You’ll be hard-pressed to find a boot this capable for all-around winter wear. Photo: Sarah Christine/The Inertia
It’s not easy to make a boot that’s almost 17 inches tall look cool, fit well, and be something you’ll want to wear to work, run errands, and go snowmobiling and sledding in. Sound too good to be true? For some, including me, the Muck Boot Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boot ($150) is the epitome of a do-it-all workboot that handles anything you toss at it with waterproof style.
Now, muck boots may not be for everyone. They have a distinctive style that many either love or hate, being, more or less, insulated rubber boots built to keep you dry. They go by several names, including muck boots, Wellingtons or wellies, and gumboots or gummies. The Original Muck Boot Company is the brand of boots we tested and has been helping people deal with muck for over 25 years.
Read on to learn more about these boots, see them in action, and get a vibe for why they landed on our list as the Best Women’s Winter Work Boot in our Buyer’s Guide for Best Women’s Winter Boots.
| Pros | Cons |
| Totally waterproof | The shaft on these is tall. Likely too tall for short statures |
| Super cushy insoles are comfy enough to work in all-day | Wide shaft, wrinkles or bends with some movements |
| You’ll likely never want to wear anything else | Not the most breathable |
First Impressions of the Muck Boot Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boot
How do you say, ‘Whoa, damn,’ but with more couth? That’s what I thought about the Arctic Sport II Tall Boots while perusing them online. Once ordered and they arrived at my cabin outside Aspen, Colorado, I was quickly impressed. The green hue of the rubber mixed with herringbone neoprene upper felt smooth and soft. And though they were the tallest boots I tested, they were surprisingly among some of the lightest.
Eager to put these boots to the test, I made them my daily drivers, i.e., the only boots I wore for over three weeks. I am still wearing them now. Throughout the past month, I’ve found myself in a myriad of locations and weather extremes, putting these boots to work.
I found these mucks to be ridiculously comfortable stomping to the grocery store to post-holing in the backyard while chasing my dog Rosie after a particularly strange (and deep!) snow cycle. I also wore them out and about in Jackson, Wyoming, where every sidewalk or wooden walkway is a full-on ice rink. I don’t think I’ve ever walked on so much ice, but I was beyond thankful for these boots and their rugged tread, which helped keep me upright. I even took these boots out snowmobiling to hot springs and wore them while aprésing in a puffy and my swimsuit. Throughout all these random daily life adventures, I barely, if ever, slipped while wearing these. Their tread is truly unmatched. It helped me grip each step and feel secure in all winter environments.
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Despite the tall shaft height, the flexibility on these boots provides tons of movement and versatility. Photo: Sarah Christine/The Inertia
Notable Features of the Muck Boot Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boot ($150)
Weight: 2.5 pounds per boot
Insulation: 5mm CR Flex-Foam neoprene bootie
Boot Height: 16.9 inches
Closure: Slip on and off
Upper Material: Extended neoprene
Lining: Fleece (very minimal)
Outsole: Rugged rubber
Ready to Go to Work
The Arctic Sport II Tall is a workwear champion for women who demand comfort and performance. This 16.9-inch tall boot is crafted with rubber and has extended neoprene, making it fully waterproof. I found these boots ready to tackle any winter storm or messy job. But don’t let the rugged exterior fool you – the 5mm CR Flex-Foam neoprene bootie provides surprisingly plush comfort. These boots are excellent for working in the elements without sacrificing warmth or ease of movement. I regularly help at Boulder County’s recycling transfer station outside of Nederland, Colorado, and I use a similar pair of Mucks for the job. My official workboots are steel-toed. That feature isn’t included in this model. Nor is it necessary for everyday wear.
These boots are a workhorse. Their rubber exterior quickly sheds mud and crud and is exceptionally easy to clean. They are warm, keep my feet dry, and look good and prepared for the elements.
