Keith Lusher 06.10.26
Searching boots have turn into one of the private items of substances a hunter can personal, and for good cause. The improper pair can damage a hunt earlier than it even begins. Blisters, moist ft and noisy soles have price various hunters a chicken or a buck. Through the years I’ve gone via my share of trainers searching for the correct mixture of consolation, waterproofing and light-weight efficiency. On my newest turkey season I had the possibility to place the Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939 via its paces.
Take a look at situations
My time with the VaprTrek 3939 got here throughout turkey season throughout blended terrain right here in Louisiana. I used to be searching 40 acres of largely pine with a couple of bogs blended with flat out swamp simply exterior of Covington. The situations ranged from heavy morning dew soaking the grass to muddy stretches after in a single day rain. I coated about 10 miles complete throughout a number of hunts, shifting between setups and overlaying floor searching for birds. The terrain gave me a superb take a look at how these boots deal with consolation, traction and waterproof efficiency in actual searching situations.
First impressions: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
The very first thing I seen after I pulled the VaprTrek 3939 out of the field was how good the camo leather-based seemed. Irish Setter makes use of Trout Brook leather-based handcrafted at their S.B. Foot tannery in Crimson Wing, Minnesota, and you may inform the distinction. It has a top quality appear and feel that units it other than plenty of searching boots on this worth vary.
Once I slid my foot in for the primary time, I used to be truthfully stunned. These boots really feel like a properly broken-in athletic shoe proper out of the field. No stiffness, no pinching, simply comfy. Sizing ran true and I had no points there. Irish Setter’s status for not needing a break-in interval is properly earned, and the VaprTrek 3939 backs it up from day one.
Consolation & match: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
Consolation is the place these boots actually separates themselves. As soon as I used to be out within the discipline overlaying floor via, I finished interested by my boots fully, which is strictly what you need. The midsole has a noticeable spring to it you can really feel with each step, and after an extended morning of overlaying floor, my ft felt more energizing than that they had any proper to.
The tongue can be price mentioning. Taller boots have a method of digging into your shin on lengthy walks, and that will get outdated quick. Irish Setter did one thing a bit totally different with the best way this tongue is padded and it truly works. No strain, no rubbing, no scorching spots anyplace within the boot over the course of a full day.
Traction: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
Slippery situations are a part of turkey searching in Louisiana particularly when crossing over falls timber. It was spring so I handled moist grass within the morning and the occasional lavatory that I needed to cross. The boots stayed dry all the day.
What I favored most is that the lugs lengthen up onto the toe cap, which provides grip if you’re navigating uneven terrain or pushing via underbrush. For the fields and timber the place most turkey searching occurs, the traction on these boots is greater than succesful.
Sturdiness & Supplies: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
The Trout Brook leather-based higher and tight stitching give these boots a well-built really feel all through. The ArmaTec heel safety provides significant abrasion resistance in one of many hardest-wearing areas of any boot, and the development seems to be constant from high to backside.
The one factor price maintaining in thoughts is the outsole. As a result of the VaprTrek is constructed round a light-weight, athletic-style sole, hunters who put severe year-round mileage on their boots may even see tread put on before they might with a heavier conventional searching boot. For a typical searching season’s use it’s not a difficulty, however in the event you’re planning on operating these as an on a regular basis boot on high of searching, simply remember that the light-weight sole compound is a part of the trade-off for that athletic really feel.
Waterproofing & Breathability: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
UltraDry waterproofing earns its title. I walked via heavy morning dew, crossed moist muddy stretches and handled rain-soaked grass throughout a number of hunts, and my ft stayed dry each single time. The moisture administration lining additionally does its job on hotter mornings, maintaining issues from getting scorching and stuffy contained in the boot.
For early turkey season right here in Louisiana when temperatures can swing from a cool morning to a heat afternoon in a rush, the breathability stability on these boots was spectacular for a water-resistant leather-based boot. Simply maintain the boot peak in thoughts in the event you’re crossing any deeper water, as that’s your depth restrict.
Weight & agility: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
At roughly 21 to 22 ounces per boot, the VaprTrek punches properly under its weight class. Shifting quietly between setups is all the pieces in turkey searching, and these boots allowed a pure, quiet stride via pine needles and leaves with out the clunky footfall that may spook birds. Whether or not I used to be slicing throughout an influence line clearing or choosing my method via the woods, the boots by no means slowed me down or known as consideration to my footsteps.
Aesthetics & Model: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
The camo leather-based seems to be nice within the discipline. It’s a clear, purposeful design that appears like high quality gear with out being excessive. Irish Setter affords Mossy Oak and Realtree colorway choices, so there’s one thing to match most hunters’ preferences. The excessive rubber wrap on the only real provides a rugged, aggressive look that matches the boot’s character. These aren’t actually a run-errands boot so overlook about carrying them together with your denims, however within the discipline they give the impression of being sharp and look the half.
Worth for cash: Irish Setter VaprTrek 3939
Searching gear isn’t low cost, and a superb pair of trainers could make or break a season. At $229.99, the VaprTrek 3939 sits in a aggressive vary for high quality searching footwear, and primarily based on what you get, premium leather-based building, confirmed waterproofing, athletic-level consolation and Irish Setter’s heritage behind it, the worth is difficult to argue with. If these boots maintain up via a full searching season the best way my early testing suggests they’ll, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one other pair.
Remaining ideas: Irish Setter VaprTrek 393
After a full turkey season throughout a swampy Louisiana terrain, the VaprTrek 3939 delivered on each entrance. Comfy from day one, genuinely waterproof and light-weight sufficient to maintain you shifting quietly all day lengthy.
For hunters overlaying fields and timber, these boots are a robust possibility at a good worth. If you need a boot that looks like an athletic shoe however performs like severe searching footwear, the VaprTrek 3939 is price a tough look.
