Snake Boots, Gaiters & Chaps
- Thread starter Weasel-UT
- Start date
Long story, short version..I bought my first pair of snake boots at Cabela's in 2006 when on a KS PD hunt ..and found I could NOT wear them. Fine l5" boots but had a heavy suede collar at the top which chafed my old, diabetic hide..I mean raw even when worn over pants and boot socks.
Cabela's being the good guys they are took them back in 2008 when I was headed to WY...were virtually no miles on them. Did buy a nice pair of 9" boots as replacements.
If you have aging or tender hide or diabetic issues take your time and get something that will not rub you raw.
Only saw one rattler in KS, drove over him on a two-track.
Cabela's being the good guys they are took them back in 2008 when I was headed to WY...were virtually no miles on them. Did buy a nice pair of 9" boots as replacements.
If you have aging or tender hide or diabetic issues take your time and get something that will not rub you raw.
Only saw one rattler in KS, drove over him on a two-track.
Big10gauge
New member
Weas, These look pretty hot!! Bet you'd get some close calls maybe even get bit once or twice if you were wearing these. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
These may not be your style though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
These may not be your style though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
I hunt where there are lots of rattlers and won't leave home without them. Have had several different boots over the years, but like these from Cabela's best:
web pageCabela's Boots Be sure to watch the video.
They are not nearly as hot as previous boots due to the GoreTex lining and they are waterproof as well. These boots are much lighter than any other I have tried and comfortable enough to wear all day long. I have a large calf and had to have the tops opened on most boots to keep from chafing as mentioned by Unk; these boots are large enough without alteration.
After the 6 footer I killed last week, though, I'm thinking the boots may not be tall enough, though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif!
Regards,
hm
web pageCabela's Boots Be sure to watch the video.
They are not nearly as hot as previous boots due to the GoreTex lining and they are waterproof as well. These boots are much lighter than any other I have tried and comfortable enough to wear all day long. I have a large calf and had to have the tops opened on most boots to keep from chafing as mentioned by Unk; these boots are large enough without alteration.
After the 6 footer I killed last week, though, I'm thinking the boots may not be tall enough, though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif!
Regards,
hm
I.O.N.Doyle
New member
I have a pair in the 15" from Cabelas also but have not had a problem, they do take some getting used to. You are right, you need to take a look at what will fit you best for all of our own personel needs. I like the boots better than the gaiters but thats just me. I only bought them after being inches from stepping on one hidden behind a small sagebrush but have not seen a snake since.
I only have two problems with snake boots:
1) You really never know if they work unless you get struck. My luck, I would have a defective pair.
2) I have to listen to my wife growl when she has to pull them off my feet. They don't come off that easily.
I only have two problems with snake boots:
1) You really never know if they work unless you get struck. My luck, I would have a defective pair.
2) I have to listen to my wife growl when she has to pull them off my feet. They don't come off that easily.
I have some 15" tall Rocky boots that I got from Cabela's called Low Country.And they work very well,I got suprised by a rattler and found out one day.The only bad thing about them is that your legs get pretty hot after a while.A friend of mine has some Snake Gaitors called Silent Snake that he ordered from Cabels's and he likes them pretty well.He said they arent hot and the only time they really rub against your skin is when your wearing jeans,but wearing shorts when your in rattlesnake country isnt the best idea.My brother has snake chaps but Im not sure who makes them.He doesnt like wearing them cause they make your whole leg hot.I personally would go with the boots but if you have rattlers like the one hm1996 killed crawlin around,you need the tallest ones you can buy.The 15" tall boots like I have wouldnt help much if that bad boy decided to strike at ya.
promapper
New member
I picked up a pair of 15 inch + while visiting Bass Pro one day, The ones I got are gortex and have the regular laces but also a zipper that runs all the way up the inside. Once you get the laces the way you want them then you leave it and use the zippers. I just love that feature. They were plenty rigid and tough when I got them but they have loosened up a bit. We don't have nearly as many snakes as other parts of the country but we do have them. Biggest I have seen is 48 inch in the back yard several years ago. I wear them all time in the summer if in the woods as we have some pretty think stuff around here. Love them and haven't noticed any more heat than normal.
daddyflea
Active member
I hunted rabbits in East Texas for years and snakes were not a problem, but tearing up my pants walking through Briar patches was. I bought a pair of Snake and Thorn chaps from NiteLite Magazine and it was the best purchase I ever made. Pants were no longer torn up, I stayed dry, and they were supposed to stop snake bites. I always wore boots but I would think that since the Briars were not penetrating, a Snakes's fangs would not go through them. Buy them
GC
Well-known member
I have a pair of 16" snake boots from Rocky. In fact, these are just about on their last legs, I've worn them out. When I first bought them I thought they would cripple me. Dang they were hard to break in, they rubbed my ankles absolutely raw. I ended up soaking them in water for a few hours and tieing a softball right inside the ankle area and letting them dry out over that softball. After that they were like wearing strong tennis shoes and never bothered me any more. Very comfortable, but they can be hot. I always figured that snake venom rushing through my veins would be hotter, so I wear them when I am warm weather hunting.
