Have you ever sat in a tree stand with cold, wet feet after hiking to your hunting spot through the snowy or wet ground? If you have you can probably recall that discomfort significantly shortening or at least worsening your hunting day. At the very least it took away from some of the joy you normally get when you are out looking for a game to bring down. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way at all. With a pair of the best cold weather hunting boots, you will never have to worry about this cold, wet foot scenario again.
There is one problem though. Not all of the products that claim to be the warmest hunting boots truly are what they claim. That’s why we are here to help. We will do some helpful reviews of the top model warmest hunting boots and also supply you with some good information on what to look for when shopping for them. Once you are finished reading, you will have all the information, you need to make a great cold-weather hunting boot choice.
Warmest Hunting Boots Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Irish Setter 8″ Hunting Boot |
| View On Amazon | |
Danner Men’s Pronghorn Realtree Xtra 1200G Hunting Boot |
| View On Amazon | |
Lacrosse AeroHead Hunting Boot |
| View On Amazon | |
Danner Men’s Jackal II Hunting Boot |
| View On Amazon | |
Rocky Knee High Boot |
| View On Amazon | |
Irish Setter Trail Phantom Waterproof Boot |
| View On Amazon | |
Lowa Men’s Hunter Goretex Boot |
| View On Amazon |
Best Cold Weather Hunting Boots (The Updated List 2021)
Here is what we feel are some best cold weather hunting boots you will find in the sports footwear marketplace:
1- Irish Setter 8″ Hunting Boot
These cold weather hunting boots from Irish Setter are at the top of the class when it comes to hunting boots that are functional and have some style too. They are an 8-inch high leather and synthetic blend hunting boot that is done up in nice Realtree Xtra Camouflage.
Do you like dry feet when hunting? Well, then you will really like these boots. They have an enhanced ultra-dry waterproofing system built into them. Your feet will even be protected from sweat with this Irish Setter boot’s moisture-wicking mesh liner.
Other nice features on the Irish Setter Men’s 2870 Hunting Boots include their high traction rubber sole that makes it effortless when going across uneven terrain. The boot material itself is protected with ScentBan technology too. That way you spot your game before it picks up your scent.
Pros:
- Realtree Xtra Camouflage 8” high leather/synthetic hunting boot
- Ultra-Dry waterproofing system
- ScentBan technology
- High traction rubber sole
- Moisture-wicking mesh lining
- Lightweight at 1.2 lbs. each
Cons:
- The arch is too high for some peoples liking
- The outsole is very soft and can be punctured by sharp objects
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2- Danner Men’s Pronghorn Realtree Xtra 1200G Hunting Boot
If you like to have toasty warm feet when hunting on even the coldest of days you will love these hunting boots from Danner. Just to make sure that nobody’s feet get cold when wearing them they decided to add 1200 gram insulation to these boots. Even when you are just sitting or standing still while hunting on cold days these nice hunting boots will still keep your feet warm.
These hunting boots will not only do a great job of keeping your feet warm but your feet will stay comfortable in them too. That’s because they have other outstanding features like an Ortholite cushion insole and a GORE-TEX waterproof liner.
There are 8” high boots which will help keep moisture from going over the top of them when you are walking through snow or shallow creeks. The anti-slip rubber sole gives you excellent traction when walking on all different surfaces too.
Pros:
- 8” high leather/camouflage fabric hunting boot
- Anti-slip rubber sole
- GORE-TEX waterproof lining
- 1200g Thinsulate Ultra Insulation
- Ortholite cushion insole
- Lightweight at 1.2 lbs. each
Cons:
- Too hot for warm weather use
- Short break-in period required with them
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3-Lacrosse AeroHead Hunting Boot
Lacrosse is a well-renowned hunting boot manufacturer. They have been churning out popular hunting boots for many years now. That experience really shows through in these well-designed 18” high fully waterproof hunting boots.
