8″ Hoffman Explorer

8″ Hoffman Explorer

(27 customer reviews)

The Hoffman’s 8″ Explorer is a no nonsense hunting boot built for the most demanding outdoor enthusiast. With over 50 years of boot making experience and technological advancements being used to design the Explorer, the Hoffman 8″ Explorer was devolved to be the most comfortable and functional hunting boot on the market. A solid one piece vamp made with the finest 2.8 -3.0 mm leather provides excellent ankle support while a solid nylon mid sole adds plenty of lateral stability on uneven terrain. Lightweight and breathable, the Hoffman Explorer is the perfect balance of comfort and performance. Fitting tips: The Explorer series run just a bit small. If you are teetering between 2 sizes, example, 10 is some things and 10 1/2 in others, order the larger size. Made in Italy

From: $425.00

Description

Hoffman’s introduces the 8″ Explorer; a hiking boot developed for the most demanding outdoorsmen in the most demanding conditions. A solid one piece vamp made with the finest 2.8 mm thick leather provides excellent ankle support while a nylon mid sole adds plenty of lateral stability on uneven terrain. Lightweight and breathable, the Hoffman Explorer is perfect for any season, work or play. Boot highlights:

  • One piece vamp construction eliminates seams that can cause discomfort.
  • Sympatex waterproof liner keeps moisture out while allowing the boot to breath.
  • Vibram 1212 Masai high-traction outsole for excellent traction and heel bite. 
  • 2.8-3.0 mm Amphibious waterproof leather – simply the best quality leather available.
  • Heavy nylon midsole provides the support needed on uneven terrains
  • Heavy duty rubber rand adds protection and support to the upper
  • Non-Insulated designed for mild conditions
  • Fully resolable with our well-known “claw-lug” soles. 

Additional information

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27 reviews for 8″ Hoffman Explorer

  1. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Explorer – After trying Kenetrek, Crispi, Meindl, Lowa, Asolo, and Zamberlin, I found a boot that fits. I am very impressed with the quality of this boot and the excellent service that I’ve received from Hoffman’s. I will be buying more boots from these folks!
    Terry

  2. strongmanhaas@gmail.com

    Explorer boots – These are great boots.  Had some ankle issues 3 weeks before a trip to Mt Katahdin and needed tall boots that were supportive so I purchased the Explorers.   These boots were just excellent.  I have wide feet and sometimes have trouble with wides not being wide enough.  These fit perfect in wide, insoles are great and support is exactly what I needed.  Hiked with practically no break in and my feet felt great!  Won’t be my last pair of these.

  3. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Great Boot – Hi Jim , I recently purchased your insulated explorer boots from Kalispell Army Navy and have put about 50  plus miles on them and they have been the most comfortable insulated hunting boot ? I’ve ever owned …I’m looking at purchasing your 6” explorer lite for hiking,hunting Mountain Grouse and wanted to know if they were size the same as the insulated explorer? Thanks for your time and quality productsHi Jim , I recently purchased your insulated explorer boots from Kalispell Army Navy and have put about 50  plus miles on them and they have been the most comfortable insulated hunting boot ? I’ve ever owned …I’m looking at purchasing your 6” explorer lite for hiking,hunting Mountain Grouse and wanted to know if they were size the same as the insulated explorer? Thanks for your time and quality products.
    Sent from my iPhone

  4. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Great Boot – Hi Jim , I recently purchased your insulated explorer boots from Kalispell Army Navy and have put about 50  plus miles on them and they have been the most comfortable insulated hunting boot ? I’ve ever owned …I’m looking at purchasing your 6” explorer lite for hiking,hunting Mountain Grouse and wanted to know if they were size the same as the insulated explorer? Thanks for your time and quality products

  5. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Alan Carter – Review from Two Bear Outfitters and BVA Pacbags in Hamilton, Mont. – https://greatdaysoutdoors.com/2018/03/hoffman-explorer-boots-review/

    Read my review of the Hoffman Explorer – a boot worthy of a look.

