Best Turkey Hunting Boots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Turkey looking boots are versatile. They’ll preserve your ft dry as you stroll by a dew-soaked area, they’ll preserve your ft heat whilst you watch for that outdated gobbler to fly down, they usually’ll mix into the woods when he lastly struts into vary. But relying on the place and while you hunt, some types of boot are higher suited than others. If snow isn’t out of the query on your season opener, you’ll want an insulated, waterproof boot to maintain you from heading again to the truck early. Where I spend most of my time looking within the deep South, I’d be loopy to not put on a snake boot. But in different areas, a light-weight, low-profile boot works brilliantly, particularly in the event you’re overlaying a whole lot of floor. And in the event you hunt all over, you recognize that one boot won’t lower it for the completely different turkey habitats you’ll encounter. I’ve put a ton of miles on a whole lot of completely different boots since I began chasing gobblers. Through the years I’ve realized that the most effective turkey looking boots ought to final you many seasons and preserve your ft dry and heat whether or not you’re calling gobblers by the snow, mountains, or swamps.

Best Overall: LaCrosse Alpha Agility Snake Boots

Key Features

• Weight: 4.9 kilos per pair
• Uninsulated
• Waterproof
• Snake Guard
• Adjustable gusset

Pros

• Feels lighter than precise weight
• Breathable
• Snug, athletic match

Cons

• Not supreme for frigid early seasons

Rubber boots could be heavy, loud, and higher tailor-made for muddy days spent in your backyard than looking. But the LaCrosse Alpha Agility Snake Boots are a superb possibility for hunters who need the safety of a rubber boot however don’t thoughts chopping the space on a gobbler that’s half a mile away. So, in the event you’re contemplating switching to light-weight boot, however you’re hesitant to surrender the flexibility that rubber boots present, the Alpha Agility ought to catch your eye.

Even although these boots weigh slightly below 5 kilos (4.9 kilos), the Agility outsole makes them really feel lighter than their precise weight. Compared to my Alphaburly Pros, the Alpha Agility boots really feel noticeably lighter although they’re solely about 5 ounces lighter. While the traction on the outsoles isn’t as grippy as they Alphaburly Pros, they don’t surrender a lot.

The cosy, athletic match makes them really feel like a streamlined boot, which I’ve appreciated on longer treks. And the adjustable gusset lets you match them shut, so there’s not extreme flapping or house between the boot and your leg. Even although my Alpha Agility boots match true to dimension, their cosy match—even after breaking them in—makes them tough to take away, particularly after you sweat by your socks. But this minor quibble hardly detracts from this boots total high quality. For the vast majority of turkey terrain and seasons you’ll encounter, the Alpha Agility boots excel at practically all of them.  

Best Snake Boot: Dryshod ViperStops

Key Features

• Weight: 6.5 kilos
• one hundred pc waterproof
• Hydrokote water repellent
• 5mm Desoprene insulated boot
• Back-pull tabs
• WIXIT Cool-Clad airmesh

Pros

• Extra-tall higher
• Great traction
• Sheds water
• Excellent moisture wicking

Cons

I examined these throughout turkey season this 12 months, and the 5mm Desoprene insulation will preserve your ft comparatively heat through the early a part of turkey season when cool mornings nonetheless linger, however they didn’t run too sizzling when spring really confirmed up. Though I wasn’t fortunate sufficient to have a snake strike these, the thick uppers on the ViperStops are greater than convincing.

While they’re a bit of on the heavy aspect, these boots match true to dimension, and the traction on the out soles works nice. I crossed a few steep creek banks after every week of showers, and these boots have among the finest traction on the market. While a whole lot of rubber boots really feel stiff out of the field, the ViperStops required a minimal break-in interval, and I didn’t have any irritation or discomfort the primary time I wore them on an all-day turkey hunt. Where I hunt within the deep South, I encounter snakes on a weekly foundation throughout turkey season. With the ViperStops, I don’t fear about them even once I’m strolling in swamps or wetlands earlier than first mild.

While the snake safety is prime notch, you pay for it with weight. At over six kilos, these boots really feel heavy. And in the event you’re slogging by particularly boggy situations, you’ll really feel each little bit of their weight. But if you’d like the additional confidence in snake safety, these boots may be price each pound.

