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When you’re out on a hunting trip, you need to always be on alert. You might need to cover long distances while stalking your kill. This can be extremely difficult to do if your feet are aching because you wore the wrong boots.
You need boots that are waterproof and insulated so that you can keep your feet dry and warm, no matter what the conditions outside are like. You need shoes that have tough rubber soles to keep your feet safe when trudging through backwoods.
In short, you need to look for the best hunting boots in your price range. In this area, it’s not worth skimping. The best hunting boots do cost a little more, but the investment pays off in spades. You’ll be able to stay on your feet longer, be protected from injury, and be comfortable.
The problem is that many manufacturers claim that they make the best hunting boots. They can’t all be the best, so which ones can legitimately lay claim to that title? Which brands don’t pass muster?
We decided to find out for ourselves. To do this, we’ve done exhaustive research on the various brands of hunting boots out there. We have whittled down the list to our top five picks of the best hunting boots.
We graded them on comfort, durability, protection level, and price. Are you ready to see which brands we felt came out tops?
Top 5 Hunting Boot Reviews
| # | Image | Hunting Boots | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | Kenetrek Men's Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hunting Boot(Editor Choice) | $$$ |
| #2 |  | Irish Setter Men's 2870 Vaprtrek Waterproof 8" Hunting Boot | $$ |
| #3 |  | MuckBoots Camo Camp Hunting Boot | $$ |
| #4 |  | Irish Setter Men's 880 Elk Tracker (Waterproof) | $$ |
| #5 |  | Under Armour UA Speed Freek Bozeman Boot | $$ |
Kenetrek Men’s Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hunting Boot
Just because a boot is good-looking does not affect how well you can hunt in it. That said, we do like the sleek lines of this pair. You can wear them out to a hunt and then head off to friend’s house for a barbeque afterward – they won’t look out of place.
These boots are a little pricier than most, but we feel that the little bit extra you’re paying is worth every penny. It doesn’t matter if you’re stalking prey along the river or crunching over some scraggy rocks; these boots are ideal.
For starters, they are insulated, making them perfect for those cold winter mornings. They have a waterproof membrane inside to ensure that your feet stay dry and warm. Remember, the best hunting boots are comfortable hunting boots. Once your feet are wet and cold, your whole day can be ruined.
The leather upper is cut in one piece to ensure maximum durability. It extends up to the lower calf to keep your ankle completely supported.
The K-talon outsoles provide a sturdy grip on just about every surface and offer tough protection. The midsole is made of nylon shaped to lend support to the foot, irrespective of the terrain.
Are they the lightest shoes out there? At two and a half pounds apiece, no. However, you need something sturdier if you’re going to be out and about in the wild. And, even though they’re a little heavier than is typical, it’s not going to such a huge difference that you’ll notice.
- Great traction in both dry and wet conditions
- High-quality materials used
- Sturdily built
- Leather upper is cut in one piece to make it more durable
- Excellent ankle support
- Reinforced rubber sole
- Heavier than some, but not overly heavy
- If looked after well, they’ll last a good few years
- They’re pricey
- They need to be broken in before you go on a long hunt in them
Irish Setter Men’s 2870 Vaprtrek Waterproof 8″ Hunting Boot
Irish Setter has built a reputation for producing high-quality footwear that is impeccably designed. The Vaprtrek is no exception.
They look good, have a cool camo pattern on them, and offer exceptional features.
First, these books have an upper that is completely waterproof. They’re not insulated, but an extra pair of socks will make up for this on a cold morning. You can trek through the wettest terrain without worrying about your feet getting wet.
The design incorporates one of the most effective waterproofing systems out there. Short of water gushing in through the top of the shoe, your feet will stay dry.
The uppers are light but offer firm support to the ankles. The soles are thick enough to protect your feet from punctures and offer a firm grip over a range of terrains. They won’t slip, even when you’re clambering over wet, mossy rocks.
What we like most about these boots is that they are lightweight. They won’t weigh you down if you need to cover long distances in a day. In general, you get access to a great pair of hunting boots at a price that won’t break the bank.
