muck boots alpha pursuit review

Waterproof Wonder From Muck Boots? | The Alpha Pursuit Review

I have always thought and even made mention before to other people that if someone could come up with a hiking boot a hunting boot that’s waterproof and had a waterproof upper that wasn’t neoprene on the outside, that was also flexible and comfortable, that the boot could do really well.

Well, I think that boot is finally here… it’s the Alpha Pursuit from the Muck Boot Company!

Muck boots box for all that lies ahead

Alpha Pursuit Boots From Muck | A Closer Look

muck boots alpha pursuit unboxing

muck boots alpha pursuit ankle notch

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muck boots alpha pursuit memory foam foot bed

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muck boots alpha pursuit walking in the creek water

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Men's Alpha Pursuit Ankle Boot

Men’s Alpha Pursuit Ankle Boot

THE PINNACLE OF MUCKPROOF PURSUIT BOOTS Featuring Realtree� APX camo, the new Alpha Pursuit boot is built for high endurance pursuit and all terrain adventure. 100% waterproof, 100% MUCKPROOF, the lace up construction provides a tailored fit while the Muckskin overlays gives additional protection without adding unnecessary weight. The notched heel collar eliminates Achilles fatigue, and the rubber heel reinforcement keeps your feet always protected. The midsole is made from BioLite, a top-level, lightweight foam, as well as an aggressive rubber outsole for better traction and debris dispersion.



Final Thoughts On The Alpha Pursuit

It’s hard to come up with something that’s really new in the boot category. However, the Muck Boot Company has done it with the Alpha Pursuit boots. They are extremely comfortable (thanks to the memory foam and soft outer shell), versatile, and of course, 100% Muck-Proof! We would definitely recommend these boots.

Enjoy God’s creation outdoors!

Rocky Trophy Series waterproof outdoor boot review image

A Lace-Up Winner? | The Rocky Trophy Series Outdoor Boot Review

Hunting and hiking outdoors is not only fun… it can be messy!

So, wearing a boot that can hold up to the elements, protect your feet and still be comfortable is of paramount importance.

We set out to find out if the Trophy Series Outdoor Boot from the Rocky Boot company fit the bill…

Why We Reviewed This Boot

Rocky Trophy Series waterproof outdoor boot review

First, let’s give you a little bit of background about why we reviewed this particular boot. We actually did a review of the Rocky Trophy Series Tall Hunting Boot. In that review, we tested the Trophy Series Tall in more of a deer scouting situation where we were doing work in the woods, getting ready for deer season.

We were going through creeks and streams, testing the waterproof construction of that particular boot and what we found is it did well on all of those. But, what was so surprising was just how comfortable it was. So, we attribute that to the memory foam footbed (more on that below).

So, when we found out that they made a lace-up outdoor boot version of that particular construction, we knew that we wanted to try it!



Rocky Boot Trophy Series Outdoor Boot Close Up

The Trophy Series Outdoor Boot from the Rock Boot Company is a lace-up boot that has Rocky Waterproof (RWP) construction that they say ensures the highest level of waterproof protection while maintaining breathability.




Rocky Boot Trophy series outdoor lace up boot
Rocky trophy series outdoor boot leather
trophy series outdoor boot tread


Rocky Trophy Series outdoor boot footbed
rocky trophy series outdoor boot tying laces

Rocky Trophy Series Waterproof Outdoor Boot

Rocky Trophy Series Waterproof Outdoor Boot

The Rocky� Trophy Series Hiking Boot will be your next prized footwear. This rugged lace-up boot built on a durable multi-terrain rubber outsole provides comfort and performance through back country trails and creek crossings keeping you dry and protected when it�s needed most. Built with waterproof full grain leather with nylon ripstop and our Guaranteed Rocky� Waterproof Construction to allow for the environment to lead your path. A light & flexible cement construction combined with our Rocky� Air-Port Lite� sponge PU footbed with memory foam ensures all day comfort.



