Snake Proof Boots: Do They Work?

Snake proof boots enjoy a very strong following among select groups of avid outdoorsmen.  Hunters seem to be especially fond of this footwear, especially in areas like the swamps or bayous of the south or the isolated timbers of the Rocky Mountains.  Basically any place where hunters are visiting a venomous snake's natural habitat.  One of the major benefits of this type of footwear is that many of these designs are made specifically as hunting boots.  This means a good pair of snake boots often serves as an excellent pair of hunting boots as well.  Many companies in this market produce both - and many started with ordinary hunting boots and moved on from there.

Why snake boot design is so important

One of the most important design features of your normal pair of snake proof hunting boots is that they go up to the knees.  This is critical since far more venomous snake bites take place on the leg from the mid shin up to the knee, and not on the foot itself.  This makes sense when you think about how snake bites take place, and how a snake has to bite up at a person.   Often times a hunter is bit because they step on or near a venomous snake they don't see, and the snake strikes out of self defense.  In thick woods or swamp you don't always see what's around your feet.  The superior design gives a major sense of security, not to mention the actual physical protection that comes with these boots.

Choosing the best snake proof boots can be difficult, and there are other types of clothing such as snake gaiters can be challenging.  There are many different designs out there, and one pair of snake boots can be radically different from another.  Some focus on the outside design and camouflage while others focus on being water proof.  There are many different designs whether focusing on warmth, water proof, or conventional hunting designs.  What is right for a southern turkey hunter hitting the swamps might not be the best snake boot choice for someone in the mountains and timbers.  

There are several things to think about when selecting a pair of snake boots.  Price can be a major issue as a good pair of snake proof boots can range from anywhere between $90 and well over $300.  The other is your specific need.  Is warmth in winter weather more important, or keeping your feet dry while gallivanting through the swamps? Answering these questions goes a long way towards getting you to the right pair of boots for your specific needs.

There's a lot of discussion over whether or not a good pair of snake proof boots is worth the cost.  There are two main points to this argument, and they can be summed up pretty succinctly from the various forums and discussions you hear on the topic. The first is a simple: why spend all that money on snake boots when your regular hunting boots are probably good enough to stop a venomous snake bite anyway.

The other side of the argument is pretty simple: you need hunting boots anyway so why not make sure they're snake proof?  When it comes to a giant rattler or copperhead taking a strike at your lower leg, "should be good enough" just isn't good enough.  Spend the extra few bucks to be sure!