- Cool design and camo pattern
- Light-weight
- Extremely good for bad weather conditions
- Offers excellent traction no matter what the conditions are like
- Keeps your feet warm and dry
- One of the best waterproofing systems on the market today
- The tread might wear more quickly than you’d like
- The cut is a little on the narrow size so it could be a good idea to choose a size bigger than normal
MuckBoots Camo Camp Hunting Boot
MuckBoots has become a very popular brand for those that love the outdoors. If you’re more of a weekend warrior than a professional hunter, then this pair of boots might be all that you need.
The boots are well-made but would be better if you’re making shorter hunting trips. They perform pretty well over a range of different terrains, but the grip is not optimal. That’s why we decided to put in the proviso that they’re better over shorter trips.
Aside from that, they are incredibly comfortable. They have an air-mesh lining that makes them quite breathable and that wicks away moisture fast. Your feet will remain dry no matter what the conditions are like outside.
The lining also provides an extra layer of protection against the cold. They do have great waterproofing on them. They are great if you’re hunting duck or fishing.
They are also ultra-lightweight. You won’t even feel like you’re wearing anything on your feet. The soles are flexible enough to make them extremely comfortable to wear.
The upper features stretchable binding that helps to keep the top of the boot closed. This is perfect for those times that you need to trudge through shallow water or just want to make sure that nothing from the environment can get into your boots.
Overall, if you want lightweight boots that will be perfect for a day trip, then these are the best hunting boots out there.
- Very light compared to competitors
- Waterproofing is excellent
- Highly comfortable
- Good quality materials and construction
- Great option for fishermen
- Nicely finished
- Very light compared to competitors
- Waterproofing is excellent
- Highly comfortable
- Good quality materials and construction
- Great option for fishermen
- Nicely finished
Irish Setter Men’s 880 Elk Tracker (Waterproof)
Yes, we have another one of Irish Setter’s in here. It’s not surprising since the company’s products are designed well and made to last. With hunting boots, you need shoes that can be relied upon to do what they’re supposed to. Irish Setter won’t let you down.
These boots look similar to work boots. This does make sense, considering that hunting is a lot of work! They offer the best protective qualities of work boots and the best characteristics of hiking boots.
The result is a boot that can take much abuse and is comfortable to wear. The boot looks good as well and is easy to clean.
These boots are insulated, waterproof, lined with real Gore-Tex, and high topped. The Gore-Tex will help to wick away moisture to keep your feet dry.
They provide excellent protection for the soles of your feet and support for your ankles as well.
They’re also very lightweight and perfect for those who need to cover long distances quickly. If your hunting takes you across many different terrain types, in any weather, these may be the best hunting boots for you.
- Fully lined with Thinsulate to keep your feet warm
- A solid rubber sole that will take a pounding and still keep going
- Completely waterproof
- It has a steel shank to provide extra support
- Very lightweight
- Affordable
- You might want to consider installing extra arch support
Under Armour UA Speed Freek Bozeman Boot
This is a brand that has built its reputation by being the outfitters for some of the top sportsmen and women in the world. It was a natural progression for them to start a foray into the world of outdoor sports like hunting.
The Bozeman boots are an example of the fine quality craftsmanship that the best of the best have come to expect from Under Armour. And, we have to admit, they’ve come up with a winning design here. They not only feel comfortable, but they look great as well.
They’re not quite back-woods to the boardroom ready, but they’ll pass for smart-casual footwear. They look like a hybridized version of a sport’s shoe and hiking boot. The upper has been constructed from suede and nylon that will resist scuffing and scratches.
The boots themselves are highly waterproof and breath very well. Your feet will feel warm and dry while you have these boots on. You’ll love the feel of these. We think they are among the most comfortable boots on the market.
They can take a lot of abuse, and they’re not too heavy either. You could easily wear these over a full day’s hunting trip. They won’t let you down.
The grip is excellent under all conditions and over all terrains. The tread has lugs in it to ensure that your grip is firm when standing or moving.
