Best Hunting Boots For Cold Weather 2023

Are you tired of freezing toes and uncomfortable hunting trips in the cold weather? Do you struggle to find the right pair of boots to keep you warm and protected during your hunting expeditions?

Every hunter agrees that successful hunting has some requirements. You need the best equipment and tools that will be reliable for your hunting type. But there are some requirements that are the same, and you need to consider them for every type of hunting in every season. Such as, while packing for a hunt in winter, other than warm clothes, you will definitely feel the need to have the best hunting boots for cold weather because your feet need to be protected and comfortable in cold, freezing temperatures.

As hunting in winter is very popular worldwide, there are various options available for both hunting clothes and boots for winter. You can find boots made of different materials and a range of rubber hunting boots for less or more temperatures, But some features, qualities, and compatibility are the things that make a pair of boots the best ones.

To find out what are the best hunting cold weather boots, first, you will have to consider what qualities are essential for hunting in the cold and what kind of shoes will keep your feet warm while standing or moving around because they can affect your comfortability throughout the hunting session to a great extent.

• Best Overall Hunting Boots
• Best Budget Hunting Boots
• Best Elk Hunting Boots
• Best Rubber Hunting Boots
• Best Waterproof Hunting Boots
• Best for Walking
• Best Insulated Hunting
• Best Mountain Hunting Boots
• Best Rain Hunting Boots

The Best Hunting Boots For Cold Weather

The following reviews and buying guide will provide you with all the information about the features of the best rubber-insulated hunting boots.

Best Overall Hunting Boots – Danner Men’s Pronghorn

Features

• 100% Leather
• Imported
• Rubber sole
• GORE-TEX waterproof breathable lining.
• EVA cushioning and shock-absorbing midsole.

Our Rating

10 out of 10

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Danner Men’s Pronghorn are the number one choice of warm boots for hunting in winter. They are even warmer than the Pac boots. I have replaced those with these now. As these are made of leather, they have a high level of insulation for all weather conditions. However, they are larger than rubber boots, so if you are buying these boots, be careful to get the right size or thick socks so that they fit you well.

Being large in size, they offer enough room for your toes so that you don’t feel uncomfortable. I wear these on every other hunting trip, and they prove to be very comfortable even if you have to wear them for a very long time. But I remember, once on a trip when the weather was mildly cold, these boots felt too warm, and my feet started to sweat.

Even though they are large in size, don’t misjudge them for their weight. These boots are surprisingly lightweight for their size. Moreover, other than comfort and reliability for cold weather, the amazing grip level protects you from falling on mud, snow, or water.

And if it counts, they are easy to wear and take off. Also, once they have fitted your feet well, you won’t feel them falling off.
With the rubber sole and leather body, the boots, besides looking a little large in size, have a nice design on them. Also, the rubber sole makes them durable for a very long time.

With these pros, these boots are a perfect choice for elk hunting in low-freezing temperatures. They will definitely keep you in comfort by keeping your feet dry with moisture-wicking insulation. And yes, They are not so expensive for the warmth and protection they offer.

Best Budget Hunting Boots – Guide Gear

Features

• Rubber sole
• Cold Conqueror
• Insulated Hunting Boots
• Waterproof
• Best Comfort
• Slip and Oil Resistant

Our Rating

9.8 out of 10

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Guide gear budget hunting boots are sufficiently warm and comfortable for hunting even in the lowest temperatures. The grip is great for icy and slippery surfaces, thanks to the rubber sole. 2400 grams of Thinsulate is a lot; it guarantees that your feet will be dry and warm no matter how cold it is outside.

Although the boots are great for comfort, they are large and heavy, so it will not be easy to walk with them for long distances. So I mainly wear these when I am out for most trees stand hunting or for small game hunting. Even for these types of hunting, wearing them for too long will be uncomfortable.

The midsole and outsole of the shoes are amazing and provide a comfortable fit. If you have to wear thick socks for hunting in the cold, make sure to get the right size for a snug fit.

As these are really warm, you will feel them to be too much for mildly cold weather. But you can try wearing thin socks with them in the case. Also, if your feet get too cold easily, these will be the right choice for you.

