Muck Boots Chore Review: Let’s Get to Work

Whether you work in a scrapyard or on a farm, not every job on the site is made equal. And even if you specialize in one specific task, there will always be days when you have to do a little bit of everything.

Times like these call for footwear that can handle a little bit of everything.

The Chore is touted as the original all-around Muck Boot. If you’re wondering if this boot can actually take on every job, all year long, you’re in the right place. 

For weeks, I’ve worked and walked in this supposed jack-of-all-trades. Read on for my thoughts. 

Muck Boots Chore Overview

The Chore Boot is the classic option in the Muck Boots line. Above all, it’s designed to protect your feet from wet undesirables, like mud and chemicals. Hence, the 5mm neoprene and rubber overlay are 100% waterproof, and have a comfort rating of just below freezing to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 

It’s the happy medium of the line. This is compared to other Muck Boots like the extra-heavy Arctic Pro, which is made with 8mm neoprene and has a comfort rating down to -60 degrees, and the Chore Xpress Cool, which is made with 4mm neoprene and is lined with an evaporation cooling liner.

The steel shank, triple toe, and quadruple rubber heel team up to provide protection and stability. Yet, the EVA footbed adjusts to your foot shape for comfort and chafe resistance.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Muck Boots Chore

One important thing to consider before buying the Chore Muck Boot is whether or not you need one specific feature above all, uncompromisingly. Unless that feature is muck protection, this isn’t the boot for you.

For example, if your job requires fast constant movement, you’ll want footwear that’s as light as a work boot can get without sacrificing the protective basics. If your job is more strength-oriented and you need maximum protection, you’ll want an ultra-rugged steel toe shoe, even if it means dealing with extra heft.

The Chore, on the other hand, is a moderate Muck Boot. I know it’s difficult to decide between different “middle-ground” boots, since there’s so many moving parts, as opposed to just one dominant priority, but that’s why I did this review.

Muck Chore Boots Review

First Impression

When I first took the Chore out of the box, it looked pretty standard as far as my experience with Muck: Sturdy build, strong rubber overlay in the foot area, and a soft fabric shaft.

Prior, I had more experience with Muck’s specialty boots, such as the cold-weather Arctics and the Wetlands, both of which featured sparser treads. The classic Chore has deeper and thinner indentations, all the tread units being much closer to each other. This made me think that these would be hard to clean. I was half right, but more on that under the Sole section.

The boot felt clunky lifting it out of the box, so I assumed it would be uncomfortable, which isn’t actually the case. The footbed is certainly firm, but not hard. There was enough cushion as I walked around the house, and plenty of support.

I also noticed that this boot is really easy to slip on, and that the collar is nicely snug, but not constricting. 

Quality and Care

As a company, Muck Boots always scores high on the muck protection factor with all of their boots. Since that’s the main function of the basic Chore, the quality of materials is one of its biggest strengths. 

The bendable synthetic shaft kept its flex even in the briskest temperatures. I will say that my calves got pretty cold one windy January day, when it hit -15 degrees. This isn’t that offensive to me because I think I would’ve been okay had I been wearing proper winter socks, which I wasn’t. 

With the Chore, Muck guarantees comfort at “sub-freezing” temperatures, but doesn’t specify how much below zero, like it does with its boots in the Arctic line.

As a water-resistance test, I stepped into a creek and splashed around for a good half an hour. The upper effectively keeps the water out, as long as it doesn’t pour in from the collar. Once the water gets in, these boots will be wet for days—unless you have a boot dryer.

If it’s raining out, I find that wearing waterproof socks and rain pants tucked tightly into your boots effectively keeps water from seeping in from the top.

That one caveat aside, the boot upper is easy to clean. You can just hose it down, or use a disinfectant spray if you work with animals or chemicals. 

Sole

The insole is sturdy but comfortable, though I find it slips off as I’m taking the boot off. That’s definitely a con, since it’s annoying to have to reposition it every time I put the boot back on.

The deep lugs kept me stable, even as I was carrying heavy wood logs across newly muddy terrain. I’m sure this was thanks to those deep indentations that literally hook me into the muck.

There’s also a steel shank, quadruple rubber heel, and triple reinforced toe for support and protection, and you can really feel it in the weight of the boot.

The sole is thick, but the deep treads allow for easy bendability. In fact, the Chore’s outsole is a lot more flexible than its specialty boot counterparts.

While the upper is easy to clean, the outsole is a different story. Since the negative space between the lug units are so deep and thin, they’re a pain to clean if you let the mud and dirt dry.

I recommend washing them out as soon as you’re done with them, but that’s not always so easy to do after a long, hard work day.

Fit and Sizing

The Chore fits true to size. I ordered my typical size 8, and it fit like a glove. In my experience, most Muck Boots fit comfortably in your regular size.

If you find they feel too tight with extra thick socks, you can always remove the insole or replace it with an extra thin one. 

Break-in Period

Unlike the Wetlands or the Arctic Sport, I didn’t experience a break-in period with the Chore. I think this has to do with the bendability that comes from the deep cuts of the lugs. The shallow-lugged outsoles of the specialty boots put pressure on my ankle when I bent my foot.

The Chore, as all muck-protecting work boots, is indeed heavy. This is just something to get used to though, not something to break in.

Once you get used to the weight though, this boot is comfortable enough to work for hours in. I’m a pretty small guy, so if I can handle the bulk of this shoe, most of you will too.

What Do Other Reviewers Say?

Comfort and general versatility are two qualities reviewers often mention when it comes to the Chore Boot.

Even field workers in Canada mention that with the right socks, this boot keeps them adequately warm on most winter days. There are a few complaints about how the Chore sometimes gets too hot on particularly balmy summer days though. Many of these grievances come from reviewers who admit to running warm or being especially sweaty.

Reviewers love the waterproofness of the boot. However, many also corroborate my report that once water gets in from the top, it stays wet for a long time.

Muck Boots Chore Alternatives

Ariat Sierra Work Boot

Like the Chore, the Ariat Sierra Work Boot is a jack of all trades, but it’s definitely leveled up thanks to its sophisticated construction and comfort technology. Naturally, you’ll spend about double the price of the Muck Boot on the Sierra.

The upper is a combination of neoprene and leather, which offers ease of movement, and long-lasting protection. Unlike the Chore, the Sierra has a steel toe. However, Ariat’s famous lightweight steel shank balances out the overall weight without compromising stability.

This boot is equipped with the brand’s proprietary four layer cushioning, which offers more padding and rebound than the Chore has, as well as little to no break-in time. 

Guide Gear Rubber Bogger

The Guide Gear Bogger Boot is a neoprene Wellington that’s super flexible and comfortable right out of the box, similar to the Chore. It also effectively keeps mud and grime at bay.

However, unlike the Chore, even extra sweaty gents who work in hot climates won’t overheat in this boot. The Guide Gear Bogger features a low thermal construction and isn’t insulated under the foot.

They’re also a lot lighter, making them perfect if you need to quickly move around a lot. 

The Bogger isn’t as grippy as the Chore and won’t protect you from the cold, but they are a fraction of the price.

My Overall Thoughts on the Muck Boots Chore

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