Ice fishing, fun.
Ice fishing for Bass, more fun.
Ice fishing for Bass with friends, amazing.
Ice fishing with cold feet, no fun.
Never allow cold, damp feet to ruin a good day of fishing on the ice again! In this post we will discuss some of the best ice fishing boots that money can buy.
What are the best ice fishing boots?
Here is a quick preview of what’s to come:
- Guide Gear Hunting Boots
- Kamik Men’s Canuck Cold Weather Boot
- Baffin Men’s Control Max Snow Boot
- Kamik Men’s Greenbay 4 Cold Weather Boot
- Sorel Men’s Conquest Snow Boot
- The Original MuckBoots Adult Arctic Sport Boot
- Muck Boots Arctic Pro
- Baffin Men’s Snow Monster
- Sorel Men’s Intrepid Explorer Extreme Snow Boot
- Baffin Men’s Selkirk Snow Boot
- Baffin Men’s Impact Snow Boot
Keep reading for a closer look at each boot and why we think it should be on this list….
Guide Gear Insulated, Waterproof Hunting Boots
Boot Height: 12″
Boot Weight: 40 ozs
Don’t let the name fool you, even though they say they are hunting boots, these are perfect boots for ice fishing. Why do we say that? There are two features that really make the Guide Gear Hunting Bootsa good pair of ice fishing boots.
The first is the insulation. These boots contain 2,400 gram Thinsulate Ultra Insulation. Yes, you read that correctly 2,400 gram! That is huge barrier between the frigid cold and your feet.
Another added feature is the thicker sole. When out on the ice, the greater distance between your feet and the ice the better. Compared with other similarly priced boots, the sole on these boots are nearly double in size.
Some additional features, these are waterproof suede leather boots. They have a breathable membrane keeping your feet nice and dry. On the inside is a removable, EVA insole for your comfort.
Boot Height: 15″
Boot Weight: 54 ozs
What do a good pair of ice fishing boots consist of? It isn’t always about keeping your feet warm while out on the water, as it is about keeping your feet warm while getting to that secret fishing spot. Sometimes this entails climbing through deep snow banks. If only there where a pair of boots that were high enough to keep my feet warm?
Kamik Men’s Canuck Cold Weather Boot may be just what you are looking for. Equipped with 15 inch high, 1000 Denier waterproof nylon, you will have no problem plowing through knee-high snowbanks. These boots also have two toggle strings one located at the ankle and one at the opening, perfect for keeping the warm in and the cold out. Couple that with a 8mm removable Zylex liner and your toes with toasty.
Another feature of interest for ice fishermen is the slip-resistant tread, just right for when things get slippery.
Boot Height: 12 inches
Weight: 2.8 pounds per boot
The next option on our list is a leather boot with a rubber bottom that has a temperature rating of -94 degree farenheit. We are very pleased with how these boots perform on the ice and we think you will be too. They are the Baffin Men’s Control Max Snow Boot.
Constructed with a very durable waterproof leather these boots were built to last many ice fishing seasons to come. This durable construction also helps to ensure that the harsh elements stay where they belong, outside of your boot! Did we mention these boots are equipped with waterproof sealed uppers? Yes, this pair has everything you could want in a good pair of boots.
Just as impressive is the inside of these boots. Equipped with a very comfortable removable liner, your feet are ensured to stay warm and dry. No more soggy boots!
Lastly, the think rubber sole helps to keep you on your feet.
When ordering this boot you should keep in mind that it typically runs true to your boot size, if you need a half-size it is always better to choose one size up.
Boot Height: 14″
Boot Weight: 31 ozs
Many have said there isn’t anything much colder than sitting on a cold bench, watching the Packers play in Lambeau Field, aka, “Frozen Tundra”. From my personal experience I would agree. Green Bay is cold, very cold. Much like ice fishing, it gets even colder when you aren’t actively moving around. In order to stay warm you need a well insulated pair of boots such as the appropriately named: Kamik Men’s Greenbay 4 Cold Weather Boot.
