Outdoor enthusiasts know that a variety of the best footwear for Alaska is crucial for keeping us outdoors. Rubber boots, hiking boots, extreme mountain wear, cold weather boots, slippers for lounging and camping, you name it, we have the knowledge from years of testing quality boots and the best footwear for Alaska.
Lowa Tibet GTX
www.lowaboots.com
We tested these boots on a moose hunt in 2017 and they are fantastic. They are completely waterproof and comfortable, offer extreme ankle support and allowed our tester to carry heavy loads of moose. He wore them 10 straight days and packed out two moose. If you are a backpacker or a fly-out fisherman looking for your next set of boots, give these a try.
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400
www.kenetrek.com
Our tester raved that these boots kept his feet dry and warm, while providing outstanding traction in wet and slippery conditions. The stiff nylon insoles and K-Talon outsoles provide unparalleled stability for hikers carrying heavy loads. Four hundred grams of GORE-TEX helped keep our tester’s feet warm while sitting and spotting game. These are really superb boots and useful for fishermen and hunters alike.
Mishmi Takin Kameng – Mid eVent Waterproof Hiking Boot
www.mishmitakin.com
The two things about these boots that stood out to our tester was the remarkable breathability of the 100% waterproof eVent membrane that manages to keep your feet warm and dry without making them sweat, and the noticeable comfort and stability provided by not only the stretch heel section that provides comfort when descending slopes (or sitting with your legs extended), but also the Vibram Megagrip sole and large contact area.
Grundéns Deck-Boss Boot
www.shop.grundens.com
The one-piece boot is impervious to the elements. The Herkules Grip synthetic soles provide excellent traction. There’s a band that keeps your pant legs from slipping lower and getting wet, and we think that’s a smart feature. When you don’t need the full height of the boot, they fold down. These boots are comfortable and perform great.
Bogs Footwear Urban Farmer Shoe
www.bogsfootwear.com
This low-profile slip-on boot offers Max-Wick moisture-wicking lining to keep you dry and comfortable, along with a contoured comfort fit, a wider toe box and narrower feel. Its versatility ensured it got a lot of use this season. We love it for running in and out of the motorhome, lodges and tents for a fast, waterproof slip on.
KEEN
Elsa Chelsea
www.keenfootwear.com
This ankle boot is part cold-weather protection and part style statement, performing admirably in all conditions while looking great, too. A super-soft lining ups the comfort level, while the fresh mix of textures makes it inside-appropriate as well. Rave reviews from our testers came in for this boot.
Vasque Inhaler II Low
www.vasque.com
Lightweight and comfortable, our tester wore these every day for 16 straight days of touring, walking more than 20,000 steps each of those days. They are still in great shape, and that’s about the best review we can imagine.
Vasque Breeze III Low GTX
www.vasque.com
A lighter, nimbler version of the Breeze III GTX Boot, which we’ve loved here at Fish Alaska in years past, this new Low model packs in all the same technology but caters to those who prefer more mobility.
Reed Footwear Kent Romeo
www.reedfootwear.com
This slip-on style neoprene boot is 100% waterproof, but what we really appreciated about this boot was the noticeable level of comfort it provided that we didn’t even realize we were missing. The 3.5mm neoprene with 2mm of air mesh lining combined with the functional 6.5-inch height, foam midsole and non-slip rubber outsole made these boots great for use when offshore fishing. We were pleasantly surprised by this boot and highly recommend it to anyone interested in an easy slip-on style boot.
Muck Boots Muckster II Low
www.muckbootcompany.com
The Muckster II Low is the perfect shoe when it’s wet and muddy, meaning you need a set of these for Alaska—where those conditions prevail a good part of the year. Whether working around the camp or battling halibut from the deck, these shoes have been redesigned with a new sole that provides more stability on wet surfaces, making them ideal when you don’t want a high boot.
Baffin Cush Booty
www.baffin.com
Whether on a major expedition or just lounging around camp, the Baffin Cush Booty slipper provided our tester all the warmth necessary for keeping feet and toes toasty warm.
Le Chameau Women’s Giverny Jersey-Lined Boot
www.lechameau.com
Designed like a mid-high country-walking rubber boot, these everyday-use boots feature a natural-rubber upper and hard-wearing poly-cotton Jersey lining. Shock-absorbing dual-density Cross soles and all-terrain grips add to their versatility in Alaska.
Le Chameau Condor LCX
www.lechameau.com
These boots are built well, tough and comfortable. They provide exceptional ankle support and traction, which was particularly important in 2017 when hunting and hauling meat in steep, rugged terrain. The boots remained waterproof after many miles of trudging through wet country, performed exceptionally well and are universally suited for hunters and fishers.
Xtratuf Salmon Sisters 15-inch Legacy Boots
www.aksalmonsisters.com
Sturdy, lightweight and comfortable, our tester wore these boots on every trip of the year, since in Alaska it tends to rain at least once during most trips. Designed specifically for women, the boots feature Xtratuf’s iconic Legacy silhouette with an interior lining designed by Salmon Sisters.
Xtratuf Legacy 15-inch Plain Toe
www.xtratufboots.com
The boot includes a new outsole that passes SRC slip-resistant rating and has a non-marking, textured heel for easy on and off. It includes a comfortable polyurethane insole, and a contoured top line binding that is comfortable to wear and doesn’t rub against your leg.
Baffin Men’s Meltwater Boot
www.baffin.com
Our tester reports that the Baffin Meltwater boot performed like the ultimate in waterproof footwear, keeping him warm, dry and super comfortable. Durable while still looking great, the boots are comfort-rated to 0°. Tried against several other boots in its class, this one won out for comfort.