OUR TOP PICK – Best Boots for Hunting in Cold Weather
We have found the best boots for hunting in cold weather, and our top pick is the Kenetrek Men’s Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hunting Boot. It’s waterproof and the 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation in it will keep you warm and dry when you hunt. Most of those who bought these boots were amazed at how lightweight and comfortable they are to wear.
Read on for more information, or click the link below to read more reviews on Amazon.
- 10" tall leather uppers made from 2.8 mm full grain leather feature double and triple stitching throughout for added durability
- Custom K-Talon Outsole provides exceptional grip and traction while the 7 mm nylon midsole offers a solid foundation for extra support and stability
- Forged boot hardware offers corrosion resistance and swivels instead of breaking
- Durable Windtex waterproof membrane and 400 gram Thinsulate insulation keeps you warm and dry
Here are the Best Boots for Hunting that we have included in our review
Your choice of boots can make or break your hunting trip, especially during cold weather conditions. When the temperature drops, you can start feeling discomfort, numbness, or sometimes even pain in your feet. So to stay protected, it is crucial to find the best gear for hunting in cold weather.
However, with the many available selections today, it can be difficult to find a pair that can provide you with the protection and warmth you need while outdoors. To help you, here’s a list of the things you need to look out for when choosing the right one for you. We also used these factors to determine which products to include in our list of the top boots for cold weather hunting.
How to Choose the Best Boots for Hunting in Cold Weather?
1. Traction
Your boots should be able to provide you with the grip and support you need to stay stable in either snow, mud, or leaves. This is so you can focus on hunting and not on how to stay on your feet. Thus, look for boots with deep threads and those with supportive soles.
Vibram soles are popular in hunting boots as they are very good at offering better traction. But companies have other names for their unique soles like K-Talon and Danner Dry, which you should also look out for.
2. Weather Resistance
You should look for boots that are waterproof so you can keep your feet warm and dry even in rain or snow. Aside from that, look out for breathability too, so air can circulate your feet. This can help you stay comfortable all day.
A good choice of fabric membrane for hunting boots is Gore-Tex. This ensures that the product features reliable weather protection. You are likely to see other names too, such as Drystar, D-Dry, Windtex, and more. Just make sure they are waterproof/breathable.
3. Insulation
Insulation can keep you comfortable and warm during harsh conditions and tree stand hunting. So if you think you’ll be needing this feature, make sure to look for boots with either PrimaLoft, Thinsulate, or their equivalent. Then, choose the right weight, depending on how you hunt. Generally, if you sit and stand still for long periods, you need heavier insulation. If you tend to move around a lot, less is more ideal.
As a guide, boots with 200g insulation are recommended for active hunting. You can go higher as the temperature gets colder and the less active you are while outdoors
4. Material
When it comes to the upper boot material, it’s all a matter of preference. But if you don’t know whether to go with leather or synthetic, here are the advantages and disadvantages of each material.
- Leather: more durable, can last longer, and more form-fitting. It can also be repaired when the soles break down. However, leather can be more expensive.
- Synthetic: cheaper, lighter, and more breathable. However, it may not last as long as leather. They can’t also be repaired.
5. Weight
If you can, find the lightest hunting boot possible. This is because heavier boots require you to exert more energy in each step, which you don’t want when you’re hunting as it can cause fatigue. However, if you’re hunting in rugged terrain and carrying a heavy load on your back, you need more stability – to which stiffer and heavier boots can provide you.
Top 5 Hunting Boots in Cold Weather
Now that you know which features to look out for, here are our top picks for the best boots for hunting in cold weather.
Best Overall: Kenetrek Men’s Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Hunting Boot
- 10" tall leather uppers made from 2.8 mm full grain leather feature double and triple stitching throughout for added durability
- Custom K-Talon Outsole provides exceptional grip and traction while the 7 mm nylon midsole offers a solid foundation for extra support and stability
- Forged boot hardware offers corrosion resistance and swivels instead of breaking
- Durable Windtex waterproof membrane and 400 gram Thinsulate insulation keeps you warm and dry
| Traction | K-Talon outsoles |
| Weather Resistance | Windtex membrane (Waterproof/breathable) |
| Insulation | 400g Thinsulate |
| Material | Full-grain leather |
| Weight (Both boots) | 4.2 lbs |
The best does come with a price, especially when it comes to hunting boots for the cold season. This is evident with the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 Insulated Boots, which has a very hefty price tag. But for their ability to protect you from the cold, they are worth it.
The Kenetrek Mountain Extreme Boots are tough and durable while offering incredible comfort. These boots feature a Windtex membrane, making them waterproof and breathable. They are also well-insulated, lightweight, and don’t come with bulk. Furthermore, they have deep lugs that offer great traction even in harsh and rocky terrain. Thus, making them fully capable to meet your needs while hunting in colder temperatures.
