You know that smell of Chinese rubber? When you open up a pack of those black, solid rubber bungees from Harbor Freight it is overpowering. I had a 2 wheeled deer caddy given to me last year, still in the box. The rubber wheels reeked of Chinese rubber and still permeate my gear shed.

My favorite rubber boots have been Lacrosse Grange since the late 70s when I stomped around the rice fields around Bay City. Then when I consulted in central Texas. One thing about them, they were consistent. Tight around the ankle, perfect fit in the same size for 40 years. Probably lasted 6-8 years apiece, depending upon how I treated them and whether I left them wedged between the bed and cab of the p/u year round. Always could pick up a pair at Gibson's, Academy, TSC, etc. Lately haven't been able to find any in stock so ordered a pair thru mail order.

They arrived Saturday. Opened up the box in the dining room and immediately was overpowered with the smell of Chinese rubber. Crap! Grabbed them to pull them on and couldn't get a grip as they were so slippery with some exudate. When they were finally on, my heart sank. These things fit about like the el cheapo boots at any local box store except cost me 2-3x what those cost. No tight ankle fit, no perfect foot fit. Crap! Is there nothing that is sacred anymore?

"What in the hell is happening Jesus Christ? Ain't there nothin' sacred no more"

This will be my next pair. I think they're supposed to be pretty good boots.

Their called XtraTuf and I first saw them on Deadliest Catch show.

I buy the Game Winner Brand when they put them on clearance. They last about 5-6 years and they don't cost much. I do have a pair of Muck brand that I bought at academy on clearance. I think they are built well and they look like they will hold up.

I was going to post here and ask if anyone had tried the LaCrosse snakeproof boots, but the online reviews convinced me to keep my money. Unless any of you persuade me otherwise.

To stay on topic, my muck boots came from ... WalMart one year (hard to admit that) but they have held up very well.

Lacrosse burly. Still the bomb.

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Lacrosse burly. Still the bomb.

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Yep. LaCrosse Alpha Burly. The Muck's are comfortable but not very durable.

Well I just went through my second pair of boots in a year and a half. First pair were vaportrek by Irish setter they lasted about 9-10 months. The second set is a pair of lacrosse waterproof snake boots, the inner linning just ripped out of the with my foot this past Friday. Fair to say I'm tough on boots as I'm a wetland scientist and put a lot of miles on my boots in extremely wet conditions. May have to try some Chippewas this time.

Corporate safety policy changed last year and I have to wear steel toe rubber boots now, so I got a pair of Muck Chore Cool. They're pretty comfortable, but with the heel shank, my feet hurt for a good while if I wear them for a long time.

Had the LaCrosse from the OP prior to that. Still my favorites.

When I started with my company, I had to get rubber boots by the next day and Bass Pro didn't have the cool so I have the regular Muck Chore. How well do the Cool ones actually help in warm weather? My Chores get pretty darn hot when you get to walking a pipeline right-of-way, not so bad in standing water.

Any rubber / neoprene boot is going to be hot.
My Muck boots have been pretty good. The sole is starting to come off after 5 or 6 years, but that can easily be fixed.

Xtratuffs are hands down the best rubber boot made. And yes. All Alaskans own a pair or commercial fisherman. #notchineserubber

I have both. The mucks are a whole lot easier to get in and out of so i usually wear them. Cabelas used to make a good LaCrosse knock off.

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Xtratuffs are hands down the best rubber boot made. And yes. All Alaskans own a pair or commercial fisherman. #notchineserubber

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Hate to say it, but XTRATUF boots are also made in China as of 2011.

Link

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When I started with my company, I had to get rubber boots by the next day and Bass Pro didn't have the cool so I have the regular Muck Chore. How well do the Cool ones actually help in warm weather? My Chores get pretty darn hot when you get to walking a pipeline right-of-way, not so bad in standing water.

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Haven't actually done much in the cold, but I sweat a hell of a lot more in them than the LaCrosse.

They're are also much harder to take off than the LaCrosse I have. Sweating through your jeans because of the neoprene makes it even more difficult.

Nooooooooooooo, at least I got mine before then.

Well **** me. I love my lacrosse grange boots. That is some seriously depressing news.

Looks like a shopping trip for bird shot and rubber boots if I can find pre Chinese rubber.

i have had a pair of Muckboots Woody Sport Cool for the past year that have been great. granted, this is my first pair of real rubber boots that i've owned so i can't give a comparison to any other similar boot.

i only use the boots for hunting, but they do well to keep water out when walking through shin-high swamps. after a day of bowhunting in near 90 degree weather, i'm a bit sweaty but nothing compared to the old pair of generic hand-me down rubber boots i used previously. it does help that i wear some technical-fabric socks and light-weight fabric hunting pants. when i've worn the boots with jeans on scouting trips, i have found that i sweat more.

comfort is great, i can't comment on durability though since i've only had them for a year. anyway, that's my two cents.

LaCrosse Alpha Burly.

Gonna get hot no matter what.

XtraTufs are awesome replace the regular sole with a Dr. Scholls or something and they will last forever.