A hand-laid rubber boot at a pleasing price point that delivers in-the-field comfort and durability, Dryshod’s Shredder MXT is an excellent rubber boot choice.
One of my regulars, a go-to I can count on year-round, is Dryshod’s Evalusion Hunt Camo/Bark. I’ve used these boots from summer through late winter. I’ve waded icy rivers in them, climbed up frozen treestand steps, and have roamed miles on public dirt looking for the perfect whitetail tree. The Evalusion’s are waterproof, bulletproof, and remarkably comfortable. I love the DUREVA outsole, and the all-rubber lower build stands up to brush, bark, etc.
As noted, I test lots of rubber boots. While I’m a fan of the Evalusion, I’m also a fan of Dryshod. When a manufacturer I trust puts multiple models on the market for the hunting masses, I want to give each a thorough test drive and see how they stand up. I want to see if they are boots that I want to recommend to the hunting masses.
Enter Dryshod’s Shredder MXT.
What Is Dryshod’s Shredder MXT
An all-season hunting boot with a comfort rating from -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 75-degrees Fahrenheit, the Shredder MXT is a 15.5-inch-tall, 4.2-pound (pair) rubber boot that is 100 percent waterproof and hits a under-$160 price point.
Like the Evalusion, the Shredder MXT sports an all-rubber lower with a neoprene upper. The boots feature an oversized heel kick for easy off, and the wide, stretchable-without-slop calf slot means easy on. The neoprene calf section rolls down, and I like that the calf slot leaves enough room for me to stuff the lower portion of my pants into. This will be handy when wearing bulky outlayers. However, I also forsee it being an issue for letting in debris when not wearing a heavy lower layer.
Like other top-end rubber boots in the Dryshod lineup, the 5mm Densoprene Foam Insulated Bootie helps keep the cold and wet out. The technology is a big reason the Shredder MXTs have such a broad temperature comfort range.
Dryshod’s 4-Way Stretch Breathable Airmesh Lining is tried and true. The lining adds comfort while allowing air circulation. You can do a full day of habitat work in these boots in brutal summer heat. I won’t promise that your feet won’t get hot, however, I can write that your feet won’t feel like they’re in a sauna.
One of the big features of the Shredder is the MXT Cupped Outsole. Dryshod designed this outsole with high sidewalls for boosted support and protection around the sides. Dryshod also added extra protection in the heel and toe areas. The bottom tread pattern is aggressive but not too aggressive. I don’t love an outsole that is too aggressive. I want an outsole that lets me climb a slippery, rocky mountainside but also provides great rebound and comfort when walking down a two-track road. You’ll discover you get both in the MXT Cupped Outsole.
Frankly, I don’t care about an all-camo design. Still, the Shredder MXT’s full-camo gives the boots a nice finish. Other notable features include Dryshod’s Hydrokote Water-Repellent. This technology allows water to roll off the boots. This prevents the neoprene from getting soggy and heavy. Dryshod also added back-pull tabs, and like other boots in the Dryshod line, the Shredder MXT feels like a athletic-fitting shoe.
Tested: Dryshod Shredder MXT
I’m not a big fan of two-week-long boot tests. True boot testing takes a minimum of one month. I wore the Shredder MXT boots in Montana and Colorado doing various pre-season whitetail chores for two months. The coolest thing: The boots still look brand new. They haven’t let a single drop of water in besides the time I challenged a too-deep river. I trugged forward and water came up to my knee. The Roll-Down Calf Pipe and removable insoles helped with the drying process.
During testing, I wore the boots while hanging 19 treestands. I hung sets in everything from Ponderosa pines to cottonwoods with rough, rubber-eating bark. The lower and upper portions of the boots scraped along the bark while climbing and show zero signs of wear and tear. The Shredder MXT boots provided comfort and allowed me to climb trees with complete confidence.
I walked a Garmin-measured 37.26 miles in the rubber boots. Hardly any of those miles were on flat ground. The boots were exposed to locust thorns, sharp tamarisk sticks, wild plum thickets, and other boot-level debris. The boots provide exceptional walking comfort. I do feel the calf opening is a bit wide and would like to see Dryshod add a gusset. If you’re looking for a Dryshod with a gusset, look to the Evalusion Hunt Max Gusset. Even without the lack of a gusset, I didn’t get a ton of dead vegetation inside the boots. These boots, straight out of the box, created zero blisters. Most days, temperatures were above 90-degrees Fahrenheit. While I won’t call the boots cool, they didn’t make my feet feel like they were being cooked in an oven. I think they will make an excellent all-season hunt boot.
From placing over 50 cellular and digital trail cameras to hanging stands to walking out deer trails, the boots remained flexible, traction was excellent, and I always appreciated how quickly I could kick the boots off and pull them back on. Dryshod added a steel shank for added arch support, and my feet, especially when balancing on tiny tree steps and climbing up mountainsides in Montana, appreciated the added support.
It’s also worth mentioning the price of the boots—the $159.95 Shredder MXT rubber hunting boots outperformed their price tag. I’ve worn rubber boots that cost twice as much that impressed me half as much.
I can’t yet testify to how the boots perform in cold conditions. I could compare them to Dryshod’s Evalusion, but that doesn’t do you any good. These boots are their own. Once temps start to drop and I wear the boots for hours while remaining motionless in the stand, I will provide an update.
Concerning shortcomings, the MXTs have very few. I already mentioned the too-large calf opening. It’s also important to note these boots don’t come in half sizes. I wish they did. I wear a standard men’s size 11, and the boots are a touch too big. I’ve noticed this with other Dryshod boot builds. My feet are closer to a 10-1/2 than an 11. For this reason, I realized I need to drop down to a size 10 for a better Shredder MXT fit. Keep this in mind.
Final Thoughts
After thoroughly testing the Dryshod Shredder MXT rubber hunting boots over several months, I can confidently say they deliver outstanding performance without breaking the bank. Their waterproof design kept my feet dry during various conditions, even when challenged by deeper waters. The comfort level is impressive, thanks to the well-constructed Densoprene Foam Insulated Bootie and breathable lining, making them suitable for long days in the field.
While the calf opening could be slightly narrower to better secure the fit, the overall design—with features like the MXT Cupped Outsole and Hydrokote Water-Repellent—ensures reliable traction and quick drying. At an accessible price point of $159.95, the Shredder MXT competes admirably with boots that cost twice as much. Although I wish they came in half sizes, the durability and comfort I experienced reassure me that these boots are a worthy investment for any serious hunter. I’m eager to see how they perform in colder conditions, which I’ll update, but for now, they’ve earned a solid recommendation from me.