These are lightweight and yet durable pair of ice fishing boots. Equipped with a waterproof prime injected bottom, and 600 nylon uppers, you will have no problem keeping your feet dry. They also include a removable thermal guard lining.
Rated to withstand -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lace lock snow collar located at the ankle and a toggle string at the top, makes these boots easy to adjust to your comfort. Once your feet are nice and snug inside these boots, the closure straps will ensure they stay that way, keeping the snow and slush out.
Boot Height: 14″
Boot Weight: 33 ozs
A list of the best ice fishing boots would not be complete without mentioning the Sorel Men’s Conquest Snow Boot. The perfect combination of both waterproof leather and fabric has resulted in a very rugged and durable snow boot. This boot is equipped with 400 gram Thinslate Ultra insulation and has been rated to keep your feet warm, even when it gets as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
With any ice fishing boots that you choose to purchase you are going to have normal wear and tear. When this happens boots start to break down at the weakest point, the seams. To prevent this from happening, high quality material is need to last you longer than one fishing season. With that in mind Sorel has designed a boot that will last. Equipped with seam-sealed waterproof leather means that these boots will not only last you this ice fishing season, but many more to come.
These boots are also equipped with a built-in gaiter bootie and a barrel lock snow collar designed to keep the snow out and you feet nice and dry. One unique feature that I really like about these boots is the Achilles adjustment strap. This strap can be easily tightened giving you the much-needed ankle support when traveling on uneven terrain. With this added ankle support, you no longer have to fear rolling an ankle in the boots. In addition, the multi-directional rubber outsole gives you the enhanced traction that oh so essential out on the ice.
Boot Height: 17″
Boot Weight: 32 ozs
Imagine the scenario, you wake up super early, excited that you finally get to do some ice fishing. You load the truck with all your favorite fishing gear, you tread through knee-high muck to get to your spot, you drill the hole in the ice, put a few lines in the water, and then the unthinkable happens…the boots you bought weren’t as waterproof as you had thought. How do you imagine the rest of your day? Cold and miserable.
As we all know, once you get your feet wet, it is very difficult to keep them warm. Obviously the best thing to do is to avoid getting them wet in the first place. With the Original MuckBoots you will never have the aforementioned scenario happen to you. These boots are 100% waterproof from the heel to the very top. Speaking of the top they are 17 inches tall, making it very difficult for muck and snow to get into your boot.
The combination of rubber and fabric not only make them extremely waterproof, but also very light and very flexible. Due to the flexibility of these boots, they are very comfortable. You will have no problems walking in the boots all day.
Let’s talk about what’s on the inside of these boots. For additional warmth and comfort a 2mm thermal foam underlay has been added. There is also a wrap up bumper to protect your toes.
Rated for -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also available in mid calf, (13 inches) you can find these bootshere.
Boot Height: 17″
Boot Weight: 32 ozs
If you like the Artic Sport you will love theMuck Boots Arctic Pro. This boot was designed with ice fishermen in mind, specifically made for extreme temperatures. Very similar to the Artic pro with a combination of rubber and fabric, making it 100% waterproof and lightweight. The biggest difference between the two is the 8mm fleece lining. These boots will keep your toes warm. In fact, the website says these are the warmest Muck Boots made. You will not be disappointed with the purchase of these boots.
Rated for -60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boot Height: 12″
Boot Weight: 45 ozs
When asked, what brand of boots are best for ice fishing? Many will say without hesitation Baffin, and for good reason, they make high quality boots. In fact for 25 years they have specialized in making insulated boots.
One of my favorites is theBaffin Men’s Snow Monster. I must warn you, these boots aren’t for a little dusting of snow and ice. These boots were made for what we like to say in Wisconsin “real winters”. This boot has been rated for -94 degrees Fahrenheit. That fact alone makes these a ‘monster’ pair of boots.