What makes these boots so watertight? It has to do with its polyurethane and neoprene upper construction. Neoprene is a totally leak-proof material that is durable and chemical resistant too. The welded soft rubber sole is leak-proof also and offers good traction when walking across all types of terrain in these boots.
Among these boots, other nice features are there AeroForm technology that allows max flexibility and their comforting polyurethane foam midsole. At 1.2 pounds each they are a fairly lightweight boot that won’t tire you out as you move around while hunting.
Pros:
- 18” high fully waterproof polyurethane/neoprene hunting boot
- Soft high traction rubber sole
- Under Armour Scent Control® and anti-bacterial Cupron® lining
- Protective rubber toe and heel caps
- Polyurethane foam midsole
- These boots weigh 2.2 lbs. each
Cons:
- Some people find knee-high hunting boots to be restrictive
- Not breathable material so too hot for warm weather hunting
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4- Danner Men’s Jackal II Hunting Boot
Are you looking for protection from wetness, cold and snakes from your hunting boots? Then you will want to take a look at this knee-high pair from Danner. They are an excellent hunting boot to wear under some extreme wet conditions and when the weather gets cooler.
These 18” tall hunting boots are built tough. So though you don’t have to worry about a rattlesnake surprising you with a bite below the knee. They will stop all wetness from getting through to your feet too. They are a decent cold weather boot too when paired up with the right insulated socks.
Other nice features on these boots include their low lug Danner Phantom outsole and their distinct camouflage pattern. They also feature a very nice waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® lining.
Pros:
- Knee-high nylon upper and shank
- Snake-proof hunting boot
- Low lug Danner Phantom outsole
- Camouflage pattern
- Waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® lining
- Each boot weighs is 2.4 lbs.
Cons:
- A slightly heavy boot
- Not an extreme cold weather hunting boot
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5- Rocky Knee High Boot
Here is another knee-high hunting boot that makes a great boot for hunting in extremely wet conditions. This 100% waterproof boot is great for use when hunting waterfowl or going through heavy snow looking for bigger game.
Just how waterproof are these hunting boots? They even come with a Rocky Waterproof Construction guarantee. They are a fully snakeproof hunting boot too if that’s a big concern where you hunt.
These boots are not just waterproof but they are stylish looking too. They are constructed using Mossy Oak camouflage nylon with protective leather inlays. The polyurethane and rubber outsole on these hunting boots from Rocky is both rugged and slip-resistant. You will have no problems going across any type of ground in them.
Pros:
- 16” high full-grain leather/nylon hunting boot
- Rugged and slip-resistant polyurethane/rubber outsole
- Guaranteed Rocky Waterproof Construction
- Mossy Oak camouflage nylon
- Stylish looking
- Each boot weighs 2.4 lbs.
Cons:
- No added insulation other than a thin lining
- A little to the heavy side
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6- Irish Setter Trail Phantom Waterproof Boot
Here is another top quality hunting boot from Irish Setter on our countdown of the warmest hunting boots. It is a hunting boot that’s specifically made to keep your feet warm and dry all day long under the most extreme hunting conditions. This is a durable and waterproof 9” high leather and Cordura hunting boot. It even has nice Realtree all-purpose camouflage fabric built into it.
You won’t have any problems keeping your toes from getting frozen in these hunting boots thanks to the generous amount of 600 gram Thinsulate insulation in them. Comfort enhancing features on these hunting boots include such things as a shock-absorbing EVA foam footbed.
You will love moving about in them on their ground-hugging, aggressive tread Shadow-trek rubber outsoles. Each boot weighs just 1 ½ pound and they lace up easily and tightly thanks to their innovative D-ring style grommets.
