What Shoes Are Good for Hunting? (Beginner’s Guide)

If you are searching for a hunting shoe, the selection may be overwhelming at times. There are so many choices available today for hunting. You may want to consider what matters most to you in a hunting shoe such as quality and comfort.

You can purchase hunting shoes online and have them shipped to your door or you can walk into a shoe store and pick out your own. With online sales, your selection is endless.

The best footwear for hunting would be hunting boots with at least 400 grams of Thinsulate, good traction on the bottom, and nice support on the inside. Good examples are mountain hunting boots, upland hunting boots, and snake boots. You will want to have a boot that’s comfortable and comes up to the ankle for added support.

The soles will need to be a quiet rubber, so you don’t squeak when the boots get wet. You also want to find a boot that you can walk in for several hours at a time and one that will dry easily if it gets wet. There are a few factors to consider before buying your hunting shoes. If it doesn’t fit well then you will be uncomfortable throughout your hunting trip which could affect your game.

You will also need to have a period of time that you can break your shoes in once you purchase them and before you go hunting in them. This will avoid blisters rubbing on your foot or just general pain from wearing a new shoe for long periods of time.

Types of Hunting Boots


Mountain Hunting Boots

These boots are going to good for getting better traction as you move around the mount to hunt. They normally have more insulation since the lowlands and the mountains have drastically changing climates.

Upland Hunting Boots

This type of boot is made for walking around in flat or grassy terrains instead of the mountains. The traction on these is minimal.

Snake Boots

The snake boot is good for wet areas and marshes where there may be an increased chance of meeting a snake. You don’t want to go hiking or be on your feet for long periods of time in these boots because the support isn’t as thick.

Lightweight and Heavy-Duty Boots

These boots are not normally lined with insulation, but they are good for most terrain and being on your feet for a long period of time. Look for boots that come with options such as Thinsulate, thicker traction, and steel-toed.

Water Resistant Hunting Boots

While hunting, you may step through wet areas such as crossing creeks or due to the grass being wet from early morning dew. You may also be crossing muddy places on the terrain that could soak through the outside material and reach your sock where it will be absorbed, and your foot will feel it.

You don’t want to walk around in wet shoes and socks all day so you must select a water-resistant hunting boot. If you’re planning to hunt near a swamp or wet area with deeper water, consider a hunting wader.

How Much are Good Hunting Boots?

Hunting shoes can range in price from $42.95 to $465.99 with hunters paying around $149.95 for a good pair. You will pay more for added features such as insulated, quiet rubber soles, and arch support. Many factors will play a role in how much the manufacturer will charge for a pair of hunting shoes. The right hunting shoe for you may be different from someone else.

If you don’t get the opportunity to go hunting much, you may not want to invest too much money in a pair of hunting shoes purchasing under $100 is a wise decision. You will not need to worry about the quality of the shoe because it will most likely last for the amount of time you will need it.

If you hunt frequently, then you may want to consider a $300 to $500 hunting shoe more sensible instead.

How Much Thinsulate Do I need in Hunting Boots?

Thinsulate is insulation designed to fit into your boot. It is made up mostly of microfibers to help keep your feet warm by blocking the cold area. It stops the cold using tiny threads tightly woven together.
When choosing Thinsulate, it’s important to know how many grams you will need.

ThinsulateGood for
200 gramsCool conditions
400 gramsFall season
600 gramsLight Snow
800 gramsHeavy  Snow
1000 gramsExtreme cold

The more Thinsulate in the boot, the heavier the boot will be so if you want to wear 1000 grams of Thinsulate in your boot, you may not want to walk around that much in them.

What Makes a good Hunting Shoe

Hunting takes a lot of energy and you want a hunting boot that is going to be comfortable, safe for climbing, and keep you on track without losing traction. It’s also good to have a hunting boot that will support the ankle.

There are a few factors to consider when purchasing a pair of hunting shoes:

  • The climate where you will be hunting
  • Will you be using the hunting shoes a lot?
  • Do you have any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes?
  • Will you need to cross creeks, rivers, or bodies of water?

Climate

The climate that you will be hunting at could be extremely cold. If it’s cold, you may be adding wool socks to your feet before putting your shoes on. The wool socks are thick and when you place your feet into your shoe, they may be too tight, making your foot hurt throughout the day.

Another factor to consider is if you are hunting in extreme cold, you may want to consider an insulated boot. You will pay a little more for this type of shoe, but it will be worth it to keep your feet warm.

Durability

If you don’t plan to hunt but one or two times in a year, a simple shoe will do just fine. You don’t want to make a big investment in shoes that you are not going to wear that often. You can get by and feel comfortable in a good pair of hunting shoes with arch support for comfort and a good sole for better grip and traction.

Health Factors to take into Consideration

If you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, the hunting shoe you choose will need to provide you with good support and comfort. You don’t want anything that will restrict the blood flow to the feet. You also want a good quality sock to wear that will absorb the moisture on your feet and fit comfortably inside the shoe.

Crossing Water on your Hunt

If you will be crossing water at all, you will want a water-resistant shoe. If the shoe you like does not come water-resistant, you can purchase a spray that will help to protect your new purchase. Having cold wet feet can be a distraction when you are hunting.

Bottom Line

When choosing the right hunting shoe, you want a lightweight shoe for easy stepping, you want quiet traction, and you need good support for long-term standing and walking around. More expensive hunting shoes are usually made with good quality material to withstand countless hunting trips. You will also need to decide if you want a lace-up or slip-on.

Lace-up hunting shoes are more popular because they allow you to adjust the tension around the top of your foot depending on the thickness of the sock. Slip-on hunting shoes work well too because you don’t have to worry about your shoestrings coming undone while you are hunting.

The more popular hunting boot available is the LaCrosse Men’s 4x Alpha 16” Waterproof Hunting Snake Boot which can be purchased online at Amazon.

You can get this boot delivered to your home for around $169.99. It has everything you need from ankle support, good traction, and it’s waterproof. It’s not a heavy boot either so you can wear it for hours without feeling exhausted.