These boots are constructed of insulated leather, with a waterproof seam-sealed upper. On the bottom you will find a nice polar rubber outsole give you a grippy boot. The toggle and the snow collar make these completely adjustable for your comfort. Lastly, on the inside we have a multi-layer removable liner.
Boot Height: 15.5″
Boot Weight: 48 ozs
It is time to go to the extremes with Sorel Men’s Intrepid Explorer Extreme Snow Boot. To begin, these are the most expensive ice fishing boots listed here. This may cause some to think, “I don’t want to spend that much on a pair of boots”. However, if want quality, and you want something that will last, in my personal opinion these are the best ice fishing boots money can buy.
So let’s get to the chase, these boots have been rated for -100 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, this is a hefty ice fishing boot, that will keep your feet toasty warm, all day, everyday. It has everything you want in a boot. 100% waterproof, built-in gaiter, and great traction. An additional feature is the 13mm removable inner boot.
This is a well constructed snow boot that is definitely worth the extra bucks.
Baffin Men’s Selkirk Snow Boot
Boot Height: 13 inches
So if boots that are rated for -100 degree Fahrenheit are called extreme, what would you call boots that are rated to withstand -148 degrees? I call them Baffin Men’s Selkirk Snow Boot.
Baffin’s Selkirk Snow boot is the next on our list and for good reason. They will without a doubt keep your toes toasty warm on the coldest of days. Equipped with leather bottoms and nylon uppers on the outside and a very warm removable inner lining on the inside. In total they are equipped with a 8 layers of materials including Thermaplush wicking fibers. Yes, that is 8 layers between your toes and the cold.
So if you are tired of being disappointed time after time with different ice fishing boots, I would recommend you get these pair of boots. You will spend less time thinking about your toes and more time thinking about catching fish.
Baffin Men’s Impact Snow Boot
We talked a lot in this post about keeping your feet warm, but there is one thing we haven’t address yet and that is boots that are clunky or uncomfortable. For me personally, this can be just as bad as (if not worse than) wet boots. You will not have that problem with the Baffin Men’s Impact Snow Boot.
These boots are very similar to the aforementioned in that they are rated to withstand -148 degrees as well. Also equipped with 8 layers of comfortable lining designed to keep the warm in and the cold out. The foam in-sole is to ensure comfort with every step you take.
It is made out of a very durable rubber that is designed not to crack under the most extreme weather conditions. Lastly, the deep traction outer sole will help to prevent falls on the ice.
Final Thoughts….
To wrap up this very long post, let’s review briefly what to look for in a good pair of ice fishing boots.
Height. Some anglers don’t like to choose tall boots as they think they won’t be comfortable with a pair of jeans or their ice fishing bibs, but if you plan on fishing in areas with deep snow, I would recommend choosing a tall pair. It is also important to consider getting to your favorite fishing spot. You may not need boots on the ice, but you may need tall ones getting and leaving your ice fishing spot.
Weight: Another important thing to take into consideration is the overall weight of your boot. They might be designed to withstand the harshest conditions, but if they are heavy that can make them uncomfortable. So make sure to choose an overall light pair of boots.
Waterproof. No one likes to have wet feet when fishing. Make sure you choose a good waterproof option.
Liner. Liners are designed to keep your feet warm, but sometimes that can be a bad thing. I say that because sometimes they do such a nice job warming up our feet that we sweat and then we freeze later. Always make sure to choose a removable liner as you will have the option to use it or remove it if things get too toasty. In the event that your boots do get wet, a removable liner will help to allow them to dry faster.
There you have it! 11 of our favorite boots and 4 quick tips to keep in mind when searching for the best pair.
Would you like to read more about ice fishing?
Please enjoy the following links on ice fishing:
Everything you need to know about ice fishing
How to go ice fishing without freezing to death
Now that you have read our list of the best ice fishing boots, did we miss one?
Share with us in the comments below what you would consider to be the best boots for ice fishing.
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