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Xtratuf Legacy 15" - Women's Review

Ideal for those working outside, this Alaskan boot was made to keep feet comfortable and dry
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Xtratuf Legacy 15" - Women's Review
Credit: Xtratuf
Price:  $160 List
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Manufacturer:   XTRATUF
By Sara Aranda ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 25, 2020
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 15
  • Weather Protection - 30% 8.0
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Traction - 20% 7.0
  • Warmth - 15% 5.0
  • Style - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

This XTRATUF Legacy offers quite a few perks, from thick soles for all-day foot support to the chemical resistance of the neoprene upper. If you work in outdoor environments with lots of mud and water, these boots are a fantastic option. Ranking high in weather protection and comfort, the Legacy has a techy look to them, found favorable to those often exposed to the elements or the grime of work. With above-average scoring in traction and warmth, they are of reliable craftsmanship, and we applaud that. Due to their work-horse nature, however, they don't come off as particularly stylish for urban environments for most people. Get the scoop on how it stands up to the competition in our review of the top women's rain boots.
REASONS TO BUY
Great foot support
Flexible rubber
Sufficient traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Oily sheen out of the box
Rubber changes color when wet
Lack of insulation

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Working Outside
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Rain Boots for Women
Top Pick Award
Best Winter Crossover
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Top Pick Award
Best Ankle-Height Boot
Price $138.31 at Amazon
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Bottom Line A techy rain boot made for the hardworking outdoor enthusiastWell-made, high weather protection, and stylish, this pair is the best in our fleetHigh comfort, traction, and warmth for winter without the fuss of lacesVery trendy and remarkably practical, this boot is the ultimate deal for most budgetsA trendy hit among reviewers, this boot has all the basics covered for its height
Rating Categories Xtratuf Legacy 15"... Hunter Original Bac... Muck Boot Arctic Sp... Kamik Heidi Bogs SweetPea
Weather Protection (30%)
8.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
Comfort (25%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Traction (20%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Warmth (15%)
5.0
5.0
10.0
5.0
5.0
Style (10%)
4.0
8.0
6.0
9.0
6.0
Specs Xtratuf Legacy 15"... Hunter Original Bac... Muck Boot Arctic Sp... Kamik Heidi Bogs SweetPea
Weight per Pair 3.6 lbs (size 8) 3.6 lbs (size 7) 3.0 lbs (size 8) 2.7 lbs (size 8) 1.6 lbs (size 8)
Flood Height (from bottom of sole to lowest point of shaft) 15 in 15.6 in 11.0 in 12 in 4.75 in
Mouth Circumference 14.75 in 14-16 in 13 in 13.75 in 10 in
Lining/Insulation Nylon Recycled polyester Fleece Lined Neoprene Nylon Textile
Upper Material Triple-dipped latex neoprene Vulcanized Natural Rubber Rubber, Neoprene Phthalate-free Synthetic Rubber Textured rubber
Outsole Material Non-Marking Chevron Rubber Natural Rubber Rubber Synthetic Rubber Blend Rubber
Insole Breathe-O-Prene Insole Latex Sponge Foam Insole with recycled polyester Removeable EVA Insole Removeable Kamik(R) Comfort Footbed Max-Wick insole
Unique Features Chemical resistant upper Adjustable circumference, certified vegan, handcrafted bioDEWIX dry footbed (plant based anti-odor & antimicrobial), insulated for "-40F to 40F", fleece lined Recyclable Anti-odor lining
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Sizing Info Runs small Runs large True to size True to size True to size

Our Analysis and Test Results

This XTRATUF Legacy is the women's version of the classic unisex option, crafted with a different last to provide better comfort and a fit that is specific to women. Highly functional with a work-oriented design, these boots do more than cover all the basics for an ideal mild-weather rain boot. Their list price is quite high, but it's not so unheard of for a model of this caliber. They are built with waterproof, triple-dipped latex neoprene in hand-layered construction and are said to be ozone, acid, and chemical-resistant. The uppers are also lighter and more flexible than typical rubber.

Performance Comparison


xtratuf legacy 15" for women - ideal for those who work outside: the women's legacy.
Ideal for those who work outside: the women's Legacy.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Weather Protection


This tall boot has a 15-inch shaft, which allows for higher weather protection and general insulation over those with a shorter shaft height. Their height is ideal for wading into water, and they aren't so tall as to create discomfort around the knees.


