It is common knowledge that good shoes can make a world of difference in your everyday comfort. They can straighten posture, reduce walking fatigue, and of course serve as one of the first treatments to all manner of foot deformities.
A bad shoe can mean blisters and obstructed blood flow to the feet, causing painful sores and blisters and making it hard to remain on your feet for even brief amounts of time.
All of this goes double for the outdoor community. In deep woods or mountains, your feet are not your first method of transportation, they are your only method.
Shoes will take more of a beating than any other clothing while on long treks. Leading outdoor enthusiasts, as a community, have developed some of the most advanced boots around, aiming to make them comfortable enough for extended trips and sturdy enough for continual off-road work the whole time.
Hunters need to have all this and more in mind. Their boots will likely be heading through the mud and brush of areas frequented by wildlife, and need to be light and soft enough not to alert a potential prize.
Hunters will often find themselves needing to move farther from home than the average hiker to seek out a game. They can easily find themselves needing to move by foot into inaccessible areas to track a wounded animal.
With these and many more considerations in play, it should come as a surprise to no one that hunters take more care than most choosing their boots. Here are five of the top picks for hunters over the past year.
Related Article: The 10 Best Rubber Hunting Boots
Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Latest Price |
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  1. Muck Boots Woody Max |
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  2. Irish Setter Wingshooter |
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  3. Lacrosse 4X Alpha Snake Boot |
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  4. Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 |
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  5. ProductName |
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Our Best Product Reviews and Comparisons
1. Muck Boots Woody Max
Product Highlights
This boot is built with a full lineup of insulating features to keep you both warm and dry while out in the field
Features
- 5 millimeters of neoprene siding
- 15 inches from sole to top
- Thermal foam layer rated to negative forty celsius
- Stretch top seals to the calf
What We Like About Muck Boots Woody Max
Packed with one layer of waterproofing after another, this boot will keep you dry in anything short of diving.
What We Don’t Like About Muck Boots Woody Max
Layers can come apart with use, reducing the boot’s resistance to water or cold
PROS
- Neoprene waterproofing
- Thermal foam insulation
- Skin-tight closure
- Molded sole for stability and comfort
- Rear pull loop
CONS
- Layers can separate easily
- Neoprene is reported to crumble or flake rapidly
2. Irish Setter Wingshooter
Product Highlights
These boots use a quality leather shell to guarantee a warm and waterproof piece of gear.
Features
- Leather exterior
- Polyurethane removable footbed
- Contrast lacing with speed hooks
- Thick rubber outer sole for added grip and stability
What We Like About Irish Setter Wingshooter
This boot’s leather panels are less likely to come loose over long periods of time.
What We Don’t Like About Irish Setter Wingshooter
The hefty rubber sole makes these weigh almost 8 pounds, somewhat heavier than similar products.
PROS
- Quality leather outer layer
- Speed lacing hooks
- Rubber sole for added protection and grip
- Removable footbed
- Molded heel
CONS
- Heavier than other models
- Shorter than many similar boots
3. Lacrosse 4X Alpha Snake Boot
Product Highlights
True to their name, the Snake Boots come with solid rubber guards that prevent potentially deadly bites as you move through the brush.
Features
- Insulates to -20 degrees celsius
- Integrated fitting buckle
- Solid rubber bite prevention
- 14.5 inches from arch to top
What We Like About Lacrosse 4X Alpha Snake Boot
These boots are reported to block some of the more lethal breeds of snake, including cottonmouths, and prove hard for ticks or spiders to climb as well.
What We Don’t Like About Lacrosse 4X Alpha Snake Boot
Rubber snake guard is not as flexible as most hunters prefer their boots to be.
PROS
- 360 degree snake protectio
- Rubber guard is waterproof
- Insulating down to -20 degrees Celcius
- Buckled calf fitting
- Heavy rubber treads give excellent traction
CONS
- Rubber guard can be stiff and uncomfortable
- Snake protection should not be relied on 100%
4. Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400
Product Highlights
These boots use alternating layers of advanced materials to achieve maximum comfort under any circumstances.
Features
- Top grained leather
- 7 millimeter rubber soles
- 400 grams of patented Thinsulate thermal material
- Unique K-TALON sole design grips surfaces wet or dry, rigid or yielding
What We Like About Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400
The outsole of a single piece of leather for maximum durability and waterproofing
What We Don’t Like About Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400
Materials this sturdy will mold to the feet only after considerable use.
PROS
- Nylon mid-arch support controls perspiration
- Single piece leather shell for full waterproofing
- K-TALON rubber sole grips well on any surface
- Waterproof membrane seals sole to boot
- Patented Thinsulate technology preserves heat and dries quickly
CONS
- Noticeably more expensive than similar products
- Hard to break in
5. Lowa Tibet GTX
Product Highlights
A multipurpose boot with waterproofing for hunting and the comfort and breathability for less strenuous activity.
Features
- Breathable synthetic sole
- Gore-Tex lining
- 7 inches high from arch
- Vibram outer sole offers extreme reliability
What We Like About Lowa Tibet GTX
This boot uses some of the most advanced materials in the field to improve versatility.
What We Don’t Like About Lowa Tibet GTX
These boots are too short in the ankle for deep marsh or wading.
PROS
- Vibram soles
- Gore-Tex lining
- Speed-lacing and D-ring lace retention
- Comfortable tongue and collar
- Suitable for several outdoor uses
CONS
- Heavy padding can make sizing difficult
- Not tall enough for swamp or marsh hunting
Final Verdict
These boots are tough enough for long trips and light enough not to hold you back from bagging your prize. Make sure to choose ones suitable for your intended terrain, and try them on with your socks to get an accurate fit.
