XTRATUF Boots

Xtratuf Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Do XTRATUF boots run big or small?

XTRATUF boots run about a half size large, and most buyers order a half size down from their normal shoe size. The neoprene lining also takes up volume, so the fit tightens once the boot is on. These are pull-on rubber boots with no lacing to adjust, so the fit you get out of the box is the fit you keep. If you plan to wear heavy wool socks on the water, that is the case for staying at your normal size rather than dropping the half.

Are XTRATUF boots still made in the USA?

XTRATUF boots are manufactured overseas today. Production moved out of the original Rock Island, Illinois plant in 2008, and the boots are now built abroad using the same hand-laid rubber process the brand is known for. The Legacy line is named for that heritage construction rather than for the country of origin. If domestic manufacturing is what you are after, our American made boots collection covers the brands that build in the United States.

What makes the XTRATUF Chevron outsole good on a wet deck?

The Chevron outsole uses a self-cleaning triangular tread pattern that channels water and slime out from under the boot instead of trapping it. A wet fiberglass deck coated in fish slime is one of the most slippery working surfaces there is, and a standard lug tread packs and glazes over on it. The Chevron pattern is the single feature commercial fishermen name most often when they explain why they keep buying the brand. See our full commercial fishing boots range.

Do XTRATUF boots have a steel toe?

Some do. The 15-inch Legacy and 6-inch Legacy ankle deck boots are both offered in steel toe versions alongside the plain toe, and the steel toe models meet ASTM F2413 for impact and compression. Most of the range is plain toe, because deck work is more often a slip and immersion hazard than a crush hazard. If your vessel or plant requires a rated toe, filter to the steel toe models specifically rather than assuming the family carries one.

How warm are the insulated XTRATUF boots?

The insulated Legacy models add a layer over the standard neoprene lining and are built for cold-water work rather than for dry arctic cold. Neoprene on its own already insulates, which is why the uninsulated boots handle cool conditions better than a plain rubber boot would. Match insulation to how much you move: a boot that feels right standing on a winter deck will run hot if you are hauling gear all day. Insulation is stated on each product page.

What is the difference between the 6-inch deck boot and the 15-inch Legacy?

Height, and it decides how deep you can work. The 6-inch ankle deck boots and slip-ons are for deck and dock work where you are on a wet surface but not standing in water, and they are far easier to walk and drive in. The 15-inch Legacy pull-ons are for standing in water, hosing down, and working in fish holds, and they cover the calf against spray. A 12-inch sits between them. Buy the height for where the water actually reaches, since the taller boot is warmer and heavier than you need on a dry deck.

Are XTRATUF boots good for farm and barn work?

Yes, the same qualities that suit a deck suit a barn: full waterproofing, a slip-resistant outsole, chemical and washdown tolerance, and rubber that hoses clean. Farmers and dairy workers are a large part of the brand's customer base outside commercial fishing. The Legacy pull-ons are the usual pick for barn and lot work because there is nothing to lace and they come off at the door. Browse our full farm boots range for the alternatives.

How do you make XTRATUF boots last longer?

Rinse the salt and slime off after a shift, dry them out of direct sun, and store them upright rather than folded at the ankle. Natural rubber degrades under UV and ozone, so leaving boots on a sunny deck or next to a running motor shortens their life more than the work does. Folding the shaft repeatedly at one point is what creates the cracks most people eventually see. A boot dryer helps if the neoprene lining is not drying between shifts.

Does XTRATUF make boots in women's sizes?

Yes, XTRATUF builds a women's range on a women's last rather than sizing down the men's boot, including the 6-inch Legacy ankle deck boot, the 15-inch Salmon Sisters Legacy, and the Fishe Wear leather deck shoe. A boot built on a women's last is narrower through the heel and instep, which matters more on a pull-on rubber boot than on a laced one, since there is no lacing to take up slack. Available sizes are listed on each product page.

Are XTRATUF boots wide calf?

There is a dedicated wide calf version of the 15-inch Legacy boot for people who cannot get a standard rubber pull-on over the calf. Standard rubber boots are molded to a fixed shaft circumference with no gusset or lacing to open up, so calf fit is a genuine buying constraint rather than a preference. If you have had trouble getting tall rubber boots on before, start with the wide calf model rather than sizing up the length, which does not add much circumference.