The 7 Best Ice Fishing Boots Reviewed In 2023

Ice Fishing, though a popular sport, is not for those that do not like the cold. It is considered one of the coldest sports as hunters can be subjected to extreme weather conditions and cold temperatures.

Therefore, it’s vital to have well-insulated best ice fishing boots to keep you fishing for longer without needing a reprieve due to frozen feet. You also need something that has traction so you’re not slipping around the ice.

The 7 Best Winter Boots For Ice Fishing In 2023:

In A Rush? Here Is the Winner After Our Tests

We’ve compiled a list of the 7 best ice fishing boots in the market right now. In addition to that, we’ll be helping you figure out which shoes are the best to get and which ones suit your needs best. Also if you are looking for a shelter for when you go fishing, why not check out our guide to the best ice fishing shelters, boots for snowshoeing, Electric Augers and Ice Fishing Sonars.

Keep on reading for our seven best ice fishing boots (and buying guide).

Ice Fishing Boots Reviews

1. Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber High-Performance Men’s Snow Boot

The Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber High-Performance Men’s Boot is insulated to be worn in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40 degrees to -60 degrees Fahrenheit. The ice fishing boots are entirely waterproof with the upper area made out of fabric and rubber.

The sole is made entirely out of rubber. The platform is roughly 0.75 inches and the heel is roughly 1.25 inches.

These Arctic Sport Rubber Winter Boots can deal with any messy weather situation with ease, including freezing rain, slush, and snow. The snow boot covers a large part of your entire leg, which gives you the confidence to be able to step into deep mud or snow without it contacting your skin. The 5mm neoprene provides heat retention, shock absorption, waterproofing, flexibility, and comfort. The inside is lined with fleece, which provides exceptional warmth, durability, and softness. This is voted as our best ice fishing boots.

 

2. Kamik Men’s Greenbay 4 Ice Fishing Boots

The Kamik Men’s Greenbay 4 Cold Weather Boot features a hook and loop strap and a removable 8mm thermal guard liner. The snow boot has been rated to be able to stand up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The adjustable midfoot closure straps allow you to get a snug feel for each foot.

The rubber outsole is thick treated to ensure enough tracking for icy, slippery surfaces. The ice fishing boot opening measures to be about 20 inches around and the shaft measures to be 13 inches from the arch.

One of the great things about the Kamik Men’s Greenbay 4 Cold Weather Boot is that it fits high on your legs so that you have sufficient insulation and protection, even in deep snow. It’s even available in three different colors, which are black, triple black, and charcoal – though the design does seem to change between colors. It does seem to come with an initial stiffness that seems to loosen as you wear the shoe (like many other shoes).

 

3. Kamik Men’s Canuck Ice Fishing Boots

The Kamik Men’s Canuck Cold Weather Boot is constructed from fabric material and features a rubber sole. Similar to some other products on this list, these ice fishing boots also cover quite a bit of your leg.

It’s constructed with 1000 Denier waterproof nylon merged together with a rubber sole, which is flexible, waterproof, and designed with a heavy thread. This entire works together to improve the traction of your boot so that you can get improved slip resistance and better grip when walking on ice.

You’ll also find some adjustable bungee cords at the opening and ankle of the Kamik Men’s Canuck Cold Weather Boots. It also has a drawstring collar which helps to keep the warmth inside the shoe and the cold outside of the shoe. Kamik has ensured that the boot is waterproof so that water is not likely to enter your boots. The boots do run fairly big, so if you aren’t planning on wearing it with thicker socks, then buy a size smaller than usual.

 

4. Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber High-Performance Men’s Winter Boot

The Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber High-Performance Men’s Ice Fishing Boots are great for leisure activities or outdoor work during frigid weather. They are designed to keep your feet warm in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even if you find yourself ankle deep in slush or snow, the boot should keep you warm. It offers you with comfort and support through the warm fleece lining, thermal foam, and contoured midsole.

Aside from being waterproof, the 5mm neoprene in these Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber High-Performance Men’s Ice Fishing Boots helps to prevent chafing, retaining heat, absorbing shock, and being waterproof. Through the molded lugs, these ice fishing boots are designed with a fully-sealed rubber shell, which extends above the ankle to provide you with extra protection even when walking through deep snow.

 

5. SOREL Men’s Conquest Ice Fishing Boots

The Sorel Men’s Conquest Boot features an upper area that’s made of fabric and leather and rubber sole. The shaft of the shoe is roughly 8 inches from the arch and is waterproof. With its 400g Thinsulate ultra insulation systems and leather, it can hold the insulation to temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Conquest Ice Fishing Boots also features an integrated gaiter bootie with a barrel lock snow collar and a drawstring. With all the technology that this boot offers, you’re good to go with all activities in cold conditions.

The Sorel Men’s Conquest Boot is well known for its comfort and long-lasting support. It’s great for trekking through extreme temperatures without comprising the insulation. The boot is completely sealed from all-weather elements, including water. The build is durable enough to last you a few years.

 

6. Kamik Men’s NationPlus Boot

The Kamik Men’s NationPlus Boot is a traditional Pac boot, which means that it has a waterproof outer and insulated inner liner. It has a surprisingly snug fit, which allows it to be great for trekking across icy and snowy grounds.

Though the insulation might not seem like much at first, the loft of the shoe enables it to maintain the insulation. The sole of these ice fishing boots is made with thick rubber, which allows it to gain insulation from cold asphalt and concrete.

The tread pattern on these Kamik Men’s Ice Fishing Boots is similar to that of off-road tires as it features deep lugs, which are great for offering superb traction. Even with the deep lugs, it still keeps enough surface area for traveling on flat, slippery surfaces. They also seem to run true to size, so unless you plan to wear two pairs of socks, you should be fine going with your usual shoe size.

