The Best Hunting Boots in 2024 (2024)

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Hunting boots rank near the top of the necessary gear list. While there are places you can cut corners and save a few bucks, your footwear isn’t one of them. Whether you’re cresting the next ridge or braving the deer stand in sub-freezing temps, the right boots will keep you comfortable and warm in the field.

Unfortunately, there’s no one hunting boot for every game species. For elk in the backcountry, you’ll need a lightweight boot with plenty of stiffness in the upper to help you traverse steep, sketchy ground. Midwest whitetail hunters should probably opt for a heavily insulated rubber boot for those frigid late-season hunts. If you encounter different terrain or regions in a given season, you’ll probably need a few different pairs suited to the occasion. Luckily, the MeatEater crew has chased just about everything North America has to offer, so you’re bound to find something that works for you on this list. Here are our picks for the best hunting boots for a variety of hunting situations you might encounter.

Jump to: The Hunting Boots We Use

What We Look for in Good Hunting Boots

We’ve put plenty of pairs through abuse in all kinds of country and conditions. Some have held up, and others have been retired from our gear kits. But our top picks and all the best hunting boots have a few common characteristics.

Comfort
Waterproofness
Performance-to-Weight Ratio
Durability

We’re looking for a comfortable pair of well-built boots designed to protect our feet and stand up to everything the hunt throws at us.

Jump to: What Makes Good Hunting Boots

The Hunting Boots We Use

The MeatEater crew has logged hundreds of miles in these boots. They’ve taken a beating, endured the elements, and are still our top picks for the majority of outings.

	Schnee’s Kestrel Clay and Cal’s Pick	Crispi Birksdal Pro GTX Steve’s Pick	Crispi Altitude GTX Janis’s Pick	LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro Tony's Pick	LaCrosse Alpha Agility Snake Boot Adam's Pick
Highlight	Best All-Around	Most Versatile	Best Lightweight	Best for Whitetail	Best for Turkey Hunts
Material	Top grain leather/Schoeller fabric	Water-repellent Nubuk	Water-repellent Nubuk	Rubber/PU	Rubber
Waterproofing	Sympatex	GORE-TEX Insulated	GORE-TEX	Waterproof lining	Waterproof lining
Insulation	Uninsulated	200g	Uninsulated	Uninsulated	Uninsulated
Height	6 in.	9 in.	8 in.	18 in.	17 in.
Weight	3.4 lbs.	4 lbs.	2.9 lbs.	4.8 lbs.	4.9 lbs.
Price	$389^*	$500^*	$355^*	$190^*	$210^*

	Field Notes	Field Notes	Field Notes	Field Notes	Field Notes

^*Estimated Price on 04/03/2024

What Makes Good Hunting Boots

Rubber boots that keep toes toasty in the treestand won’t work for warm-weather hikes through the backcountry and vice versa. But all good hunting boots should have a few things in common.

1. Comfort

Nothing can wreck a hunt like ill-fitting boots that give you painful blisters. A great hunting boot will provide the support you need without digging into your skin or rubbing your heels raw—and with minimal break-in time. What’s comfortable for one hunter could kill another’s feet. Stick to boots designed for your individual needs, whether you have wide or narrow feet and flat or high arches.

2. Waterproofness

Some boots can repel a light mist, but others will keep your feet bone dry in a deluge. Wet socks can rub your feet raw, freeze out your toes, and make moving just generally unpleasant. Especially if you’ll be crossing creeks, hoofing it in unpredictable conditions, or toughing it out in frigid temps, look for a pair of boots with fully waterproof construction.

3. Performance-to-Weight Ratio

Whether you prioritize a rigid design for scaling technical terrain or a well-insulated style built for sub-freezing sits, it’s essential to strike the right balance between the performance you need and the overall weight of the boots. Heavy, bulky boots can slow you down and make maneuvering difficult. But good hunting boots will offer the features and coverage the hunt demands without becoming a burden.

4. Durability

The best hunting boots can shield your feet and ankles from thorns, burrs, briars, rocks, and more without tearing or falling apart. High-quality materials and rugged construction engineered to take seasons of abuse will prevent soles from separating and your feet from being exposed.

Breaking in Your Hunting Boots

Even the best-made hunting boots can rub your feet the wrong way if you don’t find the right fit and break them in properly before hitting the field.

Buy new boots early so you have plenty of time to get them ready to hunt. When shopping, try boots on with the same socks you’ll be wearing in the field. If you’re ordering online, measure the length and width of your feet and compare them to the manufacturer’s sizing chart—you likely won’t wear the same size from brand to brand.

Begin wearing your new boots around the house right away, again with the socks you’ll wear while hunting. Put them on when you rake the yard, run errands, or walk the dog.

