Quality hunting boots

[cajun48]

Looking for input for a pair of quality hunting boots in the $100-175 range. Measured from heel to mid-knee and came up with 18 1/2 inches. I'll be hunting in South Carolina National Fiorest WMA's.
Help please, would hate to ruin my hunt by getting snake bit!! aj b

 

[baylorattorney]

Chipewa

 

[jmr40]

Nothing in that price range I'd call quality. $200 is about where decent boots start.

I cannot help you with snake boots, but you might find some good deals on some of the military surplus boots out there. I've seen quite a few that normally sell for $200-$300 for well less than 1/2 that.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Yup, as above, I think you're under shopping at less than $175. Since retiring, I get a bunch of my foot wear from Altama directly.

http://altama.com/

 

[Captcurt]

Danner's

If you shop around there are some Danner's floating around for under $200. That's all I buy anymore. I like the lace-to-the-toe feature. Great fit and super dry.

 

[Citadel99]

I second the Danners. Worth every penny.

Mark

 

[adelbridge]

buy boots now so the rubber and leather smell dissipates before hunting season

 

[paintballdude902]

id avoid rockys. had a pair for hunting that were ok, got issued a pair by the squadron and they re falling apart

 

[alsaqr]

Buy the best hunting boots available anywhere-Meindl.

http://www.meindl.de/english/

Cabelas sells them:

http://www.cabelas.com/mens-insulated-hunting-boots-cabelas-canada-8482-hunting-boots-meindl-1.shtml

 

[roundball]

As an alternative, for upland hunting over the years in North Carolina, I’ve settled on decent leather boots and easy on / easy off Snake Guardz.
Separate Snake Guardz (with interior hard panels) give excellent protection from Copperheads and rattlers...and the flexibility to snap them on and off when needed.

 

[countertop]

Sounds like you want snake boots. Best hunting boots I've ever owned - and what I were now - are LL Bean Upland Boots. They are $179

I can't speak highly enough for their traditional bean boots either ($139), but neither is snakeproof - though they are both backed by the absolute best customer service and no questions asked we will do ANYTHING to keep you happy warranty anywhere in the world. Really, when it comes to customer service - no one anywhere comes close to LL Bean.

 

[countertop]

Roudball,

I've never worn snake boots - and have never really had to. I hunt in N. Virginia and in the Mountains of Georgia mostly over Christmas. Not too concerned with snakes there. I occaisionslaly hunt deer in E. Carolina but my buddy always drives me to the stands on his property.

I say that because I don't know much about snake boots. So maybe I'm missing something . . . but it Seems to me looking at your boots with the snake guardz that your actual food - heel and front of the foot - are incredibly exposed to the risk of a snakebite. Do snake boots provide more protection? Or do snakes simply not bite your heel and/or foot itself and instead only strike at your calves?

 

[brainwake]

If you come across a large rattlesnake, and it actually strikes....you might want more than just a boot. I think the gators will give you a little more protection. I am sure snake boots work when you hit in the boot. But if it's about calf level, then the boot won't help you much.

...also may want to look at the chaps...

It might seem like overkill....it depends on the snakes in your area. We have some damn large rattlesnakes on our family's land.

 

[countertop]

Brainwake

I was actually in Oklahoma this weekend. Went driving through Sandy Sanders WMA on Thursday evening to hunt coyotes (110 degree temperature got in the way) and on Friday morning to hunt doves. I kept wondering if I'd see a rattlesnake - but was pretty careful about where I stepped. Never did see (or hear) any.

 

[oneounceload]

Chippewa, US-made Danners, Russell, Orvis, otherwise there are some US makers who make lineman/logger boots - but they will be three times your budget.

You might be better off with a decent boot that is comfortable and some snake chaps as shown above

 

[roundball]

So maybe I'm missing something . . . but it Seems to me looking at your boots with the snake guardz that your actual food - heel and front of the foot - are incredibly exposed to the risk of a snakebite.

From all I've come to understand, reasonably thick strong leather like the boots I showed are apparently thought to be adequate protection "by the industry" except for the area of the instep where there's just the thinner leather 'tongue' between the laces where it has to be more flexible.
And as a result, "snake gaiters" are usually designed to include a shield coming down over the instep area.

