Silent Stalker Boots

Soft-soled stalker-style boots are my first choice for bowhunting, where moving close to wary game requires super stealth. Stealth means zero noise and zero detection. Some serious hunters even choose to wear running shoes, although I can’t recommend this in the backcountry.

The specific boots I wear are called “silent stalk sneakers” and were sold by Cabala’s, but have been discontinued. I’m looking at other brands now, but whatever I choose, they must meet my highest criteria for stealth:  Lightweight and soft-soled.

Stalker-style boots are much lighter than traditional hunting boots. My stalker boots weigh 1.5lbs each, while my fancy insulated boots come in at 2.25lbs–that’s a 66% difference! Nothing wears you out faster than heavy boots. As they say, “One pound of weight on the foot is equal to 10 pounds on the back.” This is especially true for backcountry hunting, or snow hunting.

Stalker boots also feature a thin, soft rubber or neoprene sole which allows you to feel every twig under foot. Hard rubber or Vibram soles are just too noisy for close quarters hunting.

For years I had two boot options: A pair of heavy, high-top insulated boots for winter and a pair of uninsulated stalker boots for the early season. Eventually I stopped wearing insulated boots altogether because they were just too heavy, especially when pushing through snow. They were also too hot, even in freezing conditions. Of course hiking the steep Wasatch Mountains is different than sitting ambush in a cold tree stand, so it really depends on your style of hunting. For  active hunting, uninsulated works best for me in all weather.

Stalker-style boots do come with some drawbacks. First, because the soles are so soft, they can be hard on your feet when hiking in rough or rocky country. This can be solved by adding a thicker insole, or even an extra set of lightweight insoles. Second, because they are uninsulated, your feet can get cold. For this I simply wear two pairs of wool socks, or in wet weather I’ll carry an extra pair of wool socks in my pack. And third, stalker boots have a shallow tread pattern that relies on soft rubber for traction rather than aggressive tread. This amounts to more slipping around in the snow and mud. To counter this, I’ll simply strap on a lightweight pair of ice cleats. Ice cleats provide excellent traction in ice and snow.

Lastly, no matter what boot I wear, I always go with a high-top boot for maximum ankle support, especially in the backcountry. Hunting boots generally range between 6 and 10 inches. Shorter boots are a little lighter, but you’ll be more susceptible to ankle injuries. My 10-inch boots have saved my ankles from serious injury innumerable times. But again, it really comes down to personal preference and your style of hunting.