I was first introduced to Irish Setter footwear mid 2023. I had a chance to try out the Irish Setter Elk Tracker XD boots and I was immediately impressed by them. The Elk Tracker XDs are rugged, full grain leather, well-made boots. I was accustomed to the hearty feel of all leather footwear for my outdoor needs, so they worked for me. There’s a new contender eyeing the spot for my favorite boot and it’s the Irish Setter VaprTrek™ 8” waterproof hunting boot.

The Irish Setter VaprTrek™ hunting boots that I received are style #3941, “8" non-insulated brown leather boot, UltraDry™ waterproof, Realtree® APX camouflage” and they MSRP for  $189.99. The VaprTrek boots are constructed of full grain leather and abrasion resistant nylon.

A release from Irish Setter talks about their history in making boots. “Irish Setter has made durable, reliable and comfortable boots for those who get after it all day, every day for over 70 years,” the release noted. “To sustain its storied heritage and do its part to protect and preserve the environment, Irish Setter is committed to incorporating sustainable materials into its products and supporting conservation efforts to protect public lands for generations to come.”

Irish Setter has been making positive waves in the ways they do incorporate sustainable materials. I formerly looked at the Setter Fifty casual boots, and one of their lead selling points was the use of recycled materials in their wedge style sole. “Irish Setter is committed to keep evolving our products to make them better for our consumers and the environment,” explained Charley Bryant, Irish Setter Product Merchant.

Irish Setter’s release further states:

Irish Setter VaprTrek hunt boots’ design and materials deliver comfort day after day. A contoured last provides an excellent athletic fit. A stretch collar provides comfort and flexibility in the calf and achilles while stalking or climbing up and down from a tree-stand. Leather/abrasion-resistant fabric uppers feature a leather flex area in the forefoot allowing the boot to comfortably flex naturally with each step. UltraDry™ waterproofing provides long-lasting protection keeping feet dry while ScentBan™ scent control eliminates odors within the boot. Offered in Mossy Oak® Country® Roots camouflage or Realtree® APX camouflage with select models featuring Primaloft® insulation for warmth in cool environments.

Internal and external ankle pods surround the ankle increasing lateral stability and adding overall comfort to the ankle and foot. The lightweight and durable Rubber Hex Lite outsole with multi-directional lugs is designed to grab the ground in every direction and provide great traction in the elements. VaprTrek boots include an ArmaTec™ TPU heel and a rubber sole wrap-up extending up from the outsole to protect from wear in key abrasion areas.The midsole is made with high rebound renewable sugarcane and offers extra cushioning for all-day comfort. An EVA footbed also adds underfoot comfort. EnerG technology delivers a recharging burst of energy with every step

This new line of VaprTrek hunting boots includes three sets of boots to go along with their previously offered model.

New for fall of 2024: Men's VaprTrek Boots (sizes 8-12, 13, 14, 15 in D and EE widths)

3940 is an 8" non-insulated boot in Mossy Oak® Country® Roots camouflage, $189.99*
3941 is an 8" non-insulated boot in Realtree® APX camouflage, $189.99*
3943 is an 8" boot with 400 grams of PrimaLoft® insulation in Mossy Oak® Country® Roots camouflage, $199.99*

Previously offered: Men's VaprTrek Boots (sizes 8-12, 13, 14, 15 in D and EE widths)

2815 is a 7” non-insulated, all leather camo boot, $209.99

How’d the VaprTrek hunting boots perform? To say I was impressed would be an understatement. That’s not saccharine, but really, these are great boots.

It was important to me to get this first impression out there on the boots as soon as I could. The fall hunting season is in full swing in many states, and I don’t want people to miss the chance to jump into a set of these if they’re eying them. If you do decide you want to snag a pair of these boots but you’re a bit out of season, don’t worry. These boots will be a great companion for any spring and summer seasons you might be coming into.

The new VaprTrek line does also have an insulated model. For those of you that wish to don these great boots in the colder climates, Style 3943 are equipped with “400 Gram PrimaLoft®” insulation.

Like my former jaunts with Irish Setter footwear, I did not try to break them in or wear them around the house. I just plopped my feet into them and took off to the great wild unknown. The first thing that I noticed was how incredibly light the VaprTreks were. Since the boots are a mixture between nylon and leather, they allow for some serious weight shedding in the design of them.

Most of the time when I try out a new set of footwear, undoubtedly, I end up with some sort of arch pain after an appreciable amount of time. The VaprTreks that I wore did not give me any fatigue in the arch of my foot, nor did I feel any discomfort in the metatarsal region. Overall, these are comfortable and perfect for longer treks through rugged terrain.

The “Rubber Hex Lite outsole with multi-directional lugs” allows the boots to grip on rocks and cling to steep terrain. At no time did I think or feel like I was going to slip and bust my posterior when traversing an obstacle. I felt sure footed in these boots – if anything, I was gazelle-like.

The five initial miles I put on the boots left me wanting more and I look forward to future hikes in these affordable, comfortable, lightweight boots.

The bottom line is I’d buy these boots in a heartbeat. While they’re marketed as – and configured as – hunting boots, there’s nothing that says you can’t get them for hiking trails, camping, or any other outdoor activity you might be getting yourself into. For more information on the VaprTrek boots, check them out online.

You can also take a look at the booth-side interview I did at the 2024 Great American Outdoor Show. William from Irish Setter gave me a rundown on the new to 2024 footwear and you can check it out HERE or in the embed below.