Mud boots protect your feet from slop and glop, but you might find these shoes will become a favorite, comfy choice for just about every day of the week. The growing popularity of mud boots has helped drive great design features like breathable linings for extra comfort, a variety of sole treads for various conditions, and the development of premium rubber materials that last for years. When work or play demands your feet meet the elements, here are three things to think about before buying mud boots.
Mud boots come in a huge range of insulation levels, from no insulation at all to frigid sub-zero temperatures, so think about how warm you want your feet to be when you’re out and about. For temperatures above about 50 degrees, you’ll be fine with uninsulated mud boots, especially if you’ll be moving active like walking or gardening.
Mud boots provide your feet traction in slippery muck, but not all mud boots are made with aggressive treads. If you’re looking for mud boots to wear on a boat, or if you’ll be in and out and walking over tile or hardwood floors, you might consider boots with less aggressive soles for greater traction on smooth surfaces.
Mud boot heights vary. Some are barely ankle-high, others reach your shins, while many models offer protection nearly to your knee. For simple household and gardening wear, an ankle-high boot is sufficient. But if you plan to muck about in wet woods, swamps, or along rivers, it’s best to go with the tallest boots you can. There’s nothing worse than finding out the hard (and wet) way that your boots are about an inch too short.