Pros:
- 9” high Leather/Cordura hunting boot w/ Realtree all-purpose camouflage fabric
- High traction Shadow-trek rubber outsole
- Shock-absorbing EVA foam footbed
- Easy d-ring grommet lacing
- 600g of Thinsulate insulation
- The boot weight is 1.5 lbs. each
Cons:
- Not full immersion waterproof
- A stiffer fitting hunting boot
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7- Lowa Men’s Hunter Goretex Boot
This is a pretty amazing hunting 10” high hunting boot that Lowa has designed. It’s a hunting boot that is specifically made to keep your feet warm and dry even under the harshest winter conditions. If you purchase these boots you will never end a hunt early because your feet got too uncomfortable to stay out in the field any longer.
By far the best feature with these hunting boots is their incredible lining. It’s made using not only waterproof GORE-TEX® material but it also has Primaloft® insulation in it too. That is a combination of warmth and dryness that you will not find in many hunting boots.
Other nice features on these amazing cold weather hunting boots include such things as their Nubuck Leather seamless construction and their all-terrain rubber sole. These boots are 100% handcrafted for excellence.
Pros:
- 10” high Nubuck Leather seamless hunting boot
- Handcrafted in Europe
- All-terrain rubber sole
- Primaloft® insulation
- Waterproof GORE-TEX® lining
- Boot weight is 1.8 lbs. each
Cons:
- Slightly stiff feeling until broken in
- Not available in camouflage
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8- Northside Renegade 800 Waterproof Insulated Hunting Boot
Here is a boot that will definitely keep your feet warm on those colder hunting days. It’s not so overly warm though that you can’t hunt in it on milder hunting days too. The Northside Men’s Renegade 800 hunting boot has proven itself to be a great all-around hunting boot choice.
Not only does it have 800 grams of warming Thinsulate insulation (- 40 thermal rating) but it’s a completely waterproof hunting boot too. It accomplishes this by having a sully seam-sealed leather upper that works in conjunction with a waterproof and breathable internal membrane.
Adding to the quality of these hunting boots are features like its anti-slip synthetic rubber sole and comfort-enhancing EVA foam midsole. These are a decent looking pair of hunting boots that are fairly light too at 1.3 pounds each.
Pros:
- 7 1/2” high leather upper with embedded nylon camouflage fabric
- Anti-slip synthetic rubber sole
- Waterproof and breathable internal membrane
- 800 grams Thinsulate insulation
- EVA foam midsole
- Weighing only 1.3 lbs. each
Cons:
- Bottom lace guides need improvement
- Run a little to the wider side
9- Under Armour Men’s Speed Freek Bozeman Boot
Under Armour seems to be in on every type of footwear these days and hunting boots are no exception. They have done a very nice job with this cold weather 8” high hunting boot design. It wears more like a free-wheeling hunting/hiking boot combination rather than a traditional straightforward hunting boot.
These Under Armour Men’s Speed Freek boots are packed with great hunting boot features. These include such things as its innovative Under Armour Scent Control® lining that has embedded anti-bacterial Cupron® protection. They also are a comfortable hunting boot thanks to such features as an ultra-light EVA foam midsole and their thin, flexible rubber sole.
At 1.5 pounds these boots are fairly lightweight and they also feature a protective rubber toe and heel caps. They are a hunting boot that allows you max freedom of movement when stalking game or making your way to your favorite hunting spot.
Pros:
- 8” high waterproof suede leather upper
- Thin, flexible rubber sole
- Under Armour Scent Control® and anti-bacterial Cupron® lining
- Protective rubber toe and heel caps
- Ultra-light EVA foam midsole
- Each boot weighs 1.5 lbs.
Cons:
- Not a great extreme cold weather hunting boot
- Not full immersion waterproof
10- Men’s Guide Gear Mossy Oak 8” Hunting Boot
Men’s guide advertises these extreme cold weather hunting boots as being ‘ultra-warm’. That might be an understatement considering they have a crazy amount of insulation built into them. They use a lining that has 2,400-gram Thinsulate Ultra Insulation. That’s as much insulation as we have ever witnessed in a hunting boot.
There is more to like about these extreme cold weather hunting boots too. They also feature such things as a padded tongue and collar. A form-fitting EVA foam insole promotes comfort when wearing these 8” high hunting boots.
