Snake Boots

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Shurshot

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For those of you walking around in the dark with snake boots thinking you are safe...
http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2015/05/20/columbus-rocky-boots-snake-bite-recall.html

A pair of Rocky Brands boots has been recalled because it can fail to protect your feet from a snake bite.

The company says the flaw was found after a contractor was bitten by a snake while demonstrating the boots.

The recalled boots are 16-inch tall rubber hunting boots.

They have a camouflage pattern on the outside of the shaft and foot.

A white label on the inside of the shaft has the Rocky logo, product number RKYS153, a date code between 12-14 and 01-15 in the MM-YY format and the words "Men's 16 Silent Hunter Snake Boot, Camo" below the product number and date code.

Consumers should stop wearing the recalled boots immediately and contact Rocky Brands for a full refund or a free pair of replacement snakebite-proof hunting boots in one of the following models: Lynx Snake, Classic Lynx Snake, Prolight Snake in lace up, pull-on or side-zip styles.

Rocky Brands released the following statement about the recall:

“At Rocky Brands, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with quality products that – where applicable – provide consumers with necessary protection. This is especially true in the snake boot market segment where our Rocky brand has been a leader and innovator. With this particular style, we utilized a vendor whose snake-bite resistant fabric failed when in use in a demonstration. Fortunately, no one was hurt and we immediately pulled the product from the market. Less than 1,000 pairs had been sold and, to date, approximately 90% of these have been returned. We will continue to seek to gather the remaining outstanding pairs. Internally, we are reviewing our product testing and approval procedures to ensure this does not happen again.”
 
I have never considered anything snake proof. Helpful for an indirect hit maybe, but not fool proof. Remember the very Hand Of God could not sink the Titanic. It sunk. Do not tempt God. He might decide that he wants to see you.
 
Originally Posted By: sandy hicksI have never considered anything snake proof. Helpful for an indirect hit maybe, but not fool proof. Remember the very Hand Of God could not sink the Titanic. It sunk. Do not tempt God. He might decide that he wants to see you.

Very good point. I have Danner Snake boots. I called the company to ask about how they test their boots. After being transfered several times, I finally reached a person that said that they use "this guy" who has some snakes and he said they worked.

Not exactly scientific!
 

I settled on Chippewa. They are a bit pricy but worth it. The Chippewa's are tested and rated for any North American snake according to the company rep. Of course, anything can fail as was mentioned.

Before I got the Chippewa boots, I phoned Lacrosse where the lady told me they were tested on black snakes. Imagine that.
 
6mm - I think Chippewa are the best. I think they will be my next boots. How are the soles for hiking? Could you put 4-5 miles on them up and down hills and still be comfortable?
 

Originally Posted By: coyotehunterdave6mm - I think Chippewa are the best. I think they will be my next boots. How are the soles for hiking? Could you put 4-5 miles on them up and down hills and still be comfortable?

I can't say for sure since I just wear mine for a short walk about the farm and at the barn sometimes. I think if I had to hike in them, I would have to adjust to them.

The soles don't have a deep lug, but most likely are enough for most places, however deep lugs really aren't needed all that much unless you are climbing some steep places. Probably the most uncomfortable part is the high tops that will rub against your legs. That may take some getting used to, but that can be said about all snake boots.

This is the boot I purchased - from Cabela's




 
Thanks for the feedback. Those just look like quality. In the long term, they might even be the best cost factor too because it looks like they could be re soled.

I wear snake boots every hunt where it gets above 60 degrees. My Danners are comfortable. I just am less than confident in the testing. "Some guy with snakes said they worked" is not enough proof for my engineer brain.
 
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Here's some testing done with Chippewa boots. I do believe I would want both boots on and not just one like that guy used.

While this may not be scientific, it was enough for me after doing months of reading reviews on snake boots, trying to decide on just the right one. I was sure I didn't want Lacross after learning they use black snakes for testing.






 
That guy is the dumbest human being alive. Did you see how close his unprotected leg was to the snakes? I have seen this before. It convinced me snake gaiters are a bad idea. Too many strikes to the foot.
 
I wear Danner Pronghorns and although they're very pricey, I have found them to be as comfortable as house slippers and reasonably waterproof. They're supposedly "snake boots" and although I wouldn't knowingly wade into a nest of rattlers I DO feel reasonably safe in them.

They seem to be pretty tough and after 4 years and countless days in the field they're in GREAT shape...

I suspect there is really no such thing as snake proof boots....

$bob$
 
Chippewa's are excellent snake boots. Down here in south Georgia quail country, with our huge eastern diamondbacks, pretty much all the plantation guys wear them.

However, IMHO, all snake boots pale in comparison to these:
Russell Snake Boots
I once saw a guy demo these in a snake pit full of rattlers. One rattler even lost a fang in the process. Stuck right in the boot. Of course, all other boots also pale in comparison price-wise too.
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Most snake boots rely on the thickness of the material vs. the curve of a rattler's fangs. One old surgeon down here who treated hundreds of snake bites did his own demonstration on the "average" snake boot. He'd take a hypodermic needle on a syringe and throw it at a boot. The needle would always penetrate completely. Of course, the needle was straight, whereas a rattlesnake's fang is curved.
 

That's interesting Kizmo. Good information there.

Just curious if those eastern diamondbacks (and cottonmouths) are out all year in south Georgia? I have a hog hunt planned in south Georgia for December, just before Christmas. Do I need to be mindful of snakes at that time of year?
 
Yeah, they can be out all year, My buddy in Selma, AL sent me a pic of a canebrake (southern timber rattler) he shot in Jan.

However, I only wear snake boots May-Oct.
 

I spent a summer in Selma many years ago, with my aunt and uncle. Enjoyed the fishing tremendously and was glad / lucky to not have seen rattlesnakes or cottonmouths. I did see a copperhead though.

I guess snake boots may not be needed in December in south Georgia.
 
I almost stepped on an alligator way out in the woods way far from any water in the middle of a pine forest during Thanksgiving at night!
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Originally Posted By: SkyPupI almost stepped on an alligator way out in the woods way far from any water in the middle of a pine forest during Thanksgiving at night!
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Heh heh. I bet you did some high steppin'.

Our hospital is a referral center for snake bites and was one of the test sites for CroFab. We get a lot of snake bites relative to most places. However, they are actually rather rare. Sept.-Oct. is the peak for rattlesnake bites because that is their primary mating season. More people get bitten during deer season than turkey season by a long shot.

6mm06, the good news is that, if you DO happen to get bitten on your hog hunt, there will be a place nearby to treat you that knows what the [beeep] it's doing. I'm sure you'll find that comforting.
 


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