Not wanting to hijack Tail Feather's thread on new hunting equipment for the upcoming season any further, I figured I would start a new one on the footwear discussion Scott and I were talking about there. Specifically, we were discussing wet feet and our tolerance for such...and how the choice of footwear comes into play.
To get right to the point, the last two springs I have hunted places...and under conditions...where I was soaked almost to the waist every day due to having to wade through high, rain/dew-soaked grass in the hunt area. My wandering thoughts took me to a place where I was contemplating how guys that hunt in those conditions regularly deal with it.
It's one thing to have genuinely waterproof boots...but quite another to have something on that keeps you from getting soaked from the waist down in those conditions...including water eventually soaking down through the tops of those boots through your socks regardless of how waterproof your footwear is. It seems to me a guy would have to wear water-infiltrating-resistant gear up to the waist (or higher) to combat those conditions.
So, for those that hunt those places, what is your tactic for dealing with it?...
It's a tough one. I do hunt swampy areas at times with high wet grass. When I do, I wear my Browning Goretex rain jacket and pants. Muck rubber boots, and leg gaiters to keep the pant-boot crease protected. I tried waiters, but the mobility was not there. This set-up worked for me. Good luck....
I personally wear knee high rubber boots, some sort of synthetic fast drying pants, and light weight wool socks. Also sometimes I take a second pair of socks with me.
I don't hunt swamps, but I do hunt in a lot of underbrush and thick cover. So even with a little dew, you can get wet real quickly. It's also STEEP.
I've never been able to find a rubber boot that was comfortable enough to wear for 4-8 miles in the mountains. I've settled on hiking boots and gaiters the last couple years. My feet are a lot happier with the comfort of the hiking boots and the gaiters do a good job of keeping my feet dry. I do keep a trashbag with me in case I have to cross a creek.
That being said, I don't honestly mind getting wet on my body as long as it's not cold.
Agree, Tom I always wore a pair of Browning waterproof pants and some kind of LaCrosse rubber boots or other brand. Hunting with WET FEET is no fun for sure... I always carry a very Large garbage bag folded up in my hunting gear for emergency poncho or lay it on the ground if the ground is wet to sit on etc... You can also use the bag to lay your calls on the ground if needed. If there's a will, you will find a way ... or just get wet ... LOL
Turkey gobbling - WE have got to go...
If I'm in the wet stuff all day, rain pants over tall rubber boots. I hunt a few spots that require stream/deep swamp crossings. I wear my fishing waders to cross, then take em off and stash them at the crossing.
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When its unavoidable Altama Jungle boots and extra pairs of socks. Literally setup to hunt awhile if mid morning and take off socks and air feet out. New socks and with the drain holes in those boots its like they weren't soaked earlier. Repeat
Lacrosse knee boots for creeks and swampy areas. I carry a poncho also. Trying the hiking boots and gaiters but not completely comfortable with gaiters.
Gaiters go a long way to keeping your feet dry. Well worth the cost and extra couple minutes to put them on.
Waist high grasses, etc., that rain pant territory plus gaiters.