Best Upland Hunting Boots of 2025, Field Tested and Reviewed
[html]Stay in the field longer with a pair of these top upland hunting boots
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As an upland bird hunter, I don’t mind dropping cash on a pair of well-made hunting boots. I’ve hunted upland birds for more than 25 years, and I’ve worn through my fair share of treads. One lesson I’ve learned is that cheap or ill-suited boots can derail your hunt faster than anything. Don’t let a subpar pair of boots be the reason for cutting your hunts short this season.
Whether you’re chasing birds on the prairies or across rugged mountain sides, make sure your boots are best suited for the terrain and conditions. To help you do that, I’ve co*piled a list of the best upland hunting boots to keep you in the field longer no matter where you hunt.
How I Chose the Best Upland Hunting Boots
To test these boots and the best upland hunting pants, I spent this summer hiking in them through a variety of terrains, especially where I’m likely to encounter birds this fall. OL editors Alex Robinson and Natalie Krebs also contributed their picks for field-proven upland hunting boots after several seasons of hunting in each model.
Best Upland Hunting Boots: Reviews and Reco*mendations
Pros
- Super co*fortable
- No break-in period
- Waterproof
Cons
- Need to order half-size down
Why It Made the Cut
These boots are light and co*fortable right out of the box. They’re durable enough for years of hard hunting
Key Features
- Weight: 3.3 pounds (size 10)
- Gore-Tex waterproof, breathable liner
- Insulated (300 grams) and non-insulated versions
- 9-inch waxed full-grain Nubuck leather upper
- Made in Europe
Product Description
The best upland hunting boots won’t weigh you down, they will provide ample protection and support, and they will still be co*fortable after many hard miles. In other words, they’re the Meindl EuroLight Hunters.
I’ve been wearing these boots for two seasons now and I’ve found them to be the lightest and most co*fortable traditional-style hunting boots that I’ve taken afield. These are a versatile pair of boots (assuming you get the insulated version) that can handle warm to moderately cold temperatures. I’ve been co*fortable in them in temps down to about 32 degrees. Besides wearing the EuroLight Hunters for pheasants, I’ve also used them on elk hunts, deer hunts, and while scouting for ducks.
Robinson and his dog Otis after a successful hunt in the Meindl boots.
The only sign of real wear and tear is that a small amount of stitching has pulled loose on the left boot. The rubber protection around the toe is a nice touch, and it remains unscathed (on many boots the rubber rand is the first thing to pull away or wear at the edges).
One side note is that Meindl reco*mends going a half-size down from what you’d usually wear in a hunting boot.These are simply an excellent all-around hunting boot, but they’re especially well suited for upland hunting where you usually don’t need a ton of warmth, but you do need to stay light on your feet. —Alex Robinson
Pros
- Support of a hiking boot meets the agility of a running shoe
- Extremely lightweight, fast, and breathable
- Versatile and rugged
Why It Made the Cut
Wild upland hunting requires covering a lot of uneven ground. For that I want a lightweight boot.
Key Features
- Weight: 2.07 pounds
- Upper: Synthetic, microfiber
- Gore-Tex lining
- Available in several colors, Men’s sizes
- Made in Europe (Slovakia)
Product Description
The Lowa Innox is not your cattail-slogging rainy-day boot. But for every other application, it fits the bill perfectly. I hunt wild pheasants, quail, grouse, and chukar behind my Lab, and for that I need to be willing to cover a lot of ground co*fortably and quickly. The Lowa Innox strikes the perfect balance between the support of a hunting or hiking boot and the flexibility and speed of a trail running shoe. When I’ve tried switching to stiffer, fully-waterproof upland boots, the extra weight tires my legs out faster.
On my last hunt of the season this month — 7 miles of chukar country with 2,000 total feet of elevation gain — I experimented with a stiffer boot. I felt the extra weight, found myself tiring sooner and stumbling on the hike back to the truck. That’s the benefits of the Innox Pros: You don’t even notice you’re wearing them.I pair my Innox boots with knee-high gaiters whenever I bird hunt, which keeps out brush and briars, and all but the worst moisture.
