Best rubber/neo boots??

[Mudman]

Been thinking of trying out some Mucks or Bogs or Lacrosse out in the woods and or snow.  Have and use cheap old Servo boots but never tried these fancy $ ones.  What ya think of em and which ones are worth buying.  Or should a guy stick with the good old quality leather boots.

[jennabug]

I got this pair (basic women's waterproof boots) last year from Bogs and wear them 1-2 times per day for horse and chicken chores.   They've kept me dry and warm despite being a soft bottom boot.
http://www.bogsfootwear.com/shop/style/71774-001.html

I'm about ready for a new pair, and would buy from Bogs again.  I'll probably buy an upgraded style next time that is more suitable for everyday wear though.

[Fl0und3rz]

I like my lacrosse.  Warm enough when walking around, and, of course, waterproof.  Not so much warm for sitting, but they let your blood circulate, which helps.  No ankle support, which makes side-hilling more of a challenge

I have an earlier version of these.

http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/alphaburly-pro-18-realtree-xtra-green.html

[trophyhunt]

I love my mucks, I can hunt/hike in them all day!  Very comfortable, only con is they make my feet sweat.  You think your feet are wet but it's just sweat. I use them also when I'm snowmobiling

[Curly]

After you get a good pair of rubber boots, you will be wondering what took you so long to switch from leather. I have a pair of Cabela's rubber boots that are very similar to Lacrosse.

[Mudman]

I looked at some fancy Mucks and Lacrosse at Sunbirds.  Not cheap.  Looked good.  But what about insulation amount for snow and or still hunting?  Do some have better ankle support?  Hmm.

[Fl0und3rz]

When sitting, I have used those toe warmers. Otherwise, walking through snow keeps my feet warm enough with a thick sock.  Feet will sweat. Extra socks are light.

[j_h_nimrod]

I'm a unrepentant XtraTuf guy. I have worn them for everything from alpine deer and mountain goats in August to snowshoe goats in Dec. in SE AK. There are very few tread design/rubber compositions that can compete on icy rocks or slick n steep grass alike. I can easily say I have worn these boots more than any other footwear in my life. They don't do great on long rocky stretches with a load because they have a thin foot bed, they are more like a moccasin than a boot in a lot of respects.

They are not for everyone though:
---your feet will get cold if you are prone to that or the weather is cold and you are not moving
---if your feet sweat badly then they will get wet
---they are soft, you are not going to dig your edges in on a side hill
---there is not a lot of ankle support, you have to learn to compensate for that

Almost all the other boots mentioned share the same issues though and most are not built as well. One major drawbacks to the others listed are the traction. The exceptions are some of the LaCrosse Burley models, I never liked a big insulated boot though.

All of them will work to sit in the truck, muck the pigs, or walk to the stand. The XtraTuf just does it better for me.

[Buckewe]

Another vote for Xtra tuff they last longer than most others and you can get them in insulated.

[Mudman]

Well I wear Redwing elkhunters now days and they have been good.  Little warm, 600thinsulate I think?  Used to wear Danner Quarry before they went to crap.  200 gram I think?  My feet sweat so I'm used to that.  Heck I sweat in slippers in winter.  However in deep snow my feet would get cold in the Danners if I stood awhile.  So 200-400 gram but considering rubber does transfer heat/cold more maybe 600g?  Tough boot with good traction, logs and rocks most important.  Good ankle support and not thin soled.  Happy feet equal happy hunter equal more time in woods!  Who makes this kind of boot?  I will look into xtratuf.

[RB]

I'm a unrepentant XtraTuf guy. I have worn them for everything from alpine deer and mountain goats in August to snowshoe goats in Dec. in SE AK. There are very few tread design/rubber compositions that can compete on icy rocks or slick n steep grass alike. I can easily say I have worn these boots more than any other footwear in my life. They don't do great on long rocky stretches with a load because they have a thin foot bed, they are more like a moccasin than a boot in a lot of respects.

They are not for everyone though:
---your feet will get cold if you are prone to that or the weather is cold and you are not moving
---if your feet sweat badly then they will get wet
---they are soft, you are not going to dig your edges in on a side hill
---there is not a lot of ankle support, you have to learn to compensate for that

Almost all the other boots mentioned share the same issues though and most are not built as well. One major drawbacks to the others listed are the traction. The exceptions are some of the LaCrosse Burley models, I never liked a big insulated boot though.

All of them will work to sit in the truck, muck the pigs, or walk to the stand. The XtraTuf just does it better for me.