The Runner-Up: Lowa Men’s Hunter Gore-Tex EVO Extreme Hiking Boot
- Take your outdoor adventures to the next level of extreme with the Lowa Hunter GTX Evo Extreme boot!
- Smooth and durable nubuck upper materials.
- High-top silhouette offers maximum durability and protection from the elements.
- Perforations in the boot's lining allows air to enter, pumping heat and moisture back out.
| Traction | Vibram Masai outsoles |
| Weather Resistance | Gore-Tex membrane (Waterproof/breathable) |
| Insulation | 200g PrimaLoft |
| Material | Nubuck leather |
| Weight (Both boots) | 4.54 lbs |
The Lowa Men’s Hunter EVO Extreme Boots are another great product designed specifically for hunters who are chasing big game in rugged terrain. It has an extra-high shaft for ankle support and a high wall rubber rand to protect you from abrasions. Overall, these are warm and comfortable boots with excellent performance, especially in harsh fall or winter conditions.
However, while these boots are cheaper than Kenetrek, they are still pricey compared to other boots for hunting. But for its quality and durability, it’s also a great option.
Best for Extreme Conditions: Irish Setter Men’s 860 Elk Tracker Waterproof 1000g Big Game Hunting Boot
- Lace-up full-grain waterproof leather hunting boot featuring kiltie overlay at toebox and logo plaques at shaft
- Waterproof GORE-TEX lining
- 1000g 3M Thinsulate Ultra insulation
- Bulls-Eye Air Bob Aggressive sole for traction
| Traction | Bulls-Eye Air Bob Aggressive |
| Weather Resistance | Gore-Tex membrane (Waterproof/breathable) |
| Insulation | 1000g 3M Thinsulate Ultra |
| Material | Full-grain leather |
| Weight (Both boots) | 4.93 lbs |
If you’re going hunting under extremely cold conditions, the Irish Setter 860 Hunting Boots are a great choice. Featuring a 1000g 3M Thinsulate Ultra insulation and a Gore-Tex membrane, these boots can keep you warm and dry in damp conditions. They are also made with aggressive outsoles to provide you excellent traction even in the toughest terrain. While they may pack some weight, these are already pretty light boots, considering the insulation and built.
The Irish Setter 860 Elk Tracker Boots are less expensive than the first two hunting boots on our list. But by no means are they cheap. Each pair will still cost you around more than $200.
Best Value for the Price: Danner Men’s Vital 8” Insulated 400g Hunting Shoe
- Danner Dry waterproof protection
- Danner Vital outsole provides grip on moss, rock and slick surfaces
- Thinsulate Ultra Insulation
- Lock and load lacing system: ghilles across the forefoot for secure fit and locking speed hooks for quick, quiet lacing
| Traction | Danner Vital outsoles |
| Weather Resistance | Danner Dry (Waterproof/breathable) |
| Insulation | 400g Thinsulate Ultra |
| Material | Leather with 900 denier polyester upper |
| Weight (Both boots) | 6.25 lbs |
If you are not willing to spend more than $200 on a pair of hunting boots, then you might want to check out Danner Vital 400g Hunting Boots. They are built with a 100% waterproof barrier that prevents water from coming in while making sure moisture can come out. Furthermore, they have multi-directional lugs, providing you with an excellent grip on rock, moss, and other slick surfaces.
However, since these are not pure leather boots, the Danner Vital Insulated Boots are not re-craftable. Furthermore, they can be heavy too.
Most Affordable: Lacrosse Men’s Windrose 8” 1000g Waterproof Hunting Boot
- We've combined nubuck leather and abrasion resistant material for an upper that promises rugged durability.
- 100% waterproof barrier allows moisture to escape without letting water in, keeping your feet dry and comfortable all day long.
- Our DuraFit heel cup locks your heel in place for a snug, secure fit that provides additional stability.
| Traction | Windrose outsoles |
| Weather Resistance | Dry-Core (Waterproof/breathable) |
| Insulation | 1000g Thinsulate Ultra |
| Material | Nubuck leather and textile |
| Weight (Both boots) | 7 lbs |
The Lacrosse Windrose 8” Insulated Hunting Boots are the cheapest models on our list. They are also the heaviest. However, for their features, these are a great pair of affordable boots that can protect you during late-season hunts.
These boots are equipped with 1000g Thinsulate Ultra insulation with Dry-Core lining. Thus, making them capable of keeping you warm and dry even in the harshest weather conditions. They also feature the company’s Windrose outsoles, which provide you with multi-directional and non-loading lugs. As a result, you’ll have better stability on uneven terrain.