  6. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Miles of Service – I’ve ran the hell out of Hoffman explorers! I’ve worn them hunting fishing shed hunting and work 40 hours a week in them. Keep em treated and they don’t disappoint! One is freshly treated the other isn’t. But that’s after a year of hard use! I lost track around 1200 miles on them. In 2019 I’ve already put on 236 miles on them so at a minimum I’ve got 1436 miles on them total! Jim Hoffman is a killer dude as well. Im not sponsored or endorsed in anyway! Just an avid sportsman that don’t like to waste money on BS! I have nothing but good to say about Hoffman boots! I know Troy Pottenger and his boys run em as well! He might have some input.  
    Thomas Hargett

  7. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Explorer – Evan Sayre: Loving mine, comfortable and great support. Really got to put them to the test yesterday helping haul some heavy loads out off two bull elk. Wet and miserable day and my feet were 100% dry at the end of the day. Highly recommend these boots folks!

  8. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    East pick – I’ve got the 8” had them since June. I’ll take them over my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes all day!

  9. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Amazing – Love your boots, first time buyer and was very satisfied with them. My last pair of boots had over 500 miles on them and they were still way too rigid and were not comfortable…I changed to Hoffman and the difference was amazing. Almost no break in time and I put the boots through the wringer with work and also hunting the high country during elk and deer season. Thanks so much for making a bomber, comfortable boot. These things are seriously amazing. My hunting buddy will be buying  a pair soon.
    Brian O’Neill

  10. aparker12345@msn.com

    SUPERIOR PRODUCT – When it comes down to a market that is saturated with options the insulated explorers are top of the line.  I made the decision to go with Hoffman’s purely on the basis of positive reviews.  The support, traction and warmth are excellent.  As an avid big game hunter, the product and customer support are superior to any other manufacturer in this market.  Take the chance and never look back!

  11. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Great Boots – I work in the forestry industry in northeast Washington, I have been using the explorers for a couple seasons now with no issues. I have sold a couple of my coworkers on getting a pair and they both love them as well. My search for the “unicorn” of boots is over, thanks Hoffman’s keep it up!

  12. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Alex Martin – I broke my new pair of Explorers in turkey hunting this weekend. Miles of snow, mud, brush, rocks, and creek crossings. My feet were still happy at the end of the weekend.

  13. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Birddog1 Review – Birddog1 said:

    I just wanted to add my two cents to this. I just got a pair of the 8 inch uninsulated boots on Friday. One thing that stood out, the 8 inch Explorers are just about the same height as the Crispi Idaho‘s (10”) I have. So far just wearing them around the house, in the yard and even to the office today. The comfort was great right from day one, extremely comfortable and much better than Crispi for me. I do like the insole that it comes with. I emailed Jim today and told him how much I like them, even considering an insulated pair now. He said they have a new insulated version coming out soon.

  14. elkaddicts@yahoo.com

    2000 Miles… – 2000 miles might not be a long ways for a car but it is an amazing amount of miles for a pair of boots. I have finally reached the end of life for the soles of this pair of boots and have been nothing but impressed. With two hunting seasons and 3 shed seasons plus all the scouting and winter activities in between they have been awesome. I am fully confident that if you are looking for an amazing back county boots you have found it here!

  15. janderson9617@gmail.com

    Poor Customer Service; Well-Made Boots – I’ve had these boots for one year.  They’ve been lightly used.  Boots are holding up great, but honestly, haven’t been put through much other than a fishing trip and a few early season whitetail outings  (walking to/from treestand).  They seem well made (like crafted with skilled excellence) and the fit is great.  