Best Budget: Muck Edgewater

Key Features

• Weight: 2 kilos
• 5mm neoprene
• Stretch-fit higher
• one hundred pc waterproof

Pros

• Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Widely out there

Cons

• Upper soaks reasonably than sheds water
• No adjustable gusset

More typically than not, you get what you pay for. When it involves the Muck Edgewaters, you get a bit of extra. This no frills, basic rubber boot has nearly every thing you want for turkey season. They’re straightforward to slide on and off, however that’s additionally considered one of their drawbacks. There’s no adjustable gusset, which suggests the higher tends to shift and make noise whilst you stroll. And in the event you’re looking in significantly boggy situations, there’s a very good likelihood you’ll be able to come out of this boot.

The traction on the Edgewaters doesn’t examine to different boots on this evaluation, and I’ve landed on my again quite a lot of occasions crossing creeks in them. I’ve worn these boots whereas working, deer looking, and every thing in between, they usually’re greater than able to getting the job accomplished. I’ve by no means had an issue with their waterproofing capabilities, besides the higher tends to soak water, reasonably than shed it. This not solely makes them a bit heavier however offers them a ripe odor after they dry (particularly in the event you do that all season lengthy). There’s nothing fancy concerning the Edgewaters, but when cash’s tight and it’s essential to preserve your ft dry, I wouldn’t hesitate to roll with these.

Best for Early Season: LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro

Key Features

• Weight: 5.2 kilos
• Adjustable neoprene gusset
• 18-inch higher
• Mild, chilly, and arctic insulation choices
• Scent-free rubber

Pros

• Durable
• True to dimension
• Warm
• Tons of camo patterns

Cons

• Might get too heat
• Camo sample fades shortly

Depending on the place you hunt, your opening day of turkey season would possibly embody a contemporary layer of snow as a substitute of a lush green-up. If that’s the case, it may be time to interrupt out your finest rubber looking boots a bit of early. The Alphaburly Pros are glorious for deer looking, and those self same options make them nice for chilly, early season turkey hunts.

With insulation choices that vary from delicate to arctic, the Alphaburly Pros are loads heat for these lingering winter situations. I put on mine through the early a part of turkey season, the place temps generally hold at or simply beneath freezing, they usually preserve my ft loads heat. They have the 800 grams of insulation, in order that they’re good for deer season and the primary a part of turkey. And in the event you get the proper insulation, you’ll be able to have your self an superior do-it-all rubber boot.

Even in the event you plan to run and gun, the Alphaburly Pros received’t weigh you down an excessive amount of. I’ve put a whole lot of miles on mine, particularly on all day turkey hunts, and these put on quite a bit lighter than their listed 5.2 kilos. These are among the most sturdy boots I’ve hunted in, however the camo sample on mine began fading only a couple months after I began looking in them. Still, if you’d like among the finest turkey looking boots that you could preserve working throughout deer season, these are onerous to beat.

Best for Run and Gun: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof

Key Features

• Weight: 2.4 kilos
• one hundred pc recycled laces and webbing
• Vibram TC5+ outsole
• 5mm lug
• Medium or broad sizing choices
• Waterproof

Pros

• Lightweight
• Super snug
• Breathable
• Versatile

Cons

• Runs massive
• Not nice for tremendous moist situations

Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is ideal for hunters preferring a low-profile boot as a substitute of typical rubber looking boots. When I first tried these on, I used to be blown away at how snug and lightweight they felt. These aren’t simply among the most snug turkey looking boots, they’re among the most snug footwear I’ve ever tried. And at simply over two kilos, they put on like a cloud.

I’ve put a whole lot of miles on these throughout my summer time whitetail scouting, and even on probably the most scorching days they’ve nice breathability. I seen I began to have a sizzling spot on my Achilles tendon, which occurred after a damp 3-mile hike. Even although Merrell charges these as “waterproof,” a tiny asterisk with “to an extent” would extra precisely apply. So, you probably have any main creek crossings which might be ankle deep or greater, it may be finest to go away these at residence. But these drawbacks include the territory and must be anticipated. For days once I know I’ll log a number of miles or in much less snake-friendly habitat, you’ll be able to wager I’ll be carrying my Moabs.

