The Most Comfortable Upland Hunting Boots, Based on Our Testing

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The best upland hunting boot is a lot like the best pickup truck: It’s subjective, and what works for you often comes down to where you hunt, what terrain you cover, and what you’re used to wearing. A boot that’s perfect for long days in dry grass might not be the one you want for wet cattails or steep, rocky country.

If you’ve ever spent a full day hunting in the wrong boots, you know how quickly a good hunt can turn miserable. Blisters, sore feet, and poor support can cut a day short, which is why your boots deserve as much consideration as any other piece of gear. We’ve tested a range of boots in the field to find options that balance comfort, support, traction, and durability across different types of upland hunting. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best upland hunting boots based on our experience.

• Best Overall: Danner Sharptail
• Best Leather: Thorogood 1957 Series Flyway
• Best Rubber: LaCrosse Burly
• Best for Women: Danner Wayfinder
• Best Premium: Crispi Nevada

Best Overall: Danner Sharptail

Specs

• Sizes: 7-15 in standard and wide widths
• Insulation: None
• Weight: 3 lbs 3 oz. per pair
• Height: 8″

Were I to purchase a new upland hunting boot today, I’d go with the Danner Sharptail. Why? Because it’s got the features of a premium boot, at a moderate price. It looks great, it feels great, and has no shortage of positive reviews from hunters all over the country. The Sharptail is offered in a diverse bunch of options, including a side zip, a snake boot, and a 4.5″ model in addition to the standard 8″. It’s designed specifically for upland hunting and could cover the whole gamut of upland adventures with the right combination of socks. 

The Sharptail is durable and lightweight and has been redesigned in recent years, building upon the success of the previous model. It is completely waterproof, rugged as they come, and hosts a suite of added features for comfort and support. The Danner Sharptail is a whole lot of bang for your buck.

Best Leather: Thorogood 1957 Series Flyway

Specs

• Sizes: 8-12 in standard and wide widths
• Insulation: None
• Weight: 3 lbs 9 oz. per pair
• Height: 8″

If you’re looking for a classic upland hunting boot, look no further than this leather beauty right here. Boasted throughout the upland community, Thorogood boots are known for long-lasting, durable construction. They’re the official boot of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and a favorite among grouse and woodcock hunters too. 

I’ve been recommended Thorogood boots by friends and colleagues in the upland hunting community, the trades, the timber industry, and elsewhere. The Flyway, in my opinion, is one of the best looking upland boots on the market. It’s a classic. The 8″ logger approach to this boot puts durability and American craftsmanship at the forefront, and with an added breathable waterproof membrane and removable cushioned footbed, Thorogood pulled out the stops for comfort as well. 

Best Rubber: LaCrosse Burly

Specs

• Sizes: 3-15
• Insulation: None
• Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz per pair
• Height: 18″

LaCrosse rubber hunting boots are iconic in the outdoor space, from the old school green Grange version, up through each and every kind of Burly. This boot is a favorite among deer hunters but is no stranger to upland hunters. When targeting birds along swamp edges, wet alder thickets, cattail sloughs, and muddy trails, the Burly reigns supreme. Its signature adjustable strap allows for a comfortable fit around the calf, and a variety of insulation levels allow you to choose the right model for your style of hunting.

Granted, this is no hiking boot. Though big woods deer trackers may disagree, you do not want to put 10-plus miles on this boot over and over again throughout the season. That said, LaCrosse’s ankle fit design adds a level of stability and support that many other rubber boots do not, and thus allows for all-terrain use, within reason. 

Best for Women: Danner Wayfinder

Specs

• Sizes: 5-11
• Insulation: None
• Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz. per pair
• Height: 8″

While I’ve never had issues finding available boot options for myself, I have had the frustration of shopping for women’s hunting boots for my wife. There isn’t nearly the variety out there, and what is available can often be hard to source. That said, the Danner Women’s Wayfinder is a solid upland boot, with a variety of purpose-built features and options. 

