woolybear Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Any of you guys own a pair or have a brand recommendation you could pass along? Venomous snake fangs are the least of my concerns where I'm at but you more than welcome to share your experiences in that department if you've got some. What I do need is a boot that is: -100% waterproof -durable and comfortable -zipper or lace up (undecided) (any (dis)advantages to either?) -15-16" high -insulated would be nice but not a requirement -no rubber to fabric stitching (except for the soles obviously) -aggresive soles I simply need a tough boot that's going to encounter climate extremes on both ends of the spectrum year round. They will get wet.., frozen solid.., dried out.., muddyed up.., and just used year round daily under demanding conditions ALL day EVERY day. Rubber boots by any manufacturer are just not cutting it for me. I will give a shout out to Cabelas for refunding me on a 2'nd pair of LaCrosse in just as many years. First pair I got 6 mos. out of and this season had a pair ready for the trash in 3 mos. Bitter temps over prolonged periods just destroys these things in no time for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Cabelas pinnacle series zipper ups http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Snakeproof-Pinnacle8482-Zipper-Hunting-Boots-with-GORE-TEXreg-Scent-Lokreg/748618.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dpinnacle%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=pinnacle&WTz_l=Header;Search-All . They do have them in insulated non snake proof. Only downside is they do not offer them in a rt camo pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted January 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Those look pretty good William but..... I'm wondering if I might run into a problem with a frozen stuck zipper being forced open and then leaking. Also seem to always have a problem with zipper handles breaking off and zippers coming off track from the wrong end. May be worth the trouble to replace laces over time and save the integrity of the boot construction. Also thinking that laces could draw the tops tighter around the calf to keep snow and junk out better as well. The general build to these things all seem very similar but I suppose like anything you get what you pay for. I've also compared the Rockys and Danners. Kinda shying away from the Rockys from some of the waterproof issues I've heard about their boots over all. I haven't heard much first hand experience from any Danner owners so I hate to shell out the loot for something I'm unsure of yet. Gotta make a decision soon though, my pac boots weren't designed with a NY winter hiker in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I have two pairs. One is Irish Setters with the side zip and the other Bass Pro Shops brand lace ups. Both are very waterproof, but I much prefer the fit of the lace ups. I wear them year round, except for extremely cold temps (below freezing), and then I switch to my insulated Danners. My BPS boots are 7 or 8 years old and about wore out, so I may try a pair of the hybrid lace/zipper boots next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted January 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Thanks for the leads Texan, I'll be checking those out also. I realise I'm not gonna find a boot that fullfills all of my criteria, but as many as possible would be nice. In comparing your Irish Setters to the BPS do you notice much difference in the comfort factor of the insoles when you wear them for long periods of time. Also, any prefferance to what waterproofer you guys use or have heard works best on these fabrics? Really appreciate the help guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Will have to check to see how long I have had these cabelas boots Matt. Thinking I am on the 3rd or 4th season with them now, they get worn a lot between turkey and our deer seasons and summer time checking cams. No zipper issues(knock on wood). The zipper boots are easy on and off, big plus for me since I wear size 13's. The rocky snake boots I have had leaked by the time they were a year old. I would not recommend any rocky boots. Just look at the reviews on them around here and places like cabelas. If the choice was a rocky boot or danner I would most definitely go with the danner. My wife and oldest daughter share a pair irish setter snake boots, have heard no complaints from the on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I'd avoid Rocky. Have had their snake boots - big disappointment. Here's what I have had for 4 or 5 years now. Cabela's GORE-TEX® Cordura® Snake Boots By far the best boots I've ever owned. They are not waterproof anymore, but no (non-rubber) boot would be. I've never sprayed anything on them and don't take care of them. I just wear the heck out of them walking up and down the steep bluffs and hills around the Mississippi. I use them about 4 months each year (avg 15 hunting days per month). Other than not being water proof they are still in great condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 After looking around a good bit and taking everything into