 

7. US. Military Contractors ‘Mickey Mouse’ Combat Boot, Genuine U.S. Military Issue

These genuine Mickey Mouse Combat Boots by U.S. Military Contractors are designed to keep your feet comfortable, even with temperature as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

These ice fishing boots were initially only for the military to be used under all sorts of conditions. Nowadays, they are more often used by Joe Public, rather than service personnel. Though they are actually called Extreme Cold Weather Boots, they are often just referred to as the Mickey Mouse Boots.

They are constructed with a layer of thick wool and felt sandwiched between waterproof rubber that makes a thin, flexible, and insulated barrier, which is watertight. By making them watertight, they are unaffected by moisture or sweat. The design also ensures that your feet are completely sealed in the boots so that there is no possibility of water evaporation, which is the leading cause of frostbite and cold injuries.

 

Buyer’s Guide – How To Choose Ice Fishing Boots

There are four main characteristics that you need to look for when you’re either researching or narrowing down your list of choices. Those four are the insulation, the materials, the outer covering, and the stiffness. Below, we’ll be going through each of these characteristics.

Boot Insulation

The insulation inside of the boots is really what could make or break the shoe. A good pair of boots should keep your feet warm, regardless of what sort of condition you might be in, especially while ice fishing. They should also allow air circulation without producing moisture and letting cold air in. In some boots, you might find a cold weather lining, which is often measured based around the minimum temperature that the shoe can support.

You’ll often see the word ‘Thinsulate’ while reaching. Thinsulate is a 3M product that has polypropylene fibers that are stitched together and support the inner fabric body to create a stronger barrier. You’ll find this material in some of the warmest ice fishing boots currently available.

Typically, the number or amount of Thinsulate helps to determine the strength of protection. Generally, a boot with a higher amount of Thinsulate will be better for protection, but will also end up weighing more.

Boot Materials

It’s important to look at what materials your boots are made out of as that could tell you the quality of the boot as well. For use in ice and snow conditions, there are three particular materials that you should look out for/find in your boots.

1. Rubber Upper – A rubber upper will feature a flexible outer shell that is paired with a synthetic inner lining. Rubber materials are thicker and waterproof, which will help to keep the cold out of the boots.
2. Synthetic Materials – These materials often include nylon compounds, which have a softer feel and are typically more lightweight.
3. Leather – This offers a stiffer surface that will not wear and tear quickly or easily. You’ll find many leather boots to be paired with reinforced toe and heel surfaces to create a more rigid body.

Boot Outer Covering

You’ll probably want to find boots that cover your feet and a fair bit of your leg as well. Many boots nowadays are ten or more inches high. That coverage gives you protection over your heel and ankle. However, you should try to ensure that the boot isn’t too long, as that will make it harder to move around.

You might also find some boots with steel tips on the toes or ankles. These are there as an extra layer of protection to keep your feet from getting hurt by any rough items or icy surfaces. Steel tips are best only if you’re going to be on rough surfaces and at risk of going through the debris.

Boot Stiffness

If possible, you should check the stiffness of your boot before you purchase it. Rigid boots are often the best for ice fishing, as they keep the pressure off your body. They also are better at handling rougher, icier surfaces. As with ice fishing, you often find yourself staying still in the same spot for an extended period of time, which is what stiffer boots are great for.

Rubber boots are designed to be more flexible, therefore are not great for providing you with stiffness. These types of boots are better if you’re going to be moving around while you’re outdoors. You should be careful while using these boots, as they are prone to bending quickly.

Additional Things To Consider

There are a few additional aspects that you might want to consider while trying to find the best ice fishing boots. These are:

1. Review the sole pattern. A good sole pattern will have enough openings and grooves to allow ice to move through it without getting stuck. It should also be made of a strong rubber compound that will last you for years.
2. Check how secure the laces are. The metal clamps that often secure the laces at the front keep the laces in place. These clamps should be easy enough to open when and if you need to replace your laces.
3. Check the types of laces that the shoe can support. The laces should be thick enough that you are able to grip them while you are wearing gloves. But they should also be sturdy enough where they won’t tear easily.
4. Check whether the boots can fit socks. Great boots (or great sized boots) will be able to fit even when you have thicker wool socks on, as those will over you an extra layer of protection.

FAQ’s For Winter Ice Fishing Boots

Q. Why Do I Need Special Ice Fishing Boots?

A. Ice fishing shoes are quite different from regular hiking/walking shoes.

They have to:

●       Protect you from the elements,

●       Be waterproof,

●       And have a substantial amount of sole to keep you warm and safe.

Secondly, they also have to be comfortable enough to wear for longer periods of time. With ice fishing, you’re outdoors for longer periods of time, which means that you are exposed to the weather elements. Being prepared, be that only your shoe wear can make a big difference.

 

Q. What Material Is The Best?

A. This depends on your personal preference. You can have any material that you find to be the most comfortable and keeps you warm. However, you should make sure that it is pre-treated and is fully insulated.

 

Q. What Level Of Insulation Is Best?

A. On a general note, 200g insulation is ideal for fall and spring temperatures. For winter and/or freezing temperatures, you might want to have 400g insulation.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s important for you to get boots that are well-insulated and durable. Often times you’ll find these to be an investment pair, as those will last you for a while. Our list above has a decent range of products, so you’re sure to find something for your specific needs. Our buying guide and FAQ section were designed to further help you in your researching and buying journey. With all of the information that we’ve provided above, you’ll be able to make the perfect decision.