LaCrosse Grange Boots Review: Best Boot for Canoeing?

For the last couple of years, I’ve been using the LaCrosse Grange Boots for canoeing when I want a rubber waterproof boot. If you’re a long-time reader, you may remember that back in 2019 I wrote The Best Boots for Canoeing. I recommend the Xtratufs boots, and I still think that’s a good recommendation. But I found that after a couple of trips that they didn’t fit my feet well. I sold them and then bought a pair of LaCrosse Grange Boots.

To make this review short, these are the boots that I’ve been using for canoeing, shoulder seasons around town, when going into wet areas for photography, and for doing shoulder season yard work.

LaCrosse Grange Boot Specifications

First introduced in 1957, these non-insulated, rubber boots have been keeping feet dry for a long time. They are made from LaCrosse’s ZXT Rubber, which makes the boot 100% waterproof and provides great traction for a rubber boot. Each pair weighs 4.5 pounds. They have a snug ankle fit, and an adjustable top strap to tighten the fit around your calf.

Even though these boots are non-insulated, LaCrosse makes similar boots with insulation. The Burly offers foam insulation or 800G of Thinsulate.

Performance

In my original article, I had five criteria that I was going to use to rate each boot. Here they are:

• Sticky soles that wouldn’t slip getting into the canoe.
• Supportive enough for portage trails with a sole that protects from rocks.
• Warm enough for sitting in the canoe in mid-30 to mid-50 degree temps.
• Small enough to fit under a seat for kneeling.
• Waterproof.

Sticky Sole

The LaCrosse Grange works for all of them. It’s soles stick to rocks, on portages and work fine for getting in and out of the canoe. Are they the most sticky soles? They aren’t as sticky as 5.10 rubber, but I never found them to cause problems on wet rocks. Like always, be careful on wet rocks. No boot is perfect.

Ankle Support and Portage Trails

I found the ankle support fine, but you need to remember that I’ll sometimes portage big loads in sandals. If you have weak ankles, rubber boots in general probably aren’t going to be your solution. You might be better off using a boot with a rubber over boot. I’d recommend the Tingley Over Boot.

On portage trails, I found them fine. The soles are rubber, and while I found them fine in general, if you step on something pointy, you will feel it through the boot. It’s not bad, but you’ll know. So when wearing these, I tend to pay attention more to where I’m putting my feet.

Warmth

These are non-insulated boots, so they won’t be as warm as a neoprene boot or an insulated boot. I use wool socks and with wool socks I found that they were warm enough when portaging or using them while I’m in motion. During long paddles when the temps were in the 40°F range, I found my feet would start to get a little cold.

If you have cold feet, consider the insulated version instead of the non-insulated version. If/when I wear these out, I may get the insulated version as a replacement.

Waterproof and Kneeling

Yep and yep. These things are completely waterproof. I’ve had no issues with them at all, but they do get sweaty on the inside. On warmer days while paddling, you can roll the tops down. In camp, rolling the top down also helps you slip them on and off while getting into and out of the tent.

For keeling, they are probably the best out of all the boots that I tried because they have a slim fit.

Fit

They fit my foot perfectly and the size was correct based on my normal shoe size. The interesting thing about these boots is that they have a slim but not restrictive fit. They feel like wearing a ballet shoe compared to wearing a neoprene boot, such as a Kamik or Muck. The calf is also a slim fit, and that can make putting them on a little more difficult than other boots.

I will note that rolling down the top of the boot makes it easier to put them on, and if you aren’t expecting to step in the water, such as when in camp, it may be the best way to wear them.

Durability

I bought my pair in early 2021 and have been wearing them since. I use them on canoe trips, around town during mud season, for yard work during mud season, and for photography when going into wet areas. Mine look almost new with a little wear and tear on the sole. I expect I’ll get many more years out of these boots.

Conclusion

For me, these are now my canoeing boots. I’ll continue to use this pair until they are worn out because I don’t see a reason to switch. They do everything that I need them to do. These have always been known as a good Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness waterproof boot, and I’m not sure why I put off owning a pair for so long.

If you’re looking for a pair of non-insulated, waterproof boots, then give the LaCrosse Grange Boots a look.

Buy them at: Amazon

I’m curious if you have used these before or if you have recommendations for the best boot for canoeing. Let me know in the comments.