Muckboots Revisited

[QRTRHRS]

A search on Muckboots revealed a three year old thread so I thought I would bring the subject up in a new thread. I am on my upteenth pair and am in need of new ones. Before I shell out, I have a few questions to ask our "learned" members.

a: Has anyone found something equal to or better for winter/wet conditions?

b: I usually buy the "Muckmasters". Size 11 is too small, size 12 is sloppy. Anyone know of a type that is more like an 11 1/2?

c: They are pricey. Where do you get yours from?

Thanks and may your feet stay dry and toasty.

 

[livingthelife]

I changed to Irish setter rubber boots. Muck boots had a tendency to rub a blister on my heel after a couple of miles of walking deer hunting. The Irish setters hold tighter around my ankle and don't rub. I've been very happy with them so far.

 

[Nequasset]

I swapped over to Lacrosse Aerohead Sports, I went though two pairs of Muck Woody Max's, although warm, the uppers did not hold up well to brush, and the treads were treacherous on the ice! The Lacrosses are super comfortable, warm, good on the ice, and form fit the foot snugly. Haven't had a blister yet!

 

[kelving884]

I'll never buy muckboots again!

Like everyone else, the uppers don't last worth a dang. I called the factory to ask about repair or credit because my last pair didn't last a year. The factory offered me a $5.00 credit! I got the distinct impression they knew the uppers didn't last and liked it because people had to keep replacing them.

For the money there are a lot off good boots with a lot longer life. LaCrosse is one of my favorite.

 

[rmk700]

I'm a muck boot fan, bought my 1st set about 4 years ago and they are still working and comfortable. I did cut a hole on the top. I put a tire patch on it. Also scratched the upper neoprene and got lucky, they don't leak there.

As for needing half sizes, just use thicker socks.

 

[4570Man]

I have a pair of bogs that's about the same thing as muck boots. Their not my preferred shoe because they aren't very comfortable, but I've yet to find anything to take their place. Mine have held up pretty well, but they have spent most of their life in my truck toolbox. I've worn borrowed muck boots and I personally think the Bogs are more comfortable.

 

[motownbrowne]

My dad used to buy a pair of muck boots every 12-24 months. Now he's wearing Skellerup Quattro insulated boots. They're worth looking at. He's gotten over 4 years of hard use out of them. Can't speak to the sizing, other than to say that I know your pain.

 

[dragoneggs]

A search on Muckboots revealed a three year old thread so I thought I would bring the subject up in a new thread. I am on my upteenth pair and am in need of new ones. Before I shell out, I have a few questions to ask our "learned" members.

a: Has anyone found something equal to or better for winter/wet conditions?

b: I usually buy the "Muckmasters". Size 11 is too small, size 12 is sloppy. Anyone know of a type that is more like an 11 1/2?

c: They are pricey. Where do you get yours from?

Thanks and may your feet stay dry and toasty.

Funny... same boat! I have the Muckmasters size 12... yes a little loose for my size 11 feet but 11 doesn't work. I wear a pair of soft thick socks (love Fox River made in USA). For short hops I can wear them with no socks and still comfortable. I like Bogs too, and have a pair of low top waterproof boots for summer but I find the Mucks fit me best. I also like how they are pretty tight at the top around my calfs as I like to play around the shore (crabbing, shrimping, etc.) launching a small boat and if water splashes above the rim I don't get wet. Too be honest... I haven't found anything better.

 

[brown40]

They all wear out. Dunlop and Helly Hansen make (I believe it is) molded polyurethane boots that have proven themselves quite reliable among the commercial fishing crowd. The tread holds up better to abrasion than the others do, and they hold virtually no moisture. Less seams, less parts, no glue on the injections to fail. Also they're 60-70% the cost of other "top shelf boots".
In the late 90's boots were much more durable, but something changed with the formulas to soften them. I went through two sets of Lacrosse and one Muck before buying the boots guys were telling me to. The type of compound makes all the difference for durability.
I did buy a pair of the Irish Setter boots that were 50% off--super snug fit on the ankle, no slippage or looseness--barbed wire went through them the second day worn. I patched them with Aquaseal, but they are now land boots. The sole is a genuine boot sole, so I am certain they'll hold up, and they were too angular and chunky around ropes anyway.
The neoprene on boots gimmick appealed to me as well, and they are superbly comfortable, but the neoprene separates from the rubber compound, the material is susceptible to abrasion, tearing and puncture failures--and they STINK as soon as the neoprene wets and starts breeding boot pixies.
Commercial fishing supply places are the best places to find deals (in Maine) as guys are chewing through boots--they don't seem to mark them up the way others do.

