Your feet carry a lot of weight and take a lot of stress every day—and even more so when you’re packing hunting gear through the mud, snow, and general muck. So, show your feet some love and make sure you’re wearing the best rubber hunting boots for cold weather on your next hunt. Whether you are hiking a couple of miles in snow and across creeks or are just crossing a muddy field to get to your stand, rubber boots ensure your ankles stay dry and your toes stay warm. When your feet are warm, dry, and comfortable, your morale is up, and you can be more alert to your surroundings. That might just make for a more productive hunt all around!
There are many quality pairs of rubber boots. One pair might be the warmest best rubber hunting boots, but another pair might be the best boots for stand hunting. You might need a pair best suited for one thing, or you might want a versatile pair for all your hunting conditions. This guide compares five hunting boots that all offer waterproofing and insulation, but as our favorite and best rubber hunting boot, we have chosen the Lacrosse Men’s Alphaburly Pro 18†1600G Hunting Boot. This boot has a high shaft, is well insulated and waterproof, and it is comfortable. If you don’t have time to read through all of our guides, be sure to check out the Lacrosse Men’s Alphaburly Pro.
When temperatures plummet, and trails become covered in snow and ice, specialized late-season rubber hunting boots provide a much-needed layer of protection against the elements. Modern advancements allow manufacturers to develop highly insulted, waterproof rubber boots that weigh less and offer exceptional durability. A higher number of hunting boots that deliver a combination of top protection and lightweight are hitting the market, all thanks to materials like Neoprene and 3M Thinsulate.
Best Rubber Hunting Boots for Colder Weather in 2020 – Our Selection
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— More Readings: Best Boots for Ranger School
Best Rubber Hunting Boots for Colder Weather – The Research
# How to Choose the Proper Boot?
Squeaky boots will ruin a stalk hunt. Thinly insulated boots will turn your toes into icicles. Low boots with a short shaft will flood if you are crossing creeks. There are many styles of hunting boots—even in the cold weather rubber style. To make sure that you get the right boot this hunting season, you can ask yourself a few questions. These questions focus on key buying criteria, and your answers to them will help narrow your choice of boots and help you find the perfect boot for you.
# How Cold Do Your Winters Get?
Are you living in Montana or Florida? We all know that the United States covers a lot of land and that winter in one place may be very different from winter in another. You need to assess your local climate (or the climate where you will be hunting) and make sure you get the appropriate boots. The weather can get cold hunting in Alabama, but wearing thick socks in a boot with less insulation might allow you to wear the same boot in early spring and fall as well. Know the usual temperatures during your hunting season, and know how much insulation you need to be comfortable.
# Do You Sleep With Socks On?
If you answer yes here, then you might want a boot with a lot of insulation. But let’s take a step back. This question, like the first, helps you dial in on how much insulation you need in a boot. However, instead of asking about the climate, you are asking about your body. Do you have poor circulation that leaves your feet cold all the time? Does your body temperature usually run hot or cold? You can also think back to your last pair of boots: if you’re warm enough wearing one pair of thick socks in leather boots, then you won’t need the highest level of insulation on the market. When you have your answers to these first two questions, you should know whether or not you need a heavy, medium, or light insulation.
# Are You Crossing Small Creeks And Mud Flats?
If you regularly hunt in wet, muddy, or mucky areas, then you definitely want a boot with a high shaft. I suggest at least 16 inches. Of course, you will need waders if you are crossing larger streams, but a tall rubber boot will provide enough waterproofing for little creeks and general muck.
# How Much Do You Walk Around Per Hunt?
This question asks about durability. If your hunts consist of walking only a few hundred yards from the road to your stand or blind, then a budget boot might work for you. Conversely, if you stalk your game and walk several miles every hunt, then you will want a durable boot that will be dependable all season long.
The number of hunts you have throughout the season will factor in here as well. If you only hunt deer and usually hit your limits within a few hunts, then you can look at a lower cost boot if you are on a hunting budget. Of course, such a boot won’t be the most comfortable and don’t be surprised if its rubber squeaks a little. However, if a budget boot like the ArcticShield boot on our list checks off all of your buying criteria, and your hunts involve little moving, then go for it. A good thing about a budget boot is that you can get your money’s worth out of it in one season and not feel as though you are throwing money away if you buy a different pair next season.
