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The Original Muck Boot Company Arctic Sport Review

This impressive boot will keep you toasty when all else fails, though they'll be far too warm for normal conditions
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the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review
These boots kept our feet warm despite an unseasonably wet Montana spring.
Credit: Richard Forbes
Price:  $180 List
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Manufacturer:   The Original Muck Boot Company
By Richard Forbes ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 17, 2022
74
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 14
  • Weather Protection - 30% 9.0
  • Comfort - 25% 4.0
  • Traction - 20% 9.0
  • Warmth - 15% 10.0
  • Style - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Original Muck Boot Company Arctic Sport is meant for those who need a boot for the worst weather. It's a heavy-duty, fleece-lined, neoprene wrapped, studded tank of a boot. If you make the mistake of wearing these above 50 degrees, you'll get sweaty. But in the proper (read: cold) conditions, you'll find that these boots are incredibly comfortable (with a glove-like fit around the heels) and are highly water-resistant up to the tops of their 17.6" shafts. They also have the best traction of any boot in our test. We wore these in feet of snow in the Cascades, as well as nearly up to their tops in rushing Montana rivers, and in both instances, we were impressed. This is our clear Top Pick for the Worst Weather. While not the choice for casual outings or going out on the town, these boots are king for sheer protection. Our article on the best rain boots will show you how it fares versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely warm
Grippy
REASONS TO AVOID
Too warm for most uses
Too tight to easily slip on and off

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Star Rating
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Bottom Line These boots are too much for urban use, but are perfect for those who require top-notch warmth and water resistanceThese boots are comfortable, warm, and fit perfectlyWhile we love many of the innovative aspects of these boots, we wish they could provide more support underfootIf you're looking for a classic rubber rain boot, this is the best one we've found at a solid priceWhile these boots are impressively insulated, they're too flexible underfoot for all day use
Rating Categories The Original Muck B... Bogs Workman Kamik Icebreaker Baffin Enduro Kamik Forester
Weather Protection (30%)
9.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
Comfort (25%)
4.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Traction (20%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Warmth (15%)
10.0
9.0
7.0
3.0
8.0
Style (10%)
4.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Specs The Original Muck B... Bogs Workman Kamik Icebreaker Baffin Enduro Kamik Forester
Weight per Pair (size 13) 5.35 lbs 5.11 lbs 4.58 lbs 5.49 lbs 5.46 lbs
Flood Height (inches from bottom of sole to lowest point at top of shaft) 17.6" 14.75" 14.3 in 16.3" 12.25"
Mouth Circumference (inches) 15.25" 16" 16.5" 17.5" 16"
Lining/Insulation Fleece 7.5MM Neo-Tech waterproof insulation Moisture wicking removable Zylex liner Synthetic Thermal Guard
Upper Material Rubber Neotech/Rubber Rubber with waterproof adjustable nylon collar Rubber Rubber
Outsole Material MS-1 molded outsole BioGrip slip resistant outsole TRACKER synthetic Rubber Rubber Rubber with adjustable nylon collar
Insole EVA molded midsole with contoured footbed and 2mm thermal foam underlay Modular Algae-based EVA footbed 11mm Zylex insole Gel-Flex shock-absorbing heels and midsoles None besides thermal guard liner
Unique Features Neoprene shaft, thick insulation, and aggressive outsole Seamless Construction to reduce weight + Heel Lock Drawstring, Zylex liner Aggressive outsole Comfortable down to -40°F, Vegan-friendly, Oil & acid Resistant
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Sizing info Order next size up Order next size up Order next size up Order your true size Order next size up

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Arctic Sport did extremely well in our tests, beating all the other boots in three categories — weather protection, traction, and warmth. As a result, if the weather was unpleasant, we found ourselves reaching for these boots first. However, due to being so stellar in these three categories, there are some downsides: they are clunky, constrictive, and hot for casual use, thus scoring low in comfort and style. Nonetheless, this boot is great when you actually need it, and its fleece-lined neoprene insulation, heavily studded outsole, and cushioned midsole will keep you happy for hours in even the worst conditions.

Performance Comparison


the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - this is an impressive boot that's well-worth the price tag if you...
This is an impressive boot that's well-worth the price tag if you need the warmth!
Credit: Richard Forbes

Weather Protection


The Arctic Sport has the highest shaft in our test and measures in at 17.6" from sole to top. Since the top of the boot slightly constricts in the calf due to some well-designed elastic, this further reduces the chance of splashes getting in. We were never worried about getting wet with these on our feet.