As for hunting in the rain and walking on wet surfaces, these boots are incomparable in their capability to resist water. The leather material keeps your feet dry and well protected from water as well as moisture. As for the looks, their leather material and design make them quite attractive.

If you can handle these weights and want boots for warmth in the coldest weather, go for these boots. At this price, these are one of a kind.

Best Elk Hunting Boots – Irish Setter Men’s 882 Elk Tracker

Features

• 100% Leather
• Imported
• Manmade Sole
• Thinsulate insulation and waterproof
• Removable comfort cork EVA footbed with memory foam
• Moisture Wicking Nylon lining

Our Rating

9.7 out of 10

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Providing so much warmth and comfort, Irish Setter Men’s elk hunting boots still manage to keep your feet sweat-free with their moisture-wicking Nylon lining, which is a great plus point for hunting boots. These are undoubtedly highly reliable for even low-freezing temperatures. As these are 100% leather made with high-quality stitching, they are durable for years of hunting and protect your feet from getting hurt with the heel and sole support.

I got one size larger than the size of my shoes to wear thick socks with these, but to my surprise, they are warm enough even without wearing insulated socks. Still, I recommend getting a larger size if your feet get cold quickly. However, with 600-gram insulation, there will be no need for insulated socks in mildly cold weather.

Besides, as they fit well and your feet stay inside, you won’t feel your feet slipping from their place, making walking around comfortable. Also, it will be better to let them get a little loose by wearing them around at your home before going out hunting so that they don’t feel uncomfortable.

So it’s a great pair of boots for both walking around or tree standing as they are warm and comfortable. However, as they are slightly more in weight than my previous ones, I can feel the difference between them while moving around. But that might not be a problem for you if you are used to wearing leather boots.

Moreover, these are really a great choice for waterproof hunting boots. Not even a little water will enter these boots even if you keep them in water for hours. So yes! these are great boots for fish hunting also.

Best Rubber Hunting Boots – Muck Wetland

Features

• Rubber
• Imported
• Rubber sole
• Stitched and sealed with rubber tape for guaranteed waterproof protection
• Rubber Cupsole for durability

Our Rating

9.6 out of 10

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The best thing about Muck Wetland Men’s Rubber hunting boots is that they are highly comfortable for walking long distances. Also, as compared to many other boots, they are more waterproof as all the seams are sealed with rubber tape. So yes, you can go miles wearing these boots even if it is raining outside without any problem.

To tell more about comfortability, I would say these are easy to wear and take off but don’t worry about them fitting properly because they don’t come off unintendedly for the correct size. Moreover, as they are made of rubber, they are also easy to fold over.

The insulation level of these rubber boots is great for keeping your feet warm and dry. And as a person who has had many pairs of hunting boots, I know that the amazing quality of these boots makes them long-lasting. Besides, rubber boots are always known to be great for durability. For an estimation, I have been wearing these for more than six winter hunting seasons, and they are still as good as new quality-wise.

As for the grip, you can walk carefree on muddy or wet surfaces because the tread design is highly reliable for this purpose. Also, there is an additional removable support inside the boots, which offers better fitting, extra grip, and more comfort.

You can wear insulated socks with them for more warmth, but for my style of hunting, I didn’t feel the need so much. Yet I keep a pair of socks in my backpack in case I need one because you can’t take a risk on that.

So what else do you expect from a pair of boots for hunting in winter? Reasonable price! Well… no doubt these are a bit expensive as compared to some other boots. Lastly, if you want fancy-looking boots, these will not be attractive to you.

Best Waterproof Hunting Boots – Guide Gear Giant Timber II

Features

• Rubber sole
• Odor Free Wear
• Guard Like Protection
• Dry Relief
• Pillow Cushioning

Our Rating

9.5 out of 10

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Guide Gear Giant Timber is a nice pair of boots with enough warmth for cold temperatures and protection from water as they have HydroGaurd membrane and moisture-wicking performance to keep every drop of water away from your feet. That is not something every pair of boots out there offers you.

That’s why I replaced my Danner’s boots with these on the recommendation of a friend, as I needed something more protective for hunting during the rainy season. They are highly reliable with a 1400-gram Thinsulate but not for freezing cold temperatures. However, if needed, you can still wear them with thick and insulated socks.