# All in all . . .
You are here because you already know you want rubber boots this hunting season. Your selection is already greatly narrowed. So, once you decide how much warmth you need, how tall of a boot you need, and how much durability you need, you should be ready to select your next hunting boot! Continue reading below for an in-depth look at our five best rubber hunting boots for cold weather.
Best Rubber Hunting Boots for Cold Weather -Â The Reviews
The selection process for these five boots was straight forward and simple. It consisted of wading through (pun intended) a lot of “rubber†boots that are not true rubber boots. Now, for cold-weather boots, you will have mixed materials for insulation, and this is usually neoprene. But occasionally you will see boots online listed as “rubber†boots and find out that the outsoles and lowers may have a lot of other synthetic materials that should exclude them from being considered true cold-weather rubber boots.
Next, all uninsulated boots were removed. We are only after insulated boots for those mid-winter hunts. Then I removed all boots shorter than 14 inches because if you want rubber boots you probably expect to be in some water, snow, or mud and need something high enough to keep you dry. Lastly, I consulted many reviews from verified buyers and weighed their opinions against the boot’s specs. This gives an idea of which boots are trending, which can be helpful because the same boot’s quality may change year to year. That narrowed the list down to five boots that all perform well but cover a variety of footwear needs. Here they are.
1. LaCrosse Men’s Alphaburly Pro 18″ 1600G Rubber Hunting Boots Review -Â Â Best Overall PickÂ
Best overall pick for rubber hunting boots
This Alphaburly Pro boot hits all of our buying criteria. It’s comfortable, it’s warm, it’s tall, it’s durable, and it’s waterproof. Are you tired of cold feet while out in the woods? Then you are going to love the 1600G Thinsulate that Lacrosse has put in this boot.
The LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro 18†1600g and a thick pair of wool socks will keep your toes warm and cozy all day long. This boot also sports an 18-inch shaft, which is the tallest boot we have on our list. Don’t get worried about fitting into this boot, though, because it comes with a neoprene gusset on the top of the shaft that lets you synch the boot to your specific calf size. A larger opening also means you’ll more easily slip into and out of your boots. And while we’re on the topic of custom fit—the Alphaburly Pro has a removable footbed so that you can replace it for a custom footbed. We love that.
Owners of the LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro 18†1600g consistently praise the warmth and comfort of this boot. Even with a weight of five and a half pounds per pair, hunters love these boots. Perhaps the biggest issue you will face with these boots is sizing.
Some owners complain that they are tight, while others complain that they are too large. This stems from the boot not having half sizes. Before ordering, think about your foot—is your foot wide, or do you have a high arch?—and decide if ordering a full size up is right for you.
— Why do we recommend this?
This boot really does have it all: Height to give you confidence when splashing through creeks or traversing muddy bottoms, warmth to keep your toes from going numb, and the ability to create a custom fit for maximum comfort.
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2. Bogs Men’s Classic High Handle Waterproof Insulated Rubber Hunting Boots
Best for grip
Bogs is a staple in the outdoors rubber boots industry. The Bogs Men’s Classic High Handle Waterproof Insulated Rain Boots live up to the Bogs name with a 14-inch high shaft (the shortest on our list) and enough insulation for those cold winter days all while keeping your foot comfortable. The soles on this boot are thick, and the tread is impressively thick and well-defined. If you are constantly sloshing through slippery much, this boot will help you stand your ground securely and confidently.
Perhaps the biggest drawback here is that owners say these Bogs run small, which can make ordering a half size up for winter socks an even trickier process. I suggest ordering a half size or size up from your normal, and then return them within the exchange timeframe if you need even larger.
—Why do we recommend this?
Bog delivers a dependable rubber boot with tread befitting a tank. The outsoles and tread on this Bogs Rubber hunting boot are as sturdy as you’ll find, yet the boot remains remarkably lightweight. This is a true wet-weather and cold-weather rubber hunting boot.
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3. LaCrosse Men’s 18″ Burly Classic Hunting Boot
Best for a snug fit
Tried and tested classic style superior hunting boots
Due to their superior quality and exceptional range of products, the LaCrosse brands have made our list a second time and for a good reason – the LaCrosse Men’s 18″ Burly Classic Hunting Boot. These pair of boots focus on delivering high performance in the classic style boot that has proven to work time and time again.
