I have worn snake boots for many years, however i have always wondered if regular rubber boots would stop fangs of a rattler or moccasin. Has anyone here had experience or heard true story of anyone hit on rubber boot ? We hunt florida and south ga and are always careful but i am just wondering Thanks
Theres a member on here that was bitten by a timber rattler wearing green Lacrosse boots. He said the fangs went through the rubber like a hot knife through butter. He also stated the price of the treatment was close to $90K if I remember correctly. And he wears snake boots now of course.
I had an old pair of boots from the late 80s that were the kind of black rubber that I'd have a hard time believing a snake could penetrate, but they don't tend to use that kind of rubber for boots anymore. They could make a blister in the garden in 30 minutes if you didn't have good socks on, some of y'all might recall the rubber I'm talking about.
Hunting Florida next year and I will be wearing my snake boots. I ran into a copperhead in Missouri and I have all reason I need. Why take a chance. Z
I got hit in 2020 by a moccasin while walking through a replanted clearcut in north Florida. I was wearing lacrosse alpha (not snake boot) and the hit felt like someone hit me with a good sized stick, actually surprised me how hard it was. I did not know it was a snake or that I had walked right over him in a small puddle of water, I looked back more to see what just slapped me in back of the leg and he was coiled and not happy. Im not sure if snakes always strike with the intent of a bite or he just hit me with his mouth closed to prove a point but he was a healthy arm sized cottonmouth and I consider myself very fortunate this is the only time ive had a really close encounter
Rubber (non-snake) knee boots won't stop fangs.
Tey are better, obviously, than tennis shoes, in that they could deflect a strike and there IS generally some space between the inside of the boot shaft and the skin as a buffer zone. But, I ain't wearing them in snakey places. No way !!!
Snake boots are very cheap insurance against a 6-figure hospital bill.
Having lived in Florida for close to 20 years and wear the strap on snake gaitors. Cover from ankle to knee. Almost never see a snake but it only takes one. We have had a pygmy rattler in our garage. They are very mean spirited. For whatever reason saw many more snakes when we lived in western KY than in FL.
joey--we have been in sw fl since 99 . Came from se fl--when we built ,pigmy's were everywhere .I kept a chart and killed over 20 in one year. Have had 3 eastern rattlers over the years. We hunt down here and s georgia. We wear snake boots but i have always wondered how hard a snake hits. Above post about how hard the moc hit makes me rethink reg rubber boots !
I hunt in North Florida mostly swampy areas. I have both regular and rubber snake boots. I don't step in the woods without them on.
Quote from: GD1656 on August 11, 2023, 10:38:38 AM
joey--we have been in sw fl since 99 . Came from se fl--when we built ,pigmy's were everywhere .I kept a chart and killed over 20 in one year. Have had 3 eastern rattlers over the years. We hunt down here and s georgia. We wear snake boots but i have always wondered how hard a snake hits. Above post about how hard the moc hit makes me rethink reg rubber boots !
A few years ago my boss came into work on a monday with a slight limp. He said that he had been hit by a 5 to 6 foot rattlesnake. Luckly it was a dry strike. When he rolled up his pants leg to show he his shin, it has a knot on it and a dark purple bruise. He said it felt like he had been hit with a ball peen hammer.
Secret tip - if on a trip and you've forgotten your snake boots or snake gaitors almost all home stores will have strap on leg guards in the department with the chain saws. Work the same although almost always in black. They'll stop a spinning chain they'll stop a fang.
Nice tip joey
Snake boots are a good thing to spend your money on. The reality is that a lot of folks will go three to five years at a time without seeing a rattle snake, etc. - I know guys who have hunted ten to fifteen years stretches without seeing one (maybe other parts of the country that would not be possible). Yet, the one day you run up on one at some point and you are possibly two-three miles from the truck, it is just a good chance that it is not going to end well.
If you dislike the way some of them fit, try the lightweight Rocky's, after about the first two days in the woods to break them in a bit, they are pretty darn comfortable. I actually prefer them over regular boots. The only time snake boots get on my nerves is if I find myself in a cutover or a place with a lot of trees on the ground and I am constantly having to step over deadfall. Snake boots are not much fun if you are constantly having to lift your leg over something several feet high every other step.
Wish I could wear them but I can't, never seen any in a EEE and left lower leg has a defect that won't allow me to wear tall boots anyway. Sure wish I could though, those I know that own them say that they are very comfortable and wear them even though we don't have a lot of venomous snakes in my area.
