Danner snake boots vs cheap brands...

[OkKeith]

My 15 year old Rocky snake boots have finally give up the ghost. I need a new pair. I have looked at all the brands and read all the reviews. They are all either "the best boots I've ever owned", "junk, don't buy them" or some seem to be both. I don't know how any of these people use their boots so have no idea whether or not what they say is relative to my needs. You guys... you know what they will be used for and how they will get used so I would like some input.

My Rockies were a very good boot. They were made back when the Rockie brand was a dependable piece of gear. I read a lot where quality and construction has dropped way off. Is this true? I also read that everyone who buys waterproof snake boots gets a year at most and they start leaking. My old ones never leaked. Am I really looking at a $200 or $300 pair of waterproof boots that will be expected to leak in 12 months? I'm not a fan of boots that have more in common with sneakers than they actually do with boots so weight isn't that big a deal.

I'm looking at the Danner snake boots. I think they are the pronghorn model. I have read that previous manufacture was good, recent make not so much. They seem to have problems with discomfort in the ankle area. Anyone have a pair of these they have bought in the last year or so? How are they holding up? Do they leak? Several posts talk about waterproofing the boots with spray or wax. The Danners have Goretex. Any waterproofing would ruin the breathability wouldn't it? What about the zipper? How is a zipper waterproof? How long to break them in?

If the Danners are as poorly made as reported I will just get a crappy pair of Bass Pro boots and consider them disposable.

I sure appreciate any suggestions and all information.

Oh... and if you are gonna recommend Russell's, be a pal and split the cost with me, will ya?

OkKeith

[Hud]

I have seen taller boots in Cabelas.  They also sell the pronghorn a hunting boot that is under 10" at best. I don't think they advertise as a snake boot.  There is a post on this forum from OK about the annual snake roundup in southern OK. 

http://okcfox.com/news/local/man-catches-48-inch-long-rattlesnake-before-having-a-heart-attack

[Tater]

  No experience with the Danner's, I own a pair of Red Wing / Irish Setter snake boots, had them for three years comfortable fit and they have held up well.

[10essee]

I have had a pair of Danner Jackel snake boots for two years. I bought the Jackel to avoid a zipper. I think zippers are for pants and backpacks nothing else. That said they are a little rough on the ankles without a medium weight sock, but with good socks they are hard to beat for walking comfort. I live in Florida so most of the time I’m walking in swamps. So far they haven’t leaked to the inside yet but have gotten soggy between the outer camo layer and inner goretex liner. Descent boot but I feel little over priced.

[Charlie Lamb]

Not being a smartass, just curious. In the 15 years you had this last pair how many times did they save you from a snake bite?

[OkKeith]

Charlie
Honestly I'm not worried about snakes. We have lots of the kind to worry about but it's so rare that they cause anyone trouble it wouldn't be worth the expense for that reason. I like the knee high boot to turn briars, brambles, blackberries and other pokey plants along with being able to wade the sloughs and such. They help prevent a banged shin as well. I suppose a rubber boot would work for a while but they tear up pretty fast and WOW... feet in rubber boots for 10 to 12 hours during July/August in Oklahoma, TOXIC! I have Muck boots but they are too warm and tear up even faster. It's just nice to have the sturdy protection that most boots offer from the ankle down, all the way to the knee. Also, leggings and chaps are just too noisy and hot as well.

I smell what your stepping in... why all the fuss over snake proof? For me they are more "Blunder Into a Stupid Place To Put Your Feet" resistant.

OkKeith

[OkKeith]

Oops... didnt answer your question Charlie, sorry.

Not even once.   

OkKeith

[Charlie Lamb]

Certainly enough other reasons to want them. 

[Sam McMichael]

This discussion is interesting to me. I have heard that Danner, as well as other prominent brands, have declined in quality while still remaining fairly expensive. I have been using a pair from Cabela's (which have been very good) for a long time, and they are beginning to get frazzled. Danner is one of the brands I have thought about as a replacement, but I have become leery about everything out there due to so many negative comments I have heard.

This is a consequential matter, because of the cost as well as a necessity of great effectiveness. Some seem to dismiss snake books as relatively unimportant since snake strikes are relatively unlikely. I totally dismiss this notion. The fact that it might happen is reason enough to use them. For example, a tick bite is not all that likely to cause disease, but we all feel that protection against them is crucial. I feel that way about snakes. Never been bitten but have come VERY close more than once.

I wish there was a solid study available that has tested numerous snake boots over a significant time, so that quality, price, effectiveness, etc. can be compared. A well documented Top Ten list sure would be useful.

[Tim Finley]

I keep saying that I will never buy another pair of Danners again then I went and bought another pair 2 years ago now I will really say I will never buy another pair again threw them out after 6 months. Leaking uncomfortable bastards . I have a pair of Irish setters and they are good. I have 4 pair of the Cabelas Pinnacles 3 pair are pretty worn out but they were the best boot I ever had and they discontinued them . There is one snake boot I see in Texas that every one wears but I cant think of the name of it now .

