The Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot is a burly rubber fishing boot with a go-anywhere rugged sole.
To get us a closer look, Grundéns sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. After testing the Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot in wet and snowy winter weather in the Northwest, this is what we learned:
Grundéns Deviation Ankle Boot Review
The Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot is a burly rubber fishing boot with a versatile, all-terrain sole.The Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot is not the rubber boot Grundéns is most known for. Grundéns most popular rubber boot is its Deck-Boss Ankle Boot, which is aimed at fishers who spend a lot of time on boats. Hence the name.
The Deviation is aimed at guys who spend a lot of time on boats . . . or might also be fishers, hunters, campers and outdoorsmen who cover more varied terrain, like river banks and muddy base camps. The most obvious difference between the Deck-Boss and the Deviation is the sole: Both have grippy razor siping for slick surface traction but the Deviation has more aggressive lugs.
If you like rubber deck boots but want extra traction for terrain, the Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boots are for you.
Rugged Build Quality
The Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot pairs rugged lugs for terrain traction with razor siping for slick, hard-surface traction.Overall, the build quality of the Grundéns Deviation Ankle Boot is excellent. The sole is particularly good, delivering excellent traction on slick and even steep terrain. Unlike many cheaper rubber boot options, the Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot has a remarkably stable sole that inspires confidence in each step.
On ice, it’s better than I expected — the razor siping definitely helps. Still, ice is ice and the boot isn’t magic. I do think the shape of the sole helps maintain good ground contact on slick surfaces.
In case you’re wondering, the Deck-Boss has more razor siping coverage for slick hard-surface traction than the Deviation. The Deviation has more lugs for better varied terrain traction. In fact, we like the all-terrain sole so much, we included the Deviation boot in our guide to the best gifts for hunters this year.
Fit Characteristics & Comfort
Comfort is excellent, and the insoles are thick and cushy.The Grundéns Deviation Ankle Boot fit is spot on. I have a slightly narrow foot, the boot is slightly loose on me. I expect regular feet fit to be perfect. I suspect the fit to be a bit snug for wide feet. Either way, the toe box is roomy. Grundéns has a Free Return policy with $100+ orders in case the sizing misses your particular feet.
In addition to a good interior shape, the insoles are awesome! Grundéns does not skimp on its insoles. The insoles are super cushy and feel fantastic. They’re so good that I looked for insole replacements to buy from Grundéns so I could use them in other boots — alas, Grundéns doesn’t sell them separately.
The Deviation also has a thick, compression-molded EVA midsole for extra shock absorption and comfort.
The one drawback to the Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot is the weight — they’re a bit heavy. In my experience, the cushion and comfort mitigated the weight, making them comfortable to wear. I wouldn’t call the Deviation boots agile, but still, I like wearing them. A lot.
Unfortunately, Grundéns doesn’t make a women’s-specific version of the Deviation. Grundéns does, however, make a women’s Deck-Boss Ankle Boot.
The Liner Tech
The relatively open top makes it easy to pull on the Deviation boots.Grundéns uses fabric technology made by the Swiss company HeiQ Materials AG. The company’s HeiQ Smart Temp textiles are designed to help evaporate moisture faster when you’re hot and slower when you’re cool. I’m not sure how well this works when the fabric is coated with impermeable rubber, but ultimately, here’s what I experienced while testing the Deviation 6″ Ankle Boots:
In cold weather while shoveling the driveway and tromping through snow, as well as climbing up and down an extension ladder to deal with frozen leaf debris in a clogged gutter, the Deviation 6″ Ankle Boots kept my feet surprisingly warm while wearing everyday cotton socks.
The liner feels like a 3mm layer of Neoprene, but Grundéns doesn’t actually specify what it is. The key here is that the rubber is lined with a decent interior layer.
The Grundéns Deviation blends rugged good looks with a surprising sense of style.
What about warmer weather? Because it’s winter right now, I wore the boots around the house and in the office to test how they do in warmer temperatures. The soles are non-marking, so that’s doable. I was expecting my feet to get hot and sweatier than normal compared to my typical Hoka Challenger ATR 6 cushy trail shoes. While my feet were slightly warmer, they didn’t get sweaty wet. Granted, we’re talking room temperature here, not an 80-degree summer day.
I don’t think the HeiQ tech is magic, but I can say I’m pleased with the performance of the liner so far.
Meanwhile, Grundéns also used HeiQ Pure antimicrobial fabric tech that’s designed to inhibit the growth of stinky bacteria. In my experience, antimicrobial treatments help, but the best thing you can do is dry your boots after each heavy use. The Dry Guy Force Dry DX Boot Dryer is particularly great if you need a boot dryer recommendation.
Competitive Alternatives & Options
The Grundéns Deck-Boss Ankle Boots have a similar design with traction designed primarily for slick surfaces.If you’re looking for a rubber deck boat boot — or a good ankle-height chore or base camp rubber boot — these alternative, competitive options might also meet your needs:
Xtratuf 6″ Ankle Deck Boot — The Xtratuf 6″ Ankle Deck Boot sole pattern compares more closely to the Grundéns Deck-Boss boot than the Deviation. The sole is siped for off-shore anglers in need of traction on wet boats.
Muck Boots Muckster II Ankle Boot — The Muck Boots Muckster II Ankle Boot is a chore boot aimed first at people who work outside in wet conditions. For everyone else, it’s a slip-on rubber boot with 4mm of Neoprene and a self-cleaning outsole designed to shed mud.
Boggs Sauvie Slip On Boot — The Bogs Sauvie Slip On Boot delivers an interesting blend of urban style with a rugged sole. They’re lightly insulated with 3mm of Neo-Tech waterproof insulation and DuraFresh odor control.
Shop the Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot from Grundéns and get FREE Shipping and FREE Returns!
The Bottom Line
The Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot is a waterproof short rubber boot aimed at guys who want a burlier tread pattern than you get with typical boat-fishing boots. Of course, the Deviation is also great for more rugged terrain — around the house, the job site, and for camping. We appreciate the varied color patterns and surprising sense of overall style. Very highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
- Grundéns Deviation 6″ Ankle Boot – men’s
- Grundéns Deck-Boss Ankle Boots – men’s
- Grundéns Deck-Boss Ankle Boots – women’s