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Living and hunting in nwfl I wear snake boots if I'm not in a subdivision. Moccasins are everywhere even in dry areas as they travel. Rattle snakes are in all types of environment. It's nice not having to watch every step I take. This last turkey season I stepped right over a 5ft coach whip never knew he was there until my buddy got my attention. Luckily it wasn't a venomous and angry snake. Mostly only worry about Moccasins and pygmy rattlers. Easterns are really docile and try to avoid any conflict
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I got the Lite brand rubber boots this year. Lightest boot I have ever owned and would not be concerned at all about stopping a strike. They seem a little thinner than La Crosse and I have worn those for years as well.
Quote from: tha bugman on August 13, 2023, 10:05:14 PM
I got the Lite brand rubber boots this year. Lightest boot I have ever owned and would not be concerned at all about stopping a strike. They seem a little thinner than La Crosse and I have worn those for years as well.
I have seen those and thought about picking up a pair to work on the farm and maybe to use in the woods as well - but wondered how comfortable they are. If a person walked in them in the woods for 8-10 hours at a time turkey hunting, what would say as far as the comfort level?
Wow... Reading your stories with snakes that could be everywhere in the woods makes me enjoy the 5 foot of snow that we have in winter.
After reading this, I had a bunch of points on my Bass Pro card and ordered the Redhead Bayou III Waterproof side zip snake boots. They are waterproof leather with nylon uppers and I wear western work boots every day, so always have plenty of mink oil on hand. Old ankle injury on left leg makes it hard to step into deep boots, so I thought the side zip might work. Will let every one know my impressions. Buying snake boots is like buying a coffin - you hope you never need it. Born and raised in Florida and have had a few close calls.
My favorite story was my nephew was lighting p-burn (wildland firefighter) here in N Florida in the thick palmetto and gall berry and he felt something hit his leg - his partner screamed at him and he looked down to see a 5 foot rattler hanging from his pants by the fangs - NO SKIN contact! In a reflex move he hose it down with the fire can and the snake hauled arse, when he did, it set the woods on fire encircling him. He had to step quick through the newly lit area to get out of there. Boots would have made no difference for him though.
Quote from: mountainhunter1 on August 16, 2023, 11:30:21 AM
Quote from: tha bugman on August 13, 2023, 10:05:14 PM
I got the Lite brand rubber boots this year. Lightest boot I have ever owned and would not be concerned at all about stopping a strike. They seem a little thinner than La Crosse and I have worn those for years as well.
I have seen those and thought about picking up a pair to work on the farm and maybe to use in the woods as well - but wondered how comfortable they are. If a person walked in them in the woods for 8-10 hours at a time turkey hunting, what would say as far as the comfort level?
I walked many miles in mine this season and they were so comfortable. You won't believe how light they are. I never had any foot fatigue. A really nice feature is that they dry out so fast. I never used a boot dryer. My buddy stepped into a deep slough with his. He dumped the water out and put them back on. We came back to my house after the hunt. He took them off that afternoon and they were dry before we got up to hunt the next morning! Very light and comfortable. You wont be disappointed.
Quote from: tha bugman on August 17, 2023, 09:21:44 PM
Quote from: mountainhunter1 on August 16, 2023, 11:30:21 AM
Quote from: tha bugman on August 13, 2023, 10:05:14 PM
I got the Lite brand rubber boots this year. Lightest boot I have ever owned and would not be concerned at all about stopping a strike. They seem a little thinner than La Crosse and I have worn those for years as well.
I have seen those and thought about picking up a pair to work on the farm and maybe to use in the woods as well - but wondered how comfortable they are. If a person walked in them in the woods for 8-10 hours at a time turkey hunting, what would say as far as the comfort level?
I walked many miles in mine this season and they were so comfortable. You won't believe how light they are. I never had any foot fatigue. A really nice feature is that they dry out so fast. I never used a boot dryer. My buddy stepped into a deep slough with his. He dumped the water out and put them back on. We came back to my house after the hunt. He took them off that afternoon and they were dry before we got up to hunt the next morning! Very light and comfortable. You wont be disappointed.
Thanks for the heads up. I will have to give them a try.
I don't think lite brand boots sells any snake boots, I could be wrong but didn't see anything about snake boots on their website.
I have Tingley boots and the Lite brand appear to be a knockoff to their original design. Here are a few key things to consider:
- I stepped on a saw briar and a thorn went straight through the sole in the thickest spot on the forefoot sole, so a snake would easily go through on any part of the boot!
