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Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

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Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 10 16, 2018 •  [Post 1]

After years of cheaping out by not buying any insulated boots I decided enough was enough and ordered the Hoffman guide double insulated pac boot. They seem to be running a 35.00 discount that shows up in the cart. I ordered an extra set of 400 gram liners because of that savings. I will report back after late rifle in mid November. I have seen it go down to -20* for several days and it could be a good test. For those unfamiliar with Hoffman they are comprable to the Schnees and Kennetrk pac boots. But all American made and less expensive. The word on these boots is excellent quality.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots

Postby Lefty » 10 16, 2018 •  [Post 2]

Made in Idaho!
The liner s appear to be value priced I hope to wear out a few more boots (pacs) before Im in the ground,..and like the idea of the very high14 inch lace up
I like warm feet!!
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots

Postby Jhg » 10 17, 2018 •  [Post 3]

I was considering buying another pair of Danner Pronghorns in 800 gram. About the same money. But they are not rebuildable. Once worn out you are done. The Hoffmans are also a small company. I like that. I was not going to drop 500.00 on insulated mountain hunting boots either. If I were guiding I would- every day in the back country for months.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots

Postby Lefty » 10 17, 2018 •  [Post 4]

Jhg wrote:I was considering buying another pair of Danner Pronghorns in 800 gram. About the same money. But they are not rebuildable. Once worn out you are done. The Hoffmans are also a small company. I like that. I was not going to drop 500.00 on insulated mountain hunting boots either. If I were guiding I would- every day in the back country for months.


I wore a pair of Danners out,.. bought them at the outlet that was in Portland around 1993,.. I used them exclusively for scouting and hunting. Thinking back maybe only worn 300-350 hard days Along the Klickatat River and Wasatch Front
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots

Postby Indian Summer » 10 23, 2018 •  [Post 5]

The Danners you bought in 93 aren’t the same. They went overseas since then. Not sure about all of their stuff but Pronghorns went down the crapper.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 11 19, 2018 •  [Post 6]

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I am ready to review the Hoffman Guides after my recent rifle hunt.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 11 19, 2018 •  [Post 7]

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I looked around at high quality pac boots and it was Schnees, Kennetrek and a lesser known maker in Idaho, Hoffmans. I went with Hoffman because the pricing was better, the quality was there and its a small company. You need to plan on putting a few miles on these boots before hunting. They are very robust and though comfortable out of the box a few miles will deliver a fit you never thought possible from a pac boot. Just fantastic!
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 11 19, 2018 •  [Post 8]

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I had a local boot repair shop add the big hook eyes. Hoffman will do this as well but I forgot to have them do it by the time they shipped so went local. A very worthwhile addition. Hoffman's version is better BTW.
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I experimented with lacing patterns and settled on this one. I have a high arch and this pattern allowed a tight lace up without pinch down on the top of my foot. It would also be a good pattern for normal feet. I get more even lace ups using it. I would not try to get a super tight lace up until the boots get some time on them and the leather has a chance to settle into its flex pattern. You will not believe how much better these boots are after some time in them vs when out of box.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 11 19, 2018 •  [Post 9]

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I ordered an extra set of liners but in the 400gram weight. You will regret not getting extra liners so get them. Here are both weights, 200 and 400 side by side. The 400 gram will yield a snugger fit in the boot than the 200. So ask Hoffman about sizing. I wear 11.5 and ordered 12's.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 11 19, 2018 •  [Post 10]

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The tread is grippy and more narrow than the boot profile. This is good. You do not want a wide footprint in a pac boot. Narrow bites into the snow and mud or gives good edge grip on rock and on slopes. Notice the "H" pattern on the tread. Nice detail.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby Jhg » 11 19, 2018 •  [Post 11]

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Summary: I was very surprised how these boots fit by the end of my 5 day hunt. They just got better and better. Compared to my first hours in them, walking around etc to break them in, was night and day. They went from clunky feeling/performing to forgetting they were there- the best compliment you can pay a boot. The last day I was out in -0* morning cold on stand for 3hrs. Then did a 4 mile walkabout in 6 inches of snow and deadfall. The boots are about as close as you can get to a dedicated mtn boot fit and performance in the more versitile pac design. Though a heavy boot, they are rebuildable, very comfortable across a wide range of temps, perform at least as well as my Danner Pronghorn across variable terrain and in general impressed the hell out of a fussy boot user. I am glad I bought these boots and would not hesitate to "follow the elk" in them, which you might wisely hesitate to do in your Sorrels.
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Re: Hoffman guide pac boots-REVIEW UPDATE

Postby scubohuntr » 11 20, 2018 •  [Post 12]

Looks good. I about crippled myself this year wearing my Danners. They are good boots on the flat, but just a few days running steep hills and my feet were bleeding. I went to sneakers for the rest of the first week and had no more trouble. Lately I have been wearing my old, old 1200 gram Vasques, which are much better on hills. They will handle pretty much any weather I want to be hunting in, although they do need another coat of Sno Seal. I have a cheap pair of Sportsmans Guide pac boots for ice fishing, and a pair of Dakota Rigmasters (rated to -100) for really insane ice fishing, or if I decide to give tree stands another try.
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