About the comfort, I am satisfied with these boots for their comfortability with the pillow cushioning on the inside. However, this comfort comes at the cost of the large size of these boots, and that’s something usually not liked about hunting boots.

So for the size, be careful to get the right one, or you will have to find ways to make them fit properly. Usually, these are bigger in size as compared to others, which is a plus point if you are wearing them with thick socks but a negative point if not.

I must say they are nice boots at a quite reasonable price for this quality and features. They are also nice to look at if you want something attractive.
Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase and have been using these for the past couple of months for fishing and hunting.

If you had read other reviews about these boots, which I did when I was about to buy them, many said that you would necessarily need to wear thick socks with these as the toes get cold in very low temperatures, but I never had that experience personally so I can’t say much.

Best For Walking – LaCrosse Men’s AeroHead

Features

• 50% Neoprene – 50% Rubber
• Extreme comfort and durability
• Waterproof comfort
• Best-in-class cushioning
• Moisture-wicking and quick drying

Our Rating

9.4 out of 10

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LaCross Men’s AeroHead is a nice and decent hunting boot with all the necessary qualities of a hunting boot. They ensure a great comfortable hunting trip for you. These boots are warm up to my expectations and much more reliable as waterproof hunting boots than the Bogs I had before these. Even if the water gets inside these, it will dry out quickly without causing any discomfort.

Although the sole is soft, don’t worry about your feet getting hurt. You can count on these for walking miles during the hunt, and the comfortability they provide with the rubber sole and the thick polyurethane midsole protects your feet from getting hurt. Also, if you are looking for boots for mostly walking while hunting, these are very lightweight, which adds to their comfort. But do wear thick socks with them for tree standing as you will need more warmth for that in the lowest temperatures.

Very durable and the quality won’t disappoint you for the price you would pay for these. Moreover, they fit well and do not come off easily, which provides you with good stability and grip. I got one size bigger than the size of the shoes I wear, and it was the right one. One size bigger will be better if you intend to wear thick socks with them.

Although they fit well, they should be easy to take off by the end of the day. However, as they lack heel spur, they have to be removed with hands. Other than that, these are great boots for hunting and moving around in the cold and rainy seasons.

Best Insulated Hunting Boots – Muck Boot Pursuit Fieldrunners

Features

• Rubber
• Imported
• Comfortable and flexible

Our Rating

9.3 out of 10

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Muck boot pursuit Fieldrunners will prove to be a great choice for cold temperatures but not for too cold like the Guide gear leather boots. However, in contrast to the Guide Gear boots, you can walk miles with these boots. Also, fish hunting, deer hunting, and turkey hunting perform their job well in keeping the feet comfortable and dry.

Made completely of rubber, both the body and sole of Muck boots are quite durable. They are reliable for outdoor perils and guarantee you comfortable hunting trips protecting you from all the snow, water, and slippery mud. The construction and quality are awesome. Therefore, they do not get ruined even in these conditions.

For very low temperatures, wear thick insulated socks with these boots for more warmth. I wore these with wool socks, and it was warm and comfortable enough for tree standing. Moreover, just as a hunter likes, these boots are easy to wear and take off. They do not feel hard and tight on the feet even when wearing them for the first time.

The boots fit well for the feet. It is a little large in size, but that is good for wearing thick socks with them. Although they keep your feet warm without sweating, still, I would say Muck was much better before.

This pair of boots feel cheaper in quality than previous ones of this company as I had one before buying these. But overall, I am happy with these. The quality is not too bad to compromise on the performance and durability of the boots.

Best Mountain Hunting Boots – Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400

Features

• 100% Leather
• Rubber sole
• Double and triple stitching throughout for added durability
• Custom K-Talon Outsole

Our Rating

9.2 out of 10

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On my first hunting trip wearing Kenetrek Mountain extreme, I was amazed to feel the same level of warmth that is offered by other hunting boots with almost double the insulation level. I didn’t even feel the need to wear insulated socks with them for hiking. For protection from water and mud, leather boots have always been reliable, and these are 100% made of leather. Also, they are durable as compared to many boots because of double and triple stitching.

The outsole is great and offers grip and traction, which is even reliable for hiking. I have worn these boots for hiking very often, and they provided me with the needed stability and comfort. Talking about comfortability, you will definitely need to change the insoles as they are really uncomfortable and hurt your feet while walking or wearing them for a long time. Buy some better insoles, and they will be all good.

