The Best Muck Boots for All of Your Dirty, Messy Deeds

Ah, the original — literally. The Original Muck Boot Company's Chore Tall XpressCool is the most well-equipped boot in their catalog. It comes with a quick-drying liner, a heavy Vibram outsole, reinforced heels and toes and a workplace-rated slip-resistant tread.

Start here if you're in search of a trustworthy muck boot. The only reason you should look past it is if you're interested in something a little more Wellington, meaning a boot that accounts for style as well as function.

My personal favorite, at least aesthetically, Le Chameau's Vierzon Jersey Boots are muck boots pared back. They're essentially a run-of-the-mill Wellie until you wear them: The uppers are supple yet supportive; the jersey liner is soft against the skin even when you wear low socks; the shank supports your arches; the outsole is thick and traction-friendly; and the gusset guarantees you won't have to fight the boot to get it off.

If you need something more extreme then no, this isn't the boot for you. But if you're looking for a tall boot for trekking around your consistently wet estate or your messy workplace (have you ever been to a brewery?), these will be more than enough.

The tallest boot here, the LaCrosse Grange is your standard Wellie with a few upgrades — which is why they made it on the muck list. A cleated outsole helps you keep your balance on slick surfaces, and trek through mud, the fiberglass shank supports each step and the adjustable gusset helps make sure the boot stays on (even if you plant your foot in a pool of mud).

The only complaints here are that the insole feels a tad flimsy and the toe is not as protective as most other muck boots. If those are OK compromises, for $100 bucks you can't beat these.

Bogs' boots, and especially this insulated rain option, are built for extreme conditions. Rated safe for sub-zero temperatures and the wettest, slickest surfaces, these are a trusted option for hunters, rainy day walkers, dock workers and dozens of other field testers.

I'd argue that the tread on these can take a second to get used to, and sizing can be difficult to determine (I'd recommend ~1 size up), but otherwise these are an excellent option. Consider the muck managed.

You've probably seen Hunter boots before. They're popular with preppies and folks seeking a low-profile rain boot for everyday commuting. But look deeper and you'll see just how versatile Hunter's super-simple rain boots really are.

Made of natural, vulcanized rubber, each pair comprises 28 hand-cut parts put together on a bespoke aluminum last. That means this shape truly is unique to Hunter, even if it feels relatively universal. Even without serious arch support, these wear comfortably and work — I was dry even after a few hours outside in a torrential downpour.

While other boots on this list have adjustable gussets, the Goliath1 has a cinch top collar, making on and off easy but tucking pants or pulling them off a bit harder. You can wear these through sub-zero temps, into a few inches of snow or water and still feel both warm and dry.

Plus, the liner within can be removed or added if the weather isn't quite what you expected. Reviewers found, though, that even without the liner these were pretty warm — insufferable if it's even mild out.

The easy-wearing Long Mucker Rain Boots from Mountain Warehouse are just what you'd expect at this price point: simple, lightweight and free from any designer-done additions. But, to be honest, they outperform.

The lug sole is deep enough to stick to slick surfaces, the neoprene is light and breathable and they are, as they should be, totally waterproof. I'd worry about how these will look and feel after a few years of wear and tear, but at this price you can probably afford to replace them.

Made for fishermen, the Xtratuf 22272G-CTM-100 Legacy Series Boots come with substantial heel and toe guards and can be upgraded to a steel toe for just $13 dollars more.

They are 100 percent synthetic, though — no natural rubber here. They say, though, that this makes them 100 percent water-, ozone-, acid-, and chemical spill-resistant, plus lighter and softer than traditional rubber. I found they were lighter, and although I didn't dare dip my toes in toxic waste, they're certified to survive it.