Snake protection?

[*zap*]

The trails I like to ruck get pretty overgrown and we have lots of rattlesnakes and copperheads and with the hot months approaching I will probably be rucking in the dark sometimes....What will be the best for 'just in case' protection? Calf high boots, calf high chaps or full leg chaps? It gets hot and humid here.....
Brand/model recommendations are welcome, thanks in advance.

 

[Btaylor]

I prefer snake boots to chaps. The irish setter lace ups are light and not overly hot until the temps get above 90, then they start getting a little warm.

 

[Mosby]

I found that guys that had chaps, left them in the truck a lot. Easy to convince yourself you don't need them. When I lived and hunted in Texas and walked in buffalo grass a lot, I bought a pair of Russell Turkey hunting lace up boots. I walked up on a rattlesnake early one morning and he didn't rattle until I was right on top of him. I ordered boots when I got home. They go up to right below my knee. I put them on first thing and left them on all day. Hot or not. They are pricey but fit great and the peace of mind was worth every penney. We killed a lot of rattlesnakes around the ranch and water moccasins around the stock ponds. My leg was worth the price of the boots.

 

[Tower]

Chippewa snake boots are about all I wear down here in south Texas unless it’s muddy or really cold. They are most beneficial this time of year of course for snake protection but they are great for brush/cactus busting as well. Plus they are darn comfortable and easy on and off.

 

[*zap*]

So, are most bites that happen while the person who was bitten was standing below the knee?

 

[mavinwa2]

look at the Turtle Skin brand. They have various chaps etc too.
I just use the snake gaiters, which cover from boot arch and come up to bottom of my knee cap.
tested me 2x after a couple years of no encounters or able to avoid.
Darn Sept southern AZ deer hunts!
Both strikes were between top ankle and mid calf. One strike no rattle until after, 2nd strike heard the rattle and it hit before I could backstep away.

 

[Mosby]

So, are most bites that happen while the person who was bitten was standing below the knee?

I don't know for a fact but I would say yes, most are below the knee. Unless the snake is really large, is on a log or a rock face up off the ground or you pick it up. It is amazing to me how many guys get bit because they pick up a snake. I am always careful around logs, especially if I am stepping over them or going to sit down. I once had a rattlesnake under my tree stand in Pennsylvania hanging on a piece of laurel a couple of feet off the ground. You just never know.

 

[*zap*]

I have been struck 2x by copperheads fall deer hunting in Kansas.....one time with snake boots and one time regular boots.....both times I did not have skin broken. The timber rattlers here are king of the woods and can be nasty....I appreciate the responses.
Thanks again for the help. I plan to hit the ruck hiking hard and the toughest trails here get very overgrown......

 

[gumbl3]

Turtle skins are where it's at!

 

[Boarmaster]

I wear Rocky ProLights. They are light weight but offer good protection.
I been wearing snake boots since I started hunting in South Florida 35 years ago. I no longer hunt in Florida but they work very well in Alabama where I hunt now. I would suggest to focus on the tread and match that to your needs.
In Florida less is best as you are walking on sandy soils. While the lace up models are great for a custom fit they are a bit of a pain to lace up if you are taking them on and off. Especially if your bend in the middle challenged like me.

 

[*zap*]

Turtle skins are where it's at!

They seem to be sold out where I look, in my size anyway....pretty high price tag but they must be worth it. Friggin timber rattlers give me the he-be-ge-bes. They are nasty bastages.

 

[rayporter]

I wear these half chaps a lot. they are leather and Velcro on easy

https://www.horse.com/item/ovation-ladies-suede-1-2-chap-w-velcro/E010788/

 

[zachary.peterson]

Had my first run in with a rattler in South Dakota. I was alright with it but my hunting partner was freaked out. This is good info for us.

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

 

[gumbl3]

Timber rattlers ain't so bad, worst part of them is they won't let you know your getting to close until you got too close.. Then they'll buzz when you're damn near on top of them.. Has happened to me three times but never been zapped.. Only cost me three pair of underwear

 

[ohoopee]

Rocky pro lights for me. Lightweight and comfortable. I don't believe
mine are leaking yet after 2 years.

 

[torrey.harris.5]

Following


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[n816kc]

+1 on the Russell lace ups. My current pair are going on 15 years with one resole. 40 years of hunting Florida and south Alabama/Mississippi. They're hot, but not too heavy or cumbersome. I agree with Mosby on the chaps, tried them and they stayed in the back of the truck all too often. There's an interesting thread on Bowsite right now about a timber rattle bite and outcome. Will make you think next time you pick up your lightweight hikers before going out.

 

[Beendare]

View attachment 98320
Timber rattlers ain't so bad, worst part of them is they won't let you know your getting to close until you got too close.. Then they'll buzz when you're damn near on top of them.. Has happened to me three times but never been zapped.. Only cost me three pair of underwear

Dang...that ^guy would look good on my recurve limbs.....

 

[Mow1954]

Danner GTX snakeboots. I don't leave camp without them.....

 

[Reburn]

turtle skin gaiters would be my go to. With shorts when its over 90.

I don't know how much your rucking with. I train at 70 lbs. I find my boot selection to be critical the heavier my pack. I just cant use any boot like I would be if i was carrying 20 lbs. IMO most of the snake boots are not very comfortable. If i had to use boots the chippewa would be my choice as they have been the most comfotrable / durable. I have gotten funny looks wearing them with shorts before though.....