After wearing it a few times, they get comfortable for your feet and fit really well, making it easy for you to walk around. The same goes for the tongue of the boots. They feel stiff at the beginning but, with time, get softer.
The ankle and heel support is worth mentioning. Kenetrek mountain extremes have all the features for adding to the comfort. Your feet are safe from bruises and blisters.

Although these are great for hiking and grip well on the mounts, I won’t recommend these for slippery surfaces. They may be waterproof, but as an experienced, I can tell that the tread design is not designed for slippery or muddy surfaces. Therefore, be careful on the wet surfaces or buy some other boots if you have to move around on wet surfaces a lot.

Best Rain Hunting Boot – Rocky Men’s Sport Utility Pro

Features

• 100% Leather
• Imported
• Rubber sole
• GORE-TEX waterproof breathable lining.
• EVA cushioning and shock-absorbing midsole.

Our Rating

9.1 out of 10

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Rocky Men’s Sports Utility Pro Boots are great boots at a great price. They are really warm and provide the utmost comfort. Even if your feet feel a little cold in the lowest temperatures, you can wear thick socks with these. I remember, on my last trip, I wore them in mildly cold temperatures. I was afraid that my feet would begin to sweat, but to my surprise, my feet didn’t sweat even a little bit in these boots.

As they are made of leather and Nylon and are well constructed, there are no complaints about durability. These will last for years. Also, boots made of these materials get loosened and more comfortable with time after wearing them a few times. So if they feel uncomfortable at the start, don’t be so quick to judge; just wait for them to get loosened.

Besides fitting well, these support your feet well and do not cause any harm with the soft cushioning in the insole. This means that you can wear these for hours and also walk around without any discomfort.

Besides comfort, hunting boots should offer a great grip and stability, and these boots are reliable for moving around on wet and muddy surfaces without slipping. Also, the ankle and sole support are up to the mark for the protection of your feet.

Although these are highly reliable, I don’t recommend these boots for hunting in the rain or walking around on wet grass. I can tell these are in no way waterproof as I wore them on a rainy day, and my socks and feet were all wet.

I never used these again for hunting in the rainy season after that. So that’s the only con of these boots that I found. There are several other choices for you of waterproof boots, but if you can compromise on that, these will be the best ones.

Buying Guide for the Best Hunting Boots for Cold Weather

All the glitter is not gold. A stylish pair of boots is not always going to be helpful for you to keep your feet warm in winter. Many other factors are going to contribute to that. Such as your size of shoes and material that will be comfortable and reliable for hunting type. Let’s talk about these factors one by one.

1- Suitable Size

Finding a shoe that fits your feet perfectly is easy, but not if you are looking for a pair of boots for hunting in winters. Because you will also have to keep in mind that you will have to wear insulated socks and maybe use some tools that can add to the insulation of your boots. For this purpose, you will need a size slightly larger than your usual size.

Once you feel that you have the right size, not too loose and not too tight, try them on with socks to make sure that they are comfortable for your feet.

2- Material Used

Hunting boots are mostly made of rubber such as fleece, neoprene and leather. These materials are all durable. But boots made of leather are sometimes heavy, which makes them uncomfortable for hunting. On the other hand, rubber boots are great for protecting your feet and keeping them dry. Rubber outsoles are great for grip and ensure your safety during the hunt.

Also, Boots made of neoprene or fleece rubber are well insulated to keep your feet warm. Therefore, for hunting rubber boots are recommended for hunting during the winter season.

3- Reliability

Besides being durable for extreme conditions of hunting seasons, keep in mind to get boots that are reliable. You will need a pair of boots that will keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable. Choose a material that is waterproof or water-resistant.

Also, boots with a good grip so that you don’t slip on mud or snow. Boots with more insulation levels are more reliable for protecting you from cold water or any other dangerous thing such as snakes or some other animal that can cause harm to you.

4- Type of hunting activity

It depends on what kind of hunting activity you are performing. If you are moving around a lot, you will definitely need boots that can offer you a great level of comfortability so that your feet don’t hurt. But if you don’t have to walk around that much, such as when you are sitting in a tree stand, your feet won’t hurt a lot. Still, wearing uncomfortable shoes for hunting for a long time will definitely cause trouble for you.