The Burly line of rubber boots has an impressive combination of features that make them durable, comfortable, and an ideal choice for hunting in wet and damp conditions thanks to its waterproof and scent-free features. Each pair of the Burly 18″ is hand-crafted and offers the most refined comfort with 9mm wool felt midsole, all-over foam padding, and polymeric foam insulation to keep your feet warm, and special ankle fit technology.
The ZXT rubber outer boot offers outstanding durability because it is ozone, abrasion, and tear-resistant, which will also withstand repeated use for many years.
Why do we recommend this?
These premium Burley are made from the finest, durable, waterproof, scent-free ZXT rubber and thick foam insulation that is hand laid for maximum comfort and warmth.
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4. Muck Boots Wetland Rubber Premium Men’s Field Boot Review
Best for mild winters
These Muck Boots have a rubber bottom and 5-millimeter neoprene upper. At 16 inches high, this boot will keep out the muck when you’re stomping around the backwoods, but much of the upper is neoprene which means you won’t get as thorough a waterproofing on the shaft. It also means that you lose some warmth because a shaft with rubber and insulation is going to keep your foot and leg warmer.
These Muck Boots have a rubber bottom and 5-millimeter neoprene upper. At 16 inches high, this field and stream Muck boots will keep out the muck when you’re stomping around the backwoods, but much of the upper is neoprene which means you won’t get as thorough a waterproofing on the shaft. It also means that you lose some warmth because a shaft with rubber and insulation is going to keep your foot and leg warmer.
For this reason, we suggest this boot for those hunters in the South who regularly see milder winters. If you are comfortable in a couple of pairs of thick socks and regular leather boots, then these field and stream Muck Boots will provide extra waterproofing and a little more insulation to get you through your hunts. A good thing about the neoprene upper is that it can be rolled down in warmer weather—and it makes it easier to get the boots on and off.
The biggest drawback to these boots might be a durability issue. Over the last year, some owners of this boot have reported supposedly easy tearing of the neoprene. However, neoprene is not the most durable material, so it can be difficult to gauge the reliability of such reports when the barbed wire, sharpened sticks, or large thorns could all potentially pierce or rip such a boot.
—Why do we recommend this?
The Muck Boots Wetland Rubber Premium Men’s Field Boot provides a good alternative to heavily insulated boots for warmer climates. The foldable shaft means that this versatile boot may even perform for you into early spring which will give you, even more, use out of this boot.
Be sure to get some warm socks to wear on your hunts. Carhartt Men’s Extremes Cold Weather Boot Socks will keep you warm and cozy on your coldest hunts. As with any thick winter sock, your boots need to be large enough to accommodate the thicker sock and still have wiggle room (extra space for the heated air to circulate).
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5. ArcticShield Men’s Waterproof Durable Insulated Rubber Neoprene Outdoor Boots Review
Best on a budget
Do you just need something to get you from the car to the stand a hundred yards away? Do you need some spare boots to keep around in case your child visits and wants to go on a hunt? Well, you can save some money without subjecting your toes to frostbite. ArcticShield provides warm boots on a budget with the Men’s Waterproof Durable Insulated Rubber Neoprene Outdoor Boots. For a boot under $100, 7mm of neoprene is a nice amount of insulation.
You will want to wear some cold weather socks with this boot, though, because most of the shaft is neoprene, with the rubber outsoles and coverings not protruding far above the ankles.
Hunters who own this boot most lament the durability. Lightweight construction delivered at budget prices means something has to give. This is not the boot to take on long treks and stalk hunts.
—Why do we recommend this?
Good boots for stationary hunting and short walks. Arctic Shield delivers a lightweight and comfortable boot that is among the best boots for stand hunting. Climb your ladder with ease in this light boot, and be comfortable and warm on your feet while waiting for your game to pass by. There is a surprising amount of quality in this budget boot.
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Protect Your Feet - Don’t Just Sit There and Twiddle Your Thumbs!
Do you want a quality boot that will keep your toes warm and dry, or do you want to keep soaking up half the creek water in your boots that are several years old and have been patched in more places than you can remember? You have read the reviews, and you know what to look for in a new boot, so there’s no reason to wait. With all five of our top boots under $200—and the Alphaburly Pro 18†under $150—the best rubber hunting boots have never been more affordable. Be sure to get your pair this season.
