Hello guys. Been looking for a tough pair of rubber boots and thought you folks might be able to help. I’ve been having hard time getting over a year out of a pair of rubber boots. I’ve heard that the Xtratuf boots are a good boot and are popular among commercial fisherman. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them, and what your thoughts are?

The Xtratuf boots that were made in the USA were pretty durable, when they started making them in China they had some major quality issues for a while. Luckily I bought a couple pair of US made boots before they made the transition.
I have since bought a pair of Chinese made Xtratuf boots that seem to me pretty close to the originals. They are a very comfortable boot, at least for my foot, they don't have much in the way of arch support so for some people they don't work too well.
One of the things I like most about them is that they aren't a clunky boot; very pliable and quiet which makes them good for hunting imo.

I cringe at the price, for what they are, but traction is excellent, they are comfortable, and I have yet to find something comparable.

I bought my first pair of Xtratuff rubber boots last spring. I wear mine almost daily from April through Oct. and they are the best rubber boots I've ever worn. My only complaint is they dont have as much ankle support as some I've had in the past, but the only time I notice it is in real rough country. Like Waggler says they are very pliable and quiet. Mine are still like new so should get two seasons out of them. My son bought a pair too and he loves them.

I've got one of the newer Xtratufs made in China. Had them for about a year. They're still holding up just fine. Did a lot of deer hunting in the rain up in the hills. Not a good shoe for side hilling on steep slopes though lol. For everything else they work pretty good.

FWIW - if you want a bit more ankle support and protection I recommend the insulated version of Xtratufs. I even wear them in the summer.

Same here.
When I hike in them I use lace up athletic ankle supports. They work fine, even with traction enhancers like the micro spikes.

Working on the water I wear them a lot. Some last years and other maybe not even.. But they are comfortable and they dry pretty fast, I will work them for ever unless a wonder boot shows up!

I have the same opinion as waterrat. There is nothing close traction wise on ice or wet surfaces. I’m happy if a pair lasts a year. Aqua seal helps keep them going. I wear them down to 0 temps, and hiked many many miles in them for years and years. I’m fortunate that I don’t need much in the way of ankle support, so they are extremely comfortable to me.

^^^^^^^
Pretty much the same experience I've had with them. I've hike for miles and miles in them on Adak Island while guiding caribou hunts, Adak can be sort of a cross between a sheep hunt and a caribou hunt, terrain wise.

I wear the insulated steel toed ones from April to September every year. Tried muck boots one year no comparison. They are good to about ten degrees. Family trapper had a thread here to upgrade the boots involving insulated booties to increase the warmth factor that was very good. I wear insoles with mine. The only drawback that I can think of is with guys with big legs it’s hard for them to to get the upper part of the boots over their calves.

Steve,

Do you spend a lot of time looking at other men's calf sizes?

Pete, only if they’re bovines, only if they’re bovines.

Good info guys, thanks. Like Alex, I have a hard time getting more than a year out of a pair. Love the Lacrosse boots, very comfortable, but they are always getting ripped up when walking through the woods here. Might try the XtraTuf.

Nooksack mentioned this but to those that don't have experience with AguaSeal adhesive on cracked rubber boots, torn leather mitts, snogo seats etc etc etc you should try it as it's a world apart from the old shoe-go tire patches and things we use to repair things with. 20 years ago bought some Xtratuffs and ripped a hole first day sheep hunter packing. Friend had me put on AquaSeal that night at camp and thought it might last a few days at best and it lasted the life of the boot which mine see use every day of summer. You are missing out if you don't use it on everything (winter bunny boots, holes and wear spots in jeans. I buy the big 8 oz tubes but you have to seal it good (I use oil or butter on cap threads) as it dries the tube out if air gets at it more than most glues. That's my Aquaseal rant. Stan

Which model of their boot is the best?

For leaks an minor tears in Xtratuffs I use 5200 Fast Cure. It lasts a couple years, which the max I get from a set of Xtratuffs anyways. 3M has a couple formulas of 5200 they are both really great sealants. The Fast Cure is preferable, for boot and boat repairs above and below the waterline.

X-2. I have found nothing that compares, including quick seal.

I have a love hate relationship with them. I like the comfort ,light weight and traction in a boat. That said.I hate that they fit so tight that you can't tuck coverall cuffs in the boot ,so you have to drag them around in the bilge,or mud. Sticks and stobs pierce them fairly easy as well.

There in lies the rub. They are not terrible enough at everything to not wear them.

Exactly

Nailed it!!! I just got a new pair in the mail today,,,tuff tucking day one!!!

Had a pair (xtra-tufs) given to me years ago that fit in the foot well, but I can barely get them over my calves. Maybe they are a women's pair or something. I see people wear them around with pants tucked in and think they must have some spindly little legs (and I'm by no means an abnormally large build).

I had to buy something with air miles (so I didn't lose them) in December. I picked up a pair of neoprene topped Itasca boots from sierra trading. Pants fit in and super comfortable. I don't think they'll last but for $50 I love 'em. They look like a muck knock-off. The only thing I don't like about them is I'm usually running a longer saw (25") with them on and compared to a steel toe, I'm sure a saw would go through them like butta'.

How do they stand up in terms of abrasion resistance? I spend my days with snowshoes on my feet in the winter. 8-10 hours a day, 4-5 days a week. I have issues with snowshoe bi songs wearing holes in boots. How would the xtratufs hold up to that?

Thanks

Hiked many springtime miles on a pair of Tubbs snowshoes in xtratuffs. Those are ratchet strap wrap around bindings so they don't wear on the boot too much. However worked great as a snowshoe boot for me.
The insulated ones are much easier to tear holes in, and will crack where the sole and upper meet near the ball of your foot. When you get a hole in insulated ones its best to patch them right away before you fill the insulation with water. It will never dry completly making it much more difficult to patch.