If you are looking at the Irish Setter Elk Tracker, you are probably not shopping for a featherweight boot. You are looking for warmth, waterproof leather, ankle support, and a boot that can handle cold mud, snow, timber edges, and long sits without making your feet the weak link.
That is still the right way to judge this boot. The Elk Tracker 1000g is best understood as a serious late-season hunting boot, not a flexible early-season hiker. For whitetail hunters in the Midwest, rifle hunters sitting cold ridges, and anyone who values warm dry feet over shaving ounces, it remains a strong fit. If you hunt warm weather, cover miles fast, or hate a tall leather boot, it is probably more boot than you need.
This refresh keeps the review focused on the 12-inch waterproof 1000g Elk Tracker, updates the buying guidance, and replaces the old legacy affiliate block with a cleaner product module Jason can review before anything touches the live post.
Irish Setter Elk Tracker 1000g Review: Quick Verdict
Best for: Late-season deer, elk, and stand hunts where warmth, waterproof leather, ankle support, and aggressive traction matter more than ultralight speed.
Main strength: The 12-inch leather build, GORE-TEX waterproofing, 1000g insulation, steel shank, and resoleable welt construction still fit the cold-weather hunting role well.
Big limitation: It is a serious insulated leather boot, so it can feel too warm or heavy for early season, run-and-gun hunts, or hunters who prefer flexible lightweight hikers.
My take: the Elk Tracker makes the most sense for hunters who spend more time waiting in cold conditions than sprinting through early-season cover. It is built like a traditional full-grain leather hunting boot with real insulation and support. That is exactly what some hunters need, and exactly what others should avoid.
Irish Setter Elk Tracker: Quick Fit Check
Use this quick check to decide whether the Elk Tracker belongs in your late-season boot slot or whether a lighter hunting boot makes more sense.
| Product | Best Use | Why It Wins | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Setter Elk Tracker 1000g Hunting BootBest cold-weather Elk Tracker fit | Late-season deer, elk, and stand hunts where warmth, waterproof leather, ankle support, and aggressive traction matter more than ultralight speed. | The 12-inch leather build, GORE-TEX waterproofing, 1000g insulation, steel shank, and resoleable welt construction still fit the cold-weather hunting role well. | View on Amazon |
Irish Setter
Irish Setter Elk Tracker 1000g Hunting Boot
The 12-inch leather build, GORE-TEX waterproofing, 1000g insulation, steel shank, and resoleable welt construction still fit the cold-weather hunting role well.
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Who Should Buy the Elk Tracker?
Buy this boot if cold feet regularly cut your hunts short. A 1000g insulated boot is aimed at late-season deer hunting, cold rifle seasons, frosty morning sits, northern timber, and mixed snow or mud where a lighter uninsulated boot leaves you miserable before prime movement.
The 12-inch height also matters. It gives you more ankle coverage and helps when you are crossing wet grass, crusty snow, shallow creek edges, or muddy field approaches. For stand hunters and big-game hunters who are not counting every ounce, that extra coverage can be worth it.
I would not make it my only hunting boot, though. Around deer camp, I like having a lighter boot for scouting, early archery, and warmer sits. The Elk Tracker belongs in the cold-weather slot.
What the Irish Setter Elk Tracker Does Well
Warmth for late-season sits
The 1000g insulation is the main reason to consider this model. If your November and December hunts involve long sits, slow walking, and cold ground, insulation matters more than it does on active upland or mountain hunts. Cold feet can turn a good sit into a short sit, and short sits cost opportunities.
This is where the Elk Tracker’s personality makes sense. It is not trying to be a minimalist boot. It is a warm hunting boot for hunters who need to stay planted and comfortable.
Waterproof leather build
The full-grain leather upper and GORE-TEX waterproofing are the other big selling points. Wet leaves, snow, thawing field edges, and muddy access trails are normal hunting conditions, not exceptions. A cold-weather boot that leaks is not a cold-weather boot for long.
I still recommend treating and maintaining the leather. Waterproof membranes help, but boots last longer when the leather is cleaned, conditioned, and dried properly between hunts. Do not cook them by a heater; pull the insoles, let them dry slowly, and keep the leather cared for.
Support on rough ground
The steel shank and tall build give this boot a more supportive feel than a soft sneaker-style hiker. That is helpful if you are sidehilling, walking frozen ruts, carrying gear to a stand, or picking through uneven timber. The aggressive outsole also fits the boot’s cold-weather purpose.
