The Best Hunting Boots for Men of 2025

Read Review: Danner Recurve Hunting Boots: 2 Years of Use & Abuse

Can one pair of hunting boots do everything? No. But from scree fields in the Rocky Mountains to the brushy plains of South Dakota, the Danner Recurve ($230) took us through two busy hunting seasons full of elk, waterfowl, deer, and upland bird hunting. And our tester never really wished he had anything else.

The Danner Recurve is on the lighter end of the hunting boot spectrum. And at $240, it isn’t exactly cheap. But with exceptional versatility at a very fair price, this boot packs the best value for the dollar. It weighs in at 45 ounces per pair or about 1.9 pounds per boot. It has a fairly pliable sole and moderate ankle support with a 7-inch height. They use a “Danner Dry” waterproof breathable membrane, and it works quite well. What that ultimately means is it’s a comfortable boot out of the box. And from our experience, that comfort lasted for literally hundreds of tough miles.

The Danner Recurve comes in insulated and uninsulated versions. We tested the uninsulated boot, which proved capable from temperatures in the low 60s down to the teens. Any colder and you’d definitely want insulated boots. Any warmer, and, well, any full-grain leather boot is going to be hot.

The Recurve reminds us a lot of a midweight hiking boot. Its softer sole is nice on long days with big miles but doesn’t provide the support or protection of stiffer, heavier boots. If you’re a lighter hunter who likes slightly lighter boots in exchange for less support, this one should be a top choice for covering big miles.

For western big game hunters who like to chase pre-rut elk, the Schnee’s Kestrel ($390) is about as good as it gets. These uninsulated, lightweight hunting boots are perfect for early September archery hunts when you need to move fast and light. They feel more like a hiking boot than a mountain boot, but still offer the support needed for side hilling and inclines.

The Flex-0 chassis means this boot has the least rigid sole build of any of Schnee’s hunting line. That flexibility is what gives this boot the lightweight comfort that you might not find in a dedicated Schnee’s mountain boot, like the Mission Alps or Granite Pro.

We’ve run the Kestrels for a few years now, and for the majority of elk chasers, this is a perfect choice. When temps drop, a good pair of insulated wool socks can extend your field time with these boots well into rifle season. It’s exactly the right amount of boot to get the job done without being overkill.

The Crispi Lapponia III ($340) is a lightweight yet powerful, protective boot perfect for moving quickly through mountains or forests in moderate temperatures.

With a flex rating of two out of five, these strike a nice balance between stiffness and pliability. That means they sidehill nicely and can kick steps into steep soil, yet are soft enough to roll along on flat terrain without clomping.

I tested these during a spring turkey hunt in Colorado. There, they proved excellent in a range of conditions, from below-freezing snowstorms to balmy spring afternoons. On muddy, snowy, slippery slopes, they gripped wonderfully with a high-quality Vibram outsole. They kept my feet dry and comfortable during full days on my feet.

The Crispi Lapponia III is an excellent lightweight boot for mountain hunters or those who put in big miles off-trail. It’s not insulated, so this one is a good choice for early-season big game hunting at higher elevations. Think September through October elk hunting, or midwestern whitetails through early November. These do run a little large, so consider sizing down a half size.

The Zamberlane Sawtooth GTX RR WL ($525) is an astounding boot. It performs better in cold weather than any other hiking-capable boot I’ve ever used.

Available in both standard and wide lasts, the Sawtooth GTX has an aggressive Vibram outsole that locks into the most slippery, treacherous terrain. I thanked my lucky stars for choosing this boot while clambering over hundreds of yards of ice and snow-covered deadfalls in the Rocky Mountains during a second-season elk hunt. It was a dangerous and spooky place to cross, and the boots kept me safe even as I teetered six feet off the ground on slippery tree trunks.

During three tough backcountry winter hunts, the Zamberlane Sawtooth GTX blew me away with its warmth, water resistance, and comfort. And they bring all this performance at a relatively light weight of just 2.08 pounds per boot.

During a hunt in the Flattops in Colorado, two of my partners struggled with wet feet daily due to deep mud and wet snow. Meanwhile, my feet were bone dry the entire time. After four days in the backcountry, I never even needed to change my socks.

Yes, these are pricey boots. But they seem very durable and should last for several years. And if you hunt rugged terrain in cool to cold conditions, you’ll be grateful for those dollars spent with every step. For big mountain elk hunters, sheep hunters, or others who walk long miles in cold, rough country, the Zamberlane Sawtooth GTX is one of the very best boots I could recommend.

