Wading Boots vs Rubber Boots: What to Choose for Off-Road Riding

Table of contents:

Why Do You Need Special Footwear for ATV/UTV Riding? How To Choose the Best ATV/UTV Riding Boots? Takeaways

25 July 2022

Your footwear always plays a significant role in ATV/UTV mud riding. In order to choose the best boots for ATV mudding and wet adventures, you need to understand what you’re buying and what quality looks like. Read this post to learn about wading boots so you can make a purchase you’ll be happy with.

Why Do You Need Special Footwear for ATV/UTV Riding?

Any time we plan on getting muddy or wet while on our four-wheeler, we need special gear and footwear. Even for times when you’re just cruising and not riding on tough terrains you’d better leave your sandals, sneakers and other regular shoes at home.

Remember, it’s always a good decision to wear special footwear for ATVs when riding on trails. A high-quality pair of ATV riding boots will keep you clean and safe. It will ensure superior traction on the machine and on the ground, make it easier to use the foot brake and protect you if a branch or stone hits your foot.

How To Choose the Best ATV/UTV Riding Boots?

When choosing the best boots for mudding and trail riding, you have actually two main options: ATV wading boots and rubber boots. They are both purpose-built for function. But which type will cover all your needs? Let’s see how they differ!

Feature	Wading Boots	Rubber Boots
Purpose	All types of off-road riding: mudding, bogging, trail riding, long-distance ATV trips	Recreational riding and outdoor activities
Worn with	Stockingfoot waders	Suits or casual clothing
Breathability	Breathable and quick-drying, the holes in the sides allow air to circulate around	Not breathable, yet equipped with anti-condensation lining
Material	Made of advanced wear-resistant materials and durable synthetic leather	Made of rubber and 5 mm neoprene
Durability	Ready to handle prolonged exposure to water and mud. Super resistant to abrasion, punctures, tears and cuts.	Ready to carry you through tons of mud and water. Less resistant to sharp objects penetration.
Outsole	Rubber outsoles with mud-free tread patterns	Rubber outsoles with tough terrain tread
Grip	Excellent traction in the widest range of wet conditions. Super grip and feel for the machine.	Good traction on slippery and soft-bottomed terrains
Fit	Tight-fitting. Easy to pull the boot out if stuck in the mud.	More loose-fitting. A boot may slip off in the mud.
Ankle support	Strong ankle support is provided in high ankle boots with padded boot collar	Good ankle support is provided by the unique design of the bottom
Weight	Lightweight boots in 2.4 - 4.6 lb range	Midweight boots
Comfort	Maximum comfort and performance on a long trail	Can weigh a rider down over the long term
Product care	Easy to clean with a brush and lukewarm water	Easy to wash in plain water

Here is a quick rundown of the highlight features that the wading boots and rubber boots offer.

Takeaways

Riding in the wrong footwear is like driving your four-wheeler with flat tires. If you feel uncomfortable, then a ride full of expectations will also go wrong. Yet, there is no shoe suitable for any rider, environment, and purpose.

ATV wading boots are perfect for hardcore riding in water, mud, muskeg, and any type of off-road terrain. When worn with stockingfoot waders, they ensure everything that a rider needs - waterproofness, protection, stability, flexibility, and super comfort all day long.

Rubber boots are a great multi-use footwear. They do not demand wearing special stockingfoot waders. With any suit or casual pants, they will keep your feet dry and protected from wetness and muck. But rubber boots feel less flexible and more solid.

Then, the weight matters. Too much weight of rubber footwear will consume more energy and make you tired by the end of a day. Wading boots are usually much lighter. If wearing them, you will avoid rider fatigue.

But not all riders are used to wearing stockingfoot waders or like the challenging terrains and environments. Some of them enjoy recreational trail riding in suits and casual clothing or prefer rubber boots just because this type of footwear has been the only available option for off-roaders in recent decades.

So, when choosing the footwear for ATV/UTV riding, follow this general rule of thumb - your boots should fit the terrain and activity, as well as provide the support and comfort you need.