Gear Guide 2017: Footwear

When all other things go right, do you want cold or wet feet to be the reason you didn’t stick it out till sunset? Here are three boots that will keep you on your feet during any hunt you’re likely to encounter.

Goose hunting in a flooded field? Stand hunting in January? Chasing moose across a frozen lake? While I don’t recommend the latter, the Woody Arctic Ice Boot from Muck Boot Company thrives in the late season, where wind, water and ice can be your downfall. It’s a classic calf-length rubber-and-neoprene Muck boot beefed up for winter wear and rated to minus-60 degrees with a fleece lining throughout. Muck has added aggressive non-slip lugs that grip onto ice, wet or dry, called Arctic Grip from Vibram. If temps are dropping, these are the boots I’m donning.

For early-season hunts, I’m looking for a boot that is light on the toe and one that will provide the support and protection my feet need for a mountain hike. The Buck Shadow from Browning gets use chasing both turkeys and whitetails, and with a new breathable waterproof membrane called OutDry, puddles or small streams aren’t bypassed.

Danner's new Powderhorn is a full-leather, 10-inch boot that houses an Ortholight footbed made of open-cell polyurethane for maximum comfort that allows air to circulate. It’s extremely lightweight for its style, with aggressive lugs that provide the rigidity needed for high-country hunts. A Gore-Tex lining means water stays out while allowing heat and moisture to escape.