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Rubber boots as outdoor footwear

R

Ravaillac

Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
1,650
Yeah those ones (not a specific model just that type of boot):

72856_0.jpg

Simple ones or more elaborate ones.

First hand it might sound crazy as we all know that good footwear should be breathable and all those manufactures try to force us into "membranes".

On the other hand plastic boots are very common hiking implement in scandinavia and are issued to swedish and finnish forces as... winter footwear. Those boots even have ski-bindings sockets.
From some book I also remember inuits used watertight boots in wet "warm" snow, warm meaning there... above -20°C (0°F), which for many places would cover most of the year.
Needless to say that sort of use require thermal liner, preferrably several so you can rotate them.
http://yfrog.com/5d100sij

More amazing rubber boots used to regular issue in... Uganda... Yeah tropical climate. Not that ugandan army should be a role model but that would point rubber boots would be kind of interesting in those climates, or at least usable.
http://www.biyokulule.com/Ugandan army2.jpg

So, what do you think?
 
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I have been wearing these for almost 20 years and see no reason to change.

http://www.shoebuy.com/lacrosse-alp...09245?cm_mmc=frooglelist-_-none-_-none-_-none

I would not recommend them for hiking miles on top of miles but I walk in mine quite a bit. Perfect for hunting in the swamps I call home. Chris

EDIT: I don't think my initial post was too clear, I have been wearing the Alpha burleys for 20 years, I have never used the particular boots the OP posted.
 
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I've worn rubber boots just like that for factory work and for outdoors work in streams. They are fine for standing around or walking on even terrain, and the open top makes them more breathable than you'd expect. I'd wear them for some types of hunting or outdoor work where you aren't very active. They are not good for longer hikes or any activity where you perspire heavily.

I would guess that many armed forces issued them in the past because they were a) the best available at the time and b) cheap. It wouldn't surprise me if they were currently moving to more modern designs.
 
These folks wear them all day, every day.
I have a pair I put on once in a while, especially when I mess with concrete or in the barn..
They can keep them. I'll take my Gtex jungle boots any day.
 
August West said:
EDIT: I don't think my initial post was too clear, I have been wearing the Alpha burleys for 20 years, I have never used the particular boots the OP posted.
Click to expand...
Actually I was considering rubber boots in general, no particular ones so your post fits perfectly subject.

Burke said:
I would guess that many armed forces issued them in the past because they were a) the best available at the time and b) cheap. It wouldn't surprise me if they were currently moving to more modern designs.
Click to expand...
Actually they are still in use and kicking in some modern european armies see picture:http://yfrog.com/5d100sij
 
I have a $59 pair of rubber boots with felt liners from Cabelas that I've been using for years hunting. Never a worry in shallow stream crossings. I agree with one of the earlier posters though that they wouldn't cut it for longer treks. I've recently been thinking about trading up to a more modern/upgraded (but still rubber) boot.
 
I have used muck boots for years and love them. Have had a pair of full rubber boots with Sorel wool lining, very warm and very comfy to walk in. I think you would be ok using them for everything but long hikes.

I think my biggest question is, what climate are you using them in?
 
valcas1 said:
I think my biggest question is, what climate are you using them in?
Click to expand...
Right now I was thinking mainly of snowy weather but discussion about rubber boots genreal merits is ok (hence the uganda reference).
The idea is that basic rubber boots with insulated liners (including spare liner so you can rotate and defrost them) could be adequate winter footwear.
 