Waterproof Protection Without the Weight
The minimal fleece lining provides enough warmth for moderate winter conditions, while the rugged rubber outsole delivers superior traction. Whether shoveling snow, doing outside errands, or simply making a statement, this boot is dependable. However, if you’re petite or have shorter legs, consider trying the mid-calf version of the Muck Boot for a better fit. Overall, this boot is a workhorse in function and fashion, offering comfort, warmth, and waterproof protection at a reasonable price.
The tread of the Arctic Sport II Tall is one of the best we encountered in our extensive testing. Photo: Heather Hendricks/The Inertia
Tread On
The foundation for the Arctic Sport II Tall Boots’ impressive traction lies in its rugged rubber outsole. This durable component is designed to provide a superior grip on various terrains and challenging surfaces. Whether I was navigating through icy patches, wet mud, loose snow, or stabilizing on the side of a snowmobile, the outsole’s aggressive tread pattern was great at digging in. It provided confident stability, even on ice! My footing remained sure, even in the most unpredictable winter weather conditions.
Comfort Underfoot: The Importance of the Insole
While the grippy outsole tackles the terrain, the Muck Arctic Sport II interior prioritizes comfort. The boot features an insole constructed from EVA. Ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA for short, is a closed-cell foam renowned for its shock absorption and cushioning properties. Because of this, I found these Mucks to be comfortable throughout entire days of wear. The EVA insole helps to absorb impact and reduces fatigue. I found this kept my feet happy on long treks out on the ranch and during prolonged periods standing at work at the recycling transfer center.
While the tall shaft-height is incredible for deeper snow, it may be an issue for shorter gals. Photo: Sarah Christine/The Inertia
Drawbacks of the Muck Boot Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boot
While it is easy to praise this boot, several shortcomings should also be noted. First, the shaft height. As mentioned previously, these extra-tall boots simply won’t fit shorter gals. Thankfully, Muck Boot addresses that issue with a wide variety of different styles, including boots with a mid-height shaft. Furthermore, I found the shaft of the boot to be fairly roomy, and the neoprene stretch-fit top-line binding (a bit of extra material around the top of the boot intended to make a seal around your calf) too wide to make a seal on my calfs.
Additionally, despite being relatively light, these boots can fatigue the calf, considering their height. at 16.9 inches tall, they are a lot of boot to maneuver, and I noticed the upper areas of my calves burned a new sensation after several long days of heavy use. They aren’t the most packable, so consider where you’ll use them and whether you’ll have to pack them.
A final drawback (and one that applies to many winter boots) is that these boots aren’t the most breathable in warmer temperatures, such as a road trip up i70 when caught in traffic. We recommend taking these boots off before submitting them to a long car ride. The rubber warms easily, so I eventually sweat all the way from Aspen to Denver in these things. Since these boots were new, and hadn’t been subjected to such wetness, they did dry relatively quickly and without a smell. I would warn, however, that muck boots like these can start to stink if continually subjected to hot weather with hot feet, so keep sock cleanliness in mind.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find this level of warmth and protection in a pair of work-ready winter boots. Photo: Sarah Christine/The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Mucks are an acquired taste. The Arctic Sport II model may be too extreme for some women who face milder winters and less intense work environments. However, if you’re looking for a solid boot to keep you dry, warm, and able to wade through life’s messes, I highly recommend checking out a pair of mucks that are the correct size and height for you. You’re one pair of boots away from being comfortable, warm, and remarkably dry while stomping through anything life throws your way, no matter the location or weather.
Other Similar Muck Boot Models
While the Original Muck Boot Company has been around for 25 years, plenty of other brands make boots similar to these. One in particular is TideWe‘s Rubber Neoprene Boots. We highly recommend these budget versions if you don’t want to dish out the dough for classic Mucks. The Tidewes stand a whopping 16 inches tall and offer full coverage, but they come in at less than $90 a pair and are often available for an even cheaper sale price. They are, however, also 100% waterproof and similarly comfortable, I have found.
Check Price on AmazonEditor’s Note: If you’d like to see other great winter boots, check out our guides to the Best Winter Boots and Best Women’s Winter Boots. And if you are headed out into the cold, don’t miss Best Winter Jackets, and Best Winter Jackets for Women. For more gear reviews and features at The Inertia, click here.
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