consideration, this is what I went with. http://www.basspro.com/LaCrosse-18-SideZip-Venom-Scent-HD-Waterproof-NonInsulated-Snake-Boots-for-Men/product/10210226/-1761135 These will actually give me an additional 3" overall boot height which I'm sure will come in handy. Seeing I couldn't decide between zip-up or lace -ups, I get both with these. I suppose that will give me a good idea of which style to go with should I need to get a new pair in the future. I'm also thinking one may overide the other should I need an alternate escape route if one fails and I can't get the darn things off. Price seemed middle of the road so I can't say I cheaped out and knowingly ordered junk, yet didn't go top of the line overboard outside my budget. Hopefully these will get me through shed season and into turkey season. By then they will be 6 months old and run through the wringer, I should have a pretty good idea if I made a good choice or not by then. Expect to see a full report on the desk at that point. Thanks again for the suggestions. They were all taken into concideration and really got me looking at these things a little closer than I normaly would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 My daddy loves his old lace-up Rocky's. Similar to these I believe- http://www.basspro.com/ROCKY-16-ProLight-Mossy-Oak-BreakUp-GORETEX-Waterproof-Snake-Boots-for-Men/product/10214718/-1702901 Personally I have OOOOOOLD Chippewa slip-ons. Love 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Well, I'd certainly hoped I had some good news to report back on this set of boots but that's just not the case. Just over 2 months old, I'm quite dissapointed to say the least. Cosmeticly they have held up better than expected and I give them an B+ for durability showing minimal signs of wear from the outside. A few frays along the tounge seams and laces were expected, but the way the interiors disintegrated made boot removal a real chore when the heels disolved and suction cupped upon removal. The liners are shredded already and any comfort factor these suckers came with out of the box is all but gone. -F Roughly 2 weeks ago these boots became glorified sock covers which took on more water than the Titanic. Slowly but surely walking through even fluffy powder pack snow revealed some weak areas along the toe knuckles. Being an un-insulated boot....not good. One stitch connecting the boot sole to leather has popped and I'm afraid that's just the beginnning. -F Comfort wise......TERRIBLE but tollerable. If you can appreciate cold hard leather cutting into the sides of your ankles with every flex of a step these suckers are for you. As for the insole of these boots....LaCrosse went far and beyond to ensure they forgot to accomodate comfort levels for someone who was gonna wear these things on a daily basis. You will deffinately feel wherever the leather meets the canvas. BAD, Bad, bad! Two thumbs up for the dual escape hatch with the laces and side zippers. More than once I've had to use one system to overide the other. A very nice option. A+++ Traction and sole agresiveness...perfect for the wide open prairies and sidewalk walks. If the trail gets the least bit greasy, you'll do better to wear your shower shoes. Poor+ Seeing this is LaCrosses first attempt at a rugged, dependable footwear geared more towards Texas plains reptile protection than it is towards thwarting off NY wintery elements,... I have to give this boot an overall rating slightly higher than I would like to. -C Knowing what I know now, for the pricetag this pair of boots comes with is not worth the ticket price home. Between last night and this morning, I gave them a good spraying with some waterproofer to try and salvage any life that may be left in them but I doubt that bandaid is gonna be big enough to fix these things at this point:nurse:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry hunter Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I bought Readheads from Bass Pro about 4 years ago, yes they leak alittle, but have taken 6 hits, last year alone 3 mocasian and 1 rattle still here, for the money from the bargin basement well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I also bought RedHeads about 10 years ago. They have held up well and are still, for the most part, very waterproof. Wish I had seen your post, pre-purchase. :bummed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Too bad about the boots Matt, thanks for the review. Still think the cabelas line is tough to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Too bad about the boots Matt, thanks for the review. Still think the cabelas line is tough to beat. Yup, Nice bargain cave sale right now: Cabela's: Cabela's GORE-TEX® Cordura® Snake Boots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Try chaps, they cover more of your leg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcot2773 Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I have the rocky zip and lace up boots. Get both had them 3 years now and no leaks. Just gets cold when the water is cold but not wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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