Known as the Alaska slipper, XTRATUFs ($145) are sometimes forgotten in the Lower 48. But these mud-beating, comfortable, and durable boots can handle just about anything your day throws at you.

Designed for fishermen, the no-slip sole is a lifesaver in slick conditions, and the triple-dipped shell is light, flexible, and corrosion-resistant. Reviews say pairs have lasted up to 20 years. And I believe them. My XTRATUFs are only 2 years old and look as good as new after much abuse in the field.

As a bonus, this is one of the best winter boots for sloppy weather around town or in the field. These aren’t great boots for long hikes, but if you hunt in wet environments and want to hop out of the truck ready for anything, these are a great choice.

When you need scent control, but not sweaty feet, the non-insulated Lacrosse Alphaburly Pro ($210) is a solid choice. A staple among hunters for years, Lacrosse offers some of the best rubber boots on the market, and these are no exception.

These boots were extensively tested, and several features stood out to us. They provide phenomenal support, similar to that of a leather boot, and are very ergonomic. There’s nothing worse than climbing up questionably placed climbing sticks to get into a stand with clunky rubber boots. These don’t feel clunky and provide sure footing.

Over the years, our tester found the “burly” outsole on these boots to perform exactly as advertised. Whether on slick rocks in a creek crossing, mud, or a light dusting of early-season snow, the Alphaburly gripped well. On top of that, the outsole outlasted the rest of the boot. After five years of hard use, the neoprene upper had fallen apart, and the rubber was delaminating, but the sole remained functional.

With no insulation in the model we tested, they weren’t too hot for September treestand sits. They are rubber boots, so you’re feet will get sweaty if you have a long hike into the woods, but they aren’t unbearably hot like other insulated boots.

We loved the gusseted upper, which allowed for a range of adjustability to fit for large calves or different levels of layering. However, the strap to cinch down the upper is a bit long and has a tendency to clap against the boot, resulting in excessive noise. Due to the ergonomic feel and ankle support provided, they can be difficult to remove. Aside from those annoyances, these are great boots that we’ve relied on for years in the whitetail woods.

Rated down to -60 degrees F, Korkers Neo Arctic ($200) will keep your feet insanely warm. Korkers is not well known in the hunting crowd, but they arguably make some of the best wading boots any fisherman has ever worn. The brand has recently expanded into the daily wear market, and after testing the Neo Arctics through a brutal winter, these boots are done right.

When it comes to sitting in a tree stand in the blistering cold, these suckers shine. Our tester is both a hunter and a lineman, so these boots made their way up power poles in -30 degrees and graced the treestand when the whitetail were so cold they barely moved. Few activities make feet colder than sitting in a tree stand all day in cold weather. Our tester spent up to 10 hours in a single go on days down to -30 degrees. In a stand for extended sits, even without any movement, cold temps couldn’t break into these boots.

Korkers is known for its replaceable soles. You can customize what tread you need, from ice spikes to felt and everywhere in between. Not only does this make a boot a true multi-purpose wear, but it’s also eco and wallet-friendly. If your tread wears out, replace the outsole, not the whole boot.

The only complaint so far is that, depending on the socks you wear, these tend to try to work your sock down toward your foot. Socksag is a real nightmare, so keep that in mind.

Read Review: The Irish Setter Wingshooter Upland Hunting Boot

The Irish Setter Wingshooter ($215) line is a longstanding favorite for upland hunters. The boot’s classic look is stylish enough for a trip to the city, but it’s designed to pound the prairie rather than concrete.

A 9-inch height keeps grass and gravel from settling into the boot, and the waterproof outer keeps feet dry in all sorts of conditions. And it’s also available in a 400g insulated model for those of you who hunt birds in more dire conditions.

We tested the Irish Setter Wingshooter for two full seasons of upland bird hunting. During that time, they hiked through miles of deep, ice-covered grass in South Dakota, trudged over thorny high plains in Colorado, and stomped over wheat fields, corn rows, sorghum, and wild prairie.

For the relatively flat plains faced by upland hunters, this mid-weight boot’s soft, pliable sole and protective leather are ideal. When the grass gets tall, add gaiters for extra protection.

Even better, the classic look of these boots makes them ideal for all-day use, from the farm to the brewery and back again. With a tried and true design and optional insulation for cold weather, these are the best hunting boots for upland game hunters that we’ve tried yet.