[arrow30]

  wwll motorcycle boots.

[OkKeith]

Bryant-

Those could be the coolest looking boots I have ever seen!

I bet they would POUND your feet on a fair hike. Those guys and gals from then are made of much tougher stuff than most of us now.

OkKeith

[Blessed One]

I have had great results from the cheap bass pro snake boots they are the most comfortable boots I have. I just oil the zippers each year and they have remained waterproof.

[Gdpolk]

No experience with Danner snake boots but I’ve not found their regular hunting boots to be very durable and their warranty for them is pretty mediocre.

I’ve had a pair develop a LOUD squeaky heel like wet sneakers on a basketball court with every step regardless of terrain 3 months out of warranty: Danners fix was:”We can resole your $200 boots for $165 round trip and a 2 month wait.”...no thanks. They were friendly but that wasn’t a good solution.

I’ve had two pairs (different models) loose their waterproofness in under 3-months. Warranty replacement was seamless and took ~1-1.5 weeks. Not ideal in hunting season. I would have preferred to go to a stocking dealer and swap out then have the dealer do the warranty but I understand that Danner did try and succeed at making good.

I had another pair that just became plumb worn out and trashed in about 1.5 years while my Merrel hiking shoes bought the same day with 3x the miles in the exact same terrain was still in slightly better condition.

To my feet Danners have always fit me extremely well and have been extremely comfortable in the store so I kept trying to find some that worked well for me. Their customer service folks were ALWAYS friendly and tried to be helpful within the company policy but again their policies seem kind of mediocre. After wearing out my last pairs this past winter I think I’m going to try another brand of boot just to see if it’ll hold up a little better for me. It may mean I buy a boot and replace the insole with an aftermarket insole right off the bat: I don’t know but the Danners that I’ve had just aren’t lasting like I’d hope. I’ve even considered going to just a plain old hiking boot that’s oversized and loaded with wool socks instead because I know my Merrel boots have endured the test of time on trails.

[Blessed One]

Another option is just get light waterproof boots and use snake gaiters snake guards are a good one from what they look like for the purpose you stated.

[OkKeith]

Another option is just get light waterproof boots and use snake gaiters snake guards are a good one from what they look like for the purpose you stated.

Dan-
Which one of the BPS boots do you have? Are they a zipper model? Zippers seem to be a common fail point. The "Snake Proof" quality is pretty far down the list of preferred features. The rubber boot idea is good but,  holy cow... do my feet sweat in them! We call them Pig Boots around here. Mostly because that's what most folks wear to go out in the pig lot and feed. Also because that's how bad your feet smell after wearing them in warm weather. Tough protection to the knee along with waterproof breathability is primary.

Garrett
I have worked for the USFWS, Park Service and our State Wildlife Department. Every year for each agency we would recieve a uniform allowance. I always ordered Danner boots and Filson shirts. They cost twice as much but lasted (and looked good) four times as long. My last year or so with the Park Service was when I realized that my Danners weren't as good as they used to be. A couple of years ago a friend who is a US Air Force ParaRescue clued me in to the Merrill brand boots. That's all a lot of those guys wear. Good support and relatively durable. In active duty they only last 3 or 4 months but are much less expensive than many of the "tactical" brands that don't last any longer. I got a pair of the all leather boots (that are now discontinued, figures) and they are my favorite low boot. They are similar to the Vasque boots I used to wear.

I appreciate everyone's input. Could use some more if anyone has any.

OkKeith

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Blessed One]

I just have the zipper BPS snake boots and I am going on my 4th season with them and I wear them  all season until it gets really cold. I use the Lucas scent free oil and oil the zippers really well each season. When the metal part of the zipper you use to zip the boot up broke I used very small diameter paracord, and it worked so well I pulled the metal tab off my other zipper and replaced it. For $89 I have definitely got my money's worth and no leaks yet.

[OkKeith]

Thanks Dan,
I will take a look at those for sure. I have a $50 BPS gift card I got for my birthday that may go towards them. I guess its just too much to ask for things to last 10 or 15 years like stuff used to. Unfortunately I guess I am a lot like the character Deets from Lonesome Dove... I "ain't one to quit on a garment just 'cause it's gotta a little age".

Still no way I could justify the $700.00 for a pair of Russells. I would have to wear them all day every day and to church on Sundays.

Anyone have experience with Chippewa boots? They have a waterproof, breathable snake boot but its a slip-on. I wear slip on boots every day but don't know about slip-ons for serious walking/hiking while hunting. I would worry about them getting sucked off my foot in some of the crap I walk through.

Thanks again for everyones help.

OkKeith

[Tim Finley]

Chippewa boots are the ones I was trying to think of that's the ones you see mostly in Texas . My friend Kent wears them and he likes his .

[OkKeith]

Tim
Are they slip one you are seeing?
OkKeith