- They are super lightweight and waterproof and made from a material similar to Crocs, and they even self heal from small punctures without future leaks. The uppers are VERY stiff and make a clomping sound as you walk as the top opening hits your shins and calves with each step. Tucking in your pants calms that a little.
- If you have plantar fasciitis or any foot issues, they are crap unless you buy a larger size and use your own custom orthotics or fitted insoles. Even at that, they are just tolerable and ok for short distance hunts.
- They have poor traction and are slippery in muddy conditions, icy ladder stand rungs, or leaves in the steep mountains. I wore mine 1x on a mountain turkey hunt and never again!
I'm with YoungGobbler. I stick with the possibility of snow rather then get hit with a hammer and a 6 figure bill and other repercussions!
Rubber boots may help, but they aren't even close to fangproof. Just the extra rubber with pants tucked in may offer some protection from a smaller snake. The big ones, I doubt they stop it. I've always read how hard a big snake hits the target.
I wore snake boots for many years until they fell apart. Lost a sole in a mudhole and kept hunting for a few hours. :)
I recently bought some snake gaiters that are fairly light but in spite of having them through a season, I haven't tried them in the field.
Have you worn the Redhead Bayou III's and if so what are your thoughts?
Quote from: g8rvet on August 16, 2023, 07:27:59 PM
After reading this, I had a bunch of points on my Bass Pro card and ordered the Redhead Bayou III Waterproof side zip snake boots. They are waterproof leather with nylon uppers and I wear western work boots every day, so always have plenty of mink oil on hand. Old ankle injury on left leg makes it hard to step into deep boots, so I thought the side zip might work. Will let every one know my impressions. Buying snake boots is like buying a coffin - you hope you never need it. Born and raised in Florida and have had a few close calls.
My favorite story was my nephew was lighting p-burn (wildland firefighter) here in N Florida in the thick palmetto and gall berry and he felt something hit his leg - his partner screamed at him and he looked down to see a 5 foot rattler hanging from his pants by the fangs - NO SKIN contact! In a reflex move he hose it down with the fire can and the snake hauled arse, when he did, it set the woods on fire encircling him. He had to step quick through the newly lit area to get out of there. Boots would have made no difference for him though.
Quote from: tha bugman on August 27, 2023, 08:59:47 PM
Have you worn the Redhead Bayou III's and if so what are your thoughts?Quote from: g8rvet on August 16, 2023, 07:27:59 PM
After reading this, I had a bunch of points on my Bass Pro card and ordered the Redhead Bayou III Waterproof side zip snake boots. They are waterproof leather with nylon uppers and I wear western work boots every day, so always have plenty of mink oil on hand. Old ankle injury on left leg makes it hard to step into deep boots, so I thought the side zip might work. Will let every one know my impressions. Buying snake boots is like buying a coffin - you hope you never need it. Born and raised in Florida and have had a few close calls.
My favorite story was my nephew was lighting p-burn (wildland firefighter) here in N Florida in the thick palmetto and gall berry and he felt something hit his leg - his partner screamed at him and he looked down to see a 5 foot rattler hanging from his pants by the fangs - NO SKIN contact! In a reflex move he hose it down with the fire can and the snake hauled arse, when he did, it set the woods on fire encircling him. He had to step quick through the newly lit area to get out of there. Boots would have made no difference for him though.
If they are not leather or rubber they will leak. I had rockys for a few years, then Irish setter vapor trek. They both leaked within a year. Switched to rubber lacrosse snake boots.
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They are leather. Mixed feelings after trying them on-but first fit they feel comfortable. Gonna be hot I am sure, but should not be any worse than the neoprenes I always wear. I will report back after working them in next season. I'll try to wear them for some dove hunts this year too to break them in.
I got nailed by a big cane break a few years ago, wearing Alpha Burly rubber boots, however, I do believe that is a snake boot. Nevertheless, fangs did not penetrate the boot.
I got some Russell turkey hunters before Covid. They have the turtle skin lining. Supposed to be snake proof. Always wondered if they would actually stop a gang from coming thru.
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Not to hijack, but ..........
I have a pair of Irish Setter VaprTrek snake boots brand spankin' new in the box with tags Too big for me.
Size 13
PM me for more details.
I have never worn snake boots, but you all make me think about it. I try to be aware of my surroundings and be cautious, but it can still happen. We don't have a serious snake problem here. A few copper heads and timber rattlers are very rare.
My niece's daughter was bitten by a rattler in Utah a couple years ago while hiking. She was only 6-8 years old and spent several days hospitalized and thousands of dollars in antivenom cost. Miraculously she has no lasting problems, only a couple dark spots where the fangs penetrated.