Footwear for offroad

[Bradley]

I even hate to ask this but.... anyone have any footwear recommendations? I'm talking about when you're out there and come across that "puddle" you just have to cross....your poking stick says maybe a foot of water and another foot or two of mud, but you're not really sure. Is the bottom gravel, are their tracks down there, etc... But hey, you're going anyway. IF I need to get out and winch it up, I don't want my shoes sucked off my feet. Mud boots? Gaitors on running shoes? This is a thing and I would like to know what others are doing. Thanks guys.

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[bendona]

Avoid traditional hiking boots or running shoes, as thick mud can easily pull them off your feet. Off-roaders and overlanders heavily rely on high-calf, insulated Muck Boots or specialized, slip-resistant XTRATUF Legacy Boots. If the mud is too deep, some even resort to waist-high waders to keep completely dry when hooking up the winch line

 

[CitrusBronco]

I take my shoes off if I need to walk into the water/mud. You will always have water deeper than your boots, and fishing your boots out of the stuck mud underwater sucks. You learn such things as a country boy, redneck. No need to bring home dirty school shoes and get a whip’n, just take them off.

Sometimes I wear flip flops or deck shoes like heydude. These can be used in water but not mud, just take them off as noted above for mud.

 

[userdude]

This is why I keep a wetsuit and a set of waders on board at all times.

 

[RC Bronco]

Either sandals or barefoot for me. Regularly do deep water crossings up to ~42” and play in Arkansas mud

 

[DALOLA]

Alfresco.... nothing beats that feeling of mud squishing up between your toes....

 

[Fordified1]

Lace up tactical boots sprayed with water proofing. They fit pretty tight around your ankles and have a zipper so easy to remove. I don’t plan on wading knee deep in muck, but would if I had to.

 

[FstFrd00]

shoes?!

 

[Hummell]

I wear my Danner low top Jags. They’re great for non-mud.

Also carry flip flops for what you’re asking and wash my feet off.

 

[Smocaine]

I wear "trainer" boots all the time - combat shaped but light and sneaker-like. Works great on all terrains whenever it's dry.
I absolutely ruined a set on my last recovery and now carry a pair of Muck rubber boots to switch to when I'm in seriously nasty stuff.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Just to be sure, I would go with a set of chest waders that the fly fishermen use.

But I've rarely gone through anything even a foot deep and it wasn't mud. It comes with living in the high desert.

My bigger concern is if for some reason I had to walk out of where I'm taking the Bronco, what would work best. Hiking boots in that case.

 

[SoDak1623]

I usually alternate between Chacos and hiking boots with the pair I'm not wearing behind my seat if I need to swap.

 

[Desmolicious]

Not a concern for me. I stay in the car and have my gf go out and take a look.
I’m not going to risk dirtying my Filson Poplin Cargo Shorts ($169).

 

[Fordified1]

Not a concern for me. I stay in the car and have my gf go out and take a look.
I’m not going to risk dirtying my Filson Poplin Cargo Shorts ($169).

I hear you on that. Why get muddy when they fight over who gets to hook up the winch.

 

[Oldhippie]

I use an inflatable canoe…

yes that is me in the rubicon mud hole back in the ‘70s

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