The upper construction on them is done using tough and durable 900-denier Mossy Oak nylon. The Men’s Guide Gear Hunting Boot offers good traction to thanks to its Sure-grip rubber lug outsole.
Pros:
- 8” high 900-denier Mossy Oak nylon uppers
- Padded tongue and collar
- Sure-grip rubber lug outsole
- EVA foam comfort insole
- Ultra-warm 2,400 gram Thinsulate Ultra-Insulation
- Each boot weighs is 2.5 lbs.
Cons:
- Heavy for long treks
- Much too hot for mild or warm weather use
Buying Guide When Looking for the Warmest Hunting Boots
Insulation
There are a few boots on our list of the best cold weather hunting boots that don’t have a lot of insulation but that’s rare. Most of the time insulation is the key to keeping your feet warm on those cold-weather hunts. The more insulation the longer your feet will stay warm and the colder the temperature your hunting boots can handle. In addition to that, such things as EVA insoles also will provide various levels of additional insulation in hunting boots.
Waterproof
To say it quite frankly, it does not matter how much insulation your winter hunting boots have if they can’t prevent moisture from getting to your feet. Once your feet get wet it’s very hard to keep them from getting cold. In that sense, you might want to consider getting a top pair of waterproof boots as well.
That’s what makes a waterproof and insulated hunting boot the warmest type of hunting boot you can buy. Hunting boots are usually made waterproof in one of two ways. They may have a waterproof outer material such as treated leather or neoprene. Waterproof boots are also sometimes made waterproof using inner linings made of such materials as lightweight water stopping GORE-TEX®.
Type
You also have to decide what type of cold weather hunting boot you want. They generally are considered to be one of two types.
- Field
Field type hunting boots are the best ones to move around freely in. They are much less restrictive than rubber type hunting boots. They can also be made to be very warm thanks to various levels of added insulation. The big drawback with field type hunting boots is they do not work as well under extremely wet or deeper water hunting conditions.
- Rubber
Rubber boots should be your hunting boot of choice when going after waterfowl or going hunting in extremely wet areas that feature fast running streams and other water areas. Rubber boots also tend to have natural insulating properties that will still help keep your feet toasty warm when paired with a good pair of insulated hunting socks.
The big disadvantage with rubber hunting boots is they tend to restrict movement somewhat because of their knee-high height. In fact, it is believed that there are some reasons as to why rubber boots might be dangerous for your joints. They also generally will not keep your feet as warm in sub-freezing temperatures as a heavily insulated field type hunting boot will.
Again match the type of cold weather hunting boot you will buy to what type of hunting you will be doing and under what wetness conditions you will be doing it.
Fit
Of course fit is really important on any hunting boot that you choose to purchase. Improper fit leads to uncomfortable and sore feet and shorter hunting days. So pay close attention to each manufacturer’s sizing charts because they know best how their boots run.
Also, wear your new boots around the house a few hours before using them. That way you won’t mark them up in case you want to return them.
We will cover the rules of fit later on in this article.
Weight
If you drive up a dirt road and park 100 yards from your tree stand then weight is not going to be a big factor in your winter hunting boot buying decision. On the other hand, if you hike deep into the woods to hunt then weight becomes a major shopping consideration.
So when purchasing the warmest hunting boots factor in their weight based on how much you will be moving around in them and the distance you will travel when hunting.
Comfort
It does not matter how warm your feet are when out hunting if your boots are not comfortable to wear. Uncomfortable hunting boots can shorten your hunting day just as easily as cold, wet feet can.
So look for features in the warmest hunting boots that promote comfort such as the following:
- Gusseted tongues
- Padded collars
- EVA or memory foam insoles
- Flexible outsoles
- Breathable linings
- Moisture-wicking materials
- Orthopedic insoles
As far as insoles go, you ought to check our guide about how to get the best insoles for work boots. No part of a boot can be overlooked and this is why we have highlighted all the important aspects.
