Since it’s no secret that a bad pair of boots can ruin an otherwise good day of hunting, and to make sure that you avoid having any problems on your next hunting trip, we’ve listed 4 of the warmest hunting boots on the market (and after our recommendations is a list of things you should look for when selecting warm hunting boots):
LaCrosse Men’s Alphaburlye Pro 18 RTXT 1600G Hunting Boot
The Alphaburlye Pro Hunting Boot from LaCrosse has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the most waterproof hunting boots available. It’s not hard to see why, especially when you consider that these boots are built to last while trekking through the mud. The rubber sole and exterior of the Alphaburlye (see full specs) are very flexible and offer you a lot of traction on slippery slopes and thick swamps alike. Your feet and lower legs are fully insulated with a neoprene liner that is also breathable, so sweating from the inside shouldn’t be a major issue. The also neoprene gusset can support a calf size up to eighteen inches. Last but not least, the EVA midsole provides shock absorption so your boots will take the brunt of the walking and not your feet. Bar none, these are among the warmest hunting boots for the money.
Irish Setter Men’s Trail Phantom WP 600 Gram Boot
The Trail Phantom Boot from Irish Setter is a no-nonsense hunting boot that is there when you need it to be for big game. The cordura and full grain leather is completely waterproof, and has an aggressive grip to make walking over rough terrain as easy as walking over a flat surface. The shaft of the boot measures nine inches in total, and the thinsulate material offers you six hundred grams of insulation so your feet won’t become cold even in winter conditions. Ergonomics are also not lacking in the Trail Phantom thanks to a shock-absorbing EVA midsole and padded collar. There are a lot of hunting boots out there, but few that meet the right balance of comfort, insulation, and waterproof as the Trail Phantom does. These are undoubtedly among the best and warmest hunting boots period.
MuckBoots Men’s Arctic Pro Hunting Boot
The Arctic Pro Hunting Boot from MuckBoots is exceptionally warm due to the 8mm CR flex foam and another 2mm of thermal foam underlay. In other words, not only are these hunting boots among the warmest that you can get, but they are also extremely waterproof. Traction is also a key ingredient needed for hunting boots, and MuckBoots (see full specs) delivers with an outsole that can sustain high abrasion, and a durable rubber shell. MuckBoots has tested the Arctic Pro Hunting Boot to work in temperatures as low as negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which definitely says something about the overall quality of it.
Bogs Men’s Classic High Break Up Boot
Bogs is a very well known manufacturer in the world of hunting boots, and their Classic High Break Up Boot definitely meets their deserved reputation for quality. This boot is made predominately out of a one hundred percent waterproof rubber, with a Mossy Oak camouflage covering the rubber to keep you invisible in the wilds. The sock liner is moisture-wicking, but it’s also removable so that it can be cleaned. Bogs has tested these boots to keep the feet warm in temperatures down to negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. While the Classic High Break Up Boot is not quite as breathable as some other types of boots out on the market, it’s still very comfortable to wear and has a non-slip rubber outsole that will keep you on your feet regardless of whether you’re traversing over wet rocks or a thick marsh.
Selecting Warm Hunting Boots
Any pair of hunting boots will become utterly worthless once they start to leak or don’t keep your feet warm, which is why you should thoroughly research boots before making a purchase. Part of that research won’t be just seeing what’s on the market and what seems to be good, but the qualities of a hunting boot that you should be looking for in the first place.
The biggest quality that your hunting boots should have is insulation. Granted, the amount of insulation that is needed for adequate warmth and comfort will vary from person to person. But you can get an idea of how much insulation you need based on the kind of hunt you’re embarking on. If you’re sitting in a tree stand in exceptionally cold weather, then your boots should have more insulation since you’re moving less. But if you’re stalking a herd of elk, then your feet are moving more and you may not need so much insulation.
Another quality you should look for the warmest hunting boots is the weight. Insulated hunting boots are great, but there are some models that can have so much insulation that they’re just too heavy. Heavier boots translates to not covering as much ground per day or not catching up to an animal you’ve spooked.
Fortunately, technology such as Thinsulate (which is in a few of our recommendations) strives to meet the right balance between weight and insulation. Keep in mind that there are also a variety of socks (see our cold-weather hunting socks reviews) you can buy to give your feet extra warmth if your boots aren’t doing the trick, but ideally your boots should be providing the warmth you need on their own.
