Tis the season of mud. Last April, we had three huge snowstorms cover the Front Range and each of them melted out before the next one hit. During those melt out times mud was everywhere. And if not mud then some sort of runoff had to be crossed, rather, forded.
Originally developed in the 1960’s for commercial fishermen, Xtratuf boots have since become a staple work boot for anyone finding themselves in sloppy conditions. Nearly ubiquitous in Alaska amongst fishermen and outdoorsmen alike (and found in a few wedding photos on both the bride and groom), they are starting to make their way into other mountainous areas like Colorado.
I’ve had a pair for a few years now and they are holding strong. They were particularly useful last fall when we were all fighting floodwaters. During the cleanup aftermath as I helped friends clean out their basements, rip out carpets and drywall and help reinstall the same. While I have yet to find myself climbing a slippery slope wearing them, the soles have always been super grippy on wet polished concrete where most outsoles tend to slip out from under you.
A few years ago when I did a 16-day, 100-mile packraft trip down the Kongakut river in northern Alaska to the Arctic Ocean, one of my friends wore this boot the whole trip and was very happy with his choice. xtratufboots.com
