First and foremost, a good boot for mucking out needs to be waterproof. And we don’t mean kind of waterproof, the type you would wear in light rain but not in heavy snow - we mean absolutely, 100% waterproof, without a chance of even a drop of moisture coming in contact with your feet. Let’s face it: working in the stables is a messy business, and there is liquid everywhere - you need every ounce of protection you can get.

Fortunately, all of the options on our list are waterproof. Some are better at it, with their waterproofing abilities remaining intact even after years of wear, while some lose their water resistance after only a couple of seasons. (Which is exactly why we ranked them according to their water resistance levels.)

The way in which water resistance is achieved varies. Most items in our guide rely on their materials, which are neoprene and rubber for roughly 70% of them. Neoprene is what wetsuits are made of, so you know immediately that it is waterproof. Rubber is also impenetrable; it doesn’t allow anything to pass through and is always the go-to option for wet conditions.

One of the three exceptions here is the Servus Max, which is made out of injection molded PVC material. This is no less water resistant than rubber and will serve you well over a long, long period of time.

The other two exceptions are the Sperry Saltwater and the Ariat Terrain. These designs have leather in their uppers, a material which isn’t naturally waterproof. However, they achieve water resistance through special pre-treating and construction. The Ariat Terrain especially comes with a Waterproof Pro membrane technology which prevents any type of moisture from getting through to your feet.

One thing is for sure: no matter which item you reach for on our list, the water resistance is guaranteed. We can’t let you waltz inside a stable in leaking footwear, and whichever option you go for - being that a one with naturally waterproof materials, or a one with a unique technology which prevents moisture from dripping in - you can be certain that you will be outstandingly protected.

Sometimes mucking out stables or general barnyard/farm work can take several hours. A whole day, perhaps. And that is a lot of time to spend on your feet, and in your footwear. Even if you are in good physical condition and if your legs are used to the labor, your feet will need all the support and cushioning they can get to not scream in pain at the end of the day. Comfort is of utmost importance when you’re doing hard work, and you need your boots to be as easy to wear as possible.

There are several factors which go into deciding the comfort level of a design. If you’re interested to find out what makes a good muck boot comfortable and what you should be looking for as you shop, take a look at the list of features we’ve put together.

• Footbed: Footbed is the part of a design which comes in direct contact with your foot sole. This is what you feel when you walk around, and is largely what determines if you find a design comfortable or not.
  First of all, footbeds can be cushioned. Extra padding, such as EVA or memory foam, means that the force of the impact of your heel is decreased, and that your joints and your foot don’t suffer from repeated pounding as you walk. A cushioned footbed allows you to move about more freely, and makes you feel like you’re stepping on something soft and malleable, as opposed to a hard, unforgiving surface.
  Secondly, footbeds can also be molded in shape. A contoured, or molded footbed has a distinct form which corresponds to the shape of your sole. It gently cradles the heel and the toes, while offering support and stability where you need it the most.
  The downside of molded footbeds is that not all of them are built to suit the shape of your foot sole, so you may go through some trial and error before you find the one which fits just right. But when it does, man oh man, those shoes become irreplaceable in terms of comfort.
• Arch Support: Arch support is technically a subcategory of the footbed, as arch support is a part of the footbed. However, it deserves a section all on its own, because a couple of the designs on our list, such as the Servus Max and the Muck Boot Chore Classic come with special steel shanks which support the arches.
  Arch support is essential in keeping foot fatigue at bay, in preventing overpronation as you walk, and in reducing the risk of medical conditions such as flat feet. You won’t go wrong if you choose a design which has all the necessary arch support for an entire day of work.
• Materials: Finally, even though we have an whole section on materials, here we will address them in relation to comfort. The overall construction of the boot should be flexible enough that it molds to the shape of your leg and foot, that the boot is easy to pull on and take off, but that is also not too flimsy. The inside of the boot shouldn’t have any seams that dig into your skin, as these will become a nightmare after hours of trudging around the stables and the fields. Try going for a seamless construction, such as with the Servus Max, as this not only means maximum water resistance, but also an easy, chafe-free ride.

Usually, durability is not a priority when we’re looking for regular footwear. It is normal that all designs have an expiration date of sorts, a life that meets its end sooner or later. However, the question of durability is a little different when we’re talking about extreme conditions found inside a stable.

Because this is not only about water or mud anymore. Stables are filled with organic compounds such as manure and urine, both of which have corrosive properties and can practically ‘eat’ through your footwear in record time. When it comes to working in this type of an environment, durability is key.

