Recommended Boots Enchantments
Protection IV
Best all-round damage reduction. Pick ONE protection type - Protection, Blast, Fire and Projectile Protection are mutually exclusive.
Feather Falling IV
Boots only: massively reduces fall damage - near-immunity to normal falls.
Depth Strider III
Boots only: swim at full speed. (Alternative: Frost Walker for frozen water - mutually exclusive.)
Soul Speed III
Boots only: run at near-sprint speed on soul sand/soil - great for nether hubs. Wears boots faster.
Unbreaking III
Counters the extra durability drain from Soul Speed.
Mending I
XP repairs the boots - offsets Soul Speed's wear.
FAQ
What are the best boots enchantments?
Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Depth Strider III, Soul Speed III, Unbreaking III and Mending. That is six enchantments - the most of any single piece, so plan the order carefully.
Depth Strider or Frost Walker on boots?
Depth Strider III for swimming speed (best for general play); Frost Walker II to freeze water into walkable ice. They are mutually exclusive.
Does Soul Speed wear out boots?
Yes - moving on soul sand/soil with Soul Speed drains extra durability, which is why Unbreaking III and Mending are mandatory companions.
Why is the anvil order hardest for boots?
Boots stack up to six enchantments, so there are more merges - and more chances to trigger the 39-level cap. The calculator plans the cheapest tree for you.