Sitka Back40 Boots

There are a few essential items that I always have and always will keep in my truck; my Colt 1911, my Japanese Nata, a flashlight, a tin can of Copenhagen that has probably been empty for a few days, and a pair of rubber boots behind my driver's seat. Amongst other things.

A good pair of rubber boots is as essential as a good pocket knife. You never know when you might need them, but the situation calls for them more often than you think. Whether I am working on my farm, scouting, flushing birds or sitting in a deer stand, they’re my staple piece. Needless to say, I put my boots through hell and frequently need new pairs.

When Sitka first teased the public with the announcement of their in-house boot, I was pretty damn excited to test them out. Since Sitka’s inception, they have proved to be a leader in quality hunting gear, and consistently stay ahead of the competition with their new innovations. And once I received them, I had the perfect hunt planned to really test Sitka’s reputation; a rabbit hunt in the thick midwestern brush.

The first thing I noticed on the hunt was how tight the boot was around the ankle. While the calf was still open enough to easily slide on and off, once the boot was on it fit more like a gym shoe, which made for a comfortable hunt as we trekked miles following our beagles as they chased rabbits through some of the thickest terrain you’ll find in the country.

The next thing I noticed was the weight-to-warmth ratio of the boot. The temperature was in the low 30s on this particular hunt, and even with just one pair of medium-weight socks, the cold did not give any discomfort towards the hunt. At least not on my feet. And yet, the boots were still lighter than many of the competitors that I have reviewed, even those rated for much warmer temperatures.

Aside from a few creek crossings, I didn’t have many opportunities to test the full waterproof construction of the Back40, all I can say is, by the end of the hunt my feet were dry and comfortable. Which is more than I can say for some of the other boots that I own.

In all of my years of hunting, the one factor that can make a hunter throw in the towel and take up golfing more than any other is foot comfort. Whether this be stalking sheep in the high country, flushing quail in the canyons or Arizona, or fighting against the satanic cold fronts in the Midwest while waiting on whitetails, having a boot that strikes the perfect balance of durability, comfort and function is what every hunter must have. Sitka has discovered the formula with the Back40.

Cost: $229

Pros: Lightweight in comparison to competitor offerings; durable in any conditions; warm but not the type of warm that sacrifices comfort; rubber heel kick (every boot manufacturer should adopt this).

Cons: The stitching on the top started to pull towards the end of the hunt. Granted, what we had to walk through would scare even a grouse, but was still slightly disappointed that happened so quickly.