 

[brainwake]

Funny enough on this topic....here in OKC, I work out near the airport in an industrial/business complex. Our building is next to some creeks and feilds. I came into the office yesterday morning and there was a small rattlesnake in the hallway hissing at me.

It was actually the first I have seen here in OKC. I spend most of my time in the woods up North East near Grande Lake.

Now when I walk around the office I have whole new awareness....strange feeling actually.

 

[brainwake]

My in-laws have a large chunk of land, and there is even a ridge that they call "Rattlesnake Ridge" So they tend to be very aware of the snakes. My father-in-law has a lot of stories about snakes, and by the time he's done, you won't go walking out in the woods during the summer.

I remember one story where he was stalking a fox or something like that and a large rattlesnake struck at him and hit a tree sprout instead....that's when he noticed it. He said that it would have hit him in the thigh. And he is about 6'4" He will be the first to tell you that a boot is not enought....although he still spends a lot of time in the woods.

The main thing to look for is the little 2 foot sprouts. They tend to curl up under them for shade and cover.

We hunt morel mushrooms in the spring and pick berries in the early summer. So those are the times where we are at risk. You don't really need protection if you just maintain an awareness. I don't use any. But the topic of snakes is always discussed before entering the woods when it's warm

 

[brainwake]

You know I have been thinking about this topic every since you posted this.

This year, I think the one purchase I might make is some boots. Now I can't seem to decide if I want a rubber boot to control scent, or if I want snake protection, or a nice comfortable pair of traditional leather boots.

I think what I am going to do, is go up to Bass Pro and try on some of the rubber ones. They do have a pair of snake-proof rubber. But I am not sure how they feel. I hunt on rugged land and worry a little about support. I had ankle recontruction surgery about 6 years ago.

 

[roundball]

I hunt on rugged land and worry a little about support. I had ankle recontruction surgery about 6 years ago.

Seems like that would make a strong case for a lace-up boot.
As you know, you can get a pair with Gore-Tex if waterproofing is an issue.

Then the nice thing is you can simply add 'snake gaiters' later if you want.

 

[brainwake]

I think your right roundball... the best of all three would be to find some nice comfortable boots with scent-lock or something....(maybe)...and add some gaitors.

I am not sure how important the scent blocking stuff is..but might as well...

 

[grubbylabs]

If you can afford the doe some Nicks or Whites are about the best boot money can buy. You might cringe at the $400.00 price tag, but when you own them literally for the rest of your life that's pretty cheap for a pair of boots. I personally know a farmer who has had his Nicks for at least 25 years. I have had my current pair of wild land boots ( again Nicks) for the past 3 years and they still look good. I have literally stood in fire with them and I would not hike in any thing else, they are the most comfortable and durable boot I have ever worn. Both Whites and Nicks make several different styles. Including some Line man boots that would serve well as Snake Boots.

 

[T.R.]

I've had good luck with Herman Survivors.

TR

 

[alsaqr]

I've had good luck with Herman Survivors

i've had a pair of Heman Survivors for 40 years. They have been re-soled twice and are still going strong. Sadly, the new Herman boots are all made in China. They are owned by Wal-Mart.

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/herman/survivor/

 

[grubbylabs]

I think what I am going to do, is go up to Bass Pro and try on some of the rubber ones. They do have a pair of snake-proof rubber. But I am not sure how they feel. I hunt on rugged land and worry a little about support. I had ankle recontruction surgery about 6 years ago.

For that reason I would buy the best boot money could buy. A hand made boot custom made just for your foot would seem to be the way to go. I know I sound like a fan boy for Nicks and Whites, but they do make a great boot. I know that Nicks makes all kinds of boots and styles. If I were you I would look into a pair of their wild land boots as they are made for people who's lives depend on them being able to walk into fire and walk out. After all if your hunt is important enough to spend a wad of cash to make sure you get good rifle and scope then why not spend money on the next most important aspect of your hunt, your feet. If the feet are not happy you are not happy, its that simple.