Whether you’re hunting, fishing, farming, snowblowing, or just generally mucking around in cold mud or sloppy snow, there’s no better footwear than insulated rubber boots. In warmer weather, rubber boots can get too hot, but when’s it’s cold outside, there’s no beating the impenetrable waterproof nature of solid rubber.
Fishing might be the ultimate application for rubber boots since you’re constantly in and around the water and can’t afford to let wet feet cut your day short. Rubber deck boots are a staple of boat anglers since they repel both fish guts and splashing water while also providing grip on the deck’s surface.
They’re equally at home in lakes and rivers where you often need to stand submerged in cold water for long periods of time. In such instances, waterproof hiking-style boots can’t compete with the imperviousness of rubber. Ice-fishing presents plenty of water, ice, and slush and usually extreme cold as well.
Hunting offers slightly different challenges suited to rubber boots. A tree stand whitetail hunter might walk miles through snow and muck before sitting still for hours trying to stay warm. This requires a rubber boot that is comfortable to hike in and also is well-insulated. Late-season hunters will want an option that doesn’t overheat.
Even if you’re just working around the yard in cold temps, insulated rubber boots are ideal footwear because they slip on easily while keeping snow and mud out and warmth in. While functional, there are also plenty of reasonably fashionable insulated rubber boot options if you want something appropriate to wear out and about.
Best Insulated Rubber Boots
The Expert:
What to Consider With Insulated Rubber Boots
Warmth
Insulated rubber boots come in a range of levels with different types of insulation, from thinner neoprene and fur to thick wool liners and synthetics. If you’re ice fishing in sub-zero temperatures, you want as warm a boot as you can afford. If you’re hiking around in muck, but it’s above freezing, you may want minimal insulation to avoid steaming out your feet, which can ultimately make them colder.
Many boots will have warmth ratings to give you a sense of how well insulated they are, but note that just because a boot is rated to 0-degrees Fahrenheit, it doesn’t mean you will necessarily be comfortable at that temperature. Boots that employ synthetic insulations such as Thinsulate will often list the amount of insulation in grams, i.e. 1200 grams, which can be useful for comparing boots as long as both list the insulation weights.
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Height
Insulated rubber boots are often at least calf-height since they’re designed to keep out mud, water, and snow, but there are lots of mid- and ankle-high styles, too. If you’re frequently in deep snow or water, it makes sense to go for knee-high boots, but remember that the taller the boot, the heavier and more cumbersome it will be to wear. Get only get as tall a boot as you think you’ll need. Rubber boots that measure around 6-inches or shorter won’t be as practical for standing water, but they’re easier to get in and out of, and may be plenty of boot for certain lighter-duty applications.
Traction
Many winter rubber boots will offer decent traction, but you’ll want to look for outsole tread that’s up to your intended use. Boots meant for ice will have specialized tread or even spikes to prevent slips; conversely, boat deck boots will have shallower lugs and prioritize grippy compounds. If you’re hiking or walking distances, you’ll want a more athletic outsole that isn’t too stiff and has off-road tread that can handle anything from mud to snow to slippery rock.
How We Selected Insulated Rubber Boots
I’ve tested many winter boots over the years and put them through their paces ice fishing, hunting elk, and wading through feet of snow around my home at 10,000 feet in the Rockies. These selections are the result of that testing as well as talking with other hunters and anglers as well as boot brand representatives about the latest offerings. These are the best insulated rubber boots you can buy now.