- A tough boot that can handle rough terrain
- An innovative traction design to help keep your footing
- The boots make use of the company’s scent control technology to reduce odor
- The shock absorption could be better. These might not be the best choice if you’re going to be running through the undergrowth
- We didn’t like the way that they attached the tongue. It’s almost as if it was shoved in there as an afterthought
Buying Guide of Hunting Boots & FAQ
Hunting boots are very different from sneakers or work boots. Hunting exposes your feet to a range of different terrains and conditions. Hunting boots need to be light enough to be wearable over long periods but also provide adequate protection. The best hunting boots will be able to handle all these tasks.
Unlike with work boots, there’s not much of a chance of something being dropped on your toes. So, protection for the toe area is not that important. There is, however, a good chance that you could stand on something and puncture your sole, so the soles need to be high quality.
You’ll also need some extra ankle support because you’ll be crossing a lot of uneven surfaces. This is something that’s not quite as important in work boots.
Some people think you can wear your sneakers when you’re out hunting. In a pinch, you can. However, we wouldn’t recommend doing it all the time. Hunting boots have other useful features built into them. They could be insulated and waterproofed, something your sneakers are not.
Anyway, you get the idea. You need to get yourself a good pair of hunting boots. Let’s now go through some of the other things that you need to consider when deciding which pair to buy.
Do They Need to Be Tall?
This depends on where you’ll be using them and what the conditions are like. If you’re going duck hunting, for example, you’ll need a taller boot or possibly waders. These will keep your feet and legs dry and warm, no matter what the temperature of the water is like.
If you’re not hunting around a lot of water, you can get away with a shorter boot. We recommend at least eight inches in height as this gives extra support to the ankles. For most people, ten inches is more than enough for general hunting.
Overall, you have to weigh up the fact that extra height also means extra weight. So, don’t just go for the tallest pair of boots that you can find. Instead, check out what conditions you’ll be hunting under and work your way from there.
What’s Good in Terms of Weight?
Again, this is going to depend on how you plan to use the boots. There is no magic formula here to help you determine the best weight for your needs. We do recommend choosing as light as you can find, particularly if you will be walking for a few days.
In the past, a lighter boot meant less protection. That’s changing fast as new materials are being developed and used. Hunting boots today are very different from what your grandparents might have used.
Ideally, you should keep the weight to a maximum of five pounds. All of the boots that we reviewed above will fit into this category.
What Design Should I Look For?
We’re going to sound like a broken record here, but it depends on what you’ll be hunting. Are you going to be chasing your prey through muddy tracts of land or streams? Then you’ll want something that ends higher up on the leg.
The season in which you’re hunting also makes a big difference. If you’re hunting in winter, for example, you’ll want boots that have great insulation and stay warm. If you’re hunting during the rainy season, you’ll want boots that are waterproof.
If you’re crossing many uneven surfaces, you’ll want something that has protection in the sole and also protection for the ankle.
Stay on the side of caution and choose a boot that has a slightly longer leg. Get one that at least covers your ankle. This extra support can be useful, no matter where you are hunting.
Good traction and waterproofing will come in handy under any circumstances. Insulation is nice to have and essential during freezing weather. That said, an extra pair of thermal socks could do the same job just as well.
What Brand is the Best?
We’re not going to get into a brand war here. The choices that we made above all feature well-established and popular brands. Any of the models above, therefore, should be one of the best hunting boots out there.
What we do suggest, though, is sticking to a name that you know and trust. You’ll pay a fair amount for a pair of these boots, so you want to be sure that your money is well spent. We’d recommend sticking to a known brand, even if it means paying a bit extra.
Are There Special Care Instructions to Follow?
We recommend reading the manufacturer’s instructions about caring for your boots. We know it’s not exactly exciting reading, but it’s essential to ensure that the shoes last long. In general, you’ll need to clean off any muck as soon as you can.
If the hunting boots have nylon uppers, they can usually be cleaned using warm, soapy water and a damp cloth. If the shoes have leather uppers, a damp cloth should dislodge the worst of the dirt. A bit of spit and polish should then restore them to nearly new condition.
