Last Updated: March 31, 2026
Overview
Boots never get the love they deserve on ironman accounts, mainly because the effort to upgrade often doesn’t feel worthwhile. This guide covers every boot that matters for ironmen — from your first pair out of the Stronghold of Security all the way to endgame upgrades — so you know exactly when and how to upgrade.
Quick Summary
Melee: Climbing Boots → Mixed Hide / Spiked Manacles → Dragon Boots → Primordial Boots → Avernic Treads
Ranged: Snakeskin Boots → Shayzien Boots (5) / God D’Hide Boots → Ranger Boots → Pegasian Boots → Avernic Treads
Magic: Mystic Boots → Infinity Boots → Eternal Boots → Avernic Treads
Strategy
Stronghold of Security Boots
Most new accounts head to the Stronghold of Security for that sweet 10k GP and your first pair of boots. You can choose Fighting, Fancy, or Fancier boots — they are melee boots and all provide the same minimal stats, so it doesn’t really matter which you pick. That said, Fancy Boots are clearly the supreme fashionscape choice.
Climbing Boots
Get comfortable in climbing boots because you’ll probably be wearing them for a while. To equip them, you must complete the Death Plateau quest. After that, they can be purchased from Tenzing for 12gp. These are melee boots that provide a +2 strength bonus with no defence requirement.
Infinity Boots
Your first real mage boots come from Mage Training Arena. You can start earning pizazz points in all rooms at only level 33 Magic, but the boots require level 50 Magic and 25 Defence to equip. MTA isn’t loved by everyone but it’s a fantastic early magic training method for ironmen. If you enjoy it, pick up some Infinity Boots early — they have both a +5 Magic Attack and Magic Defence bonus.
Snakeskin Boots
If you need ranged boots early, grab some snakeskin boots. They only require 30 Ranged and 30 Defence to equip and provide a +3 Ranged Attack bonus. You can craft them yourself at 45 Crafting using snakeskin, which you can get while hacking away for a gout tuber. Nothing fancy, but they get the job done.
Mixed Hide Boots
Mixed Hide boots are an interesting option that a lot of players overlook. They require 60 Range and 50 Defence to equip and provide a +2 Strength bonus (same as climbing boots) with better defence across the board and some ranged attack bonus. The downside is a negative magic attack bonus. You can craft them at 69 Crafting using sunlight antelope fur which requires 72 Hunter.
Shayzien Boots (5)
A nice ranged upgrade from Snakeskin Boots if you don’t have all the requirements for Mixed Hide. They only require 20 Defence to wear, but you’ll need to defeat a level 99 soldier at the Shayzien Combat Ring. You’ll eventually need Shayzien armour anyway for Lizardman Shamans, so it doesn’t hurt to pick these up early.
Mystic Boots
Mystic boots are a solid option if you didn’t go for Infinity Boots. They provide a +3 Magic Attack bonus and can be purchased from the Magic Guild for only 10,000 GP. They require 40 Magic and 20 Defence to equip, although you’ll need 66 Magic to get into the guild.
Clue Scroll Boots
By now you should be completing clue scrolls regularly. Medium Clue caskets have several great boot drops, all at roughly a 1 in 284 rate.
Ranger Boots are the crown jewel of medium clues. The 3rd best ranged footwear in the game and needed later for Pegasian Boots. You will eventually want to grind for these.
Spiked manacles have some negative bonuses but a fantastic +4 strength bonus with no requirements to equip.
Wizard Boots are a slight upgrade over Mystic Boots but not as good as Infinity Boots.
Holy Sandals are a niche item with a +3 prayer bonus and no other stats. Can be upgraded to Devout Boots (best in slot prayer) or Holy Moleys (best in slot fashionscape).
God D’Hide Boots
From Hard Clue caskets, there are 6 different God D’Hide Boots — all with the same stats. They offer a decent defence bonus, +7 ranged attack, and +1 prayer. Expect a pair in roughly 1 in 55 caskets. They require 70 Range and 40 Defence to wear.
Dragon Boots
The most iconic pair of boots in all of Old School Runescape. They offer the 3rd highest strength bonus of any boots at +4 while also having some of the best defensive stats. They require 60 Defence to wear and are only dropped by Spiritual Mages at a 1/128 rate. Spiritual Mages require 83 Slayer to kill.
Cerberus Upgrades
Major upgrade time. Cerberus requires 91 Slayer and a hellhound slayer task. She drops crystals that upgrade your boots in all 3 combat styles, each at a 1/520 drop rate:
Avernic Treads
The final boot upgrade. The base version is dropped by the Doom of Mokhaiotl and requires 80 Defence, Strength, Range, and Magic to equip. Even the base treads are better than Primordial, Pegasian, and Eternal boots in terms of accuracy and defensive bonuses, and they also provide a range strength bonus. There are several upgrade combinations available, with the final being Avernic Treads (max) — requiring Primordial, Pegasian, and Eternal boots along with 12,000 Demon Tears. They are the best offensive boots in the game for all 3 combat styles.
Granite Boots
Dropped by Wyverns and require 50 Defence and 50 Strength to equip. These melee boots fall between rune and dragon boots in stats and also provide a nice range defence bonus.
Aranea Boots
Dropped by Araxytes which require 92 Slayer. Good for all combat styles with no requirements to equip. They also have a special mechanic that makes them ideal at spiders like Sarachnis, Venenatis, and Araxxor.
Boots of Brimstone
Require 44 Slayer as well as 70 Defence, Range, and Magic. No negative bonuses and decent all-around attack and defensive bonuses for all 3 combat styles. Great boots for content that requires both mage and range.
Echo Boots
A combination of Guardian Boots and an Echo Crystal, requiring 75 Defence to wear. They offer the best prayer bonus of any combat boot at +2 and have a passive recoil effect that damages melee attackers.