Moreover, your shoes should be light-weighted to ensure comfortability. It will be difficult for you to walk around if your boots are heavy. Rubber boots are light weighted as compared to leather boots. Therefore, they are more suitable for walking around while hunting.

5- Insulation level

It’s always better to get hunting boots that offer high levels of insulation, around 800 to 1000 Thinsulate, so that your feet are well protected from water and cold and will remain dry and warm. However, if the temperature is moderate and not too low, boots that have 400g to 600g of Thinsulate will also be reliable.

During the trip, If you feel that your boots have a low insulation level and your feet are getting cold, wear insulated socks with them for more protection. Always keep these socks in your backpack. Also, in this case, you will need slightly large-sized boots to keep your feet comfortable in them.

6- Odourless and noiseless

There is a big reason behind why your boots should not make a sound. It will alert the prey and make it run away. You will miss a huge opportunity. Heavier boots will certainly make more noise, while lightweight boots will be less noisy while taking steps. So get a pair of lightweight boots and great camouflage so that you can prey upon your target silently.

Other than the noise, the odor of boots can also alert the wildlife. Therefore, make sure to get scent-free material boots and socks so that you don’t miss a target.

7- Tall or short shoes

The height of your shoes is also an important factor to be considered depending on your type and place of hunting. For instance, if you need to move through the bushes or bogs, you will need a taller pair of boots. But shorter boots will be better for hunting on ground-level surfaces or sitting in a tree stand.

For figuring out the right size, keep in mind that boots with a height between 7 to 10 inches are the suitable sizes, not too short and not too tall.

8- Price range

A high price doesn’t always mean that the product is reliable. But some pricey boots offer more features and thus are more reliable for hunting. However, if a low-cost boot offers a high insulation level, comfortability, reliability and other features suitable for your hunting activity, you can count on them for your trip.

FAQs

1- What is the warmest boot on the market?

Irish Men’s Setter with 600 grams insulation level as well as Danner Men’s Pronghorn 1200 grams Thinsulate are warm enough for even low freezing temperatures. Also, all the boots mentioned above provide sufficient warmth for mildly cold or extremely cold weather, depending on the insulation level.

2- What gram boot is the warmest?

There are various boots with Thinsulate even above 1000 grams Thinsulate. 1000 or 1200 grams insulation level is usually preferred for extremely cold weather. But if you have to walk around more than standing or sitting, a pair of boots with 600 grams of Thinsulate will also be reliable with thick or thin socks, depending on the weather condition and how cold your feet get.

3- How do I make my winter boots warmer?

There are many ways to keep your feet warm by making your boots warmer. These include:

• Wearing thermal and thick socks with your boots
• Use heated insoles
• Use lightweight insulation
• Try a leather protector for your boots
• Waterproof your boots if they are not
• Keep your boots dry

4- Are rubber boots good for a cold?

Rubber boots are great for hunting in cold weather as they are waterproof and provide sufficient warmth. Also, rubber such as neoprene or fleece is durable, therefore, best for hunting. However, they feel a little heavier as compared to leather boots.

Conclusion – Best Hunting Boots For Cold Weather

Although it depends on several factors which boots are the most suitable ones for you, the following are the best hunting boots for cold weather:

• Danner Men’s Pronghorn 8″ 1200G Gore-Tex Hunting Boot
• Guide Gear Leather Hunting Boots
• Irish Setter Men’s 882 Elk Tracker Waterproof 600 Gram 12″ Big Game Hunting Boot

All three of these boots have the best features to keep your feet warm and comfortable in cold weather. You can read their review in the above article and choose the right ones for you according to your preferences. Also, Muck Wetland Rubber Premium Men’s Field Boots are also well constructed and reliable for hunting in the cold but are a little expensive as compared to others.

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Natile Muir

Senior Editor at Hunting Fellow

Natile Muir specializes in writing articles on hunting equipment, with a focus on hunting boots. Natile has a wealth of experience in the outdoor industry and is highly skilled in identifying the best hunting gear available. Her passion for the great outdoors and hunting is evident in her writing, which is both engaging and informative.

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