LaCrosse is known far and wide as a category leader in rubber boots and rubber/neoprene hybrids, and now the brand is offering a whole line of lace-ups including the rugged Lodestar hunting boots.
Team HuntStand has collectively tested and trusted LaCrosse boots for decades, so the new Navigator series of leather hikers caught our attention from the get go. LaCrosse has earned longstanding respect in the hunting sector, so it only made sense that we’d eventually see an expansion beyond rubber boots—especially if you take into consideration that Danner merged with LaCrosse in 1994. The combined boot design and production experience between those two manufacturers is a force to reckon with.
LaCrosse Lodestar hunting boots sit on the premium end of the Navigator series. Vibram outsoles provide durability, stability and comfort in aggressive terrain, and GORE-TEX liners provide a waterproof barrier to keep your feet dry. You’ll also notice an aggressive tread pattern to give you more confidence on sketchy slopes, whether you’re traversing steep western shale or slippery southern mud.
Currently, you’ll find Lodestar hunting boots for men in uninsulated or 400-gram Thinsulate versions, and an insulated version for ladies.
Feature rich and ready to hunt, the Lodestar is an ideal boot for navigating the backcountry.
As shown in the video above, I recently wore the Lodestars during a squirrel hunt. Overkill? Nah. While these boots might be built for the extremes of backcountry big-game hunts, they proved equally suitable for hiking Kentucky’s hardwood ridges in pursuit of tree rats. Unlike more intense mountain boots, the Lodestars are lightweight and require minimal break-in, so they’re a solid choice for any active hunts that don’t require knee-highs.
If you’re already starting to look ahead to late-season hunts, when Mother Nature pitches a fit and gives you the cold shoulder, you should be plotting your cold-weather hunting boot selection. Here’s some advice from HuntStand Executive Editor Mark Melotik to keep you warm when it’s see-your-breath season.