Slowly work up to sliding them on before scouting trips or longer-distance hikes with a weighted pack. Note any potential places where hotspots or blisters could occur—use moleskin or Leukotape here to help prevent problems on the hunt.

You can treat stiff, tight leather uppers with a conditioner or softener for more give. If the fit still isn’t quite right after weeks of wear, consider swapping out your socks or investing in insoles for a more tailored fit.

Field notes from the MeatEater Crew

Clay’s & Cal’s Pick

Best All-Around

Schnee’s Kestrel

Price: $389

"Light, compact, and rigid — I wear them almost every day."

Clay Newcomb

A boot that’s rugged, relatively lightweight, waterproof, and easy on the feet checks just about all the boxes for the bulk of warm-weather jaunts. Both Clay and Cal reach for these boots for most of their pursuits.

Pros

Lightweight
Rigid enough for varied terrain
Easy to break in

Cons

Shorter boot makes river crossing more challenging

Specifications

Material: Top grain leather/Schoeller fabric
Waterproofing: Sympatex
Insulation: Uninsulated
Height: 6 in.
Weight: 3.4 lbs.
Price: $389

Steve’s Pick

Most Versatile

Crispi Briksdal Pro GTX

Price: $500

"What most impresses me about these boots is the waterproofing."

Steven Rinella

"Lately I’ve been hunting with Crispi’s Briksdal Pro GTX. It’s a good stiff boot, which I like, but it’s not so stiff that it takes a week to break in," Steve says. "I was surprised by how comfortable they are out of the box. What most impresses me is the waterproofing. Even after a full day wading through melting snow, the Briksdals remain bone dry."

Pros

Durable waterproofing
Grippy Vibram soles
Stiff uppers

Cons

Some might prefer uninsulated

Specifications

Material: Water-Repellent Nubuk
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Insulation: 200g
Height: 10 in.
Weight: 4 lbs.
Price: $500

Janis’s Pick

Best Lightweight

Crispi Alltitude GTX

Price: $355

"This light boot dries fast and allows me to ‘run’ if needed."

Janis Putelis

"These days, my go-to is the Crispi Altitude," Jani says. "It's a light boot that dries fast and allows me to 'run' if needed. Most importantly, the soft material makes for silent stalks. It's a trade-off, though. A light, soft boot doesn’t provide a ton of support when you’re carrying an elk quarter out of the mountains, especially off-trail. But it does help you get close enough to loose an arrow. I choose to suffer a bit during the packout because, ultimately, my goal is to kill an animal."

Pros

Lightweight
Quick-drying
Quiet material

Cons

Lacks the support of stiffer boots - especially on pack-outs

Specifications

Material: Water-repellent Nubuk
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Insulation: Uninsulated
Height: 8 in.
Weight: 2.9 lbs.
Price: $355

Tony's Pick

Best for Whitetail

LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro

Price: $190

"These boots are comfortable enough for shed hunting, scouting, hanging stands, and just about anything related to deer."

Tony Peterson

"The LaCross Alphaburly 18" boots are my go-to hunting boots for all of my whitetail hunts," Tony says. "In fact, they’re comfortable enough for me to wear shed hunting, scouting, hanging stands, and doing just about anything related to deer. Not only do you get the scent-free(ish) benefits from these boots, but if you hunt around water a fair amount, you’ll stay dry while crossing smaller streams and other waterways. Hell, I even wear them on a lot of my pheasant hunts where I might log 25,000-plus steps in a day."

Pros

Scent-free(ish)
Comfortable
No Maintenance
Durable

Cons

Breathability
Not great for truly cold temps

Specifications

Material: Rubber/PU
Waterproofing: Waterproof lining
Insulation: Uninsulated
Height: 18 in.
Weight: 4.8 lbs.
Price: $190

Adam's Pick

Best for Turkey Hunting

LaCrosse Alpha Agility Snake Boot

Price: $210

"These snake boots are as nimble as a rubber boot gets."

Adam Moore

"I spend my springs chasing turkeys across the deep South, where you’re just as likely to encounter a number of venomous snakes as you are a gobbler," Adam says. "I don’t mind snakes, but the snake guard on the Alpha Agility Snake boots provides a little peace of mind when you’re sloshing through swamps in the dark. Unlike other rubber boots, these have streamlined lowers that feel about as nimble as a rubber boot can. This smaller profile makes them great for sneaking through the turkey woods, and they won’t weigh you down on all-day run-and-gun affairs."

Pros

Snakeproof lining
Waterproof
Smaller profile for a rubber boot

Cons

Specific application

Specifications

Material: Rubber
Waterproofing: Waterproof lining
Insulation: Uninsulated
Height: 18 in.
Weight: 4.9 lbs
Price: $210