LaCrosse Burly Aero Review | GearJunkie Tested

I first started wearing the LaCrosse Burly Aero on a few late-winter shed walks when the weather was too warm for that time of year, and the ground was an absolute mess. Since then, I’ve kept grabbing them for a lot more than that. They’ve been on my feet hauling feed, sitting for ducks, and doing all the everyday stuff that gets a whole lot more annoying when everything is wet and muddy.

I even packed them with me for a wet trip to southern Alaska.

A lot of rubber boots are tolerable at best. They keep your feet dry, sure, but after a few hours, they feel heavy, stiff, and generally obnoxious. These don’t. They’re lighter underfoot, easy to pull on, and comfortable enough that I don’t think twice about wearing them for a full day.

In short: The LaCrosse Burly Aero ($170) has become my go-to boot for spring mud, sloppy chores, and everyday wet-ground use. They’re comfortable, supportive, and easier to run around in than a lot of rubber boots, though the fit runs snug enough that I’d recommend sizing up if you’re between sizes or wear thick socks.

Specs

The Burly Aero is a 17-inch in men’s and 15-inch in women’s waterproof rubber boot with a non-insulated build, AeroForm ETPU midsole, oversized X-shank, TPU heel clip, adjustable side gusset, kick-off heel plate, and Burly Delta outsole. LaCrosse lists the men’s Mossy Oak Original Bottomland version at 4.4 pounds per pair and gives it a 30- to 80-degree temperature rating.

LaCrosse’s big pitch here is the AeroForm ETPU midsole, which the company says is built for lightweight energy return and long-term cushioning. I can attest to the comfort here, so this isn’t an inflated claim of comfort.

The boot also uses hand-laid ZXT rubber that is ozone- and tear-resistant, plus a TPU heel clip for rearfoot support and an oversized X-shank to spread weight and add stability. The Burly Delta outsole is designed to shed water and bite into soft ground.

That’s a whole lot of marketing speak to say they’re built well, and they’re built comfortably, which I find you only get one or the other when it comes to rubber boots.

Narrower, Athletic Build

The Burly Aero doesn’t wear like the old-school rubber boots most of us are used to. It has more give underfoot, more rebound, and less of that flat, hollow feeling that makes some rubber boots miserable after a couple of hours. They feel much more like a regular pull-on work or hunting boot than a classic mud slogger.

They’re also more form-fitting than a lot of rubber boots. That’s good for control and ankle support, but it’s worth noting before you order. If you’re right on the edge of a size, or you wear thick socks, I’d size up.

I ended up pulling the insoles out of mine to make room for winter wool, which solved the issue for the most part (aside from a manufacturing error we’ll discuss later), but I’d rather just have a little more room from the start.

Both men’s and women’s sizes are available in both dark olive (shown) or Mossy Oak Original Bottomland.

Testing the Burly Aero

These boots won me over because they aren’t a one-trick pony. I have lots of boots, and they all, for the most part, have very specific use cases. I figured these would be water’s edge and maybe chore boots, but that would be it.

These boots jumped into my rotation for late-winter shed hunting. Then, I kept reaching for them for feed runs, waterfowl sits, checking the mail, and whatever else needed doing when the yard, field, or trail was somewhere between thawed out and flat disgusting.

When it comes to most rubber boots, they’re fine if you’re standing still or only wearing them for a short stretch. Spend real time in them, though, and they start to annoy you. They feel clunky. Your feet and legs get tired quickly, and you become aware of every step. These felt much lighter on foot and much less cumbersome to wear.

Capable of Field and Stream Work

This isn’t totally unexpected since we typically run LaCrosse ZXT 26″ Irrigation Hip Boots Waders on the trapline, but for water that isn’t waist deep, the Burly Aero has become the default. They have all the shallow-water capability of the hip waders with a far more comfortable and athletic build.

Even trekking through serious muck, they feel more stable than a lot of rubber boots (hip waders included), and they don’t get sloppy on uneven ground the way most do. They hit a sweet balance between water-tightness and a boot I can walk a ways in.

That said, this isn’t the boot I’d pick for true cold. I have big ol’ “blob” boots that I do love for late-season cold, but these aren’t meant for that. They’re non-insulated, and that’s part of why it works so well in late winter and spring. You can sock up for the snow and sock down when it warms up.

For muddy shoulder-season hunts, sloppy chores, and wet days around the house, they make a lot of sense. For the bitter cold, I’d want more boot, like the Irish Setter MudTrek. I’ll probably wear these straight through summer for ranch-style chores and homestead life.

Traction and Stability

Rubber boot traction tends to get oversold, so I’ll keep this straightforward. The Burly Aero has decent lugs without being so aggressive that they end up being miserable to walk in. Because of the tighter, more structured fit, they don’t move around as much on your foot, which helps with the integrity of your steps and thus … your traction.

They’ve been solid through mud, sloppy grass, thawed ground, wet field edges, and uneven chore-duty terrain. From mucking through spring runnoff, checking trap lines, to feeding goats, to sitting for waterfowl, they’re just an awesome boot.

I wouldn’t want to trek up an aggressive incline in them or do any side hilling, but that just isn’t a job for a rubber boot.

Fit and Flaws

As I said previously, they are form-fitting and, in my experience, a bit tight. If you’re unsure, size up. The first pair I tested in my true size was so tight on my arch that I had to pull the insoles. I have tiny feet, and a full size up is a perfect fit.

I did have a manufacturing issue with the first pair I tested. The right boot was larger than the left in pretty much every way except sole length. LaCrosse was quick to correct the issue and get a new pair in the mail to me.

Who It’s For

This is a great boot for someone whose life involves mud and muck, or just anyone who needs a water-tight boot that doesn’t feel clunky.

From spring hunting, farm and ranch chores, muddy dog walks, shed hunting, duck setups, or any of the other glamorous outdoor tasks that mostly involve trying not to lose a boot in the muck, they make a lot of sense. I even wear mine to town throughout winter. They won’t keep your feet warm, but if you’re running errands and the streets and parking lots are nasty, they’re rad.

If you want one rubber boot for shoulder seasons and general wet-ground use, the Burly Aero will do the job. If you want a more loose-fitting, heavily insulated boot for real winter, look elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

The LaCrosse Burly Aero has earned its place by my front door, which is the highest compliment a boot can get around here. They keep my feet dry, don’t irritate me after a few hours, and handle the muddy, sloppy overlap between hunting season and chore season better than a lot of rubber boots I’ve worn.