What boots are y'all liking?
Waterproof is a must.

I had a pair of cabelas years ago. Tall and comfortable. But after awhile, the glue holding the soles on simply deteriorated and the soles fell off. I'll never buy another pair of boots where the soles aren't heavily stitched on.

I think if I did it over again, I'd rather have some sturdy hiking books and snake-proof knee high gaiters. Most snake boots rely on layers of cordura nylon above the ankle, and aren't any more snake-proof around the foot than solid hiking boots.

Unless you are hunting in Eastern/Western Diamondback or Prairie rattlesnake country, snakes very rarely bite above the ankle. Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Timber/Canebrake Rattlers, and Pygmy Rattlers (the only venoumous snakes in Tennesee) tend to bight straight out, or only an inch or two above the ground. The Diamondbacks and Prairies tend to coil higher and may bite above the ankle. Snake proof gaiters will retard penetration as well as the layers of nylon fabric in snake-proof boots. And you can take gaiters off when it gets hot.

I use calf high snake leggings. That way I’m not committed to specific foot ware for the entire season.

For you users of this stuff, any of you ever glad you were wearing them? My one and only experience with a snake happened not while turkey hunting, but on an Arizona desert mule deer bow hunt. Coming down off one of the hills we were glassing on I almost walked over a big diamondback. It coiled up and rattled like crazy, way too close! It never struck out, I put my bow between me and the snake and backed away. After a minute or so, felt longer, it slithered away. Only thing, other than my bow, between me and it were my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes and the Sitka pants I was wearing.

I've been hunting in GA for 50 years. Never seen a venomous snake during hunting season. Not even turkey season. I've seen a few non-venomous snakes while dove hunting. I've ran across a few copperheads, one cottonmouth and one HUGE rattler while hiking during the summer.

The rattler was close to 6' and as big around as my forearm. His head was as big as my fist. That one got my attention.

My wife and I volunteer with a search team. I have a set of leggings that I rarely use on searches. I've been to Florida a few times and some places near the coast of SC and NC where it is a jungle. I just can't justify a dedicated pair of snake boots. Wouldn't wear them enough.

I routinely see cottonmouths in the bottoms I hunt. You may have never been in a car wreck but I bet you have car insurance.

That's one of the analogies I was thinking...

I have a pair of Russell snake boots that I quit wearing10 years ago... just don't need that much protection... I am around venomous snakes daily and have never been struck through Lacrosse Alpha Burley Rubber boots. I just don't wear snake boots anymore because a snake cannot bite through rubber boots unless you have worn them completely out.

So There...

We have cottonmouths, copperheads, as well as rattlers in TN as well as the Pygmy rattlers that you mentioned. I killed a copperhead in my yard (it was self defense, I promise) a few years back.

As far as boots go, I have an old (and I do mean old) pair of Rocky Snake boots. I just bought a pair of cowboy type snake boots that were on close out at Academy this past fall, I have yet to wear them so I can not report back on them as of yet. If I were buying today, I think I would have to look hard at Russel boots but nobody around me carriers them. I would like to try them on and see how they fit before spending that type of money.

They don’t sell them in stores unless something has changed with the new owners. 2 years ago I had a pair. Took 6 months to get them in after ordering them. The zippers lasted less than a week and when I sent them back they said it would be 6 months before they could repair them. They sent me my money back.

If I bought them again, I’d get a pair without the zippers. I think I’d like a pair of their South 40’s.

Hiking boots and very rarely snake gaiters with them.. Expensive snake boots are a waste of money. And yes, I’ve been bitten by a western diamondback- in my garage at night, wearing flip flops.

I have a pair of Irish Setter snake boots I wear in the woods and such around here. My friend, whose place I hunt on, has urged me to always wear snake boots and carry a pistol on his place, he says the cottonmouths have been pretty bad the last few years. I use them as my all around hunting boots down here because 1. It never gets so cold I need anything else and 2. They lace all the way up, are very comfortable and light weight and they provide really good ankle support. There's really no downside for me.

For the last several years in AR, LA & MS I’ve been wearing a pair of side zip Irish Setter snakeproof boots. Comfort & waterproofing both get a thumbs up with a nice pair of wool socks. Hasn’t been tested with an actual snakebite yet so fingers crossed & review pending on that feature.

Me and snakes do not get along, so I wear them. I need a new pair and think I would like to buy a pair of Russell's but would like to find some place close to me that actually has some so I could see them first hand.

Oh I did buy a pair last year of the cowboy type snake boots from Academy on close out. Not too sure how they will work out but with a gift card and on close out, they were really cheap, so I am not out much if they suck on the comfort level and I don't use them.

I'm glad I don't have that to worry about. There are a few copperheads here, but I'm 72 years old and have to see a live one in the wild. I've hunted in some places where they are, and never given running into one a second thought. However, I am usually wearing high top rubber boots to keep my feet and legs dry, so maybe that would matter if I ever stepped close to one.

I'm considering a Nilgai hunt in SE TX and they recommend snake boots. Where I turkey hunt in central and NE WI, venomous snakes are never a concern, though every once in a great while, you'll hear about one being seen/killed in the area.

Can someone recommend a good pair of calf-high snake-proof gaiters? We're going back to CO next year. The guides and all other hunters ran into rattlers during our Sept muzzy elk hunt. She didn't see/hear any but my wife is terrified of snakes. Thanks.

Dans
https://briarproofstore.com/snake-gaiters-by-dans-hunting-gear/

Lacrosse rubber snake boots look decent. Anyone have them?

Only person I know that wears them,
started after he stepped ona rattler in the dark!


Said when he felt that solid, but not hard, shape under his foot he knew what
it was.

Quick reaction in his part, coupled with a cool early season.


It really surprises me so few bites occur during turkey and archery
season. Blundering around in the dark when it's warm.....often think
about that.

There are some interesting videos out there of turkey hunters sitting on the ground and having a venomous snake crawl across their legs. That would be a little unnerving I think.

Had that happen to a buddy of mine, it crawled between his legs, I think I would have crapped myself....

Not over my legs.
I had sat down in a mesquite thicket after
hearing some gobbles in front of me.
After a couple of minutes, a rattler slithered
from behind between my feet ( sitting on a stool)
No buzzing or nothing. I had sat down in it's
path and it just went on it's way like I wasn't
there. Not a pleasant experience. They were
everywhere at this place

I had a rabbit come right up to my feet before. And last season squirrel hunting a wood rat carrying nut hopped between me and the tree I was leaning against. But no issue with snakes.