Doubleclutch
New member
Go with the boots if you think you will be needing protection often. If you step on a snake, it will more than likely strike your foot so why not full protection. I have been struck at once and missed, that I know of. Here we hunt where you can't see what is on the ground and then there is walking in before first light and out after dark. I wear them if it's not real cold.
I do most of my hunting in Florida and don't find them too hot. I am on my third pair in almost forty years. There have been months at a time when they didn't dry completely and good boots will last a long time. The ones that I now wear are about 40 years old. I bought them for my brother when I bought my first pair, and he never wore them. I got them through The Ross Allen Snake Institute in Ocala. They were a dealer and they cost me something like $25. delivered to my house. They were made by Russ, out of water buffalo hide. Russ is out of business now. The in-between boots were Chippewa's with the leather bottom and nylon top. They are still sold.
I have never been a big fan of Gore-Tex boots here because they seem to be hotter and no fun at all when I go through water deeper than the boots.
I do most of my hunting in Florida and don't find them too hot. I am on my third pair in almost forty years. There have been months at a time when they didn't dry completely and good boots will last a long time. The ones that I now wear are about 40 years old. I bought them for my brother when I bought my first pair, and he never wore them. I got them through The Ross Allen Snake Institute in Ocala. They were a dealer and they cost me something like $25. delivered to my house. They were made by Russ, out of water buffalo hide. Russ is out of business now. The in-between boots were Chippewa's with the leather bottom and nylon top. They are still sold.
I have never been a big fan of Gore-Tex boots here because they seem to be hotter and no fun at all when I go through water deeper than the boots.
BillyTheKidd
New member
We got lots of rattlers out here in California, Nevada and Arizona. In all the years I've been hunting I got bit once on the foot of my boot, just as Doublecluch says, I stepped on it at night. Been close a few other times.
I friend of mine Dusty ( some of you know him ) catches rattlers for a show they used to have in Alamogordo NM every year. I even went with him once, but it was way to much work for this old guy lol.
At the show I did notice that all the people in the show had cowboy boots on when they were with the snakes, not snake boots. The show had some 5 and 6' rattlers.
With the exception of maybe the eastern Dimondback could a regular sized rattler hit you higher then a normal sized cowboy boot?
I friend of mine Dusty ( some of you know him ) catches rattlers for a show they used to have in Alamogordo NM every year. I even went with him once, but it was way to much work for this old guy lol.
At the show I did notice that all the people in the show had cowboy boots on when they were with the snakes, not snake boots. The show had some 5 and 6' rattlers.
With the exception of maybe the eastern Dimondback could a regular sized rattler hit you higher then a normal sized cowboy boot?
Doubleclutch
New member
But snakes aren't always encountered on level ground.
I recently picked up some Cabela's gaiters and so far they seem to be very comfortable. I wear a good tough pair of work boots to help prevent any penetration around my feet and the gaiters are simple to remove when I'm done messing around in the rocks.
Here's a link.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...s&noImage=0
Here's a link.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...s&noImage=0
BillyTheKidd
New member
Doublecluch, I know that for a fact. I was talking the average rattle snake encounter. To be honest I don't think the average rattler can penetrate a quality made cowboy boot.
GC I know a rattler can strike half it's length, but they don't strike straight up in the air do they? I think it's like 6" to 8" off the ground on average.
I don't know much about those eastern diamondbacks, except they get really big. They may be able to penetrate a cowboy boot and strike higher. That's another reason I don't live back east lol.
This is an interesting thread.
GC I know a rattler can strike half it's length, but they don't strike straight up in the air do they? I think it's like 6" to 8" off the ground on average.
I don't know much about those eastern diamondbacks, except they get really big. They may be able to penetrate a cowboy boot and strike higher. That's another reason I don't live back east lol.
This is an interesting thread.
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GC
Well-known member
Guys I was giving some info about how far a snake can actually strike. All the situational variables ya'll can ponder for yourself, I don't know, ya know? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif I wear my snake boots 'cause I'm skeered of 'em! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
promapper
New member
I once went to a rattle snake roundup in southern GA. (eastern Diamondbacks) The demo they had was to take a fellows cowboy boot, put a balloon in it and irritate the snake enough for him to strike.
