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This fall, I kept a sample pair of Sitka’s new Back40 boots in the trunk of my 4Runner—because I never knew when I might need the versatile rubber boots. I broke them out whenever I went pheasant hunting near water or jump shooting ducks on local streams. But those aren’t the only times I used them. The Back40s are also perfect for doing chores around the house like bringing firewood inside on a slushy or snowy day, for taking the dog on a walk, or just to slip on and grab something from the garage.
Ultimately, Sitka’s new offering—one of two products recently released in the brand’s first foray into hunting footwear—has everything you’d want out of a good pair of muck boots. They’re comfortable, functional, and well-made. Here’s my honest opinion on the boots after using them regularly all fall and winter in Western Montana.
Quick Overview
Specs
Weight: 42.5 ounces
Comfort Rating: -20- to 40-degrees Fahrenheit
Sizes: 6 - 14
Colors: Black, Earth, Olive Green, Optifade Cover
Pros
Sturdy construction
Sleek design
Grippy outsoles
Warm
Easy to put on and take off
Comfortable—for rubber boots
Cons
Expensive
Not a perfect fit for people with high arches
Too warm for hot weather
Testing Analysis and Results
Size and Fit
The boots fit true to size. I got size 10s, and they had enough space to be able wiggle my toes but not so much that I’d get blisters. Sitka markets these as having a “sneaker-like” feel, and I’m inclined to agree. You can tell that the boots are made with more care—and flexible materials—than your standard rubber hunting boot. When wearing lesser rubber boots, I feel stiff and uncoordinated when walking around. In these, I felt relatively nimble, which is why they quickly became a favorite for me while pheasant hunting on uneven ground. I often hunt the same kind of country that whitetail and turkey hunters favor and suspect they would be equally drawn to using these boots to get to and from their blinds.
As someone with high arches, I generally have something of a love-hate relationship with rubber hunting boots. On one hand, I can’t argue with their functionality. On the other, I often struggle to put them on and take them off because of my high arches. Not so with these. They slipped on well and the rubber heel kick pad made it easy to kick them off. The other issue I often face with rubber boots is rubbing against the tops of my feet. The boots’ molded flex zones somewhat mitigated this issue, but I still got hot spots on my arches at the end of long days wearing them.
I was slightly surprised by one other aspect of the Back40 hunting boots: They struck me as relatively narrow around the calves. My calves aren’t big enough to make this an issue, but other peoples’ might. I do like the way that the boots are cut to narrow again toward the knees. This not only makes them look athletic, but it keeps them slim and not unnecessarily bulky.
Comfort and Function
To put it plainly: I loved wearing these boots in the field. They’re fully waterproof, as advertised, and the neoprene uppers are plenty tall for shallow water wading scenarios. I particularly liked the aggressive tread on the rubber outsoles, which worked well while walking through muddy riverbanks but also when climbing on steep dry hillsides. At 42.5 ounces, the boots aren’t particularly lightweight, but they’re not overly heavy, either.
One way these boots differ from some other options is that they lack any straps or handles on the outsides of the tops of the uppers. This can be a drawback as straps can be useful in adjusting the fit around your calves, as well as for pulling your boots on. The Back40s do have single finder loops on the insides of the rear tops of the boots, which you can use to help pull them on, though I didn’t have to do so with mine. Regardless, I appreciate that the finger loops are designed to rest on the insides of the boots, eliminating any extraneous fabric that could get caught on branches or vegetation.
Warmth
These boots are warm. I wouldn’t have any qualms about wearing them on the most frigid days of hunting season, especially if you layer wool socks underneath—something I didn’t often have to do because the boot’s built-in 800g Thinsulate insulation is often plenty. While I haven’t tried wearing these during the spring or summer, or indoors, I suspect that my feet could get toasty in those conditions.
Value
While I wear a lot of Sitka hunting products, I’m sensitive to the high price points of many of the brand’s products. The Back40s are pricey—but definitely not to the same extent as some of the Sitka’s other products. For what you pay, the Back40s offer significant value for such a well-made, durable boot that can be worn in challenging terrain and inclement weather. Throughout one season of wearing them, none of the rubber delaminated or wore out. The boots not cheap, per se, but they’re versatile and comfortable, and they will last a long time.
Verdict
The Sitka Back40 is a solid all-around rubber hunting boot ideal for fall, winter, and spring hunting conditions around the country. With an aggressive tread, streamlined designed, and built-in insulation, you can tell they’re made with the needs of hunters in mind. The boots are also comfortable and easy enough to put on and take off to use for basic chores.
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