Keeping snow from packing in boot treads

[troy fairweather]

Last year I helped a friend drag a bear out through the 8 or 9 inches of show. Other then the facted the bear was just over 500lb caped and gutted, the snow was wet and sticky. My boot threads filled up with snow and made moving very hard.

I have not had any problem this year but the last ice/snow mix we just got may do the same. is there anything I can put not them to keep snow from sticking. I was thinking Pam cooking spray.

Anyone have this problem and know a fix.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Yak Trax

 

[troy fairweather]

Yak Trax

I have some for ice fishing they only make things worse.

 

[<*(((><]

How many grams of insulation do your boots have? Are they insulated on the sole?

I wonder if your insulation is not adequate enough and the heat radiating through your sole of your foot is melting the snow and then it freezes over time.

Wonder if applying a coat of RainX would work? The stuff used on car windshields to make rain sheet off.

 

[troy fairweather]

How many grams of insulation do your boots have? Are they insulated on the sole?

I wonder if your insulation is not adequate enough and the heat radiating through your sole of your foot is melting the snow and then it freezes over time.

Wonder if applying a coat of RainX would work? The stuff used on car windshields to make rain sheet off.

There 1000

 

[troy fairweather]

Have to see if I have any rainx. There treads very aggressive kinda like a old super swamper tire.

 

[<*(((><]

Shouldn’t be an insulation issue I wouldn’t think.

 

[<*(((><]

Your conditions are so different than mine as we are so dry out west here, so our snow doesn’t have the moisture content yours does I would think.

 

[troy fairweather]

Shouldn’t be an insulation issue I wouldn’t think.

Could be I am just so heavy be never had this much problem with other boots. I've been using the for about 15 years and only started the last couple.

you are right about not enough insulation on some boots.

 

[troy fairweather]

Your conditions are so different than mine as we are so dry out west here, so our snow doesn’t have the moisture content yours does I would think.

ya dry snow is great. We get it but have not had a cold snap recently.

 

[Antihero]

Anything you put on your boots to slip the snow off with will make you slip horribly on anything that is not snow.

Sadly, sometimes snow sticks

 

[<*(((><]

Anything you put on your boots to slip the snow off with will make you slip horribly on anything that is not snow.

Sadly, sometimes snow sticks

I would think this would be the case as well

 

[troy fairweather]

 

[<*(((><]

You said they’re pretty old. Are the soles getting stiff through age and degradation. Maybe they aren’t flexing like they used to which helps dislodge the snow before it freezes? Just trying to think logically about it. There’s always going to be some build up but my hunting boots which this pair are pretty new don’t seem to have that issue.

 

[skeeterfogger]

If I was going to try rain x I would apply it only in the grooves and avoid the footing contact surface. Another consideration is that brand new the rubber is shiny nonporous surface that sheds just about everything. Once that gloss wears off the surface gets dried out and obtains a rougher surface which moisture can cohere to easier than when new. Given that what would be the possibility of blancing the sole surfaces back to like new slick?

 

[<*(((><]

@skeeterfogger has a good idea of just applying the RainX in the grooves up to but not on the surface of the tread. Tedious but probably would yield the best results.

 

[troy fairweather]

You said they’re pretty old. Are the soles getting stiff through age and degradation. Maybe they aren’t flexing like they used to which helps dislodge the snow before it freezes? Just trying to think logically about it. There’s always going to be some build up but my hunting boots which this pair are pretty new don’t seem to have that issue.

No there still.pretty flexible. Some cuts on the bottom, they have worn very well. I even used the for times when my work boots were set when I worked for a well driller. I wear boots out fast but these have been great. Last hear that one day I had like 3 inches thick build up, I had to stop evrey 50 feet and clean them.

 

[troy fairweather]

If I was going to try rain x I would apply it only in the grooves and avoid the footing contact surface. Another consideration is that brand new the rubber is shiny nonporous surface that sheds just about everything. Once that gloss wears off the surface gets dried out and obtains a rougher surface which moisture can cohere to easier than when new. Given that what would be the possibility of blancing the sole surfaces back to like new slick?

That's one thing I was thinking of trying, maybe get in there with the dremel. Same with the rainx only in the cleats.

 

[skeeterfogger]

That's one thing I was thinking of trying, maybe get in there with the dremel. Same with the rainx only in the cleats.

Think more like a small solder iron. Resurface the rubber back to slick smooth or quick passes with propane torch set low. Just enough heat to force surface renew. Rain x should work but will need to be reapplied often. Easy enough to spray then lightly scuff footing contact surface with very fine sandpaper or scotch brite so they won't be slick. For that matter cooking spray.
I think best sole for sticky stuff is the waffle pattern. They are more like cleats that are wider at base than tip and just the flexing while walking helps the stuff come loose.

 

[Antihero]

@skeeterfogger has a good idea of just applying the RainX in the grooves up to but not on the surface of the tread. Tedious but probably would yield the best results.

If any doesn't stick to the rubber....you'll end up slipping everywhere. It's really meant to be used on glass

I mean.....snow sticking is annoying but slipping on everything is a billion times more annoying

 

[<*(((><]

Another idea would be tape the bottom of the boots and cut the tape where the ravines are and apply a wax to the areas, the tape would protect the gripping surface.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Another idea would be tape the bottom of the boots and cut the tape where the ravines are and apply a wax to the areas, the tape would protect the gripping surface.

Not a bad idea. The spray car wax may work nicely and might even condition the rubber

 

[DocRock]

You need some kind of strap on metal traction aid. I have a set that I'm not at all happy with because they can move about too much and then are useless. They are like yak trax but cheaper and more useless.my frustration with them last week led me to look into this in more depth.

Based on discussions with the backcountry community, I am probably going to get the Microspikes Kahtoola

https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/...-bin=Micro Spikes&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_3035492011

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Shouldn’t be an insulation issue I wouldn’t think.

I dunno, I think you were on to something in your first theory. Thousand gram thinsulate is probably for the uppers. My Pac boots have pretty thick soles to keep my feet away from the cold.

To the OP, I added insulating sole inserts to my pac boots, and they help a lot. Might be worth a try. I've never noticed a problem with snow in my boot treads.

I don't think the PAM will remain on your boot soles very long, especially if they are oil resistant. Besides, I'm sure the bears will love that. lol

 

[troy fairweather]

You need some kind of strap on metal traction aid. I have a set that I'm not at all happy with because they can move about too much and then are useless. They are like yak trax but cheaper and more useless.my frustration with them last week led me to look into this in more depth.

Based on discussions with the backcountry community, I am probably going to get the Microspikes Kahtoola

https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/3035492011?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Micro Spikes&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_3035492011

Ya those work, but if your over 300 they fail quick. I made a pair of boots for ice fishing, I just screwed in some screws in the sole. Worked good on the ice but they have no insulation even with wool socks there a little cold.