Looking for a recommendation for a quality pair of uninsulated snake proof boots. I would prefer to buy a Made in USA pair, but I'm not sure that is an option any longer. I have heard horror stories from the latest rendition of Russell Moccasin snake boots. (todays quality is not on parr with the previous years) Must be a lace-up boot for the support, but side or rear zipper would be beneficial. Waterproof is needed whether Gore-Tex or the "house brand" of breathable lining. Reviews are all over the place on the following makers in no particular order: Rocky, Irish Setter, LaCrosse, Thorogood, Chippewa, Twisted X, Redhead, Danner & Russell.
I don't wear snake boots anymore. But I do wear Thorogood Moc Toes and they are exceptionally well made. Made in the USA. I didn't know Thorogood made snake boots. If they do, I'd go with those, if only becasue I am very well pleased with Thorogood overall.
I don't wear snake boots anymore. But I do wear Thorogood Moc Toes and they are exceptionally well made. Made in the USA. I didn't know Thorogood made snake boots. If they do, I'd go with those, if only becasue I am very well pleased with Thorogood overall.
Agree with you on the Moc Toes, I also own a pair. As for as the Thorogood snake boot, they used to make them(maybe still do). Potentially the ugliest boot ever made.
I used to have a pair of Rocky Outback snake boots 25 years ago,..Horribly uncomfortable and just too hot….but if I was looking I’d take a hard look at the Danners.
Last edited by wagner; 03/01/24.
Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
I had Cabelas-branded Rocky snake boots and the glue that held the soles crumbled and the soles came off. Never bought another pair of Rockys. I do have a couple of pair of Danners, one of them made in USA. Good boots.
Well, take Irish Setter off your short list. They don't make a snake boot anymore. Discontinued.
I'm on my second pair of Irish Setter VaprTrek snake boots. They have been STELLAR !!!! 17 inch running shoes. I walked the first pair into the dirt over the course of a good many years. I've no idea what I'll go with when I manage to kill my current pair. But, likely not Rocky for quality control issues I've had in the past, there. And DEFINITELY not Danner due to customer service issues I've had there.
Maybe I'll just start walking less in them. Lol !!
If you happen to wear 10s, I’ve got a pair of vaprtreks brand new in the box I’m selling. Had em for an out of state hunt last year and never used them.
Oh, and believe it or not, deer bite. Fairly hard.
I wore out a pair of lacrosse snake boots as the sole came unglued from the upper. I went with a pair of snake proof gaiters about 7 years ago a never looked back. I suggest the op go with gaiters.
What are a good pair of snake gaiters that are good for the mountains?
Thanks
HeavyBarrel
" A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government" G. Washington
I had Rocky’s and after they fell apart, I replaced them with Irish Setters and they are very comfortable. I’m on my 2nd pair or Irish Setters.
My snake boots see a lot of use, as I use them pretty much every time I go in the woods from Spring well into Fall. Besides the snake aspect, I hardly get ticks on my anymore since wearing them, as I tuck my pants into them.
The zippers will end up being the issue. I use the Yeti cooler zipper lotion as well as WD40 and the like to maximize them out but the zippers just don’t last with continued use. I’m considering pull ons for my next pair but the Irish Setters are just very comfortable to walk in.
Gaiters dont do squat if bit on the foot, which I have been. Thank goodness for snake boots. I was wearing lacrosses at the time. I've tried lacrosse, rocky, chippewa, irish setter, and currently in danners. Chippewa and Danners have been the most comfortable, I'm on probably my 6 year on my current danners. I usually have to replace mine once they start soaking in moisture from the those early morning walks through the dew. I tried snow seal once, and it made them hot as heck.
I still wear my dads chippewas he got in the 80s when I know it will be dry out. Almost bit on a new pair a couple years back but notice they were made in china now.
Lots of turkey hunters in the field here this weekend. I ran across this guy on my country road near the foot of my driveway. Careful where you step or sit out there this time of year. Made me think hard about breaking out the snake chaps if hitting the woods for any reason.
XD-M 9mm is a chunky pistol and he was a chunky rattler.
I don't know about nowadays but several years back I looked into snake boot testing and found out that pretty much no manufacturers actually tested the boots with live snakes. Mostly the boots were just super thick to limit fang penetration.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
Not to take away from the OP, but it could help... any snake boot success stories? Born and raised in NE IL, don't have venomous snake experience. Have hunted in places where they are, but have never had an "encounter" until a couple years ago out in AZ on a desert mule deer bowhunt. Coming down off a hill at the end of the day from glassing, getting dark, had a rattle from about 5 feet away. Put my bow between myself and the rattle and backed up, made a wide circle around the area and went and had dinner.
