Irish Setter Men's Trail Phantom Waterproof 600 Gram 9" Big Game Boot

Did a lot of checking on different boots before I settled on this one. Why did I pick Irish Setter? Because it's made by Red Wing, it had great reviews, and it was in my price range. I took the advice of others and ordered them a half size larger than my foot size, so with a nice warm hunting sock it fits perfect. When UPS dropped the box on my porch I picked it up and thought "This can't be my boots, it's to light. Then I opened it and sure enough, it was. So, I've been wearing them for about a month up here in Northern New York, mainly for deer hunting. On the first day I wore them and walked out to my tree stand they were understandably a little stiff, so I felt like I was walking like Frankenstein, but just like any boots they took a few days to break in. I've walked through water and mud with them, "No problems", I climb my tree stand ladder with them, "No problem" I've sat in my tree stand for 3 or 4 hours at a time with temps down to 25-30 degrees so far. "No cold feet". I actually enjoy wearing them, they feel so good on my feet. Looks like I'll be wearing them for many hunting seasons to come, they look like their constructed very well. So far, no complaints, and no problems. Glad I bought them!Note: Do not put more than one pair of socks on so that the boots are tight on your feet. This defeats the purpose. You need room for your feet to breath so they stay dry and warm. Buy a good quality hunting sock. Never go cheap on socks!!!

I have yet to really attempt to break these boots in yet, because I am not a 100% sure I am not going to send them back. I typically wear between a 10.5 and 11 (US) size shoe. I also fall in between a regular and wide width shoe, so I decided to order a size 11 wide to give myself some extra room for slightly thicker boot socks...Well the boot is still a pretty snug fit. I could go a 1/2 size up but I am worried the boot will slide back and forth as I navigate the hilly terrain where I plan to use these boots. That leads me to my second dilemma which is just how stiff these boots are out of the box. Stiffness is not unusual in a good hunting or hiking boot, and typically will break in over time, but with my concerns over fit I am reluctant to start breaking them in. Just know if you get these (high quality) boots you won't be hitting the woods for a long trek on the first day, unless you enjoy sore feet. So, plan to take some time to break them in properly.

I've only had these boots for about a week however I have worn them a lot. I was a little skeptical about these boots as I was replacing some Lacrosse boots that were fantastic. These boots so far have exceeded my expectations. My first time wearing them was outside in minus 10 degree weather; I was outside shoveling snow for nearly 2 hours wearing cotton socks. My feet were comfortable. I have hiked through the woods with 23+ inches of snow and have found them very comfortable.They are the easiest pair of boots I have ever owned to put on and take off.Like others recommended I did order them a half size larger and would recommend the same. They do seem to be a little narrow, yet one pair of medium heavy hunting socks works well. The real test will be durability and water proof and only time will tell.My 4 star rating is only because of the short time that I have worn them.

I needed something to go hiking with besides your typical boots (work/construction boots) good for hiking and these were amazing! It felt comfortable at first mostly because I had to take them through TSA and fly to another state to hike in hills and mountains with my old friend in Oregon and Washington. Wearing them is easier than packing them considering one boot fits my carry-on. But sturdy is what I wanted.Works well in: Dirt, Mud (washes easily), Small Rocks, up to 8 inches in water (considering it's waterproof), Snow and it has kept me warm through 20 degree weather!Does not work well on: icy patches and wet rocks.Conclusion: Obviously not meant for rock climbing but I have to say traveling alongside a river where I nearly fell in three times was my own fault. I may have an issue since I'm what my friend refers to as a flat lander being from Texas and all but I plan on using these boots again when I go hunting in North of Texas and in Colorado!

These felt a little "poofy" inside breaking them in around the house for a couple days, but quickly came around and seemed to fit ok in the foot portion. I believe the above was the Thinsulate gradually compressing slightly and conforming to the foot. But then I was into the field and found significant problems. While the boots are warm and the waterproofing construction with the Gore-Tex worked well, they are useless on ice. I was amazed by the aggressive appearing tread not being able to overcome whatever is wrong with the polymer chosen for the soles/treads. I have considerable mountaineering experience and I must say I've never experienced a boot problem like it- new boots, aggressive treads, and slipping all over any time I encountered ice or even hard crust on snow in them (2 weeks in Iceland - late March). I'd go so far as to say unsafe on ice! Yes, I know - it's weird!The other problem is the construction of the uppers. The boot is a good height, but looking down at them from above the uppers angle off in a "V" shape from back to front, not an ellipse or circle which would suggest a more anatomical fit. I'm fit and trim, fairly average weight for height and have average calves. In other words, no overhang. Nonetheless over my two weeks in them they ground a 2 inch long, 3/4 inch wide, 1/4 inch deep furrow or trench into the inside posterior edge of both my calves. We're talking bandaids and antibiotic ointment and scars that are fading but still there 6 weeks later! The cushioning in the cuff at the top is a gnarly polymer and I think the construction of these uppers fails to attain an anatomical shape or fit at the top.I would not recommend these boots!