Durable Rubber Boots?

Will Power

Will Power

Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
33,975
This could belong in Gadgets & gear but I hope it's OK here too.

I would like opinions on the durability of rubber boots.Here in Finland, autumn and spring expeditions in the forest make them a very good choice indeed.

What types have you found good?

The domestic brand Nokia (yes they make boots & tyres as well as you know what) is alright but some foreign makes are better.

The English green wellies Hunter boots have proved very durable, 12 years now but they are beginning to perish. Recently, I've bought a pair of French made Chameau (camel) these are marvellous.Heavy duty ruber, fab soles for grip and leather lined make them good to use in even -20c. L'Aigle from Forance are good too and cheaper.
I've discovered it's vital to give rubber boots a god wash and coating with spray on protector, this really stops leaks or perishing. Any US brands out there worth trying?
 
I like the LaCrosse line of rubber boots, particularly the "Burly" model, which has an insulated foot and uninsulated shank. I've tried quite a few brands of boots and like these the best of all I've tried for two reasons, first, they have proved durable through two years of hard use, second, they are the only rubber boot I have worn that doesn't pull your socks down as you walk. There's nothing more irritating than winding up with your socks in a ball around your toes when you're in the middle of doing something. I haven't personally tried the Nokias, but a friend of mine had a pair that had small steel studs in the soles for use on ice. He liked them a lot.
 
Either one of the above mentioned. I use Lacrosse here in Fl and Ga during hunting season.
 
I spent last fall/winter going over extremely rugged, rocky terrain. My only real recommendation in a rubber boot is to get something that will tie up, or give decent ankle support. Slipping/sliding/turning your ankles constantly is hard on the tendons and will give aching ankles. Been there/done that by walking miles of very rugged sub arctic shoreline in the dry/wet and snow/ice.
 
I used to wear rubber "shitkickers" all the time as a kid and teenage to go stomping around the woods, and for hunting and fishing. I guess they worked good, but eventually I got sick of socks getting bunched up around my toes, cold feet and a serious lack of ankle support.

Now, I go with medium-cost leather boots with gore-tex or another similar lining material (ex. cabela's dry-plus). Much more comfortable, just as dry, warmer, plenty of support and NO BUNCHED UP SOCKS!! Of course, each boot is different so thats not a blanket statement...

Shitkickers have their place, but for more than a few hours afield your feet will thank you for wearing a 'real' boot... IMHO.
 
I wear Lacrosse Burly's with 800 grams of insulation for hunting. They are a bit warm at times, but they fit great, provide, good ankle suuport, and good traction. I believe they go up to 2000 grams of insulation, so the 800 is just slightly insulated from their perspective. They make this model in both a green color or camoflage. I have both. The green ones come in handy if I don't want to look camo'ed up and more traditional. Buy one or two sizes larger than your regular shoes. One pair is one size and I can't fit heavy socks in them and the other are two sizes and work well with good thick socks either hiking type of wool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top