    My issue is that the laces on both boots have already failed.  For a 300 dollar pair of boots, I shouldn’t have to buy laces after 1 year of occasional light use.  I tried contacting Hoffman, as I thought that they would take care of their customers being that they’re not some big market company, but they ignored my emails.  I’m downgrading this review to 4 out of 5, due to poor customer service.  I know they probably see me as some annoying customer, but these boots are the most expensive pair of shoes I’ve ever purchased and I’m just a working class average Joe, so is it really that annoying that I expected the laces of a $300 pair of boots to hold up for at least one year?  So due to the poor customer service and less so the poor quality laces, I’m giving these 4 out of 5.

  16. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Thank you – Just got home from out of town and was able to try my new boots out.  I gotta say, out of the box they are the most comfortable mountain boots that I have ever tried (and I have way to many).  Really looking forward to putting some serious miles on them.

  17. janderson9617@gmail.com

    Good Boots, Poor Quality Laces but Good Customer Service. – Boots are great.  Great craftsmanship and the fit was right on for me.  Laces weren’t so great.  Laces failed early, in less than one year, with light, occasional use.  To my surprise, the president of the Company contacted me directly about the laces, and sent me a new pair of industrial laces.  I’m a happy customer and highly recommend these boots and this company.

  18. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Thumbs up – Bought the explorer boots about 3 years ago for hunting only and these things have been good to my feet. This past summer I stepped on a toy, while wearing tennis shoes, and twisted my left ankle and have had issues with that foot since. Recently, it’s gotten worse so I thought I’d try my Hoffman’s to see if they would help. I’ve been able to work all day without pain in my foot. I have an appointment with a podiatrist to figure out the issue but the Hoffman’s will be my new work boot from here on out. My employer gives us $200 towards boots each year so that will go towards another pair this fall. Thank you Hoffman.

  19. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Hoffman Explorer – I just wanted to add my two cents to this. I just got a pair of the 8 inch uninsulated boots on Friday. One thing that stood out, the 8 inch Explorers are just about the same height as the Crispi Idaho‘s (10”) I have. So far just wearing them around the house, in the yard and even to the office today. The comfort was great right from day one, extremely comfortable and much better than Crispi for me. I do like the insole that it comes with.  Great boot!

  20. ajbforestry@gmail.com

    Awesome boots! – Bought a pair of these about 6 months ago, very pleased with their comfort and performance.  I’m a forester in the northeast and need top notch boots for everyday use and these fit the bill perfectly, not cheap but I’m a firm believer in that you get what you pay for.  I’ve worn Meindl’s for years, good boots, but these are better.  

    BTW:  SAVE YOURSELF A HASSLE AND ORDER 1/2 SIZE LARGER THAN YOU NORMALLY WEAR, LIKE THEY RECOMMEND, HAD TO SEND FIRST PAIR BACK, USUALLY WEAR AN 11 BUT THEY WERE A BIT SHORT, 11.5 FIT PERFECT.

  21. n.szobody99@gmail.com

    The Best – I’m a bit of a gear head and I appreciate in depth detailed focused reviews so sorry in advance if this is a bit long winded. I’m a forester, avid outdoorsman, and hunter which equates to me wearing these boots nearly everyday all year. I bought my original pair of explorers off a friend of mine and have used them for the past 4 years of work and play. These boots have held up great. I’ve had them resoled once and as far as wear goes they are doing great. Now they definitely don’t look new, the rubber rand has peeled in places but easily fixed with shoe goo, and the leather around the flex has cracked a tad due to improper care before I owned them. Since owning them and conditioning them the cracking has not advanced and I’ve never had water leak in them, due to the thick quality leather. I’ve beat these boots something fierce between hunting steep, rocky, blow down choked, hell holes, hiking miles each day for work, hours or chain saw work, and three seasons of prescribed fire these boots are still going strong. I wear these most of the year handling hot summer months to the cold of winter, if the weather is in the thirties I will switch to wearing my Hoffman pac boots as I do get cold feet. Because of the abuse these boots have taken, the way they fit, and the broad scope of seasons I can use them in I’ve ordered another pair. I plan to still use my originals, but it will be nice to have another pair to rotate between and a “nice looking” pair to look professional around the office or when working with landowners. These boots are built with premium craftsmanship and it’s the little details that make these boots shine. When ordering my new pair I bought a medium wide as my first pair was a wide and I’ve noticed my foot slipping a tad when I really steep country. That being said Jim offered a great deal of help and my customer service experience was beyond what most companies offer. Thanks again Jim for all the help. Between the quality of the boots, the quality of the customer service, and length of service I’ve been able to get out of my first pair I’m a Hoffman customer for life. If you are thinking about these boots think no further especially if you are wearing these day in and day out for work and play your feet will thank you.