It isn't what happens to you that defines you, it's what you DO about what happens to you that defines you!
From what I've seen, Cottonmouths, Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes don't typically bite above the ankle. If they bite at all, it's usually from being handled, or getting provoked, or stepped on. Eastern and Western Diamondbacks are different and will strike higher. Unless I was in Diamondback country, I wouldn't bother with snakeboots. In places without Diamondbacks ( and their close cousins like Prairies), the real benefit of snake boots is protecting your legs from blackberries and Devils Walking Sticks.
Not to take away from the OP, but it could help... any snake boot success stories? Born and raised in NE IL, don't have venomous snake experience. Have hunted in places where they are, but have never had an "encounter" until a couple years ago out in AZ on a desert mule deer bowhunt. Coming down off a hill at the end of the day from glassing, getting dark, had a rattle from about 5 feet away. Put my bow between myself and the rattle and backed up, made a wide circle around the area and went and had dinner.
I posted one in this thread but I will elaborate. Opening day mid morning I was in a creek bottom walking, bent down to pic up a deer shed, took another step and I was hit. I knew what it was as soon as it happened. Had lacrosse snake boots on and he hit me just behind the toes. I was very fortunate he didn't pop me on the hand when I went to pick up the shed. I was about half mile from the truck, hunting by myself, and 45 minutes from the nearest hospital.
Ton of timbers where I hunt. I kneeled down to put a decoy in the ground once and set it right next to one before I saw it. Don't know how that one didn't get me.
Funny, the next morning I was so fixating an watching the ground for snakes that I literally walked up on a tom in full strut, the back of his fan was to me and he never saw me, 20 yards at most. If I'd had been looking ahead on the road I'd have seen him in time. But he bumped and that was that.
IL DNR sys there's Timber Rattlers in Southern IL and along the Mississippi River. Some other kind of rattlers along other river systems. I grew up along the North Branch of the Chicago River and if there were any there, I never saw, or heard, any. Every once in a while, you'd see a smaller alligator that someone threw in the river when it got too big for them to take care of and was no longer "cute". And used condoms, never a shortage of used condoms! Lol!
I'd like to go to TX for a Nilgai hunt, they recommend snake boots, but don't require them.
It isn't what happens to you that defines you, it's what you DO about what happens to you that defines you!
IL DNR sys there's Timber Rattlers in Southern IL and along the Mississippi River. Some other kind of rattlers along other river systems. I grew up along the North Branch of the Chicago River and if there were any there, I never saw, or heard, any. Every once in a while, you'd see a smaller alligator that someone threw in the river when it got too big for them to take care of and was no longer "cute". And used condoms, never a shortage of used condoms! Lol!
I'd like to go to TX for a Nilgai hunt, they recommend snake boots, but don't require them.
Funny, another great place to find used rubbers is our little league dugouts. Friggin everywhere around our ballfield. atleast they are being SAFE!
We have a lot of Cottonmouths in Florida. It has been my experience that Cottonmouths can be aggressive. Many years ago I was hunting next to a swamp. I knew they were in that area. I have seen them there before. I was walking slowly looking out in front of me. A friend of mine told me he had seem hogs there recently. I felt something hit my pant leg.
I was not wearing snake boots at the time. I didn't see the snake but they are very camouflaged in there environment. He struck me just above my ankle. I was wearing blue jeans. The good news is that he didn't get me. The bad news is his fangs were stuck in my blue jeans. When I jumped back the snake came with me. This happened in a split second. The snake wasn't happy and neither was I to say the least.
Any way, I shook my leg and the snake didn't come off. I was carrying a Remington 1100 12ga at the time. It was a fairly large Cottonmouth. I quickly shot him. at that close range it blew him in half. That will get your attention real quick.
There are ZERO toothy snakes on the home ranch. Yet I still wear my snake boots for the great ankle support.
I have hunted LOTS of places that venomous snakes are. Saw a few WDB's in Texas and a BIIIIIIG freakin' prairie rattler in Nebraska. But it ain't the ones I see that bother me. It's just THAT ONE that I didn't see that has me wearing the boots.
I wore snake boots for 35 years. Yes they work and they are hot. Wore out several pairs of Chippewas and now have a pair of Russells that I have not worn in 10 years. What I do wear 200 plus days a year here in South Carolina, are the Lacrosse Alpha Burley uninsulated. They will turn any USA snake bite and are light and waterproof while being very comfortable. I have been hit by timber rattlers and cottonmouths with NO PENETRATION.
Last edited by Sasha_and_Abby; 04/09/24.
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