Best Hunting Boots [2024 Update]

The hunting boot is the foundation of a successful hunt when you're out in the woods battling the toughest conditions!

No, seriously, it really is the foundation - it's what you're literally standing on. 

Choosing the best hunting boot on the market is a daunting task, and a purchase that might haunt you for years to come. It's a tough pill to swallow to say you bought the wrong hunting boots - to only throw them in the corner of the garage and never be used again. 

To avoid this all too common mistake, we've taken the time to review the top, most popularly, highly ranked hunting boots out there from today's most reliable brands. Yes, these boots are the best of the best and are going to leave you happy for years to come. 

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The Quick Summary
Overall, the Best Hunting Boot is the Crispi Guide GTX!
Below you can check out other top options including the... 
- Best Cold Weather Hunting Boots: Danner Pronghorn
- Best Budget Hunting Boots: Danner Vital
- Best Big Game Hunting Boots: Schnee's Beartooth
And scroll down to find out the most frequently asked questions before picking your boot!

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Before making the final pick, read the information we've put together below. The comparison chart shows you an easy side-by-side view of the top products, and we've even listed some helpful tips and answers at the very bottom. 

Question: What famous American frontiersman and explorer is credited with popularizing the moccasin-style hunting boot, which became known as the "Moccasin Dan"? (Answer at the bottom)

Full Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. If you follow an affiliate link and end up making a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

 

Best Overall Hunting Boots

Crispi Guide GTX

The Crispi Guide GTX is our choice for the best overall hunting boot as it combines an extremely lightweight construction with Crispi's attention to detail, and a level of support that cannot be matched.

The Crispi Guide GTX is basically an upgraded version of the Crispi Nevada boot with an added 2" of height to reinforce their focus on ankle/leg support. 

One of the most noticeable and clean features of the Crispi Guide GTX is the Nubuk leather upper. It's water repellent and securely protects the 200g of Gore-Tex insulated lining that sits on top of a Vibram sole and Crispi's propriety traction technology. 

This boot is made for those hunters that do some serious pounding on your legs and ankles, and requires the support to carry gear and your prized trophy out of the woods. While the boot is a little bit pricey, Crispi does back the boot with a strong warranty and almost an endless amount of positives customer reviews. You can almost guarantee this boot is going to last for years to come with no issues!

For latest prices, and more information about the Crispi Guide GTX click below!

Best Hunting Boots For Cold Weather

Danner Pronghorn

The Danner Pronghorn is our pick for the top cold water hunting boot due to the outrageous 1,200 grams of PrimaLoft Gold Insuation and its heavy-duty construction. You know this bad boy is going to stand up to the coldest temperatures out there!

Danner boots needs no introduction, so let's just get into the design and components of the boot. The Dannner Pronghorn is equipped with some standard high quality boot features including Full-Grain Leather, Premium Insulation, Vibram Soles, and Gore-Tex lining. 

The features above, along with that 1,200 grams of insulation is hard to beat when it comes to choosing a boot that's going to keep those feet warm. The athletic and supportive fit, accompanied with a well-designed heel allows warm air to sit close to your fee while also guaranteeing breathability against the leather.

Now, this boot isn't made for the guy or girl walking miles and miles to the their final hunting spot. At 4lbs. per boot, it's clear this one is made for those either in a treestand or those that might sit for hours glassing across the mountains. Keep this in mind if before you pick the Danner Pronghorn as your boot of choice.

For latest prices, and more information on the Danner Pronghorn take a look below!

Best Budget Hunting Boots

Danner Vital

This has to be one of my favorite hunting boots on the market, and yes it's probably because it's listed as such a great price. Our pick for the best budget hunting boot is the Danner Vital because the price vs. the features is a win-win for any hunter.

Let's get right to the price! Danner offers a few different options for the Vital but most of them are going to come in at a $200 price point. Now, you might be thinking, "This doesn't sound like a budget-friendly boot to me!" Well, I'll be honest - I'm not wearing a "cheap" boot out in the woods, especially on a wet and rainy day, and at $200 you get quite a lot.

The Danner Vitals abrasion resistant upper has to be the boot's best feature as it combines leather with a 900 denier polyester for supreme durability. It's the best of both worlds - tough leather with lightweight synthetic materials!

Aside from the upper, you're going to get one of the most athletic looking boots on the market that matches fit with a high level of comfort. Any hunter that likes to move, and move quickly will appreciate the Danner® Plyolite® midsole and the polyurethane footbed, which provides great movement and shock absorption.

For latest prices, and more information on the Danner Vital Hunting Boot we have that as well!

Best Big Game Hunting Boots

Schnee's Beartooth

Last, but definitely not least is the Schnee's Beartooth, and it's our pick as the best big game hunting boot. We chose the Schnee's Beartooth as the top big game option due to the boot's rigid chassis that aligns with anyone hunting in rugged conditions. 

The Schnee's Beartooth is a 9" moutain-style hunting boot that is now on it's second version of optimizations. As you'd expect, Schnee's chose a top grain leather wrapped in their 100% Waterproof Sympatex™ Membrane. But don't let this steal all of the attention. 

The top feature of the Beartooth is their Flex-2 chassis that offers unmatched versatility for this style of hunting boot. Not only does it provide a more rigid structure, but the Dual Density 100% Poly Midsole balances everything out with a comfortable base that absorbs high levels of pounding.

