Waterproof boots never felt so light and agile.
Imagine you’re perusing your HuntStand app (or a similar one) and spot what appears to be the mecca of deer stand locations. To reach it, you’ll need to cross a creek or marsh. Even on high ground, encountering mud puddles along logging roads is possible. Encountering wet features is common when chasing spring gobblers and white-tailed deer in the fall. I don’t know about you, but I won’t let some water halt my hike to a whitetail hotspot or my pursuit of a gobbling turkey. Of course, dealing with wet feet and footwear sucks, so many of us rely on waterproof boots.
Waterproof boots have been around for decades. Most pairs I’ve owned are bulky and cumbersome. They keep the water out but are rigid and heavy, making a mile hike somewhat hellish. Some boots have also rubbed my heels or fit poorly despite ordering the correct size. In other words, many of my waterproof boots have left something to be desired.
My wife and I recently integrated some new LaCrosse waterproof boots into our daily lives and wore them while turkey hunting. I’m rocking the Alpha Agility, and my wife, Becca, wears the Alpha Range. Here are our thoughts after using them for several weeks.
His: The Alpha Agility
Let’s begin by looking at the design and construction of my boots. The Alpha Agility is available in several models. Insulated models in several color options exist. I chose the uninsulated version in Grey Sky. Most of my hunts that entail negotiating wet features are turkey and early-season whitetail hunts when it’s warm, and I’m actively moving, thus my selection.
The Alpha Agility is 17 inches tall, which is ideal, stopping two inches beneath my knee. That’s plenty of height for most of the swamps and creeks I must negotiate while chasing game. Even if there is no standing water present, I often must trudge through dew-coated grass or other vegetation, and this boot’s height is ideal for all that.
Construction-wise, the Alpha Agility features hand-laid premium natural rubber welded to insulating neoprene. This makes the boot completely waterproof but flexible enough for active motions like climbing a tree or hiking uphill. I’ve found that the Agility outsole provides plenty of traction for muddy environments and wet rocks when negotiating creeks, but unlike many rubber boots, it is very lightweight.
The boot features LaCrosse’s Active Fit, which slips on and kicks off easily. Still, the fit is nice and secure but non-rubbing, perfect for the athletic movements hunting often entails. I was shocked when I first slipped on the Alpha Agility because it is hands-down the most comfortable rubber boot I’ve ever worn. It feels like a glove for your foot.
The jersey-knit liner is designed to wick moisture, and even while hoofing it toward birds and seeding my food plots, my feet didn’t get clammy. I also find the OrthoLite footbed extremely comfortable amidst long days in the field. Usually, I keep a pair of street shoes in my truck when hunting turkey or deer and change into them as soon as I leave the woods, but not anymore because the Alpha Agility is so comfortable.
Get this: My favorite thing about the Alpha Agility is that the pair weighs merely 4 pounds. It’s like a shoe that’s waterproof up your calf. Walking a mile or more in these boots is a piece of cake, mainly because my previous rubber boots from a different manufacturer were heavy and highly rigid. The Alpha Agility is so light and comfortable that I could sleep in them.
The one concern I have is regarding how long they will last. I’m not seeing any red flags, but their flexibility and the abuse I impose on my footwear have me thinking. Regardless, even if they last two-thirds as long as a heavy, rigid boot, the trade-off will be worth it because of the unparalleled comfort. There is nothing clunky or uncomfortable about them. At $170 MSRP, these premium waterproof hunting boots hit an excellent price point. You’ll love the Alpha Agility if you’re tired of cumbersome boots.
Hers: The Alpha Range
Now, onto my wife’s Alpha Range boots. These are shorter, measuring 12 inches tall. Becca likes that because she finds it easier to walk in, bend, twist, and turn. Of course, the shorter height means you must be choosier about the water you cross, but they’re still plenty tall for most of our operations. Anyway, from a wearability standpoint, she can’t say enough about her satisfaction with the 12-inch height.
The Alpha Range is designed for unmatched comfort in a boot designed for punishing chores while doubling as a great spring or early-fall hunting boot. It is constructed from the same ZXT Rubber, which is ozone- and tear-resistant, as featured on the Grange and Burly, but it unites with flexible neoprene that you can roll down, making it easier to put on and take off.
These are lightly insulated with 5mm neoprene, so you won’t have to worry about cold feet on chilly mornings. Like the Agility, the Alpha Range features a jersey-knit liner, delivering wicking comfort that is ideal for when warmer daytime temperatures hit while you’re hunting or knocking out chores on the ranch or around the homestead.
The polyurethane footbed delivers superior comfort. The Active Fit provides a snug, non-restrictive fit needed for athletic movements. Putting it on and taking it off is easy. An adjustable neoprene gusset ensures a secure fit, regardless of calf size.
Featuring the All Arounder Outsole, the Alpha Range provides positive traction when things get muddy. The vulcanized construction design means the outsole can’t separate from the boot, which I’ve seen happen with several rubber boots over the years.
A Few More Things
Now, if you like one boot more than the other, the good news is that LaCrosse offers both the Alpha Agility and Alpha Range in men’s and women’s models and sizes. When you snag a pair of LaCrosse boots, check out the company’s boot-care products. These products help maintain and prolong boot life. Lastly, try out a pair or two of LaCrosse’s sock offerings. The fit, feel, breathability, and warmth (models designed for cold weather) are excellent.
LaCrosse put its roots down in 1897. The manufacturer has a rich history of quality goods and solid values. It believes hunting’s future is in our hands and partners with organizations like the NWTF and Shoot Like a Girl. These organizations move the hunting and conservation needle forward. Buying a pair of LaCrosse boots supports a company that promotes our hunting values, heritage, and the wild places we roam. What’s not to love about that?
