At first glance, Dryshod Boots may sound like the new guy on the block. But that’s not true. The waterproof footwear brand was launched by Muck Boot Company founder and former owner Jim Donahue in 2018, so there is a solid pedigree in place.
After selling Muck Boot Company to a competitor, Donahue returned to his roots to found Dryshod Boots. With a name that means “dry shoes,” the company is creating a line of durable, waterproof footwear products for farmers, hunters, gardeners, and outdoor enthusiasts.
AGDAILY Managing Editor Ryan Tipps and Associate Editor Heidi Crnkovic each received a pair of boots to try out from Dryshod with the simple request to share our experience. As you read about what we thought, please know that this is not a paid sponsorship, just our honest opinions on a few of the Dryshod brand’s available boots.
Dryshod’s Haymaker Gusset Boot,
By Heidi Crnkovic
I recently ran into Brad Hahn, senior partner for the boot company Dryshod at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. “I’ll keep my Muck Boots,” I told Hahn. Insert proverbial boot in the mouth — at that time, I had no idea that Muck Boot’s former owner founded Dryshod. Hahn stepped up to my challenge and said he’d send me a pair to give a try and let them know what I thought.
Ever since I discovered insulated boots in Montana, a good set of insulated work boots has become a must anywhere I go, so much so that I keep a pair in my pickup for the random tasks that may pop up. I even wear insulated work boots to the ski hill and town when it’s snowy. Yeah, I know — super fashionable. I’ve tried some of the “prettier” winter boot brands, but not much compares to the comfort of a good work boot, and the Dryshod Haymakers did not disappoint.
I received my Haymaker Gussets in short order to put them through a solid trial. I immediately put them to work feeding livestock in the muck, mud, and snow, rinsing calves in warmer weather (60 degrees Fahrenheit), and irrigating.
There’s not much worse than sore, cold, or wet feet — think 12-hour-plus days in varying weather. And you can’t layer your boots. Or can you?
Admittedly, rolling the top down on my insulated boots never crossed my mind. But, if you’re getting hot or sweaty, the gussets on the Haymakers make this an easy solution with a roll-down calf pipe. I have always been more concerned about the external environmental factors over what’s going on inside my boots (unless my feet are cold), so I didn’t use this feature much. But you can.
When it came to protection against cold and moisture, I was thrilled. The entire boot stayed well-sealed thanks and warm thanks to the 5mm foam-insulated bootie and tough outer shell.
Hands-free boot removal? Check. You can even leave your coveralls hanging over your boots for an easy all-in-one fire drill dressing exercise (calving season, anyone?) There’s no fighting your boots at the end of the day with easy-on/easy-off 4-way stretch features that are sure to be especially handy for our wider-footed and calved friends. The bigger heel kick is also hugely helpful in removal, while the pull tabs help get them on a cinch.
Unfortunately, DryShod doesn’t make women’s boots in my size (yet! Can we get a 12?). There was a ton of room in the calves of these boots, so I found that the gussets were essential when I was doing a lot of walking or when it was moist out. This design does help with the boot’s stability and warmth and keeps out dirt, muck, moisture, and dust for our Southwestern folks. But, one issue I did run into was that one buckle was a little more challenging to get to stay put than the other.
Over the years, I’ve realized that comfort is equally important to durability. The stability and cushion of the Haymakers made them just as comfortable during a day of hiking during a coyote hunting competition as they were during a day of chores.
Regarding durability, I can’t speak for the test that time will put on these boots as I’ve only had them for a few months. However, I can tell you there’s no sign of them breaking down anytime soon. And there was no breaking-in period either.
Dryshod’s Mudslinger Boot
By Ryan Tipps
Before I received a pair of Dryshod boots, I was seeing a trend on AGDAILY’s social media channels about how much readers were raving about this brand. While Dryshod is relatively new to the market, it’s clear that they’re serious about their products, their quality, and their impact on agriculture.
I spent weeks with the Mudslinger boot, which has a seamless dipped neoprene outer shell. This particular boot is completely waterproof, and when you’re in the milking parlor or going through the mud around your pipe gates, this is an absolute necessity.
Made using drysuit-grade Densoprene, a dense self-insulating neoprene material that keeps cold and wetness out while keeping warmth in, these boots are especially great for farmers and hunters, where having dry feet makes for a long and comfortable day away from home.
This has been especially welcome during the shoulder season and into the relatively mild winter in my part of the U.S. — we’re not getting snow, but we’re getting lots of cold rain, which has made feeding the animals and repairing fencing particularly sloppy. I’ve worn them for several months now, and they held up perfectly and cleaned up easily, sometimes with the muddy water just melting off them thanks to the Sulfadex rubber conditioner coating.
My feet were always dry, and the Mudslingers have a lot of flexibility to add to the comfort factor. Plus, as far as rubber boots go, they were breathable — on its website, Dryshod mentions that this is because of the WIXIT Cool-Clad wicking airmesh lining.
During one repair job I did while wearing them, and I was able to move and pivot easily while pulling barbed wire taut. They also had really great traction, and the tread didn’t hold onto the thick, clay-like red mud that we have around my property. My property is loaded with rocks and roots, which have become even more exposed and hazardous thanks to the rains. I appreciated that the Mudslingers have a steel shank in the arch for support, and a reinforced shell and other features to protect against those kinds of things.
I will admit that I’ve primarily worn the same brand of neoprene boots for more than six years, but Dryshod has definitely earned itself a place in the lineup!