  22. Antlerbuyer@icloud.com

    Better than anything else I’ve ever tried! – Okay folks, I always get asked about my Hoffman Boots

    here is a true and honest review.

    I purchased these 4 years ago and have over 5k miles logged between work, hunting, shed hunting, and fishing.

    They are dry and need some boot dressing in these pics but they are still comfortable and amazing.

    I originally wanted to buy some crispis but they were too narrow for my feet, even the wides.

    I decided to give these a try as I was tired of going through 3-4 pairs of danners a year.

    These have seen some brutal country and lots of , muddy days, and water crossings!

    First off these boots have never leaked! Even in the current condition they are now.  I was in ankle deep water for over 2 hours the other day.

    They have been comfortable since day 1 and are still amazing to wear all day in the current state.

    I’m not paid or sponsored what so ever by the company. I just wanted to give a huge shout out to Jim Hoffman for a quality product that has far surpassed the longevity I expected out of these boots!

    They have amazing customer service as well!  I was planning a elk shed hunt and reached out about new insoles and they had me hooked up ASAP!

    I have no complaints about these boots  and I’m not some skinny dude I’m 6’1 300lbs and these things just won’t give up!

    I’m ordering a second pair after the 1st of the month ?

  23. jimh@hoffmanboots.com

    Great Boot – Those Hoffman Explorers are the best boots I’ve ever had, by the way! Thank you so much for making them in size 15. I have tried so many brands and types of boots over the years and these were so comfortable out of the box and have been incredibly durable and kept my feet dry. I even bought a pair of the Armor Pro Calk boots for when I need calks.

    Thanks again,
    Mike

  24. lbhunter63@aol.com

    A GODSEND! – This year’s bow hunt for elk was miserable for me.  I was wearing  some well worn and well miled Danner Crater Rims.  After less than 3 miles I felt it…the hot spot on my heel and toes of my left foot.  I found it hard to believe but after years of wearing them, they continued to give me problems.  Enter Hoffman Boots.  I had had enough of the Danners and ordered a pair of Hoffmans after learning of them at the spring hunt show in Salt Lake City.  They arrived yesterday and I was eager to try them out.  When I slid my foot into the boot, I immediately knew I was in a different level of boot.  I put in a mile and a half in em last night.  Put five miles on em today and I am absolutely thrilled to report I had NO issues… my feet are happy for the first time in as long as I can remember.  Thank you, Hoffman Boots!  Yes, they are spendy, and worth every penny!  Getcha a pair, you’ll love em too.

  25. Jim Hoffman

    Best boot I have ever worn.

  26. Jim Hoffman

    I have worn your 8” explorer for hunting as well as work in previous years and loved them!
    I also purchased a pair of your 8” armor pro boots for work when they came out and loved them as well!
    As stated earlier today on Instagram I love the mountaineer pacs in the winter and they have treated me VERY well!

    I will be 100% honest. I bought a pair of crispy boots this last year because I had a friend tell me they were better and I wanted to find out for myself… that was not the case for me! They never fit quite right and the life span was about 1/2 of what I got out of my explorers.
    Wolfgang Troxel

  27. Jim Hoffman

    I definitely found my new favorite hunting boots! I always used kenetrek boots while guiding elk hunts but have found that the Hoffman explorer boots have held up better. They have a more then fair price to thanks Hoffman boots!
    From Mathew Cain

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