DIY boot pads?

[TexasStick81]

I was trying to order the felt boot pads off 3 rivers and they are phasing them out and only have smalls left.  After looking at them more I don't see why I can't make some myself with some soft material from walmart and some bungie cords.  Anyone try this before? Any tips to do or not do?  I'll be hunting here in Texas and I'm not willing to take off the snake boots while stalking.

Zane

[huntin_sparty]

Havent done it yet but its been a project Ive been planning, thinking buying a yard of heavy carpet padding cut to size of boot make 4 slits, then attach cinch straps through and tighten to boots.  My only concern is not having a strap holding the back down but will deal with when I put together.

[misfire]

WOW! I can't tell you how many times I've thought about something, come on the forum to do some research and TaDa someone is asking the question.

Anyway I've been putting some thought into this as well. I have an idea involving heavy felt and stretchcord.

[TexasStick81]

I was thinking heavy felt and bungie cord.  As for keeping the back down, looking at the design of the "soft stalker" the strap from the back of the pad seems to come up to the front of the ankle.  Thats what I'm planning to try.  

What would make for the best material?  Felt?

[misfire]

Originally posted by Texasrecurve81:
I was thinking heavy felt and bungie cord.  As for keeping the back down, looking at the design of the "soft stalker" the strap from the back of the pad seems to come up to the front of the ankle.  Thats what I'm planning to try.  

What would make for the best material?  Felt?

I beleive we are on the same track here.

It's my thoughts that a heavy felt is the way to go.

[iron_llama]

Are you looking for something to make your footsteps quieter, or something to soak in scent?  I use a boot pad with scent in it when still hunting, but it's just a small piece of felt in my instep.  It sounds like you're looking for a full-foot sort of thing.  Is this right?

[Looper]

A fellow I knew in Alaska made some with some wool carpeting. He used contact cement to attach them.

[wtpops]

The only thing to consider about felt is it will attract every fox tail, sticker and every thing on the ground that can stick to somthing and will take forever to clean. Carpet padding sounds good if it is strong enough not to tear at the attachment points..

[John Scifres]

Wool felt is really easy to sew.  Go to the fabric store and pick some out.  Get a big needle and soem strong thread and play around with it.  Let us see what you come up with.

[huntin_sparty]

Originally posted by iron_llama:
Are you looking for something to make your footsteps quieter, or something to soak in scent?  I use a boot pad with scent in it when still hunting, but it's just a small piece of felt in my instep.  It sounds like you're looking for a full-foot sort of thing.  Is this right?

Correct a full foot thing to silence movement (hopefully)!

[TexasStick81]

I'm also looking for a full boot sole cover to help with stalking quietly.  I've been a little concerned about picking up every sticker out there when walking.  I'll have to go to the fabric store and see what I can find.

[TexasStick81]

I should also say that I'm not going to want them attached all the time just when used for stalking so I'll be trying to make straps of some sort rather than gluing.

[RusD]

I remember looking through the catalog I got with my bino harness from Crooked Horn Outfitters; they had something similar to what you guys are talking about, but if I remember it correctly they had fabric that wrapped all the way around your boot.  Check them out. I don't have experience with them or anything, but it may give you some other ideas.

[amar911]

Cabela's used to have a product called "Baers Feet" (yes, that is the correct spelling), but they have been discontinued. My best friend Doug uses them all the time, including stalking buffalo in Australia 6 weeks ago.

Allan

[michigan bill]

yup, Crooked Horn Outfitters has exactly what you guys are talking about - 30 bucks.  Theirs don't look like they would begin to be as tuff as wool felt or some such would be though.
bill

[amar911]

Those Crooked Horn Safari Sneakers are exactly the same thing as the old Baers Feet. Like I said, my buddy Doug swears by them.

Allan

[Thumper Dunker]

Glue the stuff on an old pair of sneekers or boots. Shoe gue should work or somthing like it.

[the elf]

Get a pair of skidoo boot liners very cheap.They are sort of like the M.mouse boots. Just get oversize and tada.

[hardwaymike]

If you are going to make some yourself, leave a long thin tab on the heel end that will go up the back of your boot. Then just use same thing to wrap around to the front that you use to hold the sole on with. If I was going to make a pair and now that the pic is clear in my head, I just might,lol. I would use 2 layers of thick feltand leave the tab on the bottom one. Then sew some elastic waistband type material in between them and sew some velcro material to them where the ends meet together over the laces of the boot. That way if the felt gets caught and sticks it wouldn't take much pressure to alert you to the fact that you are caught up and could fix it before you go from stalking mt.lion to bull in china shop,lol. Hope that the explanation is clearer than mud. I apologize if not. Thanks, Mike.
BTW good idea.

[iron_llama]

Sorry for being late to the party here...

I've been kicking around the idea of swapping out my hunting boots for something with softer soles, to accomplish pretty much the same thing.  I've seen various 'deer stalker' boots and someone on here recommended Chuck Taylors.  I think I wouldn't mind glueing something soft to the bottom of a cheap pair of Chucks.  I would think that you'd want to be very careful and deliberate about scent control, no matter what material you use.  I'd expect that ancient Sorel liners will always smell like rotten feet, and underlayment might smell pretty strongly like chemicals and adhesive.  I've got a couple of old GI sleeping pads that should soften my footfalls, wonder how they smell...