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A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Ice Fishing Boots
Ice fishing boots are a must when you’re angling in harsh environments with punishingly cold temperatures, as they make the exposure to cold more bearable, and your feet warm and comfortable.
Ice boots are purposefully built to handle the severe conditions of extreme weather and even come with specially designed soles as added support for your feet when walking on unstable ice and snow. Read on to find out why you need to invest in ice fishing boots the next time you go for an ice fishing trip.
Benefits to Wearing Ice Fishing Boots
- They keep the feet warm through special insulation designed specifically for below zero temperatures. Some boots are even designed with double thick soles to further protect your feet from the cold.
- They help to protect you from frostbite, which can develop as a result of exposure to extreme cold.
- Ice fishing boots have soles that are designed to help to prevent your feet from slipping on the snow or ice.
- Lastly, wearing ice fishing boots will keep your feet warm and cozy throughout your trip, which will, in turn, allow you to remain comfortable enough to focus on what you’re there to do in the first place- which is to fish!
What to Consider Before Buying
If you’re interested in buying ice fishing boots and don’t know what criteria to use, this section is for you. Here’s what you should consider and look for when shopping around for ice fishing boots.
✓ Waterproof
Unless you’re Wim Hof, then you probably don’t enjoy getting wet in freezing conditions. You’ll do well then to invest in waterproof ice boots to ensure that you stay dry and avoid spoiling your trip with soggy socks and frostbitten toes.
✓ Insulation
Insulation is probably the single most important factor to consider when buying your ice fishing boots. Well-insulated boots will help you to enjoy your trip in warmth and comfort, while poorly insulated ones can cause you to feel uncomfortable. So, choose well and make sure to get boots with enough insulation, keeping in mind that ice fishing in regions with colder temperatures requires boots with more insulation. A good indication of proper insulation in an ice boot is having thermal foam or lots of Thinsulate, and others even come with removable liners and lace-up fronts to keep your feet warm and toasty.
✓ Traction
Most ice fishing boots are designed with treads at the bottom to enable a proper grip as you walk on the snow and ice.
✓ Design
If looks are important to you, then you’ll be glad to know that some ice fishing boots come in a variety of colors and look as good as they work. However, the most important thing is to pick a boot that works well, and looks should only be considered a nice extra.
✓ Size
It might be a good idea to order half a size up if the boots run small or are an exact fit, as you’ll most likely want to wear socks underneath. On the other hand, some boots run big and need to be ordered a size below, so it’s important to check how the sizes run when making your decision to buy a pair.
✓ Durability
You want to invest in durable boots, so they don’t come apart on you after just one season. Do your research to ensure that the ice fishing boots you’re considering are sturdy enough to handle the conditions that you’ll be exposing them to, with some of the most durable materials being leather and nylon. Luckily, most of the boots that we’re reviewing on this article are very robust and well-made, so they fit the bill.
✓ Liners
Ice fishing boots with removable liners typically dry faster, making them ideal for longer trips.
✓ Lightweight
Certain ice fishing boots can be bulky and somewhat heavy, often fitting loosely around the feet, especially if you’ve got slender feet. However, there are a few models that are made of lightweight materials, allowing your feet to breathe, and flexibly move while protecting them from the cold.
✓ Fasteners
Some boots use zippers, while others use buckles or laces and even a combination of these fasteners to secure the boots and keep your feet warm and insulated. Boots with heavy-duty zippers or buckles are a good choice because they make it easier for you to put on and take off the boots, even with thick gloves on your hands.
Top 6 Boots for Ice Fishing
These warm MuckBoots are made with a combination of rubber and fabric and come with some features in their construction that point to superior warmth and comfort. They have 2mm of thermal foam as an underlay on the instep area, and a wrap-up bumper as additional protection for your toes, They’re comfortable to wear in temperatures as severe as -40 degrees F to -60 degrees F. In fact, these are so comfortable that you don’t even need to wear socks with them!
These boots are also completely waterproof from the sole to the top and are lightweight and flexible to enable ease of movement through the ice. The shaft of the boot is quite tall and measures at 14. 5”, while the heel and platform are measured at 1.25″ and 0.75” respectively, to further protect your feet from the cold snow and ice. There’s also a size chart for you to check out to make sure that you purchase the right size.
Pros
- These boots are very warm and well-insulated with 2mm thermal foam
- They’re very durable and long lasting
- They’re 100% waterproof and can even be worn in the rain
- Provide great traction with treads
- Extremely comfortable and flexible to walk in
- Easy to put on and take off
Cons
- It’s advisable to go up a size when purchasing these, especially if you’ve got broad feet
These boots are constructed from a combination of leather and fabric, while the sole is made from a synthetic material. They also feature IcePaw pads that help to improve your grip while walking on ice, and you fasten the boots using a bungee-chord speed lacing system, which makes it easy to get in and out of the boots quickly.
The shaft of the boot is rather tall at 11 inches, while the heel is approximately 1.5 inches. The boot has 800 grams worth of foam insulation to handle temperatures as low as -94 degrees F. Sizes run from 7 D (M) US to 14 D (M) US and comes with color options of worn brown and black. You’ll also be glad to know that the boots come with removable liners and hooks to remove them with.
Pros
- They feature removable liners and hooks to pull the liners out
- These boots are lightweight and feel soft on the feet when you’re wearing them
- Very durable and long lasting
- The sole has an excellent grip
- They’re also remarkably comfortable
- Water resistant
Cons
- It’s advisable to order one full size up as this boot runs small and does not allow for socks when you order the exact size
Made from a blend of leather and fabric with a sturdy rubber sole, these boots are 100% waterproof and have a shaft that measures 8” from the heel to the arch. They are designed to optimally protect your feet from the coldness of the ice and snow that you’ll be walking on. They’re able to handle extreme temperatures as low as -40 degrees F and feature a multi-direction rubber sole.
