Few things are worse than a bad pair of rubber boots. On the flip side, find the right pair, and you have an excellent footwear companion that will serve you well for years. DRYSHOD’s Evalusion is that top-end rubber boot companion, and whether you’re a hunter, recreational shooter, farmer, rancher, ATV fanatic, etc., these ultra-light rubber boots don’t disappoint.
by Jace Bauserman
I’m a boot nut. My infatuation with quality foot coverers started when I was 17. I was in high school and had no money. My boot of choice for a frigid late-January goose hunt was a pair of uninsulated Walmart rubber boots. I got frostbite. Since then, I have spared no expense on boots. Boots can make the difference between staying on the mountain (blisters suck) out West or in that Midwest treestand (frozen feet are the worst).
I know Shoot-On isn’t primarily a hunting platform (check out our Born Hunting site for heavy-hitting hunting gear and adventure stories), but as a regular Shoot On contributor, I know many readers are as infatuated with big-game hunting as they are with ballistics, fancy-to-do new rifles, and EDC techniques.
For this reason, I wanted to put an excellent rubber boot build in front of you. Even if you don’t plan to spend a day in the deer woods or a duck blind, this is a solid everyday boot. It’s great for household chores and will make a comfortable, warm, and waterproof range companion when you want to shoot but Mother Nature is dumping down.
Enter DRYSHOD’s Evalusion Hunt Camo/Bark Boot
I’m not too fond of a clunky pair of rubber boots loaded with insulation that makes the legs heavy and the feet feel like they are in a sauna. I don’t like builds that promise to be waterproof but leak like a sieve the first time you submerge them. Then there are those builds with outsoles I wouldn’t trust walking across a tile floor.
Now for the good news: DRYSHOD’s Evalusion is the opposite of those above-mentioned characteristics. This is a rubber-boot win. Before we dive into how they performed on the farm, in the woods, and on the range, let’s touch on some critical first impressions.
The neoprene upper melts into hand-laid rubber, and I immediately noticed how light the boots are. I have worn lots of rubber boots — many have been clunkers — but these seem to fit the lightweight bill.
The outsole seemed well made. DRYSHOD brands it as its DUREVA outsole — a leading-edge fusion compound that is durable, light, and eliminates the need for a secondary rubber sole. The outsole felt spongy with the press of a thumb without being weak, and I appreciated the design of the lugs.
On and off was a breeze via the pull tabs on the back of each upper and the heel rest. Once my feet were inside, the internal build felt like a pillow. More to come on this. The uppers rolled down quickly, and the neoprene was not too tight or loose on my calves.
But Are They Waterproof?
A critical component of any rubber boot is that the boot is waterproof. For a week, I irrigated crop fields and did whitetail chores, and not once did my feet or leg get so much as damp. One day, I was in standing, mosquito-infested water for over an hour. The boots were submerged halfway up the neoprene upper and performed brilliantly.
I was also impressed with how quickly the neoprene dried and shed rainwater. DRYSHOD added a Hydrokote water-repellent that allows water not to be absorbed but to roll away and then dry quickly.
What About Blisters? Are They Comfortable?
These are the most comfortable pair of rubber boots I have ever owned. On the inside, they remind me of my favorite trail running shoe — Altra’s Mt. Blanc. I can’t explain it. These boots promise the type of all-day comfort you want when roaming public tracts of land in search of gagger whitetails and also have the durability and rigidity needed for farm and land management chores.
Not once during my week’s testing period did I get a blister or a hot spot, and according to my Garmin Instinct Solar, I put 17 miles on the boots. The comfort is so impressive.
Adding to the comfort equation while boosting warmth and dryness is the internal 5mm Densoprene Foam Insulated Bootie. This material is extremely lightweight, buoyant, and, as noted, comfortable. However, it’s also self-insulating and waterproof and has a flexible 4-way stretch, which boosts movement and helps you conquer any terrain in comfort.
Tough As Nails!
In a week, I hung three whitetail stands, changed eight sets of water, and planted a food plot wearing these boots. I also took them to the range twice to sight in a Browning rifle and once because I wanted to burn some Hornady 9mm Luger Critical Defense. While sighting in the rifle, I didn’t bring a spotting scope to walk to and from each target. These boots are so comfortable, and I appreciated that despite high temps, my feet didn’t feel like they were in a swamp. I scraped them on cement ditches and bark and covered them in mud and muck.
Not only did the boots never spring a leak, but they showed very little sign of wear and tear. I chalk this up to the no PVC, PU, or TPR, and only genuine hand-laid rubber. I also applaud the toe bumper and heel guard.
Do They Grip The Ground?
I’ve tested rubber boots I wouldn’t have worn to walk across my tile kitchen floor. No, I don’t want a rubber boot with an ultra-aggressive lug pattern, but I don’t want one that will cause me to slip and fall every five minutes.
The Evalusion Hunt’s multi-lug outsole provided excellent support and traction across several terrains. Even when covered in mud and muck, I had zero trouble with my footing on my tree steps and sticks.
Another excellent feature of these boots is the reinforced tuck board with rigid shanks for boosted stability. The shank runs directly across the outsole for added protection and support.
Cool In Summer & Warm In Fall/Winter
For a light and airy boot, I expected my feet not to feel like they had come out of a sauna on warm summer days. The 4-Way Stretch Breathable Airmesh Lining kept my feet cool, and the boots are rated to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. You rarely find a boot with a temperature rating between -20 and 75 degrees. While I can’t pen a word (yet) about the boots’ cold rating, I expect it to be as advertised and will report my findings later in the year.
FAQs
How much do rubber boots cost?
Like most boots, price varies based on the quality and various technologies a boot has. While you can get into a pair of rubber boots for under $100, most top-tier models will be between $160 and $230.
Do I need a pair of rubber boots for hunting?
The answer is no if you’re a Western hunter, unless you’re headed to the tundra; however, an excellent pair of rubber boots are essential if you chase whitetails. Rubber boots keep your feet dry and warm and don’t spread human stink. Rubber boots are also an excellent option for hunting in wet, damp terrain. They make great duck-hunting boots; I also like them for turkey hunting.
How long will rubber boots last?
Boot longevity correlates to how well a particular set of boots is made. I have rubber boots that have lasted more than five seasons. The key to boot longevity is caring for the boots when not on your feet. Rubber boots shouldn’t be left outside in the elements, and if you do submerge them in water over the uppers, you need to remove the insoles and put them on a boot dryer.
Final Thoughts
The DRYSHOD Evalusion boots met and exceeded my expectations, and they will be my go-to hunt boot for the remainder of the summer and for fall/winter excursions in the whitetail woods.
The break-in period was nil; these boots promise out-of-the-box comfort, and I was impressed with their comfort, waterproof nature, and durability. If you’re looking for a new pair of rubber boots or a better option, these kicks don’t disappoint.
