys with pointed toed boots with heels. They sure were not walking very far in them. Bet they were not using those boots when they traveled by foot very far.