Silent Stalker Boots

Soft-soled stalker-style boots are my first choice for bowhunting, where moving close to wary game requires super stealth. 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 creteria for stealth:  Light and soft.

Stalker-style boots are much lighter than traditional hunting boots. They also have a thin, soft rubber or neoprene soles that allow you to feel every twig under foot. Hard rubber or Vibram soles are just too noisy for close quarters hunting. They’re also too heavy. 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 body.” This is especially true for backcountry hunting, or snow 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.

Stalker-style boots do have 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 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-style boots have a shallow tread pattern that relies on soft rubber for traction rather than aggressive tread pattern. This means 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.

Finally, I always wear a high-top boot for maximum ankle support, especially in the backcountry. Hunting boots generally come in two heights sizes: six or ten inches. Shorter boots might be a little lighter, but you’re more susceptible to ankle injuries. My boots have saved my ankles from serious injury many times. But again it really comes down to personal preference and your style of hunting.