Any opinions on the Muck brand boots for felling, bucking, and hunting? I am looking for a work boot that isn't too warm but a bit waterproof. I have dedicated cold weather boots.
I've been using them for years. They are made essentially of wetsuit material so they are better for cool than warm weather. They do not breathe at all; how important that is to you depends on how much your feet sweat- it doesn't make any difference as far as your feet getting cold because the insulation itself is waterproof, but it can be uncomfortable. They are fine for short use in summer but for me at least they get uncomfortably sweaty if I wear them too long when it is warm out. Unless you have and use a boot dryer, I advise keeping them on the porch when it is cool out and not wearing them long in the summer. Moist boots and warm temperatures lead to malodorous boots in a short period of time. The more I read what I've written, the more I wonder why I wear them. I suppose it is because they are fairly comfortable, warm enough for fall and winter weather here while working, which probably means late summer and fall weather where you are, they are easy to slip on, and they are waterproof which is nice in mud season. I don't really want to have to lace a pair of boots for a quick trip to the barn, and they are comfortable for an hour or two of fire wooding. So they fit a niche nicely for me.
Depends on the socks, but they do fine with my Costco 4 pair for $12 wool socks. If I put them on over a pair of dress socks, they fall down in no time.
I have two pair of Mucks. One is the Woody Max that I use for hunting. They go almost up to my knee, which is great for hunting but I didn't like it for anything else...we don't get snow that deep around here. I have a pair of Arctic Pro that are a "normal" height for a boot that I wear for everything else. I wouldn't want to wear either above 50* outside - I wear my unlined leather boots for that. I don't like wearing cotton socks in them either...I usually wear a low cut dry fit (think under armour)sock with a wool sock on top. Seems to be the best way to keep your feet dry from sweat.
I have them and love them. They are warm, and stay dry. I have beat them and they have yet to tear. The added bonus is that they are much lighter than my Lacrosse boots. One thing to keep in mind is they are not as safe as the standard steel or composite toe loggers.
I've had Muckmasters for a few years. I wouldn't recommend them for doing chainsaw work. They tend to be somewhat clunky and slippery especially if you have to walk on logs to cut. I would recommend a good leather boot like a Chippewa or Danner for chainsaw work. I personally wear 8 inch high uninsulated Wolverine work boots no matter what the weather, when I'm doing sawing. The mucks are great for doing other chores, hunting, etc. in the winter.
Thanks all.... I tried a pair on today and I do not think they will work to well. They are too sloppy for the terrain I am in.
I love my Muck chore boots for everything except cutting firewood. For that I use a leather steel-toe (or "tech-toe") boots that I can lace up to keep the chips out. Recently bought this set of Herman Survivors ($60 at WalMart) that I coated with epoxy resin to help keep them from getting all scratched up. Extremely comfortable on my big sore feet!
What did you use for epoxy on your boots Boog? I have a pair of steel toed leather boots for woods and field work for most of the year but in winter I wear my Husqvarna rubber boots.
I tried on the much boots and Tractor Supply company and I think I will stick with lace-ups. I am often climbing fallen trees and stepping through brush. The loose Muck boots would get stuck too easily and are not adequately secured to my foot/ankle.
I've used a number of different waterproof, "slower" setting types over the years (just not the 5 minute kind). I think this was Gorilla brand 20 minute stuff, but I usually used Duro brand epoxy in the past. I saw some "flexible" marine stuff in the store a while back, that would probably be ideal. It will eventually get scratched up and crack along a leather flex line, but you just need to sand it up a bit and put some more on down the road. I originally did it to a pair of used ones that I tore a little chunk of leather on, but I do it now when they are new before I spray them with waterproofing.
I wear my zip up snake boots from BassPro for working up wood and felling tress. They are tough and resist impact/puncture better than Woody Max Muck boots. Muck boots are great but the Neoprene uppers will tear up easy if you get into Briars and they are way too expensive to mess up. They are my Hunting Boots.
I love my Muck Arctic boots for many things-they've retired my PAC boots for cold weather usage. Having said that, I prefer a "work boot" for wood cutting-the Mucks are just too "sloppy" on my feet.
Muck Grit My last 2 pair of work boots have been Carhartt loggers with the very aggressive Vibram Tacoma sole. Last I checked they discontinued that style unfortunately,so I'll be looking for something different next time. Soles on first one finally almost bald now,repaired the toes/steel caps on both pair with Boot Gard I believe its called.A brush on material,its the same stuff that spray on bedliners for your pickups are made from. Extremely tough & durable,it sticks to leather,vinyl,steel & will not peel,chip or crack.A synthetic rubber base with solvents mixed with fine sand for grit/traction,one can will do 2 heavy coats of on 2 pair of boots/shoes.Local work clothes dealer has it for $10 & change for a 6oz can. My old pair even had the steel caps loose & outside leather worn away,1 can of that stuff did both boots & so far I've gotten 4 months more use out of them instead of spending $180+ on a new pair. 2nd pair has about 2/3rds the tread left.Otherwise they're still working fine. Because of fairly wet/muddy conditions at my job the past few weeks,I wanted something more waterproof than the old Carhartts.And my regular non steel toe slip on rubber boots weren't really warm enough nor do they protect my feet.No local supplier had the Mucks I wanted so I ordered the Muck Grit online (steel toe,steel shank,very aggressive sole with liner). List price $170,got them for $138 & change shipped to my door. After wearing them every day but one the past 2 weeks I'm very impressed.Wish I knew about them years ago.Same warmth/traction as my old Sorel Caribou pac boots but totally waterproof with added protection for my feet.Have worn them so far in temps from zero to 40 & remained comfortable.Though they're almost a bit much when its above 30 degrees unless you're stomping through several inches snow or mud. http://www.amazon.com/Muck-Boot-Ste...1-1&nodeID=679255011&keywords=muck+grit+boots
It's extremely muddy at my place and I wear nothing but Muck boots. They are very comfortable and keep my feet dry. They are too warm for the summer though.