At the top of our rankings in terms of this quality is the Servus Max. This design is resistant to chemicals and organic compounds, and is virtually indestructible. There is nothing that will puncture a hole in it, no matter how hard it tries. The rest of the rankings are taken by the neoprene/rubber barn designs, which are all also pretty durable. Rubber especially is resistant to stains, and will hold up well in harsh conditions, which is why all foot areas on these boots have an additional layer of rubber over them.

While genuine leather and suede are one of the most durable materials in regular, everyday situations, they may not be the best when it comes to stable work. This all depends on what they were treated with, of course, and, for example, the Ariat Terrain is a boot which can take quite a beating, even though it is made from leather.

As when shopping for regular footwear, keep an eye out for defects. Any thinness of the material, any seams which are falling apart or apparent holes between the upper and the sole are not acceptable when you’re ankle deep in slick dirt, and you definitely need to make sure that your purchase is up to par before you decide to try the shoes out.

Under ‘upper’ here we categorized the items on our list according to how tall they are. When you’re working in a field, a barn or in a stable, low-top, especially open footwear is not a good idea. There is an inordinate amount of liquid, mud, organic waste, hay, grass, dirt, you name it, and if anything below the ankle is exposed you will most certainly get dirty yourself and then spend precious free time later washing everything off. (Not to mention that having dirty feet is not the most pleasant feeling in the world.)

When it comes to stables, it is best to stick with footwear that at least covers your ankles. How high you want the shaft to actually go depends on a number of factors: your personal preference, the season, your tendency to unintentionally splash around etc.

Out of these, the season is probably one of the key things you should consider when picking out a boot of the right height for yourself.

If summers get hot, and if you work up a sweat during your chores, having boots which reach up to your knee will only contribute to your overheating. Of course that there are options which promise breathability and moisture-wicking even if they are tall, but if you’re not prone to getting your shins or calves dirty, there is no reason you should sentence yourself to sweating in tall boots in high temperatures. Reach for designs such as the Mudruckers Mid, the Sperry Saltwater, or the wonderful Muck Boots Muckster II, which is foldable! You can roll down the cuff of this boot for even more ventilation as you work.

However, winter is a whole different story. In winter you want insulation and heat retention, and having a boot which also covers your leg is another layer of warmth which you might need. The Noble Outfitters Muds Cold Front, for example, comes with a fleece lining that will keep you warm in low temperatures, and it makes a great choice for sub zero days.

The downside to tall boots is that they may be a little more difficult to pull on, especially if you have wide calves. You can solve this by getting boots with pull-on tabs or holes built into them, such as the Roper Barnyard or the Ariat Terrain, or you can opt for those which have a soft, stretchy shaft, such as the Muck Boot Wetland or the Noble Outfitters Muds Cold Front.

There are many options you can land on, with different heights, different closures and different materials. We do urge you to make sure that you are protected from dirt in all cases, but also equally protected from both catching a cold or suffering from a heat stroke, depending on the weather.

Lastly, one thing that you might be asking yourself is: what materials are the best for stable-cleaning footwear? Well, as you might have gleaned from all of our previous criteria, this answer is somewhat multifold. After all, the materials of a design are what determine its properties: breathability, flexibility, durability, comfort levels, water resistance, weather resistance, slip resistance and so much more.

The most common combination which you have undoubtedly noticed as you went through our guide, is the neoprene/rubber duo.

We’ve already mentioned that neoprene is what wetsuits are made of. This material is actually a type of a rubber. It is extremely malleable and flexible, and it comes in different levels of thickness. Generally, the thicker it is, the more water and cold resistance it provides. Neoprene has excellent chemical resistance, as well as flexibility over a wide range of temperatures. It also has great heat retaining properties, which is what you need when it gets freezing outside.

Rubber, similarly, is resistant to a lot of things: abrasion and tear, chemicals, water and stains, and it has the unique ability to bounce back to its original shape after being compressed. Because rubber is firmer than neoprene, this is what keeps your feet protected from stubs and bumps as you walk through the stables.

That being said, other two types of materials which we encounter in our list are PVC and leather and suede.

PVC is similar to rubber, only made of plastic. It is more lightweight and less expensive than rubber, but it is also stiffer and can dig into skin. PVC is weather- and fire- resistant, and less durable than rubber. This is why many manufacturers incorporate rubber into their PVC designs, to balance out these disadvantages while maintaining the low cost at the same time.

Leather and suede, as we talked about previously, are only good for field and barn work if they are pre-treated with waterproofing agents, or manipulated in a way that makes the design waterproof by construction. Leather footwear needs to be properly cared for, cleaned and conditioned, but there is no reason why it won’t last you at least as long as the other options on the list, or why it won’t be just as protective and comfortable, if not more so.