Irish Setter VaprTrek 8″ Waterproof Leather Camo Boot Review
Bottom Line: The Irish Setter VaprTrek is a modern hunting boot that trades old-school leather tradition for athletic-shoe comfort and all-day wearability. For many hunting situations, that’s exactly the right trade.
Who Should Read This Review
If you’ve spent years hunting in heavy leather boots with sewn-on soles and you’re skeptical of anything that looks like it belongs on a trail run, this review is for you. I was right there with you. But after putting miles on the Irish Setter VaprTrek 8″ Waterproof Leather Camo Boot (model 03939), I’ve got a more nuanced take on what “the right hunting boot” actually means.
First Impressions: More Athletic Shoe Than Hunting Boot
Let me be straight with you: I’m a traditionalist. I’ve long preferred a full-grain leather upper and a Goodyear-welted, sewn-on sole that can be resoled when the time comes. There’s something deeply satisfying about sliding into a boot built the same way they did 100 years ago.
But here’s the honest truth: I’ve never actually had a hunting boot resoled. And the VaprTrek forced me to confront something else: modern construction has real advantages that matter in the field.
The moment you slip the VaprTrek on, you’ll notice it. This boot fits more like a well-built athletic shoe than a traditional hunting boot. It cradles your foot, supports your arches, and wraps your ankle in a way that heavier leather boots simply can’t match out of the box.
Key Features Worth Knowing
Athletic-Style Fit and Comfort
The VaprTrek’s construction prioritizes fit in a way that most hunting boots don’t. If you’re logging serious miles, running grouse through alder thickets, covering elk country, or turkey hunting from ridge to ridge, foot fatigue is a real performance limiter. A boot that fits like this one does is going to extend your day and keep you moving.
Neoprene Collar for Ankle Support
At the top of the 8-inch shaft, Irish Setter incorporates a neoprene lining that wraps your ankle as you lace down. It’s a small detail with a meaningful payoff: better ankle support and a more secure, customized fit through the upper portion of the boot.
Extended Toe Cap: A Standout Design Feature
Here’s something I haven’t seen executed quite this way before: the outsole of the VaprTrek extends up and over the toe box. If you’ve worn hunting boots for years, you know exactly where they fail first: the toe. switchgrass, deadfall, roots, rocks. That’s where the damage accumulates. This design feature directly addresses that wear point, and I think it’s going to meaningfully extend the life of this boot compared to conventionally designed competitors.
Pull Loop
A rear pull loop makes getting the boot on significantly easier. It’s a small thing, but you’ll appreciate it.
ScentBan Technology
The VaprTrek features Irish Setter’s ScentBan antimicrobial treatment, which works to control odor-causing bacteria. For elk hunters especially, this matters. Bulls have exceptional noses, and anything that reduces your olfactory footprint is worth having.
Waterproof Construction
The boot is built with a 900-gram waterproof leather upper and incorporates a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry in wet conditions. This is a true waterproof boot, not just water-resistant.
Manufacturer Specifications
(Verify current specs at irishsetterboots.com)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | VaprTrek 03939 |
| Height | 8 inches |
| Upper | 900-gram waterproof leather / camo |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof membrane |
| Insulation | Uninsulated |
| Lining | Neoprene collar, moisture-wicking interior |
| Outsole | UltraDry™ rubber outsole |
| Technology | ScentBan antimicrobial |
| Weight | Lightweight construction – weigh varies a little by size, my size 13 boots weighed in at 3.1 lbs |
Best Use Cases for the VaprTrek
Grouse Hunting
This is the boot I’d reach for first for grouse. You’re covering ground, a lot of it, through alders, popple, and mixed forest. A lightweight, athletic-fitting boot that supports your foot for miles of cover is a massive advantage over a heavy leather boot. The VaprTrek was made for days like this.
Turkey Hunting
Same logic applies. Spring turkey often means early-morning miles through wet grass and varied terrain before you ever set up a call. The waterproofing handles the morning dew, and the comfort handles the miles.
Archery Elk Hunting
This might be the use case that surprises people most. It surprised me. I used to think elk hunting required a heavy mountaineering-style boot, full stop. After hunting elk more seriously, I came around to a different view: comfort wins. When you’re covering high country miles and you need to be mobile and quiet, a lightweight boot you can actually move in beats a heavy boot you can barely lift by midday. The VaprTrek, combined with ScentBan technology, makes a compelling case for elk country. The uninsulated construction also keeps your feet from overheating on those long approach marches.
What It’s Not Built For
Because it’s uninsulated, this isn’t your late-season whitetail stand boot for cold Midwest sits. For that, you want insulation, 800 to 1,200 grams depending on your tolerance. The VaprTrek is a go-fast, cover-ground boot, not a sit-and-wait-in-the-cold boot.
A Critical Note on Fit
The VaprTrek’s athletic-shoe fit is one of its best features, but it also means fit matters more than ever. If you haven’t had your feet professionally measured recently, do it before you buy. Foot shape and size change over time, and a boot sized wrong negates every comfort advantage this boot offers.
My strong recommendation: Visit your nearest Red Wing Shoe store and get a professional fitting. It takes a few minutes and it’s free. Knowing your actual size, width, and arch profile will help you get the most out of any hunting boot, especially one built around athletic-style fit like the VaprTrek.
Final Verdict
I came to the VaprTrek as a skeptic and left as a convert, at least for the right situations. This is not a boot that will replace my traditional leather boots for every application. But for active hunting situations where you’re covering ground, the VaprTrek’s combination of athletic comfort, solid waterproofing, innovative toe protection, and ScentBan technology makes it a genuinely compelling choice.
If you’ve been hunting in heavy boots for years and your feet are tired by noon, give this one a try. Your feet and your miles-per-day will thank you.
Hunt Tested Rating: Highly Recommended for Active Hunting
Irish Setter VaprTrek 8″ Waterproof Leather Camo Boot (Model 03939) – $229 | View at Irish Setter
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