The Women’s Wayfinder is offered in three different insulation levels, each with its own color and camo pattern. The boot was designed thoughtfully on Danner’s DT5 last, yielding an athletic fit with plenty of support for long hikes and hunting trips. Throw in their Open Cell Polyurethane footbed and Plyolite midsole, and along comes breathability and comfort. If you can find it in stock, the Danner Women’s Wayfinder is a great choice for upland hunting boots. 

Best Premium: Crispi Nevada

Specs

• Sizes: 8-14 in standard and wide widths
• Insulation: None
• Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz. per pair
• Height: 8″

If you’re looking for a boot with years of history, versatility, comfort, and durability, the Crispi Nevada is the way to go. It’s offered in both insulated and non-insulated models and is regarded as one of the premium hunting boots on the market. The Crispi Nevada has been improved over decades of use and the current model stands among the best yet. 

The Nevada is particularly popular among western hunters and folks who hike long distances through rough country and need a boot that will hold up to the abuse. Innovative designs in ankle support, framing, breathability, and comfort have led to an incredible amount of praise for this boot. Versatility is where the Nevada really shines. If you’re in search of a one-and-done kind of boot for all types of upland hunting, the Crispi Nevada is worth a serious look. 

How We Tested Upland Hunting Boots

Last summer, I set out to select a new boot for chasing grouse & woodcock from Maine to Minnesota. I needed a real deal upland hunting boot. I did the research, polled the masses, and received an array of suggestions from ardent upland hunters from around the country. Design, style, and price point all factored into the conversation. Since then, my current role at the Ruffed Grouse Society has given me the opportunity to hunt with respected and experienced people in the upland community. They all had diverse perspectives on what makes the best upland hunting boots and what considerations were most important to them. I based my selections on the following criteria: 

• Pursuit: What type of upland hunting do you plan to do and what do you need your boots to excel at most?
• Design: What materials are the boots made from? How are they constructed?
• Durability: How long will the boots last in the field? Can I trust them to withstand harsh conditions?
• Usability: What are the boots designed to do? Are they lightweight? Do they have support?  

What to Look for When Choosing Upland Hunting Boots

Choosing the right upland hunting boot can seem daunting. There are a wide array of information, models, and styles to sort through. Boot options are varied and everybody has an opinion on what makes the best upland hunting boots. But there are a few factors to seriously consider to make sure you get the most out of your hunting boots.

Versatility

Are you looking for a do-it-all upland hunting boot, or a boot specific to one kind of chase? Will you be hunting in a diversity of terrain types and climates? Versatility is crucial to many hunters who choose to travel or change things up a bit. You need to consider what and where you will be hunting. Species, habitat, and terrain will be significant determining factors in your choice of boot.  

Style & Material

As with versatility, choosing the right boot style and material should be based on the type of hunting you do most. Comfort, height, weight, warmth, breathability, flexibility, and other variables will factor in here. If you’re hitting small covers in very wet terrain, you might be better off with a rubber boot. If it’s long hikes in the big woods, a more comfortable, durable, and supportive choice should take the lead. Rugged mountains and tough country is going to call for durable and sturdy boots. Each upland hunt is going to require different features from your boot. Think about what you need your boot to do on a hunt because the wrong boot on the wrong adventure can make for a miserable day. 

Budget 

Boot prices vary, and what you get for your money does as well. Some folks swear by spending good money on boots, as they consider footwear to be the most important piece of gear in their arsenal. If you have $400 or $500 to spend, you’ll get a higher quality product with increased durability and longevity. Maybe even an added warranty. Obviously, we’re not all in that boat. There are still great upland hunting boots for hunters with a tighter budget.

FAQs

Final Thoughts 

Footwear and foot care can go a long way in the field, perhaps longer than most other types of gear or preparation. In upland hunting, we often measure the success of our day by the miles we’ve covered. Finding the best upland hunting boots for your style of hunting will keep you in the field longer, and in turn, help put more birds in your vest.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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