Best fishing boots are essential for comfortable and successful angling adventures in Alaska’s rugged terrain. These are the top picks for fishing footwear from the team at Fish Alaska.
Best Fishing Boots and Shoes
XTRATUF Women’s Vintage 6 Inch Ankle Deck Boot
XTRATUF made a name for itself with the hardworking legacy boot we all can picture in our minds. This boot combines the functionality of the Legacy boot with a sportier profile and an eye-popping coral color. Still non-marking, still slip-resistant, and still an excellent choice for anglers who need a warm, dry, comfortable boot for a day on the water.
Korkers Women’s Polar Vortex 1200 Boot
This boot is designed for tackling your serious winter adventures with 100% waterproofing and 1200 g of Thinsulate insulation. When you combine the easily interchangeable outsoles and the proprietary BOA M4 Fit System, this boot can be customized to handle everything from a snowy stroll down the trail, to a full day on the ice.
XTRATUF Salmon Sisters Tails & Scales Deck Boot
This collaboration with XTRATUF offers a highly functional deck boot with non-slip, non-marking rubber soles and neoprene bootie, combined with a signature-style Salmon Sisters design of bright-blue accents and a school of multicolored fish swimming at your ankles. Bright-blue loops make these ankle boots easier to get on and off.
Gill Hydro Mid Boot
Hydro Mid Boots are made from a 100% natural rubber compound, keeping your feet dry and warm when moving on and off the water. The nonslip razor-cut soles offer a dependable grip on wet surfaces. The neoprene inner lining offers warmth and shock absorption. These boots have removable cushioned inner soles, and heel steps aid in removing the boots. These are functional boat boats and at roughly 10” high, they are a little easier to get on and off than some of the competition.
Zamberlan 226 Salathe Trek GTX RR Boot
These sharp-looking boots fit great from Day 1, featuring solid ankle support, a well-cushioned footbed and an aggressive sole built for action. They are lightweight, but provide the stability of a much heavier boot. We hunted deer, hiked some steep terrain, and carried some heavy loads while wearing these boots in 2023.
Muck Boots Men’s Apex Lace Up Boot
muckbootcompany.com
We’ve been wearing boots in the Apex collection for the last several years and like them. We wore this model in 2023 during multiple long hikes under heavy loads on a good trail; we also wore them in uber-wet conditions on long hikes on game trails. They performed well. We spend a lot of time moving during our spot-and-stalk hunts and these boots provide an athletic fit and good protection.
We partnered them with Kenetrek gaiters, which stopped any moisture or debris from entering the top of the boot. After about 50 miles of hiking in these boots, our tester commented that the memory foam footbed felt good on his feet, and that he had no issues with blisters.
XTRATUF Women’s Auna Sandal
After a day spent in wading boots (the style equivalent of firefighter’s boots) it’s wonderful to have a comfortable, cute pair of lightweight sandals to change into when you get back to camp. These sandals have the added bonus of a super slip-resistant sole, perfect for the deck or the dock.
Columbia Sportswear Men’s PFG Pro Sport Shoe
These good-looking, sneaker-like water shoes are designed to drain and dry quickly. With the open mesh and synthetic uppers with Blood ’N Guts water- and stain-resistant treatment, they are easy to keep clean—even fish blood is easy to wash off. The shoes are very light, with super-grippy rubber soles.