Krebs and her dog Hatchet on a successful chukar hunt in the Lowa boots. Photo by Kali Parmley
These are my all-purpose upland, big-game, hiking, and range boots, and I’ve had two pairs over about 10 years of hard annual use. The soles and uppers stand up to all but the roughest rocks of the Western desert. The Innox Pro GTX are available in two colors (black and coyote) for men, and you can find a few sale options in different colors for women and kids. —Natalie Krebs
Pros
- co*fortable
- Substantial ankle support
- Minimal (less than 5 miles) break-in
- Waterproof and breathable
Why It Made the Cut
Crispi’s Wyoming II GTX boots provide serious co*fort, support, and breathability in a reasonably lightweight boot that’s perfect for chasing birds in rugged terrain.
Key Features
- Weight: 3.9 pounds (size 10)
- Gore-Tex lined
- Non-insulated
- Shock absorbing Vibram Sole
- Removable Crispi Air Mesh insole
Product Description
Besides your trusty bird dog or your best shotguns for bird hunting, Crispi’s Wyoming II GTX boots will be your best friend in the field. These boots provide plenty of co*fort and support for your feet and ankles even for those days when you log double digit miles. I immediately noticed how co*fortable these were when I first tried them on. As far as a break-in period, these were good-to-go after I wore them around town for a day. Even when I did break them out on the trails, I was impressed with their breathability, especially on the hottest summer days. After several hikes with them, my feet didn’t sweat excessively, and I didn’t notice any hotspots.
The Wyoming II GTX boots provide support and co*fort for rugged terrain. Colton Heward
It is worth noting that these boots have a fairly stiff sole, which I prefer in terrain with drastic elevation changes. But if you’re hunting gently rolling prairies or fairly monotonous terrain, these might be unnecessary. The Wyoming II GTX boots co*e with a steep price tag, but if you cover plenty of rugged ground, these are hard to beat. —Colton Heward
Pros
- Waterproof
- co*fortable
- Great traction
Cons
- Expensive
- Longer break-in
- Slightly narrow footbed
Why It Made the Cut
The Grouse boots from Danner have the quintessential fit and feel of an upland hunting boot but still provide support and co*fort for long days in the field.
Key Features
- Weight: 3.87 pounds
- Full-grain leather and cordura denier nylon upper
- Gore-Tex lined
- Danner Bob outsole
- Uninsulated
Product Description
With a name like Grouse, these boots set high expectations for me. And they delivered. The impressive grip on the Bob outsole provided great traction while I climbed steep, rocky sidehills. And the durable, full-grain leather works great in a variety of conditions, and it should also expand the life of these boots as well.
Danner advertises that these boots run narrow. My feet are stuck between too wide for some regular width boots and not wide enough for most “EE” footbeds. I chose the regular footbed for these, and they were a tad tight when I first put them on. After several mountain miles they stretched slightly, but they’re still a bit narrow. If your feet lean more towards a wider footbed, go with the “EE” width for these. —Colton Heward
Pros
- Most co*fortable and durable rubber boot on the market
- Fully waterproof
- Relatively light for rubber boots
- Very durable
Why It Made the Cut
Walking a long distance in rubber boots is a pain in the ass, unless you’re wearing a pair of Chasseur boots.
Key Features
- Weight: 5.8 pounds
- Neoprene or leather liner
- Exclusive Chamolux rubber
- Full-length side zip
- Choice of eight calf fittings for a perfect fit
- Made in Morocco
A hand-crafted, expensive, and dare I say, stylish, rubber boot might seem like an odd choice for an American bird hunter. But if you can swallow the price, you’ll find that these are hands down the best rubber boots for walking long distances over rugged terrain. If I’m going to be slogging through cattails, dealing with shin-deep mud, or crossing creeks, these are the boots I wear.
The Chasseur boots co*e in eight different calf sizes so that you’re sure to get a pair that fits you properly (no rubbing or blisters). The full-length side zip and top strap help with that co*fortable, but locked-in feel. These boots are also relatively light co*pared to a lot of other rubber boots on the market. On the downside, they’re not especially warm, so if you’re going to be hunting in sub-zero temps, you’ll want a boot with more insulation. But for standard bird hunting weather, they’re perfect.
There are options with leather inner lining or neoprene lining. I went with the leather and never regretted it.
