Rubber boot – What one should i buy

I’ve decided to get on the rubber boot bandwagon. I’m looking for a rubber boot to mostly use for ice fishing. I will also likely use it for deer hunting as well. I like the idea of having a rubber boot for ice fishing. It would be nice to have a high waterproof boot for all those slushy times out ice fishing. I also like the idea of having a boot that I can keep the ice creepers on and just slip the boot on and off when getting to the lake. I have been a little skeptical about how these rubber boots can be warm enough for ice fishing and deer hunting but other says they work great. I’ve kind of narrowed the choices down to either the Lacrosse Alphaburly or the muck Artic ice. for those of you have any experience with either of these boots, Let me know your thoughts on them. If you have used another brand and want to add your input I’d welcome that as well.

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I’m due for another pair of boots to use exclusively for ice. The ones I currently wear ice fishing are traditional non-rubber hunting boots and have taken a beating. The rubber boots I do have are not insulated very well and are used predominately for working in the woods when it is wet or for early hunting.

Has anyone here worn the new Clam rubber boots?

Lacrosse Alpha Burlys. 1600’s work great for me. typically last about 4 years before needing to be replaced with pretty heavy use in the fall and winter.

Angler II wrote:

Lacrosse Alpha Burlys. 1600’s work great for me. typically last about 4 years before needing to be replaced with pretty heavy use in the fall and winter.

Do you ever find you feet getting to warm in the 1600’s? I was thinking of possibly going down a bit to the 1200’s. Hard to believe that some have said the 1600’s sometimes get to warm

I have the cabelas zoned. 1600 or 2000 gram. And I love them. Best boot I’ve used for ice fishing. Especially when they only cost 120

The zoned have 3 thinsulate zones to eliminate over heating of the foot. I’ve never had cold feet or tohot. Except when I work my heavy duty socks. .

Muck Arctic Pros work great for me. I usually don’t fish in a house and I can’t remember my feet ever getting cold. The grip is great, however, I thought I saw they now offer a pair with even better grips. The fit around the calf is comfortable and I can kneel without them pushing into my ankle or leg. I haven’t tried the Lacrosse so I can’t compare.

Really depends on movement and how much your feet sweat. That’s what will cause problems. if you move a lot I would drop down to 1200’s or even 800’s. If you are fishing outside in sub zero weather not moving much I would go with the 1600’s.

If you have a army surplus store buy you, the white bunny boot is the ticket. The black ones are OK but not as warm as the white ones.

I have the Cabela’s brand, I can’t remember the insulation level but my feet have been very hot and very cold in them. I also ripped up the inside at the heel the first time I used them.
These are about 4 years old and other than the inside ripping they have really held up pretty well.
I think i am moving into Muck Artic Pro’s next.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I have the cabelas zoned. 1600 or 2000 gram. And I love them. Best boot I’ve used for ice fishing. Especially when they only cost 120

Its funny you should say that – I was at Cabelas last night and a real knowledgeable boot salesmen told me. Don’t buy the cabelas ones. I almost had to get security escorted out of cabelas last year on a issue with their rubber boots. I have a buddy who purchased a pair of their rubber boots ( He got talked out of the lacrosse by a sales person at Cabela’s ) said how great their warranty was. He ask me to return them for him because I was going right past them on my way home and he lives 2 Hr’s from them. They would not warranty the boot – They said warranty was only good on defective workmanship and this damage was due to wear. He had only had them about 10 month and had only used them for a few months of use – They were all cracked where the boot flexed on both boots. The sales person at cabelas last night said they have had lots of people try and return their boots for the same issue.

Glad you haven’t had any issue with yours and like them.

I have been using the lacrosse rubber boots at 1600 thinsulate going on 3 ice seasons. They are great, a little warm when moving around a lot, but a good pair of sweat wicking wool socks address those concerns for me. I have no issues sitting in my flip over for hours with feet directly on the Ice. The ease of on and off to me it the ticket. And like you mentioned waterproof to just below the knee.

I’ve also used the white bunny boots and agree they are very warm, and 100% waterproof, but they really lack in the traction department.

I used to have the cabelas brand rubber boots at 1600 thinsulate and loved them, too. They wore out after about 4 seasons. Not bad imo for a $120 boot.

Only issue and it’s a small one is the weight of the lacrosse boots, they can cause some fatigue when walking a long ways. And the actual arch support is lacking a bit.

All that said, I wont switch to a different boot, period. The lacrosse fit my needs to a T.