If you watch any of the fishing shows on TV, ie: Deadliest Catch, you have seen the Alaskan sneaker. Its a very practical and year round piece of equipment for these parts.

xtratuffs.jpg


Xtra Tuffs
 
I wear rubber boots at work when we are in alot of mud & water. I hate rubber boots, make my feet sweat really bad & when it's cold outside then you will have a hard time keeping your feet warm. Not made to do alot of walking in either, if your not careful you can get blisters fast ! it's hard to get a perfect fit in rubber boots, you cant lace'em up to fit & they aren't much on traction in mud or on wet rocks & roots. Another down side is they don't protect your feet like leather, Rubber is alot easier to puncture & rip! Trust me...I've been thur my share of rubber boots at work (Coal Mines) & the rubber boots I wear ain't Cheap either - I've had these
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4GNE8?cm_mmc=Google Base-_-Safety-_-Foot Protection-_-4GNE8
& These
http://www.muckbootsonline.com/Ranger_Full_Metatarsal_Guard_Rubber_Boots_p/r2155.htm
Neither pair lasts any longer than 4~5 months :thumbdn:
These are the boots I wear when I'm not in mud & water up to my shins..
http://www.vanderbilts.com/product_detail.aspx?id=564
Toughest boot on the planet ! :thumbup:
 
Rubber boots like these were THE boots for backpacking for decades here in Finland, and depending where you are going, still are. And you can make entended trips wearing them, there are still thousands of scandinavians backpacking in the rocky fells every year wearing rubber boots.

Ofcourse rubber boots don't offer same kind ankle support than good leather boots, but in some surroundings, they are unbeatable. One third of the area of Finland is bogs so rubber boots are useful. And easy to use too, just pour the water out and your good to go again :)
 
my concrete boots are good till -50C and they are pretty comfy with a pair of bama's (slippers)
 
ive been looking into some myself for canoeing recently. id be much more inclined to canoe in the late fall with those rather than my reg. canvas shoes. ive heard good things about the lacrosse boots. never worn a pair but they say the skinnier ankle helps keep the boot tight. but also i have ankles the same thickness as my calves almost!!! so i rarely rarely roll and ankle anyway.
 
Nokia (yes, the phone company makes tyres and rubber boots) makes rubber boots with and without felt liners that I've used down to -30F for extended periods (the liner models), up to two weeks so I'd say they are good for long period winter outdoors. The unlined models are good for +35F in my opinion and if there's snow on the ground thick winter inner soles are needed with the unlined models.

I've walked up to 150 miles with these rubber boots on some occations so I guess they're good for long walkabouts too. I've seen guys with messed up feet with them too but it's the same guys that have messed up feet with "normal" boots too. Wrong size boots with wrong type socks messes up your feet regardless of the type of the boots.

One thing rubber boots don't have is a great ankle support as stated already. And when the temperature climbs up to and over +65F they're not so good anymore. The felt lined models need to be spacious in order to be warm, obviously. If your feet are compressed against the liners and the outer rubber wall, you'll sure be much colder.

While it sounds they're old tech, they are new tech in comparison with leather boots. As to the scandinavian armies using rubber boots, they also have conventional leather boots but they're not good for extreme cold weather ops and or extended periods in relatively cold wet environment. Some leather boots these days certainly are good for most conditions also but they're not issued. Just saying rubber boots aren't used because they're cheap or simple, they're used because they work better in a multitude of conditions than the alternatives.

http://www.nokianfootwear.fi/
 
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I wear a pair hunting, like coladigger said watch out for blisters, I just put a better pair of insoles in them and if it gets to cold I put a handwarmer in each, and it works....5a.m. when it's 20 degree's and the frost is coming on, it worked perfect!!!!!!!!!
 
Except the part about Nokia the mobile phone company making rubber boots and tyres PatriotDan is absolutely right (they split the companies in about 1990), there's a very good reason why scandinavian armies use rubber boots.

Ravaillac, it's a winter boot test by the magazine Finnish Soldier. I can translate the highlights if you want.
 
I love my Aigle Parcours Vario rubber boots. They´re made of natural rubber which is extremely comfortable compared to "plastic" rubber. Its much softer and keeps the feet warmer, also your feet can breathe much better than in plastic boots.
That model has a very nice tread sole, lots of grip. I use them when walking in the forest, also for longer hikes they feel very comfortable on my feet. When I walk along beaches in winter I wear an inner sole of lambwool.

I like these boots so much that i´m glad when it rains outside, so I can justify wearing them in the city! :p

Best regards,

l.
 
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