I’ve had my pair for almost a decade and I’ve worn them hard on hunts all over the continent (they are my go-to turkey hunting boot as well). Besides some mud that’s stained into the rubber, they remain totally undamaged. Their durability and longevity make the price seem more reasonable. After all, you could burn through a few pairs of cheaper rubber boots over the course of 10 seasons, or you could buy one quality pair. —Alex Robinson
Pros
- co*fortable
- 100 percent waterproof
- Aggressive traction
- Adjustable gusset
Cons
- Not the best for all day hunts
Why It Made the Cut
For those cold, late season hunts, LaCrosse’s Alphaburly Pros will keep your feet dry and toasty.
Key Features
- Weight: 5.2 pounds
- EVA midsole
- Embossed neoprene liner
- Insulated and non-insulated options available
Product Description
LaCrosse’s Alphaburly Pros are my go-to rubber hunting boots for chasing wily roosters in frozen cattail bottoms and snow drifted plains. These boots co*e in various insulation options that range from uninsulated to a whopping 1600 grams of Thinsulate. So, whether you just need to keep your feet dry or from going numb, there’s an insulation option to fit your needs.
The Alphaburly Pros might seem like overkill, but a lot of other upland hunting boots might not cut it when you’re trudging through ankle-deep snow. I definitely leave these at home if temps and conditions are mildly nice, and their weight makes them less than ideal if you plan to cover a ton of ground. But for the die-hards who want to kick up a few no matter the conditions, these boots can make sure you don’t miss any days in the field. —Colton Heward
Things to Consider Before Buying Upland Hunting Boots
Don’t let a subpar pair of boots cut your hunt short. Colton Heward
Where and when you hunt plays an important role in determining which boots best fit you. A long day chasing birds will quickly tell you if you have the correct footwear. To make sure you don’t learn that the hard way, here are a few things to consider.
Terrain
This might be the most important factor to help you find the best boot for your needs. I hunt upland birds across the rugged mountains of the West. My main concern is support and breathability because I know I’m going to cover several miles on any given hunt. A lightweight, breathable boot like Crispi’s Wyoming II GTX provides plenty of support, yet they won’t make my feet sweat like a heavily insulated boot.
But if you hunt pheasants and quail in the Midwest plains, you can probably get away with the Irish Setter Wingshooters or a pair of rubber boots like the Alphaburly Pros.
Insulation
If you hunt the West or early season birds, an uninsulated or low insulation number will suffice. But for late season roosters or frigid temps, consider an insulated or rubber boot that will keep your feet dry and warm.
Cost
The truth is, good boots aren’t cheap. If you have the extra coin, solid boots are a great investment, and you’ll save money in the long run instead of buying cheaper pairs that don’t last long. Even worse, cheap boots can ruin a hunt. It’s also worth having multiple pairs, so you’re covered for a variety of weather conditions, especially if you hunt various regions of the country.
Read Next: The Best Hunting Boots, Tested and Reviewed
FAQs
Q: Do upland boots need to be waterproof? Technically, no, upland boots don’t need to be waterproof. However, I prefer waterproof boots just in case I encounter unexpected weather or terrain conditions. Upland birds, especially pheasants, seem to always lead me through bogs of standing water. Waterproof boots also co*e in handy when you are walking through brush and shrubs that are still wet from the morning dew. Once your feet get wet, you open the door for a multitude of foot problems, all of which are unco*fortable and generally end your hunt early.
Q: How do you choose the insulation for upland hunting boots? How and when you hunt birds should determine the level of insulation you need for your upland hunting boots. When I hunt birds I am typically piling on the miles, so I almost always use an uninsulated boot to let my feet breathe as much as possible. If you primarily hunt the late season when temps regularly dip below freezing, then it is worth having a pair of boots with some insulation in them, especially if you don’t have a ton of miles to cover.
Q: Should I choose lightweight or heavyweight upland boots? Both lightweight and heavyweight upland boots have a place, you just have to decide what works best for you. I like to have a pair of both for different conditions. Generally, I prefer lightweight boots that do not impede my movement when hiking. Heavyweight upland boots are ideal for short hunts on level terrain or when I’m dealing with unfavorable elements.
Final Thoughts
When you’re buying a pair of the best upland hunting boots, it’s best to try them on if you can. Pick the one that can handle the conditions you hunt most and provides you with maximum co*fort. Those two factors are a recipe for long, memorable hunts, and if your boots can give you that, they’ve outdone their job.
The post Best Upland Hunting Boots of 2025, Field Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.
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