Xtratuf Legacy 15" - Women's Review

The XTRATUF Legacy is a practical, hardworking rain boot that can withstand some of the most extreme of environments. While these boots are on the more expensive side of the rain boot price spectrum, their quality craftsmanship make them well worth the cost. Constructed with a chemical resistant triple dipped latex neoprene rubber, they will protect your feet from snow, water, mud, as well as various chemicals. They also excel when it comes to comfort. The rubber is significantly more flexible than any of the other rain boots we tested, which provides the wearer with great comfort and ease of movement, without sacrificing weather protection.

Weather Protection

The shaft of these boots is 15 inches high, which seems to be the sweet spot where you get as much weather protection as you might want, without restricting your mobility.

Some of the boots we tested were too tall for our shorter testers, who didn't like the feeling of the shaft hitting the backs of their knees when they walked. That wasn't a problem for any of our testers with the Legacy. The shaft of these boots doesn't feel bulky or restrictive around your knees and calves, and yet they still have enough height to protect your feet while tromping around in marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes.

The circumference at the top of the shaft of the boot is about 14.75 inches. For most of our testers, this leaves a slight gap between calf and boot, but doesn't feel so loose that it would cause rubbing or discomfort. Built with fully waterproof and chemical-resistant neoprene, the Legacy boots are made to handle far more than just rain.

We have been using this boot for well over a year and have yet to notice any leaks in the material. We have also scoured the internet, reading reviews of these boots, and haven't found any complaining of wet feet. In terms of weather protection, the XTRATUF Legacy receives top marks.

Comfort

What sets this boot apart from the competition is how comfortable it is to wear throughout the day. The thick sole and women's-specific design feels supportive without being overly bulky or heavy. Our feet stayed surprisingly happy even after long days in these boots. They are built to be worn on commercial fishing boats in Alaska, which often involves around-the-clock work for multiple days in a row, so comfort had to be a top priority in the design process, and we think they nailed it.

The toe box is roomy enough to comfortably wear thick socks, and while there is some heel movement, the soft neoprene lining prevents any rubbing or discomfort. We wore these boots on long hikes and didn't get a single hot spot - which is pretty rare for rain boots! They have an open-cell foam insert which keeps your feet happy, no matter the type of ground you are covering.

The neoprene shaft deserves a special mention because it is easily the most flexible shaft out of all the boots we tested, without sacrificing any weather protection. It allows near-full ankle flexion and doesn't dig into the shin bone or calf like rubber models do. It is truly remarkable how comfortable the upper portion of this boot is, especially given its height. We also found them easy to slip on and off hands-free, which is a coveted feature when your boots are wet and covered in mud.

The one drawback of this boot is its lack of arch support. Unfortunately, this is true of all the rain boots we tested—they are all lacking in arch support. Keep that in mind if you have high arches. You may want to BYO footbed if you need the added support.

Warmth

Finding the right balance of warmth in a rain boot can be tricky. In colder climates, you'll want more insulation, but in warmer climates, you probably won't want any. We think the Legacy nailed a balance that allows the boots to be worn in most climates. They have a light nylon liner that offers a bit of insulation to keep your feet toasty warm in cooler temperatures, think late fall, but not so much that you'll be sweating buckets in the summer. We noticed our feet getting cold fairly quickly when walking through snow and wading in icy water, in which case you'll want to be more thoughtful about your sock choice. In milder weather, these boots are perfect.

If you're working outside in temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, these boots will be perfect. They don't trap too much heat, but they do keep your feet perfectly dry. That being said, if you live in an area that has both a warm, wet climate in the spring and summer, and a snowy climate in the winter, you might want to consider having two pairs of boots — a more insulated pair for winter and a lighter one for spring and summer.

Traction

If you're going to be on your feet, moving around on variable terrain, the Legacy's traction won't let you down. The outsoles have a rugged tread that consistently outperforms other rain boots in this category.

Designed specifically for gripping the slippery decks of fishing boats in Alaska, the Legacy boots also handled wet grass, muddy trails, loose dirt, and smooth surfaces really well. Where they excelled was while walking around on slick river rocks. While tromping around in rivers, no footwear is going to be foolproof, but the Legacy boots did as good a job of keeping us upright as we could reasonably expect.

That said, the traction on these boots doesn't perform as well on ice and in snow as some of the more winter-focused boots we tested. This all makes sense and is expected, given the Legacy wasn't built with snow and ice in mind. But if you're looking for something to keep your feet dry and stable while shuffling through rivers or working on boats, the Legacy is a great choice.

Wearability

Wearability is subjective to each person's individual fashion sense and lifestyle. Some people absolutely love the look of the Legacy, while others think it has too much of a work boot look to be worn in an everyday setting.

A tall rain boot, in general, might be hard to pair with a cute or professional outfit, which is why some of the shorter rain boots scored higher in this category. That said, the ability to fold down the upper shaft of the Legacy to reveal the fun patterned lining is a huge plus for some people, and makes it more fun and versatile to wear in casual settings. The earthy color options of the Legacy make them appealing to outdoorsy and working folk. These boots are practical and don't have any fancy bells and whistles. They are easy to slip on and off, and they quite simply get the job done.

Should You Buy the XTRATUF Legacy?

The XTRATUF Legacy boots are reliable, comfortable, and durable. They are perfect if you spend time walking around on slippery river rocks or working long hours on fishing boats. They are practical and will keep your feet dry, but they won't help you win any style points. So, if your goal is to look fashionable, this might not be the right boot for you.

What Other Rain Boots Should You Consider?