I've got some rubber boots for chores like that. If they get dirty, I just hose them off and move on. Nothing damages them. I've had them for 8 years and they are as good as new. I guess the only issue is if it is really hot, my feet get sweaty. Since I'm not in a hot climate, that is only really an issue 3 months out of the year. They handle, mud, snow, brambles, weed eaters (put my boots between bushes and weed eaters to get closer with girdling the bush/tree), and just about anything else.