The circumference of the boot opening is 14.75 inches on the pair we tested, allowing for a bit more of a gap between the calf and the rim, but not so much that it is of much concern. With their fully waterproofed and chemical resistant neoprene, the Legacy are constructed to protect you from more than just rain and thusly earn one of the highest scores for this category.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - even in an icy river bottom, the legacy 15" had decent traction.
Even in an icy river bottom, the Legacy 15" had decent traction.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Comfort


We found that all-day wear is the stand-out quality for this model. With such a thick sole and women's specific last, they are comfortable and not too cumbersome despite their weight. From running errands and driving around to tending the garden, we have yet to have tired or aching feet at the end of the day, and since the neoprene shaft is so flexible (one of the most flexible of the bunch), we never encountered issues with mobility, even with the shaft being so tall.


The foot box is roomy enough for thick socks, and while there is slight heel slippage, the neoprene is so soft that we did not have hot spots develop. These boots prove easy to put on and take off without the aid of your hands, which is a welcome bonus when your boots are wet and covered in mud. Additionally, the Breathe-O-Prene insoles absorb impact from walking and moisture to help keep the feet dry and happy.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - a closer look at the patterned, thin lining of the legacy 15". with...
A closer look at the patterned, thin lining of the Legacy 15". With flexible rubber, mobility was not impeded.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Traction


The outsoles of the Legacy have defined and deep tread patterns reminiscent of a simple work boot. We find that this competitor consistently performed above average in our tests, a reliable pair for moving around in and across a variety of terrain.


Traction holds a lot of weight when you're searching for a boot to work in, whether on a boat or farm, and these held up to our expectations. However, we did find that they are not the best in snowy and icy conditions, or across slimy rocks in a river, but they do well on wet, grassy inclines, in the dirt and mud, and especially over flat surfaces. Considering the environments these boots are designed to be used in, like the fishing rigs of the Alaskan Salmon Sisters, we are more than confident in their stability.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - designed for marine lifestyle: the thick outsoles of the women's...
Designed for marine lifestyle: the thick outsoles of the women's Legacy 15".
Credit: Sara Aranda

Warmth


Constructed with a thin nylon lining, the Legacy has some nice added warmth, though, if you're going to be working hard in them, added warmth might not be warranted nor wanted. They don't receive a super high score in this category, however, because heat loss happened rather quickly in the snow and during our icy river test. Though, to be fair, we were, for the most part, standing still.


In temperatures ranging from 45-70°F, the warmth inherent in such a waterproofed boot is sufficient for maintaining comfort in our opinion; and if you're working in the outdoors or live in warmer climates, then having a contender that is relatively cool will only help mitigate sweaty feet.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - we walked the legacy 15" through one of our tougher tests at the...
We walked the Legacy 15" through one of our tougher tests at the bottom of a slick and icy riverbed.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Style


Versatility in style is what the Legacy lacked the most for us. The height and limited colors give them a marine lifestyle look that is fairly singular. Even with the lining and color accents at the rim and around the outsole, they come off as a more practical, technical boot as opposed to something intended to be fashionable. However, you can fold the shaft to reveal the patterned lining for a cuter and more feminine look. There are no added buckles or accessories, and the molding is subtle.


The color of the shaft is very earthy, which we think assists the outdoor appeal. We can tell these boots are designed with fishing and outdoor work in mind. Style is subjective, of course, and if we were to be involved in these fishing environments, we imagine that we wouldn't want our work footwear to look oddly fancy and impractical.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - in the rain or snow, the neoprene on the women's legacy 15" becomes...
In the rain or snow, the neoprene on the women's Legacy 15" becomes slightly discolored.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Fit


This model comes in whole sizes, 6-11. As is typical of rain boots, half-sizes are not offered, which means the fit often isn't perfect, especially if you're in between sizes. We sized up when we purchased these boots, and we think it is best to do so, but it might be beneficial to try on multiple sizes before purchasing, if possible, just to be sure.

By sizing up, there is room for thicker socks. With thin socks, there is heel lift, and the boot feels a bit baggy, but not so much that it becomes an annoyance. Something to consider is that the neoprene is so flexible in the shaft that it slaps against the back of the calf when you walk and is somewhat noisy compared to other models.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - from left to right: xtratuf legacy 15", hunter original, and the...
From left to right: XTRATUF Legacy 15", Hunter Original, and the Kamik Heidi. All with exceptional traction.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Value


Designed in Alaska and manufactured in China, this brand rings in with a high list price. While they are not the most expensive, they cost more than the average of those we've tested. If we had to guess, you're essentially paying for the added chemical and acid resistance, a thicker footbed, and slip-resistant Chevron outsole, which is fair if you intend to use them aggressively. Therefore, they are of great value.

Conclusion


The XTRATUF Legacy boots are very reliable, have a flexible shaft, and are one of the most comfortable we've had the pleasure of testing. They are ideal for working in more rugged environments and provide all the fundamentals of weather protection and traction.

xtratuf legacy 15" for women - the women's legacy looking a little oily right out of the box.
The women's Legacy looking a little oily right out of the box.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Sara Aranda