The tradeoff is flexibility. If you want a boot that feels broken in and athletic on day one, this may feel stiff. Give leather boots time, and wear them before a full-day hunt.
Where the Elk Tracker Falls Short
It can be too much boot in warm weather
A 1000g insulated boot is not a summer scouting boot. It is not my first choice for warm early archery hunts, turkey scouting, or high-output hiking where sweaty feet become the problem. If you mostly hunt mild conditions, look at lighter waterproof hunting boots or uninsulated hikers.
Weight and stiffness are part of the deal
The same leather, height, insulation, and support that make this boot useful in cold conditions also make it less nimble. Hunters who cover a lot of miles may want a more modern mountain-style boot. Treestand hunters, blind hunters, and cold-weather rifle hunters are more likely to appreciate the tradeoff.
Fit matters with insulated boots
Do not guess on sizing if you can avoid it. Insulated boots need room for blood flow and the socks you actually wear, but too much extra room creates heel slip and blisters. Try them with your hunting socks, walk stairs or slopes if possible, and make sure your toes are not jammed on descents.
Field Setup Advice
Break these boots in before you trust them on a long opener. Wear them around the house, on short walks, and on scouting loops. Pay attention to heel lift, hot spots, and whether your sock system is too thick. Warm boots work best when circulation is not restricted.
- Good pairing: medium or heavyweight merino socks matched to the temperature.
- Avoid: stacking socks so tightly that your toes lose circulation.
- After the hunt: remove insoles, dry slowly, brush mud off the leather, and condition as needed.
If you are building a broader cold-weather system, pair the boots with quiet layers, dry gloves, and a realistic stand plan. Warm feet help, but they cannot fix a hunt where your core and hands are freezing. For a wider gear baseline, see the deer hunting gear checklist and the broader cold weather hunting boots guide.
Irish Setter Elk Tracker Pros and Cons
Pros
- Warm 1000g insulation for late-season hunts and cold sits.
- Waterproof full-grain leather build with GORE-TEX protection.
- Tall 12-inch coverage for mud, snow, wet grass, and brush.
- Supportive feel with a steel shank and aggressive hunting outsole.
- Resoleable welt-style construction helps long-term durability when cared for properly.
Cons
- Too warm for many early-season or mild-weather hunts.
- Heavier and stiffer than lightweight hiking-style hunting boots.
- Requires break-in and leather maintenance.
- Fit needs to be checked carefully with real hunting socks.
- Not the boot I would choose for fast, high-mileage warm-weather scouting.
Buying Advice
Choose the Elk Tracker if your problem is cold, wet, rough hunting conditions and you want a traditional leather boot built for that job. It is a good match for hunters who sit longer than they hike, want ankle support, and prefer a substantial boot under them in late season.
Skip it if your hunts are mostly warm, active, or mileage-heavy. In that case, a lighter boot will be more comfortable and less fatiguing. The Elk Tracker is a specialist: warm, waterproof, supportive, and best when the weather is ugly enough to justify it.
FAQ
Is the Irish Setter Elk Tracker good for deer hunting?
Yes, especially for late-season whitetail hunting, cold rifle seasons, and long stand or blind sits. It is warmer and more supportive than many lightweight boots, but that also makes it less ideal for hot early-season hunts.
Is 1000g insulation too warm?
It can be. For active hunts or mild weather, 1000g insulation may cause sweaty feet. For cold sits, snow, and slow-paced late-season hunting, it can be the right amount of warmth.
Does the Elk Tracker need break-in?
Plan on some break-in. It is a tall leather boot with structure, so wear it before relying on it for a full-day hunt. Check heel slip, toe room, and hot spots with your hunting socks.
How should I care for the leather?
Brush off mud, dry the boots slowly, pull the insoles after wet hunts, and use a leather conditioner or boot treatment that fits the manufacturer’s guidance. Avoid direct high heat because it can damage leather and adhesives.
Final Verdict
The Irish Setter Elk Tracker 1000g is still a strong cold-weather hunting boot when you judge it by the right standard. It is warm, waterproof, supportive, and built for hunters who need to stay comfortable in rough late-season conditions.
It is not the lightest or most flexible option, and that is okay. If you want a boot for cold sits, snowy access trails, wet timber, and long days where warm dry feet matter more than shaving ounces, the Elk Tracker deserves a serious look. If you want one boot for every season, start lighter and treat this as the cold-weather tool it is.