The salesperson at Cabelas said the lacrosse were and are great boots- he said he owns both them and the new Muck boots and he thinks the muck boots are more comfortable and really likes the traction on the new Muck ones. He said he doesn’t even use ice creepers anymore.

If you’re prone to cold feet rubber boots in my opinion are not a good option for really cold days. I have the artic mucks and they great on the warmer days but my feet sweat and by mid day if not moving feet get cold.

I use a different system for warmth and keeping my feet dry.
I wear a waterproof breathable hunting boot with 1200 gram insulation with good winking socks then pair of sno-gear insulated (with thisulate) pull overs with carbide studs.
The system works great in slush or high snow and it let’s your feet breath. On warm days,in a house or driving the pull overs are easy on and off with only 2 velcro straps holding snuggle that prevents slopping inside the sno-gear boot.

Mucks are some of the best boots I’ve ever owned!

I made the mistake of borrowing my buddy who is new to hunting my pair of Irish Setters, and he liked them so much he bought them off me. I have a new pair on order right away. If you get up to Randall they have a Red Wing store there that sells seconds (boots with minor defects) that might enable you to get into them a little cheaper too, not sure if the RW shoe store in St Cloud does as well. 1200 grams have been plenty for me, I’d advise buying a size bigger than normal for some additional sock room.

http://www.irishsetterboots.com/USD/product/hunting-boots/04884-rutmaster-17-rbr-1200g

I have the baffin titans for really cold days and lacrosse in a 1200 gram for normal wear and plowing snow. Both great. I love the easy on and off of the rubber boots and I get the lacrosse with a side zipper.

BigWerm wrote:

I made the mistake of borrowing my buddy who is new to hunting my pair of Irish Setters, and he liked them so much he bought them off me. I have a new pair on order right away. If you get up to Randall they have a Red Wing store there that sells seconds (boots with minor defects) that might enable you to get into them a little cheaper too, not sure if the RW shoe store in St Cloud does as well. 1200 grams have been plenty for me, I’d advise buying a size bigger than normal for some additional sock room.

http://www.irishsetterboots.com/USD/product/hunting-boots/04884-rutmaster-17-rbr-1200g

as a matter of fact I will be passing thru Randall tomorrow afternoon. I’m heading back up to hunt one last weekend with the smokepole. I did not even know irishsetter made rubber boots. If I’ve got time I may have to stop in there and take a look

I have owned Lacross 2,000’s. Turns out it was a website typo and they didn’t actually have a size 16. Only a 15.
They were HEAVY!

bought the best muck Boot, wore them for a year and gave them away. Great boot, but was too tight… Resulting in cold feet.

I’ve been wearing the best bogs boots for probably 3 years now. Can get them in my size which means my toes are free to move and I stay warm.
Light weight. Love them!
I’d compare bogs to muck anyday.

Rubber means dry feet!
Tight boots are cold feet!

I need to order a new pair. Everyone is out of stock in my size. Very odd. But i emailed bogs and they got back to me same day with a stocking date…I carelessly climbed too many barbed wire fences the last two years deer hunting.

Damn that’s a sad story about cabelas and not replacing them. But it sounds about right. I fished mine every day last winter and a handful of times this winter. Hopefully they will last this season. At least I’ll get my hundred bucks out of them. If they fail and dont take them back I will not be a happy fisherman

catmando wrote:

If you have a army surplus store buy you, the white bunny boot is the ticket. The black ones are OK but not as warm as the white ones.

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Lacrosse Alpha Burly

I bought Muck AP 2 winters ago. Don’t get out ice fishing much so not a lot of use. They do keep my feet warm and dry. Was out last year at -15 and feet stayed warm. I wear a thin wicking sock and a medium weight wool sock over and works for me when it is that cold. When it is warmer I wear a wader sock.

Those alpha burleys look like the business

Lacrosse Alpha Burley 1600 gram best rubber boot I’ve ever owned. Warm, comfortable and easy to get on and off

If anyone finds a good sale price on the 1600 gram alpha burleys let me know. They look better than muck boots to me. I don’t know exactly how to compare 1600 grams of insulation to 7.5 mm thick lining on the muck boots?

Alpha burleys. If only they made them in steel toe as an option, my life would be complete.

Lacrosee AeroHead 7mm, nice and light

I’ve had good luck with Kamiks

I’m a Muck guy. I have 4 different pairs. I have the Artics and others that are ankle and calf high. These work better when in an ice house or doing alot of walking when hunting. All of them are very light. The Artics are the choice with ice fishing outside.