Throwback time! Take a look at this great, in the field review of our boots Vaprtrek 2863’s from December of 2014!
You’ve heard all the claims and you know our reputation, but what about an independent, non-biased, in-the-field Red Wing Boots review? See below! Our guy is a not paid endorser nor has any affiliation with Red Wing Richmond (besides being a customer.) He takes his new Vaprtrek 2863’s on a hunt in Sussex County, and has quite a bit to say about their performance in his review!
General Information:
Boot Nomenclature:
Boot Nomenclature:Model of Boot: Vaprtrek 2863
Size: 11.5 EE
Weight: 2 lbs. 6oz.
Height: 8 Inches
Insulation: 800 Grams, Thinsulate
Construction: Leather full grain and waterproof, Full Rubber-Clad Top, Stretch-Fit Cement Construction, Armatec Performance Fit System, Mud Claw Self Cleaning Sole, Ankle collar is memory foam with comfort tongue and speed lacing system.
Topography and Climate Conditions of evaluation area.
Location/Time Frame:
The field trial for the Vaprtrek 2863 review will be conducted on property owned or leased by the Sussex Hunt Club, Sussex County, Virginia; during the annual deer hunting season November through January 2014/15. Sussex County is in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The County covers 315,600 acres and is 45 miles southeast of the capital city of Richmond. Sussex, Virginia, is the county seat of Sussex County.
Terrain & Drainage:
The majority of Sussex County is in the Southern Coastal Plain Major Land Resource Area. A small section of the western part of the county is in the Southern Piedmont Major Land Resource Area. Elevations range from about 20 feet above sea level to about 270 feet above sea level. The lowest elevation in the county is in an area where the Nottoway River crosses the Southampton County line, which is in the Southern Coastal Plain portion of the county. The highest elevation is in an area in the western part of the county, which is in the Southern Piedmont portion of the county. Most of the county is drained by the Nottoway River and its tributaries.
Some areas of the county are drained by the Coppahaunk Swamp, the Assamoosick Swamp, and the Seacock Swamp. The land surface generally is nearly level or gently sloping in the Coastal Plain portion of the county and is gently sloping to strongly sloping in the Piedmont portion of the county.
Climate:
In winter, the average temperature is 40.2 degrees F and the average daily minimum temperature is 29.7 degrees. The lowest temperature on record, which occurred at Wakefield on January 21, 1985, is -8 degrees. In summer, the average temperature is 76.6 degrees and the average daily maximum temperature is 87.1 degrees. The highest recorded temperature, which occurred on September 12, 1983, is 105 degrees.
The total annual precipitation is about 45.69 inches. Of this, 28.73 inches, or 63 Percent usually falls in April through October. The heaviest 1-day rainfall during the period of record was 7.50 inches on September 27, 1985. Thunderstorms occur on about 37 days each year, and most occur in June through August.
The average seasonal snowfall is about 4.6 inches. The greatest snow depth at any one time during the period of record was 10 inches on January 25, 2000. On the average, 4 days of the year have at least 1 inch of snow on the ground. The number of such days varies greatly from year to year.
The average relative humidity in mid afternoon is about 57 percent. Humidity is higher at night and the average at dawn is about 79 percent. The sun shines 64 Percent of the time possible in summer and 56 percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the southwest, except in September and October when it is from the northeast. Average wind speed is highest, around 12 miles per hour, from February through April.
Boot Evaluation:
First Hunt Log:
Boots received December 12, 2014, Saturday December 13, 2014, first day of hunt using new boots, temperature in the morning 21 degrees, afternoon temp at end of hunt was 53 degrees. Walked in swampy areas to test waterproof conditions, boots submerged up to one inch below top of boot, no leaks noted feet remained dry and warm. During this first day wearing the new boots, no stiffness or leaks noted. Boots are very easy to put on and take off; the boots are very comfortable walking.
Note: Socks worn during this period were light wicked calf length socks to absorb foot perspiration and prevent chafing from the boot.
Next hunting date for providing field evaluations on this boot will be Saturday December 20, 2014.
Second Hunt Log:
Saturday December 20, 2014, second full day of hunt using new boots, temperature in the morning 24 degrees, afternoon temp at end of hunt was 50 degrees. Light to moderate rain in the morning; partly sunny in the afternoon. Walked in swampy/wet areas to get to tree stand, no leaks noted feet remained dry and warm. During this days hunt wearing the new boots, no stiffness or leaks noted. Boots are very easy to put on and take off; the boots are very comfortable walking.
Note: Socks worn during this period were light wicked calf length socks to absorb foot perspiration and prevent chafing from the boot.
Next hunting date for providing field evaluations on this boot will be Saturday December 27, 2014.
Third Hunt Log:
Saturday December 27, 1214, third full day of hunt wearing new boots, temperature in the morning 20 degrees, afternoon temp at end of hunt was 48 degrees. Cool and cloudy in the morning; partly sunny in the afternoon. Walked in swampy/wet areas to get to tree stand, no leaks noted feet remained dry and warm. During this days hunt wearing the new boots, no stiffness or leaks noted. Boots are very easy to put on and take off; the boots are very comfortable walking.
Note: Socks worn during this period were Merino wool calf length socks to keep feet warm and to absorb foot perspiration and prevent chafing from the boot.
Next hunting date for providing field evaluations on this boot will be Saturday January 3, 2015.
Fourth Hunt Log:
Saturday January 3, 2015, last full day of 2014/15 hunting season, hunted wearing new boots, temperature in the morning 35 degrees and light rain, afternoon temp at end of hunt was 52 degrees light to moderate rain. Walked in swampy/wet areas to get to tree stand, no leaks noted feet remained dry and warm. During this days hunt wearing the new boots, no stiffness or leaks noted. Boots are very easy to put on and take off; the boots are very comfortable walking.
Noted the following:
– I note, due to the unique arrangement of the tread pattern on the sole, climbing the 20 foot ladder to the tree stand is advantageous. Not sure if the tread patter was designed for this type activity or just a byproduct of the design. Whatever the case, the pattern works very well as a safety factor in climbing a tree stand ladder.
– Fastening Strap at back top of boot very helpful pull on boots. Ankle collar works great in keeping debris out and top of boot secure around calf area.
– No leakage
– Easy Clean-up with water hose, uppers and sole
– Boots dry fast externally and internally.
As of this entry I could not find any problems with the boots and currently have no recommendations to submit. To date, this is the finest pair of hunting boots I have had in my experience in providing field evaluations and reviews on hunting foot wear. No break-in period or prep oiling was required.
Final Evaluation:
The boots are excellent and well worth the money to purchase a pair. I would not hesitate to recommend this style of Irish Setter boot to the general public or an experienced guide/hunter. I must admit, I cannot think of any comment or remarks to make as a recommendation for an improvement on this boot. This is the ultimate boot and should last for years if properly maintained.
In relation to the type of sock to wear with this boot; I feel it should be left up to the individual. At no time wearing various style and combination of socks did my feet get cold or sweat. I would recommend to a buyer of this boot to experiment with the various types of sock in determining their comfort level.
Thank you for affording me the opportunity to provide this review of a fine pair of hunting boots.
Respectfully submitted for review
A Great Review!
So – there you have it! We really appreciate such an in-depth write-up and review! Our submitter has asked not to be named, but rest-assured… we trust his analysis. If you have any questions about this Red Wing Boots review, the Vaprtrek 2863, or just about Red Wing Richmond in general, give us a call or contact us online!