Best Lace-Up: Danner Vital

Key Features

• Weight: 2.9 kilos
• Waterproof
• Insulation: Uninsulated to 1200g
• Metal lace hooks

Pros

• Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Solid traction
• Different camo, top, and insulation choices

Cons

I bought these boots as a result of I initially needed a flexible looking possibility for various sport. And they’ve excelled at that. They’re additionally among the most snug boots I personal, particularly for turkey looking. These are light-weight sufficient that you just overlook about them on all day hunts, however they supply loads of ankle assist. And the broad toe field is good when it’s time to run and gun, as a result of they permit your toes to considerably splay. The Vitals even are available a 17-inch Snake Guard possibility that runs simply over 4 kilos.

Even although these boots are rated “waterproof,” they undoubtedly aren’t. The first time I walked by excessive grass after a heavy dew, my ft had been moist. And you’ll be able to overlook crossing a creek in them. Even with loads of mesh, these aren’t probably the most breathable, and I discover myself sweating by my looking socks most of the time. But for lower than $200 that’s to be anticipated. And most lace-ups, apart from premium priced choices, have these similar waterproofing faults. Still, if you’d like a stable lace-up that doesn’t break the financial institution and excels at just about the rest, the vitals are an awesome possibility.

Best Sustainable: Your Old Shoes

Key Features

• No break-in interval
• Your sneakers
• Repurposed

Pros

• Already suits
• Budget pleasant
• Super quiet
• Comfortable

Cons

• Not a boot
• Probably not waterproof

One morning throughout turkey season I hit snooze one too many occasions. In a rush, I slipped on my sneakers, which don’t require lacing up, and determined I might throw my boots within the truck and put them on as soon as I arrived at my spot. However, in my rush, I forgot to load my boots within the truck and had no alternative however to roll with my sneakers. While they lacked any type of water or snake proofing, I seen they had been extraordinarily quiet, and I might be nearly silent in them strolling by the woods. I additionally felt twenty kilos lighter with out my heavy-duty rubber boots and critically thought-about making a everlasting change. Even after the dew soaked by them, I hunted the remainder of that season in these sneakers. Sure, there are many apparent drawbacks with this feature, however if you wish to really feel like a ninja maneuvering by the shadows of the turkey woods, otherwise you’re a minimalist at coronary heart, give your outdated sneakers a shot. Oh, and pack an additional pair of socks in your turkey vest.

FAQs

Things to Consider When Buying Turkey Hunting Boots

Insulation

This isn’t an enormous concern, since spring temps don’t usually require closely insulated boots. But in case your season opener comes with chilly temps, it’s undoubtedly price investing in a pair of trainers that can preserve your ft dry and heat. Most producers provide boots with completely different insulation ranges. Numbers like 200g, 800g, 1200g, and so on. all consult with the thickness of insulation in a boot. The greater the quantity, the thicker the insulation. Boots with greater ranges like 1200g or 1600g usually perform finest for frigid, stationary hunts, whereas boots with 200g or 400g scores or non-insulated choices are higher fitted to spring situations.

Terrain

Terrain performs a significant component in figuring out the most effective turkey looking boots on your particular scenario. Rubber boots take advantage of sense for quite a lot of looking situations, particularly within the japanese and southern parts of the nation. Sometimes a light-weight boot, just like the Merrell Moabs are higher fitted to steep terrain or occasions while you plan to cowl a number of miles. Rubber boots work wonderful in these situations, however after a day of logging 5, 10 miles, a lighter boot makes a giant distinction.

Budget

Sometimes price range is a tough, impassable line within the sand. I get it. But sacrificing worth normally equates to sacrificing high quality, particularly with regards to footwear. There are price range choices like Muck’s Edgewater which might be greater than succesful for turkey looking. However, a whole lot of different low-cost choices are simply that. I’ve hunted in boots that I assumed had been stable, cheaper choices, they usually had been for a short while. But after that, it was apparent I bought what I paid for. And I ended up spending extra money in the long term. Don’t count on to purchase an affordable turkey looking boot and get the identical sturdiness, waterproofing, or high quality that you’ll in a high quality boot. There are loads of choices within the $150-$200 vary that can final you years, so long as you care for them.

Final Thoughts

The finest turkey looking boots for you rely largely on the place and the way you hunt. If you have got the means, choosing a pair completely different pairs is a superb concept, particularly in the event you journey to hunt completely different areas. But there’s one thing to be mentioned about simplicity, and a pair of rubber boots just like the Muck Edgewaters and even your outdated sneakers will get the job accomplished in most conditions.