Bogs Eagle Cap Realtree Hiker

Bogs Eagle Cap Realtree Hiker

iReviewGear.com continues to review the best hunting hiking boots in the world:

The Bogs Eagle Cap Realtree hiker is an attractive boot loaded with the little extras that make the difference when you are out in the wild and dependent on your footgear. The rubber upper is waterproof and tough wearing, able to cope with the muck and the mud and anything from sharp granite skree to roots and limbs reaching out to scratch and abrade.

I ordered the Bogs a half-size up, thinking it might be small, but found that it actually runs pretty true to size. I had a little extra room in there, which I countered with thicker socks.

Just the Facts:
Here are the boot’s details:
• •8” hiker designed for all weather conditions
• •Constructed with 4mm Channel Air Neo-Tech™ with Airmesh and to keep the foot warm but not overheated
• •EW Bogs Max-Wick™ lining pulls the moisture off the foot and disperses into the Neo-Tech™ channels
• • Comfort rated for temps of -40 degrees
• •Durable 100% waterproof rubber upper
• •Thermo-molded EVA midsole and lacing system provides solid support while climbing in the high country
• •Aegis antimicrobial odor protection insole with scent elimination
• Retails at around $170

My Story
There are probably a lot of ways to test a boot. I feel like I put this boot through the traces over a two-month period. My quick assessment is that it wears like armor, is impenetrable to muck and moisture, and has an aggressive lug pattern that provides a strong and reliable foundation across all types of terrain.

We literally beat up on these shoes, hiking through the granite trails of the Wind Rivers. When others had to skirt ankle-deep marshy areas as we bushwhacked to high mountain lakes, I went right through the middle without so much as a thought to the contrary. We got home, rinsed the Bogs Eagle Cap Hikers off, and they honestly don’t look any worse for the wear.
This shoe is a work horse. It wears well. I was not overtaken by the Eagle Cap’s comfort features—that did not make this shoe memorable for me. I rate the boot’s comfort at average. By that I mean it was not uncomfortable, but neither was the comfort such that I came away poleaxed by its clearly superior wear qualities.
Something important to me is that when you spend a lot of money on a boot you want it to wear well . This boot does wear well. The lacing system worked just great, keeping the boot tight to above the ankle. We ran around like goats on the granite rocks, hopping and jumping around and without incident or injury. I give it high marks for tread and general support.

What They Could Do Better
I tested this boot during the summer months in the west (Utah, Wyoming). Bogs features the waterproof qualities of this boot (which are simply excellent). It also features the insulation qualities of the boot, which I don’t think I really could test and properly address in summer conditions. But I will say this: these boots were so good at the waterproof department that I didn’t even try to rock hop on the streams as I crossed them. I just waded straight through. So long as water didn’t go over the tops, these boots were impervious to moisture. It was only after hearing some of the other guys grouse about the cold (pure glacial ice melt runoff) that I realized I was not only dry, but well insulated. I never felt the cold. Ever. So, take that limited valuation of the boots insular properties for what its worth.
Our party hiked hard on this trip and demanded a lot from all our gear. The Eagle Cap Realtree hiking boot was a little stiff through the first 15 miles, resulting in a couple of small blisters. The boots were pretty new; so, I’d like to give Bogs the benefit of the doubt and say that with 60+ more miles on them, they are now much better adapted to the foot and to the trail.