 

[Gunny]

My last two pairs were Statesman, from Southern States. A bit cheaper than Muck Boots and in my opinion, as good if not better. The only reason I had to buy a second pair is because my daughters Lab decided he needed to chew the first pair to shreds.
Mine fit very well for walking.

 

[MF283]

I like my Boggs, my family like their Boggs, i have abused the fire out of the first pair, taking quite a few barbwire cuts/jabs while fencing, nothing a little Aquaseal didn't take care of.
I bought another pair knowing the first will eventually go. With all my shoes, i put Superfeet inserts in which makes them comfortable to me.
Thankfully, i buy both at cost.

Ronnie

 

[oosik]

I have two pair of boots for the winter. Mucks & Kamik Canada. Both are great - the Kamik are definitely for when the temps are VERY cold. Size 11 Mucks fit me perfectly and are considerably lighter in weight and easier to walk any distance in. Due to the interior insulation the Kamiks are large, quite heavy and not the easiest to walk with. However, if for some really stupid reason, I must go out when the temps are -10F or colder, its always the Kamiks.

 

[gsganzer]

I have some Lacrosse rubber boots. They fit well and not sloppy. They can be a little difficult to get off though.

 

[mvwwld4u]

LaCrosse! Pick a style, got plenty to choose from. Different insulation ranges and boot material to choose from. They fit tight around the ankles, hard to get on and off, but don't slip while walking in sticky mud if firmest is correct.

 

[RobA]

Timely post - my Mucks sprung a leak and I'm looking for new boots. Maybe it's time to consider a new brand.

 

[LD1]

HAve used Lacrosse for years. They have a couple of downfalls IMO. 1. Not that they wear out, but the rubber dries out. Like weather checking on tires. Second downfall is the open top.

I have switched to muck boots with the neoprene uppers. Yea, they dont hold up well if you are wearing them in the bush, and using them as a hunting boot. But I bought them because 1. They are comfortable and 2. They fit a good bit snugger up around the calf. The reason that is important to me is doing trenching / field tile repair. With the open-ness of the lacrosse boots, When working in the trench, I was taking a boot off every 5-10 minutes to empty out the dirt that had fallen in. The muck boots, while not perfect, are far better in this aspect. I only get dirt in my boot once in a blue moon now.

 

[livingthelife]

HAve used Lacrosse for years. They have a couple of downfalls IMO. 1. Not that they wear out, but the rubber dries out. Like weather checking on tires. Second downfall is the open top.

I have switched to muck boots with the neoprene uppers. Yea, they dont hold up well if you are wearing them in the bush, and using them as a hunting boot. But I bought them because 1. They are comfortable and 2. They fit a good bit snugger up around the calf. The reason that is important to me is doing trenching / field tile repair. With the open-ness of the lacrosse boots, When working in the trench, I was taking a boot off every 5-10 minutes to empty out the dirt that had fallen in. The muck boots, while not perfect, are far better in this aspect. I only get dirt in my boot once in a blue moon now.

The Irish setters have adjustable tops. They will pull tight around your calves a buckle. They work great.

 

[Redneck in training]

My wife likes Mucks. I have Bafin work boots. They are expensive but I like them because they are paid by my employer. Great winter boots. They are bulky but rated -100F. I have terrible leg circulation and those are only boots keeping my feet consistently warm.

 

[dickfoster]

I have some Lacrosse rubber boots. They fit well and not sloppy. They can be a little difficult to get off though.

Funny thing, I was shopping for a boot jack to help get my muck boots off the other day and they didn't know what the heck I was talking about. I thought everyone knew what a boot jack was.

 

[oosik]

Be careful there dick - a boot jack can mean a whole different thing down in the southern states than it does up north here - :laughing: