9 Of The Best Hunting Boots – Are Rubber Boots the Best Choice?

Perhaps second to your weapon of choice, the next most important piece of hunting gear is a quality set of boots designed with the needs of the hunter in mind. Heading into the field without proper footwear is a sure fire way to have a miserable time, especially during the colder months of the year.

When it comes time to get new gear, a pair of the best hunting boots around should be near the top of your list. Your feet, and probably your knees and back will thank you!

For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.

Hunting Boots vs Hiking Boots

While there is a lot of overlap and blending amongst all outdoor footwear, getting the right set of features in a boot that is purpose driven to the activity and weather a hunter is likely to be in will give you the absolute results. Hiking boots are perfect for their intended niche but may be lacking in areas that make them the best boot for a hunter.

What is a hiking boot specifically? By intent, they are a boot made for covering long distances as a primary goal. This means they will often be lighter and have a more flexible sole. Usually, they will be breathable to keep feet dry with constant exertion and have less insulation than boots of other types.

Frequently a hiking boot will cut off below the calve muscle, sometimes well below. There are a few hiking boots that are full height boots but most will end somewhere just above the ankle. This lends its self well to walking but isn’t the best at protecting the lower leg from thick brush and cold, wet conditions.

If we take that as a hiking boot, how would a hunting boot differ? For one they are usually taller, sometimes as much as knee height or close to. This provides more protection to the hunter. They may also have more insulation. As a hunter, you will not be walking all day to help keep warm blood circulating through the feet so having a warmer boot is often a necessity.

Hunting boots are often heavier and offer more support with either a shank in the sole and heel area or at least some form of reinforcement to provide the maximum of support when walking under a load. Some hiking boots to have a shank but it’s often more flexible and lighter weight than the shank of a hunting boot.

Lastly and of least importance really is that hunting boots are often patterned to blend into the environment. Various camo patterns are common on hunting boots where hiking boots may be either naturally colored or even brightly hued as a fashion statement.

What Makes the Best Hunting Boots

While there are some situation-specific needs for a pair of boots, there are more needs that are universal when picking the perfect boots for your needs. Before buying a pair of boots based on their water resistance, insulation, or weight you need to pick a set of boots that are of the proper construction.

In no particular order, here are some considerations on what makes a good hunting boot:

• Traction – Your boots should provide sure footing on a variety of terrain from rock to lose earth and even wet vegetation. Until you are in the field it’s impossible to know what conditions you will have your feet on so make sure you are going to be able to retain firm footing no matter where you are. This is especially true in your deer stand which may be very slippery, especially if wet.
• Support – The area around the toe box and heel should be ridged with the majority of the flex of the boot occurring around the arch area. Similarly, you want a boot that has support around the ankle to keep it from rolling or twisting. Boots with a shank and extra ankle support are preferable to any other boot. They will offer the best support.
• Fit – The fit of a boot is probably the most important consideration. Feet are almost as unique as fingerprints so getting a pair of boots that fits you well can be a trial but one worth undergoing. With most shopping occurring online, it’s even more of a challenge. Find your proper shoe size and width before ordering a pair of boots, this can save a lot of time and aggravation. You don’t want a pair of boots that are too tight or that allow your foot to move inside the boot.
• Construction – Most hunting occurs in some of the worst weather times of the year and that can take a toll on a pair of boots. No matter how good, you will have to maintain your footwear but getting boots that are properly constructed out of quality materials will make your life a whole lot easier. Commonly this means that the boot will be made of full grain leather and double or triple stitched. Boots are an investment, the last thing you want are boots that last only a season or two.

Those are the four universal traits, depending on the area and season you hunt you will want to consider these remaining options:

• Water Resistance – While duck hunters know they need waterproof boots, it’s never a bad idea for any hunter that may end up with wet feet. Even walking through wet grass can be enough to penetrate boots that are not waterproofed and make a chilly day in the fall into an unbearable experience. If you live in dryer climates or hunt in warm weather you are lucky in many ways and would probably be better off with breathable boots.
• Insulation – Some areas of the country, deer season is a feat of endurance as much as a hunting trip while others its comparatively mild. Match your insulation to your climate and personal comfort level but opt for boots that are warmer than what you think you may need. When your feet start to get cold, it’s going to go downhill fast and it will be hard to get them warm again without some source of artificial heat.

As a closing on the idea of insulation and water resistance, Gore-Tex is a miracle material for the hunter and is probably the best single material to cover both of these needs.

9 Best Hunting Boots

1. Irish Setter Elk Tracker – Best of the Best

I have worn literally hundreds of different boots and none of them have combined ruggedness and comfort like the Elk Tracker. Short of getting a pair of custom boots, I am not sure how you could get a better boot with a better fit.

Like any good boot, it starts with good material like a full-grain leather upper and a durable rubber outsole. When you start adding cork, which is the best natural shock absorber on the planet, you are just going overboard. Pack all of that into a boot with an EVA-supported memory foam footbed and you have made just about the most comfortable boot a hunter could ever wear.

Good for three seasons easily and possibly four depending on your climate and socks, the Thinsulate insulation is not too warm unless is the blinding heat of summer and keeps your feet warm down into the teens if not lower. The whole internal shaft from the opening to the toe box is covered in breathable Gore-Tex to wick away moisture. These are the complete package when it comes to boots.

They do take a little more care than some boots but its time well spent on a pair of boots this good. Keep them clean and dry them out properly and they will last a lifetime. It would be a shame to let something so good go down the drain for lack of proper care.

You have to take care of your feet and Irish Setter does that with the Elk Tracker. They are grippy with a solid shank to protect your feet on the trail and deal with snow and mud with equal ease.