Rubber boots as outdoor footwear

[IUKE12]

They have their place that's for sure. I always wear a good wicking sock with these boots, I hate the feeling damp feet bring If you find yourself overboard or break through the ice in deep water, they should be the first things you jettison, lest you sink to the bottom wearing water filled anchors

 

[d_filgate]

Baffin boots are used a lot up north.
With ratings from -40C to -100C, they work pretty good in cold climates.
I know farmers / ranchers in this area, who wear them exclusively for every
thing on the farm, from slopping cows to feeding horses, to hunting etc...
They swear by them.
Also, I've seen a lot of construction types wear the steel toe versions all
winter long.
If the guys who work outside during the winter use them year in and year out
for winter wear, that says a lot in my books.

 

[saxon]

We always wore the old Red Ball rubber boots hunting in Northern Wisconsin when I was young. I think they used the natural rubber back then. With the right wool sock you couldn't beat them. LL beans hunting boot was the only close alternative.

 

[machinest]

just wear them around the house and barn when muddy, rubber boots get ruined quick in the woods, thorns rip them to shreds.

 

[August West]

just wear them around the house and barn when muddy, rubber boots get ruined quick in the woods, thorns rip them to shreds.

Pair I have now have about 5 years of heavy use, with sawbriars, devils cane, blackberry and other assorted thorns and my boots are still going strong. Chris

 

[BlackHills]

I've used the "Mickey Mouse" boots in the winter and they will keep your feet warm. You do sweat in them more and I certainly wouldn't want to walk any distance wearing them though.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

They have their place that's for sure. I always wear a good wicking sock with these boots, I hate the feeling damp feet bring If you find yourself overboard or break through the ice in deep water, they should be the first things you jettison, lest you sink to the bottom wearing water filled anchors

Actually not so, I heard for many years that if you went in the water, they would take you to the bottom, so I tried it - you can swim with them on, but it's tiring, and remember the density of the water in your boots is the same density as the water outside of them, so there is no 'anchor effect' other than the weight of the boots themselves.

I use regular, cheapy rubber boots, one size larger than required and fit them with thick insoles. I use them exclusively when canoeing. Just the ticket for boggy portages and stepping in and out of the canoe in shallow (read barely deep enought to float canoe) water.

Doc

 

[August West]

Another trick that works really well is ordinary, dirt cheap GI issue overboots over running shoes. Surprisingly warm, as comfortable as the running shoes inside and did I mention dirt cheap. The only trick is to get the right size overboots that fit your running shoes snug. Coupls of FTXs in Germany that I don't think I would have made it through without them. Chris

 

[Ravaillac]

Ravaillac, it's a winter boot test by the magazine Finnish Soldier. I can translate the highlights if you want.

Well if you can translate general ideas, yes I would be interested.

When question I had is would that type of footwear be suitable for over-night winter hikes. I've heard Baffin, Mickey Mouses and the like are fine for working around building but will freeze overnight. I'd guess removable liners could help solve the problem.

 

[IUKE12]

Actually not so, I heard for many years that if you went in the water, they would take you to the bottom, so I tried it - you can swim with them on, but it's tiring, and remember the density of the water in your boots is the same density as the water outside of them, so there is no 'anchor effect' other than the weight of the boots themselves.

I use regular, cheapy rubber boots, one size larger than required and fit them with thick insoles. I use them exclusively when canoeing. Just the ticket for boggy portages and stepping in and out of the canoe in shallow (read barely deep enought to float canoe) water.

Doc

Good to know Doc. Makes sense to me. Admittedly, I have never bothered to experiment with water filled boots. Sorry for disseminating erroneous information.

 

[HawGorn]

Actually not so, I heard for many years that if you went in the water, they would take you to the bottom, so I tried it - you can swim with them on, but it's tiring, and remember the density of the water in your boots is the same density as the water outside of them, so there is no 'anchor effect' other than the weight of the boots themselves.
Doc

We use felt lined rubber boots for ice fishing. The one (and only) time ice has broken under me I could indeed "swim" without a problem. Fortunately I had icepicks with me and could pull myself up. It was a cold and fast hike back to home...