These rugged boots are also built for comfort, as evidenced by the molded but removable EVA comfort footbed and 400g Thinsulate, which means your feet will stay super warm and comfortable during your trip. Should you find yourself in uneven terrain, you’ll appreciate the Achilles heel adjustment strap which you can fasten to get excellent ankle support, and the laces used to secure the boots are very easy to use as well.
These boots are seam-sealed and have a built-in gaiter for added comfort, which is kept secure with a convenient barrel-lock. These boots are available in sizes that range from 7 D (M) US to 15 D (M) US, and colors include British tan, dark brown, boulder brown and a simple tan color.
Pros
- 100% waterproof
- They keep your feet warm with 400g Thinsulate insulation and 8” shaft
- Great fit, true to size
- The laces are simple and easy to fasten
- They’re lightweight and comfortable to walk around in
- Seam seal with built-in gaiter and barrel-lock to lock in the heat
Cons
- Experience has shown that these are not durable at all, and start to come apart within months, with the most noticeable poor construction being on the seams
- The customer service from the supplier is very poor
With eight layers of Thermaplush insulation in the form of an inner boot, it’s not surprising that this boot is rated as having the capacity to handle temperatures as low as -148 degrees F. The foam cuddles the foot for a really comfortable fit, while some of the layers have moisture wicking and thermal layers to help retain the heat and maintain the moisture at a comfortable level.
The base of the boot is completely waterproof with a G-flex midsole and is constructed from a very pliable and durable rubber, with a deep traction outsole that’s made from rubber as well. The upper layer, on the other hand, is constructed from durable Diamond-Lite ripstop, which is wind-proof and further treated to repel water and prevent staining on the boot.
As for fastening, the boots come with heavy-duty YKK buckles that are highly resistant to cold and cracks, as well as a toggle-close snow collar. Lastly, this is a good-looking boot that features a tree bark print known as ‘Realtree’ on the shin area, while a matte black version is also available, and sizes run from 7 D (M) US to 15 D (M) US.
Pros
- These boots are very warm, thanks to having eight layers of Thermaplush insulation
- They’re very durable and can last for over two decades
- They fit extremely comfortably
- The snow collar is excellent at preventing snow from coming into the boots
- Great traction
- Excellent value for money
- Very light and flexible
Cons
- Only the base of the boot is waterproof, while the upper part of the stitching, is not
- They can be a bit tight, so it’s recommended that you order a size up
These knee-high ice fishing boots feature 1000 Denier nylon construction with a waterproof rubber shell on the foot area, as well as a heavy-duty tread to provide ideal traction and prevent slipping on ice.
The drawstring at the top is not only good for keeping the cold out but can be used to customize the fit of the boot, which is especially useful when it comes to those with large calves, and there’s room to tuck in your snow pants as well.
You’ll find the removable 8mm Zylex liner quite useful when drying the boots out, and the heavy-duty tread provides traction when walking on slippery ice and snow conditions. Lastly, these are super warm boots and will keep you warm in low temperatures of up to -30. Sizes run from 7 D (M) US to 14 D (M) US.
Pros
- Waterproof rubber shell in the foot area
- Removable 8mm Zylex warmer
- Very warm
- They fit comfortably once you find the right size
- Affordable price
- Very durable and well-constructed
- The traction on these boots is superb!
- They’re super easy to put on and take off
Cons
- Unfortunately, this boot is very narrow around the foot area, so you might want to purchase a size up if you’ve got wide feet
- The boots are only waterproof on the rubber shell of the foot area, but water does get in on the calf area
These boots have to be some of the warmest ice fishing boots ever made, as they feature whopping 2,400-gram Thinsulate insulation! Luckily, the manufacturer considered the effect that this might have on your feet, and added moisture-wicking mesh lining and a breathable membrane to keep your feet dry. The removable mesh-lined EVA liner is also super comfortable for your feet and can be removed when necessary.
The rubber lug outsole not only provides a great grip, but is also oil resistant, and other features include a padded tongue and collar, a rear pull-on loop, and a 3/4-gusseted tongue that completely prevents any debris and water from coming into the boots.
The sizes on these boots run from 8 D (M) US to 12 D (M) US and they are the ideal boots to wear when sloshing around the ice because they’re waterproof and made from durable suede leather with Mossy Oak nylon uppers.
Pros
- Made with hard wearing Mossy Oak nylon and suede leather
- Fully waterproof
- Thanks to their 2400 grams of Thinsulate insulation, these boots are very, very warm
- The sole is thick and provides ample heel support
- These boots are roomy enough to layer socks should you feel the need to do so
- Very comfortable boot
- The feet stay dry no matter what, thanks to the breathable membrane and moisture-wicking mesh lining
Cons
- The extra insulation on these boots makes them very bulky and heavy
- Not flexible to move around in due to the insulation
- They get weak at the sides after some time and lose support earlier than expected, so not long lasting at all
If the boot fits…
Wear it! As you can see, ice fishing boots can be a lifesaver when you’re angling in super cold environments. They keep your feet toasty warm, make it easier to walk in rugged ice terrain with great traction, and with the waterproof versions, you can rest assured that your feet won’t get wet when it starts raining or snowing cats and dogs.
They keep the feet warm through special insulation designed specifically for below zero temperatures. Some boots are even designed with double thick soles to further protect your feet from the cold.