As a final note, it is important to call out that Scnee's does offer a 200g version of the Beartooth at the same height and weight with just a small price increase.

For latest prices, and more information on the Schnee's Beartooth boot we have that as well!

What To Consider When Choosing Your Hunting Boots

Fit

Hunting boot fit is probably the toughest thing to nail down as you're making your final decision. 

You have to think about the terrain you're going to be walking across, the weather, the socks you're going to use, and you have to do all this without giving the boot a good test run. Furthermore, walking around a store in a stiff boot isn't really going to answer all your questions either - you're kind of just guessing. 

Before pressing that checkout button the most important thing to do is know your correct size. From there, you eliminate about 80% of the problems hunters usually run into when buying a hunting boot. After that, you need to go to a store and try them on. Yes, it's not going to tell you everything; however, it is going to help you eliminate some easy "no's" that might have been missed while ordering online.

And as a final recommendation, read some of the online reviews to see what other hunters are saying about the particular boot in question. 

Pro Tip: Stuff your hunting boots with dryer sheets to speed up the time it takes to dry wet boots.

Construction

A hunting boots construction is going to come down to a very simple list of core materials, but after that, the options are almost endless. The main different types of uppers are the following. 

1. Leather

2. Synthetic

3. Combination Leather/Synthetic

Each type of hunting boot material has its pros and cons, but its the additions that really set a good boot apart from the competition. Today's top technology is now being incorporated into your hunting boot, helping you battle the toughest conditions. Remember to review each brand and investigate the type of sole, insulation, waterproofing material, etc. before you take that final step as each company chooses a different level of quality to incorporate.

Durability

Durability is probably going to be the easiest thing to pick out when it comes to choosing a hunting boot. Yes, you're not able to tell a hunting boot's core lifespan just by looking at it, but today's top brands have been called that for a reason - hunters know they last. 

The average hunting boot lasts somewhere between 2-4 years depending on how often you hunt, but if you really want to know if a brand backs up what they produce just check out there warranty.

In our blog summarizing how long a hunting boot lasts, I lay out the average warranty for today's brands. You'll find that most brands cover their boots for up to a year, but there are only a few who stretch well beyond this. As a result, you know they really back up what they make and have exceptional durability.

Price

Today's hunting boot prices vary so much, and to be honest, that's not such a bad thing. 

As price begins to increase or decrease, features begin to improve or worsen, meaning you can find something that matches up directly with what you need and what you're willing to pay.

Additionally, today's hunting boot brands offer the same diverse set of options within their own product lineup. This means you can find a brand you like, and purchase different levels of boots without having to try something brand new. 

Hunting Boot Price Levels

1. Cheap / Back-Up Hunting Boots: Under $100

2. Affordable / Standard: $100-$200

3. Advanced: $200-$450

4. Guide / Extreme Conditions:  $450+

Popular Hunting Boot FAQs

Are There Different Types Of Hunting Boots?

Yes, there are several different types of hunting boots.

As a matter of fact, now there are even hybrid models that combine the best of features of a few into one. Here are a few of the most popular types of hunting boots, with an additional resource below:

1. Rubber

2. Snake

3. Upland

4. Field / Mountain

To see the rest of the different types of hunting boots, we've listed out a few more too!

Does Terrain Matter When Choosing A Hunting Boot?

Yes, terrain does matter when you're trying to figure out how to choose the right hunting boot. 

Most hunting boots are going to equip you with enough traction to help any intermediate level hunter on their average hunting trip. However, if you're specifically hunting in an upland field or along rocky terrain out west, you might want to get something a little more specific to your style. 

There's no great guide out there on the different types of terrain choices many hunting boot brands choose. It's honestly kind of like tires. Everyone is out there doing there own thing and developing new and innovative technology that they think is best. 

I would speak with individuals that have utilized the boot you're about to purchase before taking that final step. Speaking to someone that has direct experience related to how a specific boot's traction holds up will help you avoid any potential missteps. 

Why Do Deer Hunters Wear Rubber Boots?

Deer hunters choose to wear rubber hunting boots primarily to reduce scent exposure. 

Rubber boots, unlike leather or synthetic material hunting boots, keep your feet's scent confined to the boot - not letting it escape through any breathable material or opening. By doing this, a hunter's natural foot and body scent remains off the ground and out of the nose of any potential deer. 

Of course, today's rubber hunting boots have evolved to exceptional levels of comfort, durability, and performance. They are no longer just "rubber boots". For this reason, hunters not only get the advantage of scent control, but also enjoy a hunting boot that offers so much more. 

How Can I Make My Hunting Boots Better?

Hunting boots aren't like a lot of pieces of other hunting gear - you can't really do a lot to make it better. And there's not a lot of versatility within a hunting boot. However, there are a few small, but key ways you can improve your hunting boots to keep your feet warm and comfortable for years to come. 

Here are a few simple things to try out if you want to take your boots to the next level:

1. Add waterproofing solution.

2. Break in your boots before hunting.

3. Lace up your boots properly.

4. Incorporate additional gear to improve insulation.

5. Store your hunting boots properly.

Best Hunting Boots Review Video

Answer: Daniel Boone

For a blog about What Deer Poop Looks Like take a look today!