 

[Blue Sky]

I use Lacrosse 800 gm. Alpha Burly's for fall hunting. They're great, I don't have to think twice about where I'm going, heck sometimes I'll walk the creeks because it's quieter. Mud, who cares, rinse them off in the next puddle or creek.

You need to get them the right size, good fit is very important. They're very comfortable if you get it right. I wear a 10-1/2 shoe, but the boots are 13's. That gives me room for two pair of thick wool socks without being tight around my toes, and a snug ankle fit for easy walking.

They've held up just fine, I've been wearing the same pair for the last 4 years and they still look like new. Goretex and all that don't breath any better when they're wet or dirty, so you're feet are still going to sweat in the field no matter what you wear. Might as well enjoy the advantages of a good rubber boot.

 

[HawGorn]

For Ravaillac

First there's a bit using rubber boots for X-country skiing and what it demands. There's also different needs for different soldiers during winter; tank drivers, snow mobile drivers, artillery, infantry all have different needs. Anyway, at the moment leather combat boots still can't replace rubber boots for Finnish soldier. In the different climates and terrain the rubber boots last longer and are easier to maintain. And in the extreme cold leather combat boots are no match to felt lined rubber boots.

They compared the army issue Pakkassaappaat M05, Naali and Kaira, all made by Nokia Footwear. Rokka is made by Suomen Kumitehdas.

Pakkassaappaat M05
Felt liners are 5mm thick, liners go halfway up. Wool/polyamide mixture.

+Warm winter boots. Good support.
+removable felt liners have holes for hanging and tying the liners together
-Boots are very heavy
-Not a good fitting to ski bindings

Naali
Removable liners are 9mm thick and go all the way up. 100% wool.

+Very warm boots and good support.
-No loops for hanging the boots
-Thick liners dry very slowly
-Boots are really heavy
-Not a good fitting to ski bindings

Rokka
Very similar to Naali's. Removable liners are 9mm thick and go all the way up. 100% wool. They have also felt insoles.

+Very warm boots and good support.
+Loops for hanging the boots
-Thick liners dry very slowly
-Boots are really heavy
-Not a good fitting to ski bindings

Kaira
Not as nearly as good support as with the other boots, but none of the testers twisted ankles.
Liners are 3mm thick and go all the way up. Warm enough for most weather conditions.

+Very light boots to ski and even to run in
+Good fitting to ski bindings
+Thin removable liners dry quickly
+reasonably priced
-The stitching in the liners is bad, they don't hold together
-No loops for hanging

Kairas were the recommended boots by the test group.

 

[Ravaillac]

Thanks! interesting review.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Not just for Ravaillac. Thanks for your efforts. :thumbup:

Doc

 

[ZombaiO]

Every hunter here has at least one pair !

 

[Eyegor]

Another trick that works really well is ordinary, dirt cheap GI issue overboots over running shoes. Surprisingly warm, as comfortable as the running shoes inside and did I mention dirt cheap. The only trick is to get the right size overboots that fit your running shoes snug. Coupls of FTXs in Germany that I don't think I would have made it through without them. Chris

I grew up wearing Sno-Pac style winter boots and thought that they were great. One year hunting season came around and I had old felt liners that were OK but the boots were no good. Out of desperation, I stuck the liners into these: http://www.servusproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=112. That was twenty five years ago and I haven't gone back to Pacs. If I am going to be doing a LOT of miles I have a pair of insulated Danner leathers, otherwise felts plus the overboot is my choice. They are old-tech but they are more waterproof than anything else I have tried. My feet sweat a lot so normally I don't even buckle them. Just use my pant legs as gaiters. Still works great. If I do happen to get snow in them I usually just slip them off and dump it back out.

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

Bogg boots from lee valley are awesome. Neoprene with rubber outsoles

 

[Ebbtide]

Overboots?!
Dems Galoshes

 

[A.L.]

Rubberboots all the way. I find them very comfortable (doesn't have that fancy "ergonomical design" :jerkit and good for most terrain types (inc. water).