Original Article: Best Hunting Boots for Cold Weather – 2020
Determining which cold weather hunting boot is best for you is a difficult thing to figure. Environmental factors such as temperature, type of precipitation, and the stability of the terrain itself are things you should consider.
Hiking the backcountry can be difficult when considering the terrain, and you want to make sure that your footwear is comfortable. Here in Montana, it is not unusual to hike up to 15 miles across varying terrains when elk hunting, and we had to be sure that comfort was at the forefront of our gear.
One thing to consider with hunting footwear is the “break-in” philosophy. A pair of boots may feel uncomfortable when first worn but will become more comfortable over time. Therefore, customer reviews are really going to help you in your decision.
Some climates have greater moisture and humidity than others and this can be amplified by hunting season usually being in the fall. Because of this, weatherproofing should be considered as well. Most hunting boots for cold weather come in either cloth, neoprene, leather, or rubber material. Each has advantages and disadvantages depending on the application and length of use.
In this article we will dive into the pros and cons of these and break it down to a top 5 to help you make the difficult decision of which to buy for your hunt.
Top 5 Cold Weather Hunting Boots
Muck Arctic Ice Extreme Conditions Hunting Boots
Neoprene material is a great choice for waterproof gear while being more flexible and forgiving for different ankle positions. This is especially helpful for steep climbs and difficult terrain. The Muck Arctic Ice Boot reaches 14 inches up your calf which is a great feature for water situations. Another benefit of neoprene is the heat retention that it offers. Keeping your body heat internal for a longer period makes this boot a great choice for longer hunts. Muck is known for comfort in their products by using Vibram technology. This technology is great for absorbing impact and shock while hiking. This boot is comfortably worn from -60 degrees to 30 degrees Fahrenheit making it a well-rounded boot.
FEATURES
- Vibram technology
- Neoprene Material
- Fleece lining
- Bottom insulation
- Excellent waterproofing
- Camouflage pattern
- Large opening for larger legs
- Retains sweat unlike cloth and leather
- Only available in one pattern
Rocky 8 Inch Retraction 800G
The Rocky Retraction 800G is a great boot for hunting steep terrain because of its laced design that you can adjust to fit either loosely or tightly. The great feature about this boot is the fact that it is made of synthetic and leather material which offers great weatherproofing while being durable and long-lasting. The downfall of applying leather to any boot is that it will be stiff until broken in, however. While this boot does not have an official temperature and climate rating, we can gather that with 800 grams of 3M Thinsulate insulation it can withstand the cold well. The tread on this boot is strong and very stable offering grip and traction. Memory foam is an interesting addition to this boot that can make hiking extremely comfortable, but memory foam will lose its ability to cushion over time which is something to consider.
FEATURES
- Camouflage Pattern
- Sturdy Leather and Synthetic Design
- Memory Foam Cushioning
- Tall Boot Height
- Tread is sturdy
- Pattern matches most gear
- Lace design makes it customizable for comfort
- Leather will need breaking
- Memory foam will lose cushioning
TideWe Insulated Men’s Hunting Boots
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The TideWe men’s hunting boot is a great thrifty option that offers the weatherproof features of its competitors for a reasonable price. This boot is available in an insulated option that offers an average amount of heat retention. The camouflage pattern of the insulated option does not match well with other gear, however. The insulated option comes with 400 grams of insulation which protects your feet from the elements ranging from -4 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This boot is 100 percent waterproof which makes it a great match for any high moisture environments, however, it will retain body moisture as it is not very breathable. The nice thing about it being 100 percent breathable is that it is easily cleaned with the simple spray of a hose. If you are looking for a good cold weather hunting boot for a more reasonable price, then this boot may be what you are looking for.
FEATURES
- 100% waterproof design
- Insulated and non-insulated options
- 4-way stretch nylon material
- Radiation resistant to retain body heat
- 100% waterproof
- Flexible build
- Good tread
- Not as breathable as other brands
- Limited camouflage patterns
Rocky Core Neoprene 1000G Insulated Boots
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Coming in at 1000 grams of Thinsulate insulation, the Rocky Core Insulated Boots can handle very cold climates. Another feature of this boot is that it is a knee-high boot that serves a great purpose in wet environments, especially if there is any wading across creeks of any sort. This boot is simplistic in design having a rubber material base and a neoprene length atop the boot. The only downside to this design is that the rubber section covers your ankle which is where flexibility in the material is most crucial. The tread on these boots are average and can withstand most terrains and conditions for secure hiking. The diameter of the opening is tighter than most and this is for a scent-proof seal around you calk while hiking. This can be a comfortable boot for hiking however it may be uncomfortable in more aggressive terrain due to the rubber material around the ankle.
FEATURES
- Scent-proof sealing design
- 1000 grams of Thinsulate insulation
- Multi-directional outsole
- Neoprene and rubber material
- Waterproof
- Scent-proof seal
- Great temperature rating
- Moisture retention inside boot
- Rubber material covers ankle limiting mobility
Keen Men’s Summit County Waterproof Winter Boot
Keen is a great choice for durability and the fact that the Summit County Winter Boots are made primarily of leather, make them especially durable in extreme conditions. As we have discussed previously, leather will likely need to be worn in before the boot is at its most comfortable, however, this pair of Keen boots is already comfortable out of the box according to customer reviews. This pair of boots is available in a black and a tan leather design which matches well with the existing pattern of your gear. The height of this boot sits about 3 inches above your ankle which is great for most terrain, but it may not be a good fit for any wading or heavily snowed in areas. One downside to this pair of boots is that it does not offer much in the way of technology. Other brands offer different features such as Vibram which limits and absorbs shock. This pair of boots does not offer any features such as this. Overall, for a good general pair of winter hunting boots this is a good product, but environmental applications are limited.
FEATURES
- 100% leather
- Available in two colors
- Made in the USA
- Waterproof design
- Leather material makes this boot durable
- Rubber soles harden in the cold
- 450-gram Thinsulate
- Lack of technology in soles of the boots
- Ankle-high boots are not good for all environments
Things to Consider When Buying Cold Weather Hunting Boots
Environment
As with all outdoor gear, you should consider the application of the boots in terms of the environment. Ankle-high hunting boots are not a good fit for any wading or high moisture conditions; however, they may be a great fit for cold dry climates. I have always found traditional leather boots to be the best for durability whenever I hunt but my climate probably differs from yours.
Material
Both neoprene and leather cold weather hunting boots have downsides. Neoprene is typically extremely waterproof and in most cases is 100 percent waterproof. The downside to this is that the moisture that your foot and calf naturally produce though sweat has a difficult time radiating out of your boots. This leads to odor and discomfort in your boots.
Durability
Leather boots are not nearly as waterproof as a neoprene or synthetic boot, but they do offer more durability than neoprene when you look at the long haul and are generally more comfortable during more intense terrain.
Overall, the best cold weather hunting boots are going to be what fits you as an individual and how you plan to use them. I for one am extremely hard on my gear so I always look at durability first and then work my way down from there, but that may not be the case for you.
In this article I have shown you a few crowd-pleasers that other hunters really like, and I hope that this gets you started on your endeavor of finding your hunting boots for cold weather.