What We Learned After Reviewing The Rocky Trophy Series Outdoor Boot

So, here’s what we found…

We took the Trophy Series Outdoor Boot all through the woods, through water, as well as up steep creekbanks to test the traction.

Surprise, surprise… it is just as comfortable it not more comfortable than the Trophy Series Tall version that we had reviewed, and it’s nice leather as well. The memory foam footbed is a gamechanger. It’s just so comfortable, it not only protects your feet, but it makes it an option for casual wearing as well.

It also seemed very true to size. I wear a 12. I ordered 12. It fit perfectly.

The Rocky Waterproof construction also kept our feet dry. And, it is so comfortable!



laces of the rocky boot trophy series tall outdoor boot

But, the one big thing that I came away with from this particular review, is that I will be wearing this boot not only out in the woods… but, all the time! It’s just so comfortable that, not only can you hike in it and be comfortable and stay dry, but you also can just wear it around town doing different things. You can wear it doing yard work as well.

We do definitely recommend this boot.

bushcraft survival skills header

Learn 7 Essential Bushcraft & Survival Skills For Beginners

Bushcraft and survival skills are important for thriving inside and outside, offering you the equipment to be self-reliant, adaptable, and creative.

In this article we’ll cover beginner bushcraft and survival skills you’ll need to know to help you gain self-confidence, so that you can feel prepared in a wide variety of unforeseen circumstances.

snowy river

What Is Bushcraft?

Bushcraft refers to dwelling sustainably within the wild, using herbal assets and traditional skills to fulfill simple needs like shelter, food, and water.

man starting fire

Bushcraft emphasizes a deep bond with nature and the expertise to work with the surroundings.

Survival skills are centered on overcoming short-time emergencies and situations in which instantaneous action is needed to ensure safety and well-being.

Why Learn Bushcraft and Survival Skills?

Learning these skills offers several benefits:

  1. Self-reliance. You’ll know how to handle emergencies independently.
  2. Adventure. Skills like fireplace-making and foraging increase outdoor adventure possibilities.
  3. Emergency preparedness. You’ll be more prepared to deal with unexpected conditions, from getting lost to natural disasters.
  4. Mental well-being. Bushcraft can reduce stess and improve intellectual abilities.

Beginner Bushcraft & Survival Skills

1. Fire-Making: The Foundation of Survival

public land hunting fire starter

Bushcraft techniques to start a fire you should learn:

  • Ferro rod. A ferro rod (also referred to as a spark rod or ferrocerium rod) is a fire-starting tool that produces sparks when scraped against a hard surface, such as iron, steel, or certain types of rock, even in damp conditions. It is beginner friendly.
  • Flint and steel. Flint and Steel is a traditional way of fire starting. You start by striking the flint stone off of a steel striker. The sparks that this produces will ignite a flammable material that you can then use to ignite other small particles (twigs, leaves, etc.) to start a fire.  
  • Bow drill. A primitive method of fire making that requires skill and patience, but that can be very rewarding to the fire starter. This method uses fireboard (typically woods like cottonwood, cedar, sycamore, poplar and aspen), a spindle (either the same type of wood as the fireboard or harder) and a cord or string to create friction that eventually gets so hot that it creates an ember that can be used to start a fire.

Fire making tips for beginners:

  • Gather dry grass, bark shavings, or cotton that you can use as your “fuel.”
  • Build your fire in layers: tinder, kindling, and larger logs.
  • Practice in various weather conditions to build confidence.



2. Shelter Building: Protection from the Elements

shelter inside tree

Below are some simple shelter types for beginners:

  • Debris hut. Build a frame from sturdy branches and cover it with leaves and moss.
  • Lean-to shelter. Use a fallen tree or a pole as the primary support, leaning branches against it and covering them with debris.
  • Tarp shelter. A versatile option if you carry a tarp. Learn knots like the taut-line hitch to secure it.

Shelter-building tips for success:

  • When building a shelter, choose a location away from hazards like falling branches or rising water.
  • Insulate the ground with leaves or grass to retain body heat.
  • Building a shelter can be very taxing, so be sure to pace yourself and conserve your much-needed energy.

