The best fishing boots and footwear will keep your feet warm and dry. These are the top picks for fishing footwear from the team at Fish Alaska.
Best Fishing Footwear
The North Face Men’s VECTIV Escape 1 FUTURELIGHT Shoes
These shoes combine several design features that we appreciate. The VECTIV sole and rocker midsole are designed to help hikers maximize forward propulsion, a good design feature especially on longer walks. The upper shoe incorporates North Face’s breathable and waterproof membrane called FUTURELIGHT and our tester wore these in both dry and wet conditions and says his feet stayed dry. He reports that the shoes are comfortable, easy to wear and that he gets good traction in varied conditions.
Kenetrek Ultimate Liner Lightweight Over-The-Calf Sock
Our Publisher Marcus Weiner reports that he hiked about 80 miles in these socks during hunts in 2022 and that they are simply awesome. He wore them on their own, and also under heavier socks. In both instances, his feet stayed dry and did not blister. This is quite a feat considering the terrain that Marcus conquered in these socks. Partnering them with the Kenetrek Corrie II Hiker, the combination performed flawlessly. These socks wick moisture, reduce friction to minimize blistering, are lightweight, and are made from a blend of synthetic materials to resist wear through. These socks will be on his feet for every major hike or hunt.
Nortiv8 [Polar Bear Series] Men’s Leather Non-Slip Hiking Shoes
These hiking shoes have an aggressive, high-performance outsole for great traction on all terrain. Other features include Nortiv8’s Quick Lacing System (cable; no laces to tie), water-resistant leather and mesh-fabric uppers, great support with TPU construction on the midsole and a reinforced back heel TPU. The cushioned insole and MD midsole combine for excellent shock absorption and comfort. We’ve found these rugged shoes to be not only comfortable and supportive, but the Quick Lace System means no more tying knots or dealing with broken shoe laces.
XTRATUF Women’s Ice 6 In Nylon Ankle Deck Boot
The XTRATUF designers combined a waterproof TUFDry exterior, GlacierTrek PRO outsole, and a faux shearling liner to create this versatile boot. Insulated with TUFloft, these boots are rated down to -10ºF. Weighing in at a slim 0.4 pounds, you can wear these boots all day without getting footwear fatigue. Excellent traction on wet or icy surfaces, dry, and warm—this boot checks several of our boxes for winter fishing gear. When Publisher Melissa Norris is wearing these about town in the winter, she nearly always receives compliments and people often ask who makes the boots.
FisheWear XTRATUF Dolly Vee Sharkbyte Slip-On
FisheWear and XTRATUF collaborated to come up with this version of the Sharkbyte Slip-On. This lightweight deck shoe is a cinch for easy-on and easy-off, and is a great solution when you need camp or dock shoes after spending the day in waders or boots.
XTRATUF Men’s Wheelhouse 6 In Ankle Deck Boot
The Wheelhouse combines features of the Legacy boot and the original ankle deck boot. The result is basically a commercial-grade version of the ankle deck boot. These boots have a slightly wider fit, which makes standing for hours on end easier. The EVA/PU insole is comfortable, and the SRC-rated outsole is non-marking, oil resistant, and provides a good grip on wet decks.
BOGS Men’s Sauvie Slip-On Boot
These insulated boots are easy to put on and take off, offer excellent protection from wet and muddy conditions, and keep your feet warm in cold weather. Soles are aggressive and provide solid traction, and the boots overall are very comfortable to wear. They are made in whole sizes from 7 to 14 and in 3 different colors.
BOGS Women’s Whiteout Adjustable Calf
This boot offers serious cold-weather protection. 100% waterproof, fleece-lined, and comfort rated down to -58º, these boots will get you there and back in toasty dry comfort. BOGS has combined a slew of proprietary features to keep you fresh and eco-conscious while you’re at it. Our tester appreciated the adjustable sizing on the calf which eliminates the gapping that can leave you with wet socks and cold feet.
Kenetrek Corrie II
These are badass boots. Come to think of it, just about everything Kenetrek makes is badass. Our Publisher Marcus Weiner hiked many miles in these boots this fall, often carrying a heavy pack, and they provide excellent stability, superior fit, true comfort and are perfectly suited for rigorous hikes. Over the last decade he has worn many different models of Kenetrek footwear and highly recommends that you consider Kenetrek for your next boot purchase.
Swiftwick Pursuit Hike Six Medium-Weight
After stomping around in the woods for several weeks in these socks, we appreciate their moisture-wicking properties and overall comfort. After many strenuous hikes over rough terrain, our tester reports that his feet did not blister. Merino wool and Olefin fiber combine in the footbed to keep your feet dry, warm and comfortable. Pursuit Hike socks are available in a range of cushion levels and cuff heights.
Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hunting Sock
These over-the-calf socks are made of 79% merino wool, 19% nylon, and 2% LYCRA. Though marketed as a hunting sock, these are outstanding socks to wear under waders or while ice fishing. The merino wool keeps feet dry and odor free, and the high-pile construction makes them cushy and comfy. The footbeds are reinforced, making them very durable. They come in 6 men’s sizes, 4 women’s sizes, and 2 colors. These socks are Editor George Krumm’s favorite sock for cool to cold-weather fishing and hunting.
