Rocky Outdoor and Hunt

Frequently Asked Questions

The BearClaw is Rocky's long-running outdoor and hunting boot, built as a waterproof insulated leather boot for cold-weather hunting and general outdoor work. It has been in the line for decades in various forms and is one of the models people most associate with the brand. Insulation weight varies by version, so check the specific model.

Match it to your activity rather than the temperature. Two hundred grams suits active cool-weather use. Four hundred handles cold with moderate movement. Eight hundred and above is for sitting still in genuine cold. Buying the warmest available and then walking in it is the most common mistake, because sweat saturates the insulation and it stops working once you stop moving.

Thinsulate is 3M's synthetic insulation, built from fine fibers that trap air in less bulk than traditional materials. The gram weight tells you how much is in the boot, not how warm you will be, since fit, socks, circulation, and activity all matter as much. It also keeps some value when damp, though not as much as manufacturers imply. See our 3M Thinsulate boots range.

The BlizzardStalker and Core are pac boots, meaning a waterproof rubber lower with a removable insulated liner. The removable liner is the point: you pull it out to dry overnight, so day two starts with dry insulation. They are built for standing still in serious cold rather than for covering ground. See our pac boots range.

They use layered shaft materials designed to resist fang penetration, and like all snake boots they reduce risk substantially rather than guaranteeing anything. Shaft height matters as much as material, since most strikes land below the knee. A strike above the shaft or at an unusual angle can still result in a bite. See our snake proof boots range.

In cold and wet conditions, yes, and Rocky uses it on the Outback and several others. In hot weather a membrane traps sweat and holds water once it comes over the collar, so an uninsulated non-membrane boot can be the better choice. Match it to your climate rather than treating waterproofing as automatically better. See our Gore-Tex range.

For work with no rated-toe requirement, yes, and many people do. These are outdoor boots without ASTM certification, so they will not satisfy a site that specifies a safety toe. If you need a rated boot, see our Rocky work boots range, which covers the safety-rated side of the brand.

Generally true to size, though insulated models run snugger once you factor in thick socks, and it is worth sizing with the socks you will actually wear. Leave a little air space in cold-weather boots, since dead air is part of how insulation works and a tight boot restricts circulation and makes feet colder. Available sizes and widths are on each product page.

Rocky Outdoor and Hunt

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rocky BearClaw?

How much insulation do I need?

What is Thinsulate and how does it compare?

What are the pac boots in this range for?

Are the snake boots in this collection effective?

Is Gore-Tex worth it on an outdoor boot?

Can you use these boots for work?

How do Rocky outdoor boots fit?