 
Have hunted/fished SE AK and "Everyone" uses them myself included when up there. Everything in the above post is 100 percent accurate, I have seen my brother and friends do pretty much all mentioned. Yes they make your feet sweat but they last a long time I have a pair that I have been using for about 10 years and have had to replace the insoles a couple times, but the rest of the boot is still strong.   

[follow maggie]

I have the Muck Chore boot and absolutely love them

[Mudman]

http://www.xtratufboots.com/category/xtratuf-mens                 These?  Seem good but concerned about lack of traction climbing snotty hills?

[dscubame]

Another vote for Xtra tuff they last longer than most others and you can get them in insulated.

And another vote.  I put a wool insert in them and they are super comfortable and warm.  I always have these in the truck and really nice around a wet camp as well.

[Mudman]

So are they good for a 7 mile hike through steep mnts?  If so I might be sold.

[davk]

I wear XtraTuff at work every day and I find them very comfortable.  Idk how they would be in the mountains though, as they are pretty soft. 

[dscubame]

So are they good for a 7 mile hike through steep mnts?  If so I might be sold.

I would say not.  But 7 miles on non steep mountains all day long.  They don't provide ankle support.

[j_h_nimrod]

So are they good for a 7 mile hike through steep mnts?  If so I might be sold.

Personally, yes, I have done it many times. I think you would have to train your feet for it first though, kind of like getting your other packing muscles in shape. I wore them every day and wore out a pair in ~9 months so my feet were already conditioned to them.

http://www.xtratufboots.com/category/xtratuf-mens                 These?  Seem good but concerned about lack of traction climbing snotty hills?

Better traction than most, the chevron sole works very well and the fact they are somewhat soft n flexible allows them to mold around all the little bits of traction. An Airbob type sole does do better on really soft, slick slopes but they are not as good all around IMO.

[Happy Gilmore]

I completely wear out a pair of muck boots every year. Wear them everyday.

[SeatoSummit88]

Vote for Xtratuff!  As mentioned above, great tread pattern! Look for the insulated ones; a little more thick and heavier duty.  My feet get hot very easily, so I wear the non-insulated. I started wearing them as a commercial fisherman; then loved them so much, I bought 3 pairs. Hunting, Commercial fishing and house work. haha

[Henrydog]

My daughter has a pair of Muck Chores.  She is a 4 season all weather horse chick.  She hates them unless it is below freezing, they are too warm for her

[Eric M]

I've been wearing Xtratuf for 20 years at work. I buy the insulated ones. A lot of guys either put a wool insert in them or buy these little blue booties to slip on their feet and then put them on. If you are doing much walking in them I'd recommend bringing extra socks for sweat. I've tried them on a few hikes and didn't like them much on anything steep.
They had a run of boots that were terrible when they switched to building them overseas (leaked/fell apart). That seems to be ironed out. A few guys at work switched to the Mucks then.

[aaronoto]

How do you guys stand hunting in rubber/neo boots, don't your feet sweat like crazy?  Is neoprene any better than rubber in this regards?  I've tried hunting in my Xtratuffs but had wetter feet from the sweat then I did a little leakage from my goretex boots.

[j_h_nimrod]

My feet sweat as bad in neo boots as much as any rubber/non-breathable boot. My feet don't sweat overly much, but I prefer XtraTufs over my GoreTex boots because after the first few trips my GoreTex boots are definitely wetter at the end of the day and take longer to dry out. Change your socks and insoles if it they arevtoo wet and the neo boots are good to go. My GT boots seem more like a sponge once wet and keep my feet much wetter over the long haul, especially when you are tromping through the puddles and streams that don't allow the outside to dry out and pass water vapor.

It is like using a Grunden jacket and bibs, you get wet from sweat but they dry out quicker and you don't get more wet from rain.

[bobcat]

I had Lacrosse in the past and loved them, but currently I have a pair of Cabela's brand rubber boots and I think I like them even better. Very light and comfortable. Only got them because they had a good sale but if definitely recommend them especially if you get them on sale. Only bad thing is they're made in China, but they all are.

[Tjv28]

Xtra tuf. Nothing is quieter. To handle the rocky terrain problem just put some super feet or Sole foot beds in them and you are good to go.

[Fungunnin]

Get a pair of Bama Socks! They will keep your feet dry in any rubber boot. I wear Xtra Tuffs everyday for work and have for 15 years. Happy feet.



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[KFhunter]

I wear thick merino wool in my mucks, works well.  I don't like them for extended hiking but a few miles isn't an issue.