Whether scouting food plots for that end-of-season monster whitetail, chasing faint bugles in the Western high country or waterfowl hunting over a frozen field, we’ve got your feet covered. Here’s our list of this year’s top boots for late-season hunts.
Muck Boot Company Wetland Boot
Available for women and men, and in wide-calf and standard variations, the Wetland boot offers several unique features duck hunters will appreciate. A comfortable binding secures the top of boot around the calf snugly, preventing water and snow from seeping in and retaining heat for warmth without heavy insulation. A breathable air-mesh lining, wicks moisture away while circulating air throughout, providing superior comfort in a waterproof shell. The boot also features a lightweight bobbed molded outsole for traction on uneven terrain, and utilizes an EVA midsole for comfort. MSRP: $145-$165; muckbootcompany.com.
Danner Alsea Boot
For milder hunting excursions, the Danner non-insulated Alsea boot is just what you need. With a lightweight fiberglass shank, waterproof Gore-Tex lining, full-grain leather and DWR-treated nylon upper and a proprietary outsole designed by Danner solely for the Alsea, the 51-ounce boot is all but a dead-of-winter hunting boot. The OrthoLite footbed is a removable, and the PlyoLite midsole is lightweight, absorbs shock and adds comfort. The Alsea comes in either brown or Mossy Oak Break-Up Country and has zero to 600 grams of insulation for warmth. MSRP: $180-$200; danner.com.
Irish Setter 9-Inch 400g Insulated Ravine Boot
Looking for a boot that’ll go wherever you do? Irish Setter’s new Ravine boot is up to the task. With a waterproof UltraDry system, an abrasion-resistant suede-nylon upper (also waterproof) and 400g Primaloft Gold Eco insulation, these boots will handle rougher weather than you can. The 9-inch boot features the company’s BOA lacing system (meaning no laces to come untied) combined with the CuShin Tongue, designed to relieve felt pressure on the shin from the tongue of the boot. The footbed uses a removable memory foam which features the company’s proprietary ScentBan technology to kill bacteria that cause odors. MSRP: $219.99; irishsetterboots.com.
Lacrosse 4XBurly Boot
Providing four layers of cushioning from a dual-density molded footbed, the Lacrosse 4XBurly boot will handle even the swampiest environments. This waterproof-lined 18-inch boot utilizes a rubber gusset to make foot insertion and removal a breeze. Because it’s made of rubber, it’s not only waterproof but scentproof, too. The 4XBurly outsole uses a high-grade rubber with angled lugs to help the boot shed material like mud that would normally build up underfoot. It’s rated for temps ranging from zero to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s well-suited for cold-weather excursions. Available in Realtree Xtra. MSRP: $130; lacrossefootwear.com.
Browning Buck Seeker Men’s 800g Hunting Boot
Made with genuine leather, Browning’s Buck Seeker boot with an 8-inch upper sports either Mossy Oak Country or Realtree Xtra camo. The boot features OutDry laminate bonded to the outside of the boot for 100 percent waterproof protection. With 800 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation, the boot breathes without releasing heat, so your feet will stay warm and dry. A Silent Cell midsole and a Symmplate TPU arch are built-in for comfort, and the Silent Grip rubber outsole provides traction on unstable terrain. MSRP $189.99; browninglifestyle.com.
SHE Outdoor Women’s Expedition Ultra Bone-Dry Insulated Waterproof Hunting Boot
For women who are serious about hunting but don’t want to break the bank, the new SHE Outdoor Expedition Ultra Bone-Dry Insulated Waterproof hunting boots are the ticket. Featuring Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo, 1,000 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation, a waterproof leather and 900-denier Oxford fabric upper, Bone-Dry membrane for further waterproofing and a patented rubber-lugged outsole from RedHead, these 8-inch high boots weigh just a bit more than three pounds per pair. MSRP: $99.99; cabelas.com.
Rocky Grizzly Waterproof 1000G Insulated Boot
Thanks to an EVA memory foam footbed, a dual-density midsole featuring a firmer shock-absorbing heel and an aggressively textured, tri-density, multi-directional rubber outsole, these waterproof boots might be most comfortable boots on the list. Add in 1000 grams of insulation, a waterproof full-grain leather and 900-denier nylon upper, Realtree Edge camo job and a one-year warranty, and you’ve got a boot that is made for the hunt. MSRP: $179.99; rockyboots.com.
Columbia Men’s Canuk Titanium Omni-Heat 3D OutDry EX Boot
For those hunting in the coldest of climates, this Columbia boot is the ultimate in cold-weather protection for your feet. Rated for temps down to -65 degrees Fahrenheit, these boots feature a Michelin winter compound outsole designed to provide a firm grip in the iciest conditions. The boots also include a Techlite EVA midsole for comfort. The upper features OutDry Extreme, making the boots waterproof yet breathable. With 600 grams of insulation, the boots still weigh less than a pound and a half. The boot is built around Columbia’s Omni-Heat reflective system, a liner inside the boot that reflects body heat back into the boot for superior warmth, further fortifying these boots from freezing temperatures. MSRP: $200; columbia.com.
