For very obvious reasons, when looking for the best duck boots, waterproofing is one of the most important aspects. Wet feet can lead to a variety of painful, and outdoor adventure stopping, issues. You may have dealt with blisters that have popped and caused pain and irritation, while this is uncomfortable it is nothing compared to a frostbitten toe. While it may seem extreme it has been known to happen because of cold wet conditions and feet that were not kept dry.

Waterproofing is not only about the outsole and upper material. It also has to do with the closure of the shoe. The tongue of the shoes is an infamous place for letting water in. You want a duck boot with a gusseted tongue. Put simply, these are pieces of material that attach the tongue to the shoe, keeping water, snow, and debris from penetrating into the boot.

You also need to pay attention to the very top of the boot, known as the cuff. This is also a common problem area. Manufacturer’s focus tends to be on the outsole of duck boots, however, companies that know good boots also pay attention to the cuff. An elastic band at the top, which may or may not be adjustable, is excellent at keeping snow and other unwanted items out of your boots. Another great way to stop the slush from creeping inside is a fur lining. Thick fur will allow moisture to gather on the outside but not make its way inside.

Waterproofing is exceptionally important to maintaining the quality and comfort of your feet. It is necessary and great duck boots will give you superior dryness. All of the boots in our guide have qualified in the waterproofing category. No matter what you choose, we are sure you will have the dry feet that your outdoor activities require.

We have looked at two of the key elements in a great pair of duck boots. One of the most important aspects, that has not been discussed in our criteria, is warmth. Regardless of your outdoor activity, when the temperature starts to drop, you need to be ready for it. Most winter boots are rated for temperature. You want to know your surroundings and what activities you may find yourself a part of. This will help you prepare with the perfect duck boots.

Cold feet will not only decrease your overall body temperatures but the lack of sensation, due to decreased circulation, can lead to frostbite. At the extreme end of it, you could even lose a toe, if wearing improper footwear. Avoid this at all costs, by remembering warm, moisture wicking socks, and appropriate boots for the conditions.

You need to make sure to keep the cold out, as well as keep the heat in. A faux fur lining made of high-quality synthetic material is used by many companies and it does a good job. The long, thick pile traps heat inside the boot and helps hold the cold at bay.

There are other choices if you are not a fur-lined boot type of person. For example, The North Face, has a pocket system that traps heat in and doesn’t have the bulk of faux fur. This keeps their duck boots exceptionally light and gives a less restrictive feel to the boot.

Taking care of any shoe is important when looking at the overall longevity of use. If you spend a lot of money for a pair of great duck boots just to find them cracking and falling apart a few months later, your care for them may be causing it. Low-quality duck boots crack easier than ones made for durability and hard wear.

Cracking rubber will cause you a variety of problems. If the crack goes all the way through, you will have leaking areas and wet feet. Any crack that has started will eventually work its way through, giving you the same problem. Cracks can also interfere with the warmth factor. Cold air will be able to penetrate the boot more easily and heat will be able to escape.

Cracking of rubber can be greatly impacted by improper drying of the outsole. We all love to come in from the cold and stand in front of a roaring fire or right on top of the register vent. Likewise when our boots our wet we tend to put them in a similar place to dry. The problem is we don’t move them and the excessive heat drys out the material, causing cracks.

Rather than needing to dry your shoes this way, invest in a great waterproofing agent. A waterproof barrier will keep the inside of your boots dry and remove the need to put them on the register or in front of the fire for drying and hopefully help cut down on cracking.

If cracking is happening on a leather upper, you will want to condition your leather. After conditioning, you will also want to waterproof. Leather naturally keeps water out however, it needs to retain its own moisture. Well maintained leather will last you for years to come as long as you take care of it.

The price of shoes is a very important factor when people look into purchasing shoes. Duck Boots are no different. Because boots tend to be more expensive, we had to look really closely at the value they provide so that every item on our list, whether expensive or not, was of good quality for the price. In correlation to value, we looked at many factors:

Durability & Longevity
Boots, usually, lasts more than a few months, because shoes that are going to fall apart after a few months of use aren’t worth the investment of more than a few dollars. Leather and synthetic overlays can be used to make the shoes more durable without sacrificing flexibility. Firm leather or synthetic uppers provide durability and support.

Versatility
Duck boots usually serve a specific purpose: to keep your feet warm and dry, but we wanted to make sure they could be used for more than one activity. The more situations you can use the shoe in, the more value it offers for the price.

Maintenance
Good footwear is easy to maintain and clean. They don’t require a lot of expensive shoe treatments or time-consuming upkeep. Duck boots are no different. Boots that need a lot of effort, time and money to maintain, don’t sell as well as shoes which are easier and cost less to keep.

Cost
A hefty price tag can be a deal-breaker for people on a budget. That’s why many can be found in the low-to-middle price range. They’re affordable, and if they are priced a little higher than others, then they offer many features to make the footwear worth the extra investment.

Wet leaves, snow, ice, mud, and muck is there really a set of duck boots out there that can keep us on our feet through it all? Yes! Looking at traction is no easy task. Most have differing opinions on what is the best for which situation. There is some truth to that, however, an outsole with great traction, deep tread, and decent flexibility is really what you need and that can be found in a variety of traction patterns.

A great example is, the MuckBoots Edgewater – MuckBoots uses a deep tread in a horizontal pattern.

This is not only good for deep mud but in general, you are looking at superior tread. The gripping ability is superior and you would find yourself steady on your feet when wearing this type of tread in mud, wet leaves, and a variety of other slippery situations.

Another great example of what superior tread looks like is found with the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duck Boots. Built to grip the ground, these boots have nubs of rubber that help you reach the ground and grip it.

This is not only beneficial in snow but also for hiking in the woods, on wet leaves, or pavement. Versatility in situations where you need tread is awesome and finding duck boots that will carry you through all of them is important.

Whether you decide one pair of duck boots will meet your life’s traction needs or if you buy four pairs, know that it is important for your safety and comfort to take a look at the bottom of the shoe before purchasing. Know that each person is different and may have different results with a variety of patterns and tread depths. Knowing your feet and the work you do will help ensure an educated decision when picking out your perfect pair of duck boots.