When wearing these boots, it's easy to feel invincible, striding confidently into water, thanks to their tight fit on our calves. We knew we wouldn't get wet wearing these boots in any weather, which is a far cry from our experience in many other models, and especially the more stylish/lower cut boots. We originally were curious about whether the neoprene uppers would be fully waterproof, but despite our twisting and stretching the neoprene underwater, we never got these boots to leak. Impressive!

the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - no amount of splashing lets water into these boots.
No amount of splashing lets water into these boots.
Credit: Richard Forbes

Comfort


It's a bit difficult to talk about comfort in the Arctic Sport because the boots are so clearly and specifically designed for cold use. In warm weather, you will have a hard time wearing these for more than an hour due to their absurd warmth. We've tried wearing these in late spring, and our feet get almost immediately sweaty, which isn't exactly "comfortable".


However, in cold weather, these boots are definitely the best in the test, and are remarkably warm. We appreciated their EVA padded footbed (and additional thermal padding), which kept our feet cushioned and comfortable even in some truly cold conditions. Yet since these boots are rated for a very specific temperature range (after our warm-weather experiences, we don't really want to wear these above 45°F), we can't give them the highest comfort score — they're just too warm for a wide temperature range. The boot's weight also factors into its comfort rating — they're pretty heavy at 5.35 lbs. While this means they're great for burlier tasks, the boots are just a little heavy for casual jaunts.

the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - these insoles were pretty suportive and thick compared to other...
These insoles were pretty suportive and thick compared to other boots in the test.
Credit: Richard Forbes

Traction


The Arctic Sport boots have impressively great traction thanks to their knobby outsoles. No matter what surface you find yourself on, whether you're running up grassy hills, trying to skid in mud, walking along creek beds, or walking on snow, you won't slip. We did skate around a bit on pure ice, but that's hard to avoid, and none of the boots did any better.


The large, separated studs on the outsole are impressively grippy, and we love how secure they make us feel. And thanks to the wide spacing between the studs, we didn't have issues with rocks getting stuck in the outsole (as we did with other boots).

the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - we love the cleat-style lugs on these boots!
We love the cleat-style lugs on these boots!
Credit: Richard Forbes

Warmth


With their neoprene insulation and a fleece lining, as well as a 2mm thermal underlay, the Arctic Sport boots earned a perfect 10 for warmth.


The manufacturer claims that these boots are comfortable down to -40°F, and after our testing regime, we think this just might be possible (as long as we were also wearing nice thick socks). During our bathtub ice water test, we spent over 20 minutes in the Arctic Sport boots, barefoot and without moving, before declaring them the unequivocal winners, as our feet were only just beginning to feel the chill (and we'd cut the other boots when our feet became uncomfortably cold). During blizzards and trips to the snowy Cascades, we make sure to bring these boots along.

the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - we couldn't feel the cold even during long days out in the snow.
We couldn't feel the cold even during long days out in the snow.
Credit: Richard Forbes

Style


The Arctic Sport rank in the middle of the pack for style. These calf-height boots don't pretend to be anything other than what they are — heavy-duty workboots — and as such, if you're wearing them, it's not going to be subtle. However, we will admit, some of our style consultants like their chunky aesthetic quite a bit.


As such, unless you live in a seriously cold, wet climate, you're probably not going to be casually wearing these out for drinks and a movie, though if you do, your feet will be extremely warm.

the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - they're not pretending that they're not rain boots, but they're...
They're not pretending that they're not rain boots, but they're almost charming in their clunkiness?
Credit: Richard Forbes

Fit


These size 13 boots fit our size 12 feet well, with a half-inch of forward and back wiggle room, and minimal room left and right (for our D-width forefeet), so they probably come in between a D and an E width. They also have a relatively low volume, so they hold the ankles well and don't flap around. These fit most comfortably with our aftermarket insoles, but the included insoles are still impressively cushioned.

the original muck boot company arctic sport rain boots review - these fit snugly around our ankles and calves, and we could roll...
These fit snugly around our ankles and calves, and we could roll them down a bit if we didn't need full protection from the elements.
Credit: Richard Forbes

Value


The Arctic Sport are some of the most expensive rain boots in the test, but more than any other boots, we're certain these will keep you safe and warm. And if you're going to be spending time in the sort of weather that would require these boots, you shouldn't be skimping on footwear. We're sure these boots will last a long time with their reinforced components and high-quality construction. However, if you won't be spending consistent time in horribly cold and wet conditions, we'd recommend you get a more affordable, more comfortable, less hard-core boot.

Conclusion


While not everyone needs these boots, those who spend their time working outdoors in sub-30 degree temperatures will be glad to have them, with their impressive 17.6" shaft height, reliable traction, and fleece-lined insulation. For the rest of us, these boots may be overkill due to their intense warmth, average style, and general clunkiness. But these are a great option if you want a pair of heavy-duty waterproof winter boots. There is something truly wonderful about how warm and dry we feel in the Arctic Sport; they are an easy choice for wet and cold weather.

Richard Forbes