Gear Guide 2017: Footwear

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posted on October 28, 2017
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When all other things go right, do you want cold or wet feet to be the reason you didn’t stick it out till sunset? Here are three boots that will keep you on your feet during any hunt you’re likely to encounter.

Goose hunting in a flooded field? Stand hunting in January? Chasing moose across a frozen lake? While I don’t recommend the latter, the Woody Arctic Ice Boot from Muck Boot Company thrives in the late season, where wind, water and ice can be your downfall. It’s a classic calf-length rubber-and-neoprene Muck boot beefed up for winter wear and rated to minus-60 degrees with a fleece lining throughout. Muck has added aggressive non-slip lugs that grip onto ice, wet or dry, called Arctic Grip from Vibram. If temps are dropping, these are the boots I’m donning.

For early-season hunts, I’m looking for a boot that is light on the toe and one that will provide the support and protection my feet need for a mountain hike. The Buck Shadow from Browning gets use chasing both turkeys and whitetails, and with a new breathable waterproof membrane called OutDry, puddles or small streams aren’t bypassed.

Danner's new Powderhorn is a full-leather, 10-inch boot that houses an Ortholight footbed made of open-cell polyurethane for maximum comfort that allows air to circulate. It’s extremely lightweight for its style, with aggressive lugs that provide the rigidity needed for high-country hunts. A Gore-Tex lining means water stays out while allowing heat and moisture to escape.

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LEDEVX 4HD 3 12X50 CDS ZL2 SF 185454 A 1
LEDEVX 4HD 3 12X50 CDS ZL2 SF 185454 A 1

New for 2026: Leupold VX-4HD

When a hunt can shift from tight timber at first light to a long look across open country by midmorning, a scope must do more than just magnify. The Leupold VX-4HD is built for exactly that kind of versatility, blending rugged construction, smart engineering and optical performance into a scope that works wherever the hunt takes you.

First Look: Blocker Outdoors Finisher Chest Pack Pro

The Blocker Outdoors Finisher Chest Pack Pro is the kind of gear that takes the basic tenets of turkey hunting into consideration, while attempting to minimize the burden of a cumbersome full-size vest. This makes it a a straightforward alternative to a full-size turkey vest for run-and-gun hunters who want to balance loadout with freedom of movement.

The Value of Post Season Scouting in the Snow

Although for most of the country deer season is over, there are some important aspects of deer hunting to be understood, particularly when it snows during the winter months. In my part of the country, we don’t often get a good blanket of snow until the deer season closes. However, when it does snow, I make a point to get outdoors and visit each of my hunting areas to learn when the learning is best.

Tuo Introduces New Camouflage Pattern: Ryse

Tuo launched its proprietary Verse camo pattern in 2024. While the supplemental light tans and sharp lines render effectiveness in wooded environments as well, Tuo wanted to offer a second exclusive pattern for whitetail hunters. It has done so with Ryse.

New for 2026: SIG Sauer Zulu10 HDX Binoculars

SIG Sauer’s new Zulu10 HDX binoculars are engineered for hunters and shooters who prioritize optical performance and mechanical precision as much as durability.

Renewed Hunting and Fishing Focus on Interior Department-Managed Property

On Jan. 7 U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum issued an order stating, “…public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies.”

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