Irish Setter has been selling made-in-the-USA and imported boots for a long time now, with traditional leather lace-up looks. Over 2025, I had the chance to try their Trailblazers, but not to the full extent I’d hoped. I had planned on putting serious miles on these boots in upland hunting season, but a serious moto crash on the first weekend of the season meant partridge-busting would have to wait until next season. But in the months before and since that crash, I still had plenty of time to test these boots. Here’s what I liked.
Boot Coverage on AllOutdoor
Comfort Out of the Box – Irish Setter Trailblazer Boots
The Irish Setter Trailblazers required only a few minutes of stomping down the street before they fit perfectly well. Ordering boots without trying them on is always a bit of a risky gamble, but in this case it worked out. I wear a size 11, with feet tending to the extra-wide side—which is an available option, but I didn’t need it. The Trailblazers fit perfectly front-to-back and side-to-side. It’s a basic detail, but it’s important to get right. In this case, these boots were bang-on.
Comfort on the Trails – Irish Setter Trailblazer Boots
Having a good fit is one thing; having the boots fit well when you’re actually wearing them is another. Traditional-styled boots are generally a bit stiffer to wear than modern-styled footwear like the Vasque Talus AT Ultradry hikers I tested a while back—there’s less ability to build in flexy mesh panels, etc., and most boots like the Trailblazers with their Goodyear welt don’t have Vibram soles.
Not to worry, though; they still had plenty of cushion on pavement and rock, and there were no nasty protruding bits in the lining causing chafing. When laced up, nothing rubbed my ankles raw. They’re boots to spend all day walking in.
For breathable waterproofing, these boots rely on the UltraDry waterproofing system. I believe that material is built to a recipe proprietary to the Red Wing company. Their website says UltraDry combines waterproof components with a “moisture management lining” to keep your feet dry; I presume that means a breathable lining, similar to other membranes like the much better-known Gore-Tex material.
So far, so good; UltraDry seems to work well in these boots, just like it worked well in the Vasque hikers I tested a while back. I’ve worn them in extremely slushy weather, and purposefully stomped through icy puddles to make sure the waterproofing is still working. So far, so good. UltraDry doesn’t come with the same ironclad lifetime guarantee that Gore-Tex does, but I’ve yet to spring a leak on these boots or the Vasque boots I wore with UltraDry. And I’ve never soaked my feet due to perspiration, either, so the breathability seems to work well.
Good Looks – Irish Setter Trailblazer Boots
This is subjective, because not everyone likes traditional leather lace-up boots, and even those who do might not like the Trailblazers. But personally, I think they do a great job of looking like an old hunting or hiking boot without looking dated. I’ve had boots where the false tongue looked too floppy and ridiculous; on the Trailblazers, it’s barely noticeable.
The full-grain leather exterior of the Trailblazers sheds muck and salt stains well. This will help the boots stay in good shape long-term, although I’m sure treatment with saddle soap and mink oil (or whatever cleaner and preservative you use) will eventually be needed.
Like a set of Eddier Bauer’s classic K-6 hiking boots (now out of production), the Trailblazers’ looks mean you can wear them in a wide range of situations, from out in the bush to even serving as casual boots for urban weekend adventures. Although, in my neck of the woods (literally), the closest thing I can pull off to an “urban” adventure is a drive up to the gas station for fresh doughnuts. I know some people use Trailblazers as work boots, too, but without steel toes, there are only so many places you can use them. If you’re a surveyor in the woods, then maybe they’re the ticket. If you’re on a construction site with health-and-safety nosing around, then I’d buy something with more built-in safety.
Sure Footing – Irish Setter Trailblazer Boots
Poor traction is a failing common to traditional-styled outdoors boots, at least the ones I’ve worn. The Trailblazers’ Bulls-Eye Air Bob Carbon Rubber sole is stiff enough that, if you’re on wet, slippery rocks, there’s a bit of a traction loss, but it’s nothing unreasonable. The tread pattern offers lots of lock-on grip, with multi-direction lugs stopping you from sliding around too much. And although they’re only 7-inch boots, they’re tall enough to provide some ankle support; a good compromise in my opinion.
The Bottom Line – Irish Setter Trailblazer Boots
I expect to enjoy using these boots for years to come. Some owners report issues with the lining deteriorating at the back of the heel, but so far, I’ve had no such issues; the boots have held up very well. MSRP is $234.99, and I think they’re well worth that, based on their performance so far. See more details here.
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