Several things happened, The snake struck, the balloon burst and the snake got hung up with the fangs in the leather. Now imagine if he was hung up in the leather with the fangs also in you....would not all that thrashing around just pump more and more venom?
Granted this was not a quality boot by any means and he struck what would be about have way up the side where the leather would be the thinnest and cheapest cut.
And I once worked with a fellow that was struck in the calf and didn't go to the hospital right away. He survived it all but his calf looks like something out of the movie "The Thing" If ya get my drift.
Just a little insight is all but it sure stuck in my mind. I look at snake boots as insurance. If you are out there it's not a matter of if but when. The cold nights can't get here soon enough for me.
Several things happened, The snake struck, the balloon burst and the snake got hung up with the fangs in the leather. Now imagine if he was hung up in the leather with the fangs also in you....would not all that thrashing around just pump more and more venom?
Granted this was not a quality boot by any means and he struck what would be about have way up the side where the leather would be the thinnest and cheapest cut.
And I once worked with a fellow that was struck in the calf and didn't go to the hospital right away. He survived it all but his calf looks like something out of the movie "The Thing" If ya get my drift.
Just a little insight is all but it sure stuck in my mind. I look at snake boots as insurance. If you are out there it's not a matter of if but when. The cold nights can't get here soon enough for me.
Quote:
Guys I was giving some info about how far a snake can actually strike. All the situational variables ya'll can ponder for yourself, I don't know, ya know? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif I wear my snake boots 'cause I'm skeered of 'em! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Me too!
How high can a rattler hit? Beats me. I have not seen it firsthand, but I hunted on a ranch in Starr County (deep S. Texas) and most snakes we killed were of the 5' and under size. The rancher told me he had seen cattle struck in the chest by rattlers.
I once walked a cattle trail past a 3' rattler that was a foot and a half off the ground up in a small bush. I doubt that he could have struck too far because he was not able to coil, but he sure got my attention (the second time I approached the bush, I didn't see him the first pass :shocked /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.
Regards,
hm
Guys I was giving some info about how far a snake can actually strike. All the situational variables ya'll can ponder for yourself, I don't know, ya know? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif I wear my snake boots 'cause I'm skeered of 'em! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Me too!
How high can a rattler hit? Beats me. I have not seen it firsthand, but I hunted on a ranch in Starr County (deep S. Texas) and most snakes we killed were of the 5' and under size. The rancher told me he had seen cattle struck in the chest by rattlers.
I once walked a cattle trail past a 3' rattler that was a foot and a half off the ground up in a small bush. I doubt that he could have struck too far because he was not able to coil, but he sure got my attention (the second time I approached the bush, I didn't see him the first pass :shocked /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.
Regards,
hm
Doubleclutch
New member
I checked out the gaiters, not bad.
Have we discussed those ol cottonmouth moccasins that are sunning on a limb over the creek that will fall in your boat when you bump the limb? Would a hard hat do?
Seriously, some kind of protection is a very good idea. I attended a class several years ago required by the USAR. A doctor whose hobby was studding the effects of snake bites. I saw slides of the different stages after being bitten by diamondbacks, moccasins and pigmy rattlers. The muscle loss (permanent) is terrible. Like a grapefruit sized piece of a leg rotting out, etc. All we hear in the news is that snakebite victims did not die. What you don't hear about is how it can change your life.
There was also a study to find out how much venom a rattlesnake would inject. The snakes venom was made radioactive so that it could be measured. Hunks of beef was heated to human body temperature and presented to the snakes. If a snake was startled, it could dump the full load or even not inject any poison. They could also inject up to 15 doses one right after the other in equal doses. This seems to indicate that they have conscious control of the amount of venom injected. This is probably why some snake bite victims think that they are immune.
Have we discussed those ol cottonmouth moccasins that are sunning on a limb over the creek that will fall in your boat when you bump the limb? Would a hard hat do?
Seriously, some kind of protection is a very good idea. I attended a class several years ago required by the USAR. A doctor whose hobby was studding the effects of snake bites. I saw slides of the different stages after being bitten by diamondbacks, moccasins and pigmy rattlers. The muscle loss (permanent) is terrible. Like a grapefruit sized piece of a leg rotting out, etc. All we hear in the news is that snakebite victims did not die. What you don't hear about is how it can change your life.
There was also a study to find out how much venom a rattlesnake would inject. The snakes venom was made radioactive so that it could be measured. Hunks of beef was heated to human body temperature and presented to the snakes. If a snake was startled, it could dump the full load or even not inject any poison. They could also inject up to 15 doses one right after the other in equal doses. This seems to indicate that they have conscious control of the amount of venom injected. This is probably why some snake bite victims think that they are immune.