Muddy’s DV8 Series is a full lineup of insulated and non-insulated rubber boots built for the whitetail hunting enthusiast.
by Jace Bauserman
As a hunter, you tend to lean on certain brands. These brands produce fine products that make hunting more enjoyable, comfortable, and successful.
I started using Muddy treestands and cellular cameras a few years back. I have a whitetail addiction, and I found Muddy’s Viking, Outfitter, and Boss lock-ons durable, functional, and comfortable. Plus, all the stands hit a pleasing price point.
My first experience with Muddy’s cellular cameras came on a Nebraska turkey trip. The Manifest 2.0 offered a simple setup and ease of function, and it paired perfectly with the Stealth Cam Command Pro App. Battery life proved acceptable, and the photos were crisp and clear.
I was excited when two Muddy DV8 Series boots arrived on my doorstep. From October through January, I depend on rubber boots for warmth, comfort, and scent control. I also call on rubber boots during the spring and summer, when deer duties and turkey hunting are on the to-do list.
DV8 Non-Insulated Low Cut
The first pair of DV8 boots I slipped over my feet were low-cut, non-insulated boots. It may be fall, but summertime temperatures still rule in my neck of southeast Colorado.
These DV8 Non-Insulated boots feature a wide top opening, which allows easy on/off and lets the wearer tuck pants, even bulky ones, into the boots. The boots’ upper hit me at my lower calf. There is no adjustable gusset, which is fine. The 5mm neoprene top gives the user an excellent pull-on grip and feels fantastic around the leg. I’m glad Muddy used neoprene on parts of these boots, not only rubber.
Muddy’s all-new DV8 Series low-cut style upper boots proved comfortable and 100 percent waterproof.
The footbed is wide but not too wide, and the midsole and insole combine to provide one of the most comfortable on-the-feet feels I’ve experienced in a rubber boot. This is due to the supportive EVA midsoles and polyurethane footbeds with integrated nylon shanks. The lower-cut boots don’t sport a full calf fold-over, but the upper neoprene does roll down.
I applaud the blend of neoprene and vulcanized rubber. When manufacturers use vulcanized rubber, I’ve had remarkable luck with boot longevity and scent control. When you put these boots on your feet and run your hand over the rubber portions of the boots, you can feel the rubber’s thickness.
At a glance, I was also impressed with the heavy-lug outsole and thrilled to see it come up high on the toe and heel for added protection.
Muddy also offers the DV8 Non-Insulated in a taller option with fold-over calf pipes. These boots didn’t arrive in time for testing, but I will report back once I use them in the field.
DV8 Insulated
It’s hard to give the insulated models a “real” field test during September, so I won’t. This is Born Hunting, and we want our readers to know that if we haven’t fully tested something, we won’t make up something just to make up something.
The insulated DV8s I used sported 1,000 grams of 3M Thinsulate synthetic fiber insulation. This type of insulation traps air and blocks radiant heat loss. All I can testify to at this point is that the boots felt every bit as comfortable as the non-insulated models, and after hanging a single lock-on stand and a few trail cameras while wearing them, my feet didn’t feel like they were in a swamp. I credit this to the soft, breathable mesh linings.
The insulated DV8s proved every bit as comfortable as the non-insulated lower-cut build.
The boots featured oversized gusseted openings, making the boots a breeze to slip on and off. I like the feel of a back-end closure on the upper of my hunting boots.
Sporting 1,000 grams of insulation, I was surprised at how light the boots felt on my feet. I’ve worn boots with less insulation that felt like boat anchors. Also, like the non-insulated boots, I was pleased with how quickly the outside of the boots dried after being exposed to water.
Let’s Get Muddy!
Getting a rubber boot in the water is always the first test. I have no patience for leaks or a weak-built boot that can’t handle abrasion and starts leaking after hanging a few stands and crossing a few rocky creeks.
I wore the DV8s, both the insulated and non-insulated models while hanging treestands, putting up trail cameras, and working on food plots. I crossed rivers and streams and banged the boots’ sides on gritty cottonwood bark. I kicked through tangles of poky briars and underbrush. The boots held up wonderfully. The sides didn’t scuff, and the neoprene didn’t fray. When I crossed the water, they didn’t leak.
I also found both outsoles eat up the ground. These soles dominated dry and wet ground and didn’t slip and slide on ladder rungs or screw in tree steps, even when covered in mud. This gave me an added element of confidence.
Naturally, I wore the low-cut, non-insulated models more due to outside temps. I discovered that the boots remained uber comfortable no matter how many miles I walked or in what type of terrain I covered. I tend to wander while whitetail hunting. I’m always looking for that perfect off-the-beaten path tree. Over the years, I’ve got nasty blisters compliments of crappy boots. While I can’t write about the insulated version in terms of causing or not causing blisters, the non-insulated boots didn’t give me a blister or a hotspot. These boots feel and perform like a comfortable pair of athletic shoes.
Final Thoughts
Of course, I need to use both styles of boots more, and I will do so in the coming weeks and months. For now, though, I would have zero trouble dropping my hard-earned green on any boot in the DV8 Series. I’m also excited to see Muddy launch a new camouflage hunting apparel line. I just received a box of Timber Recon Extreme (TRX) base, mid, and insulating apparel, and I will give it a full go shortly. Stay tuned!
