Muck Boot Arctic Sport II Mid Review

An extreme weather boot of mid-calf height, the Muck Arctic Sport II Mid is a specialized hybrid of the easy slip-on aspects of traditional rain boots and the heavily insulated and tactile aspects of winter wear. This model comes in both Mid and Tall shaft heights; we tested the Mid, which rises 12.5 inches from the floor at its crest. A neat feature of this boot is Muck's bioDEWIX — a plant-based anti-odor & antimicrobial technology built into the lining.

Weather Protection

Since the top edge of this boot is angled (higher at the shin and lower at the calf), the flood height is actually at 11 inches for the Mid, which still provides more than enough general weather protection. We did have one of our boots fail the waterproof test, leaking a few drops of water through a seam in the neoprene. We expect rain boots to be 100% waterproof, so this did give us some pause. The insulation adds an extra layer of warmth, which allowed us to trudge through snow without worry. But given the leak in our waterproof test, we are a little hesitant to recommend them as a full-on rain boot. If you need a boot for colder environments and snowier conditions, though, these will treat you well.

The mouth circumference measures around 13 inches, which is on the narrow side. However, the neoprene is somewhat flexible, and the stitching is well executed and does not feel abrasive. Having a narrower circumference can help prevent stray drops of snow from finding an easy way in, but this will depend on your relative calf size.

Comfort

The materials used for the Arctic Sport II are rather simple, but they are well thought out in our opinion. The neoprene is soft to the touch and cozy against the leg, even without socks. While we wouldn't recommend wearing any boots without socks for extended periods, we appreciate the gentleness of the neoprene nonetheless. Through trial and error, we were able to determine that sizing up is best if you're a half-size. This allows for greater comfort in the foot box, at the ankle, and, of course, allows for some variability in sock thickness. For our lead tester, who is a size 7.5, the size 8 is perfect — we would say this model runs slightly small since a size 8 felt like a perfect 7.5 for her.

Foot comfort is hard to come by with many boots, but with a removable EVA insole and proper fit, all-day wear is very doable in the Arctic Sport II. The only problem you might run into is how effective the insulation is — it can create temperature discomfort above 35-40°F. These boots warm up fast in the direct sun, so wearing them in too-warm conditions is intolerable. However, the fleece that lines the neoprene is somewhat breathable, allowing for some regulation and versatility in its comfort range. Lastly, weighing in at about 3 pounds, we are happy to know that this model is much lighter than others we've recently tested, upping the mobility and overall comfort.

Traction

Besides warmth, this metric is the greatest quality of the Arctic. The traction is technical and appropriate for snowy conditions. Even when testing in a river, we felt more confident than with most other boots. The rubber sole has deep lugs, instilling confidence with every step, snow or no snow. Too, the weight isn't overbearing, allowing for more fluid movement.

With such an insulated boot, it's important to pay attention to the sensitivity of the sole. If the sole is too stiff, having incredible tread doesn't matter as much if the wearer can't feel what's going on beneath their feet. Sense of balance might be thrown off, and steps can become inefficient or clumsy. Thankfully, the Arctic has enough flexibility to allow for a sense of stability and, therefore, more effective traction.

Warmth

We honestly can't imagine a pair of boots warmer than these. The perks of this are not having to worry about numb toes while shoveling snow or crossing a half-frozen creek. At the base of a cold climbing crag, we maintained comfort and heat so well that everyone else was legitimately jealous.

On the other hand, having such extreme warmth isn't always practical. For general and casual use, it really depends on the environment you live in. More humid places without much snow might deem such a boot too specialized. The manufacturer's max recommended temperature for comfort is around 40°F, which isn't that high for a rain boot. When the sun finally hit the climbing crag, to continue with our previous example, these boots quickly became overwhelming. They are certainly a niche product because of their insulation.

Style

More technical than fashionable, it's hard to pinpoint where this model falls on the style spectrum. Doing chores in winter conditions isn't a flattering thing to begin with, so we are actually quite content with the balance of function and flair. The neoprene offers a great canvas for patterns and color accents.

The molded rubber has a matte finish as opposed to glossy, and there are steep cuts where the rubber meets the neoprene upper, adding some design accents that help accentuate any patterns or color.

Fit

This category doesn't earn its own score and contributes mainly to the metric of comfort. Muck boots come in whole sizes from 5 to 11. There is a slight pinch in the shape of the shaft near the ankle, aimed at providing a better fit around the heel (and to mitigate the classic heel lift). With the appropriate shoe size, we think this feature works well. We sized up to an 8, and the fit was perfect for our lead tester, who is usually a 7.5 — there was hardly any heel lift at all. There is also some space for thicker socks, though not much, which isn't truly needed anyway since the insulation works so well. If you're adding insoles, we definitely recommend sizing up.

Value

Given the leak we witnessed in the waterproof testing, we think the high price tag of these boots is a bit overrated. The insulation is very technical, so they perform quite well as a snow and winter boot, however, there are much cheaper options out there if you are simply looking for protection from rain and water. We do wish that such a fundamental boot could be more affordable and, therefore, accessible to those who could truly benefit from its warmth in the winter.

Conclusion

The Muck Arctic Sport II Mid blurs the lines between rain and winter boots. Remarkable for insulation and traction, but lacking in total waterproofness. They are perfect for winter chores or hiking around on snowy trails, but we wouldn't recommend them as a do-it-all rain boot.