Note: A reliable axe bushcraft device is also an extremely helpful tool for constructing shelters, as well as gathering firewood. See more helpful tools in the table at the end of this article.


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3. Finding and Purifying Water

boiling water over campfire

How to find water in nature:

  • Look for animal tracks, green vegetation, or low-lying areas. The lowest lying areas will often contain/hold water or moisture.
  • Collect rainwater or morning dew using tarps or leaves.

Water purification methods:

Method                      ProsCons
Boiling            Kills all pathogensRequires fire and container
Water Filter    Easy and portable      Limited lifespan
Purification TabletsLightweight and effectiveMay leave a chemical taste


4. Navigation Skills

compass and map

Things to help you to navigate in the wilderness:

  • Compass: Understand how to use it with a map to set bearings.
  • Landmarks: Make note of natural features like mountains, rivers, or rock formations.
  • The sun and stars: Learn to find cardinal directions (i.e. North, South, East, West) based on the sun’s movement, or by constellations like the North Star.
  • Pro tip: If possible, carry a detailed map of the area you are exploring and practice navigation before heading into unfamiliar terrain.

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5. Foraging for Food

mushrooms foraging

Rules for safe foraging:

  • Learn first: When foraging for food, use a reliable field guide or attend a foraging workshop prior to your first attempt.
  • The universal edibility test: Test for unknown plants by checking for adverse reactions (only as a last resort). This involves a series of steps that gradually expose your body to the plant over the course of a day. The test includes smelling the plant, (avoding plants with almond, acidic, or bitter smells), making contact with your inner elbow or wrist for 8 hours to test for contact poisoning/adverse skin reactions), and a 15-minute taste test, where you would chew it and hold in your mouth for 15 minutes before ingesting. If you have determined you can ingest the food, you would swallow and wait 8 hours to find if there are any adverse reactions. You would also drink plenty of filtered water during the 8-hour period.
  • Avoid lookalikes: Many edible plants have poisonous doppelgangers, so always be wary of poisonous imposters.

Beginner-friendly foraging foods:

  • Dandelion leaves and roots.
  • Wild berries like blackberries and raspberries.
  • Acorns (after leaching tannins with water).


6. Basic First Aid                                      

first aid kit for survival kit

Key first-aid skills:

  • Wound care: Clean cuts with water, apply antiseptic and cover them with a bandage.
  • Splinting: Use sticks and cloth to stabilize broken bones or sprains.
  • CPR: Become certified in CPR and learn how to revive someone who has stopped breathing.
  • Pro tip: Carry a first-aid kit tailored for outdoor activities, including bandages, antiseptics, and tools like tweezers.


7. Knots and Ropes

bowline knot

Top knots to learn:

  • Square knot: For securing two ropes together.
  • Bowline: Creates a secure loop that won’t tighten.
  • Clove hitch: A quick way to secure a rope to a post or tree.


How to Practice Bushcraft Safely

  1. Start small: Practice basic skills like fire-making or shelter-building in your backyard or a nearby park.
  2. Respect nature: Leave no trace, ensuring you don’t harm the environment.
  3. Join a group: Learning bushcraft with others accelerates progress and provides safety.
  4. Take a course: Many organizations offer bushcraft courses tailored for beginners.

Essential Gear for Beginners

Investing in the right gear can make learning bushcraft and survival easier and safer.

Item                PurposeRecommended Features
Knife   Cutting, carving, and food prep    Full tang, durable steel
Fire Starter     Creating fire easily     Waterproof
Tarp                Shelter buildingLightweight, durable
Water Bottle/Filter      Hydration       BPA-free, portable filter
Compass                    NavigationHigh-quality, liquid-filled



Final Thoughts On Bushcraft Survival Skills

Learning bushcraft and survival abilities is an enriching journey that connects you with nature and equips you for challenges. Start with basic skills like fire-making, shelter-building, and navigation, and build your confidence little by little. Remember, learning bushcraft survival skills takes time to master, so get started soon!