Traction
If you are hunting under extremely cold weather conditions it usually means you will be dealing with such elements as ice, snow, standing water, and mud. All of these conditions have the potential to cause you to slip and fall. That’s never a good thing when carrying a loaded firearm.
It’s the reason you need to look for the warmest hunting boots that offer good traction too. Look for anti-slip type rubber and synthetic soles that do not get extremely hard when subjected to freezing weather conditions. A good aggressive lug pattern may also afford you better traction when hunting.
Warranty
Extreme cold weather hunting boots are not the least expensive hunting boots you can buy at all. That means if you are paying good money for your warm hunting boots you better make sure they are backed up by a very good warranty.
What is considered a good warranty for hunting boots? It’s a warranty that covers all the parts of your new hunting boots for the longest amount of time possible. Fortunately, most of the work boots that you can find on our website have a very decent warranty.
Understanding “Boot Speak” – Common Hunting Boot abbreviations
You may have noticed we used a few abbreviations when describing the different cold weather boots on our top review list. We thought we better tell you what these abbreviations mean so it will help you with your cold-weather boot shopping.
TPR
This abbreviation stands for a material called ‘Thermoplastic rubber’. It’s best described as a rubbery and plastic mix type compound. It’s used extensively in boot production for making waterproof uppers, soles and boot platforms.
PAC
This is not really an abbreviation but more of a term. It’s used to identify what is commonly referred to as PAC boots. These are cold weather boots that are constructed using rubber to make the lower part of a boot waterproof and leather or synthetics to make the upper part of the boot durable.
EVA
This is a very popular insole material in all different types of boots. EVA is the abbreviation used for a material whose real name is ‘ethylene-vinyl acetate’. This foam type material has some form-fitting capabilities to help provide cushioning and comfort. It also is very naturally lightweight and durable too.
PU
This simply is the abbreviation used by bootmakers to identify ‘polyurethane’ that is used in parts of their boots construction. Polyurethane has such uses in boot making as an additive to leather to help make it more waterproof. It’s also used as a practical means to waterproof such areas of a boot as the soles and to help keep a pair of boot’s weight down at the same time.
Some Rules to Use When Trying to Find the Perfect Hunting Boot Fit
We briefly mentioned fit under our helpful cold weather boot buying guide. Good fit goes well-beyond just having hunting boots that are the right length and width. Here are a few more things to consider when buying a pair of the warmest hunting boots that will help make them fit you perfectly.
- For cold weather hunting order a ½ size bigger to allow for wearing insulated socks.
- If your foot can turn from side to side easily without the boot moving it’s not a good fit.
- Match the boot you but to the style of hunting you are doing and the type of terrain you are doing it on.
- You simply have to know how to break in your boots. This not only helps them feel better the first time you hunt in them but you can still return them if they are not marked up too.
- Poor socks make for poor boot fit. If you can see through the sock material it’s time for some new pairs.
- Your feet actually grow slightly as you move about during the day. If your boots are tight to start the day your feet may be very uncomfortable by the time you are done hunting.
- Make sure you know a supplier’s return policies before you buy any pair of boots. This is especially important if you are shopping online.
These are just a few things to consider in order to get the best fit possible with your new cold weather hunting boots.
Summing Up Shopping for Cold Weather Hunting Boots
Cold weather hunting certain has its challenges and you don’t want to keep your feet warm to be one of them. That’s why you need the best cold weather hunting boots to help keep your feet warm all day long as you hunt. As we have mentioned before, it’s best to find a pair of nicely insulated hunting boots that match your hunting style and the type of terrain you will encounter during your hunt.
Use our reviews of the top warmest rubber hunting boots as a guide to what a good cold weather hunting boot has built into it. Anyone of the boots on that review list would be an excellent purchase for you too. Referring often to the buying guide in this article will also help you when shopping for good cold weather hunting boots.
Take your time when shopping and return any pair that does not fit and eventually you will end up with a perfect pair of cold weather hunting boots.