Ice Fishing Boots

Looking for new ice fishing boots. Currently wear my Rocky’s that are hunting boots. They’re great, but slipping cleats on/off over the years is ruining them. I’ve looked through previous posts, but most are a few years old.

I walk a lot early in the season since I don’t have an ATV and like to hole-hop. I want boots that are 100% waterproof for slush and auger overflow. Can’t be too bulky so my cleats fit over them. Some of the Baffin’s look nice, but want to make sure my bibs fit over the boot.

Also will be ordering online, so need to make sure I won’t need to deal with the hassle of returning.

Appreciate the recommendations.

La Crosse Alphaburly Pro – They are fairly durable, very warm, are easy to get on/off, and are great for the slop that is becoming normal with midwinter warmups. I am on season 4 of this pair and outside of some major scuffs, don’t see too many issues…and I abuse them (hiking rip rapped shorelines, walking in the woods, pastures, thick mud, kicking things all too often).

I’ve tried similar Mucks, and they didn’t handle the abuse as well (tore easily). The Baffin boots are warm but are huge and cumbersome to move in.

I have the scheels muck arctic pros. 2 seasons this will be the 3rd. I’ve since ordered the lady and my son the same pair. Very warm full rubber never gotten wet besides when I stepped in a 10 inch hole and sunk to my knee. The alphaburrlys are great as well. I rocked mine 4 seasons before the one cracked and that was because I used them at work

Baffin Eiger’s or Impacts (or any from that line). Lightweight, incredibly warm, and keep your feet dry. Just be sure to wear wool socks and not cotton.

Alphaburly pro been using them for hunting and fishing. Set for each and my ice cleats feet over them also bibs.

Stay warm and dry and last a long time. That is all I use for late season hunting also.

buckybadger wrote:

La Crosse Alphaburly

These. For what you mentioned they are going to be the best. I have used Baffin Impacts for the last 10 years for ice fishing and there awesome. Water proof within reason. I dropped a boot in trying to get out late ice last year and found out they are no longer water proof, made for a rough sit. The Burlys are 100% water proof as they are neoprene.

Big fan of Korkers. I like having the ability to switch soles from lug to spike. And, with a bad back, the Boa laces are awesome. Waterproof and warm too.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I have the scheels muck arctic pros. 2 seasons this will be the 3rd. I’ve since ordered the lady and my son the same pair. Very warm full rubber never gotten wet besides when I stepped in a 10 inch hole and sunk to my knee.

X2 on these boots and I did the same last year…

Baffin boots are what I use. I also have a pair of the white mickey boots that are also amazing, but are a little tight on my big feet.

Currently have Baffin Titans, going on year…..6 I think? I could probably use a new pair of insulated insoles, but so far the boots are doing great. I MAY try the Muck arctic pros when these wear out but will see when the time comes. Realistically I have no reason to switch.

Mucks are definitely waterproof and lighter. But they, like the other neoprene, do not breathe so, at least for me, I find that wearing sock liners along with good socks helps. Cuz yeah….you’ll sweat a lot in them.

Another thing to add…with the neoprene style the easiest thing to manage sweat/wet feet is to simply bring a second pair of socks. It takes me ~30 seconds to switch socks if needed. I usually have an extra pair riding in my sled or in my sweatshirt pocket. This essentially eliminates the “too warm or not breathable” for boots argument.

Love my baffins but I certainly wouldn’t consider them not bulky.

Completely worth the trade off IMO, I have cold feet

Hoyt4 wrote:

Alphaburly pro been using them for hunting and fishing. Set for each and my ice cleats feet over them also bibs.

Stay warm and dry and last a long time. That is all I use for late season hunting also.

I’ll X3 on the alphaburly Pro’s – Go with the 1600 gram ones. All I’ve used the last few year unless it REALLY cold. Then its time for the Baffin Apex ( Really BIG and bulky )

Baffin Snow Monster, light, compact, warm-I am a total hole hopper and have to walk into many lakes, bulky does not work for me. Get a size larger than your shoe, get good socks and you are good. You will probably have to order online, I saw Baffins that were not SMs and started to think that they are all pretty much the same, not true-Footware is about the last thing I want to order online but I was glad I did, these boots are perfect for what I do.
Good luck

Check out Norfin Klondaik. I’ve had Muck Arctic Pro, Korkers Polar Vortex,LaCrosse Iceman, and a few others. Norfins are by far my favorite. Very lightweight, not bulky, completely waterproof, built in retractable cleats, and removable liner.

Check out Extratuf, the boots that most Alaskans use.

I gambled on some Striker boots that were on closeout at the end of last season. Havent tried them yet, but hope they keep my feet warm

Year 5 on my Muck Artic Pro’s.

Love my baffin titans. Waterproof, light, slip on slip off, durable and extremely warm. Only problem is they are big and bulky. This really only becomes a problem when wearing bibs. Would buy them again in a heartbeat

I wear Baffin Eigers. Warm, dry and fit over my BPS coveralls.

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10 years on Muck arctics. Ice fishing and box blind hunting. Alphaburlys for walking in brush.

I just ordered the Mickey Boots off of sportsman’s guide hoping they are as good as advertised. I was wearing muck arctic pro’s for last 6-7 years and they have treated me well other than when I am kneeling next to a hole for while they cut off circulation as the boot rides up the back of my leg/knee. Also they are starting to be not totally 100% water proof.

I would still wear them this year but wanted to give Mickey Boots a try.

Boa system on Korkers with interchangeable soles (cleats) are the best!

Norfin Klondiak user as well . Crazy how warm they are for how light they are . Will never go back to mucks .

I love this topic as it comes up each and every year. When I wanted warm/waterproof boots I searched high and low with $$ not being an issue.

I ended up with Mickey Mouse Boots for $50 and love them.

Ooooofda.

I just looked up a new pair of Alphaburlys and realized they’re $80 more than I paid for mine.

Prices are way up from last year. I was at Fleet Farm here in Hudson the other day and could not believe the prices. Glad I bought my Muks last year!

bigstorm wrote:

I gambled on some Striker boots that were on closeout at the end of last season. Havent tried them yet, but hope they keep my feet warm

If there the all black tall water proof ones you will like them. Buddy I fish with a lot has those and likes them.

John Rasmussen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bigstorm wrote:</div>
I gambled on some Striker boots that were on closeout at the end of last season. Havent tried them yet, but hope they keep my feet warm

If there the all black tall water proof ones you will like them. Buddy I fish with a lot has those and likes them.

It looks like they’re almost $100 cheaper than the Alphaburlys and Mucks. Report back on what you find for longevity.