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Chippewa Waterproof Snake Boot (Model 24947) ($220)

This past October while bowhunting for mulies in South Dakota, area ranchers said they had never seen rattlesnakes more numerous. We largely shrugged the info off as “local flavor”—until one member of our group was struck at (and thankfully missed) by an angry prairie rattler. After that incident Chad would have paid big money for a pair of these lace-up 17-inch boots, but I guess the point is, when and where you really need snake protection, it’s awfully nice to have.

Fit and finish of these boots is impressive, complete with serious ankle support, and their absolute waterproof construction makes them even more versatile. The simple, virtually flat Vibram soles also make this a good option for silent stalking, especially feral pigs hanging out in snake-infested haunts from Texas to Florida. In those areas it’s nice to know these are “guaranteed snake proof from the bottom of the sole to the top of the boot.” www.chippewaboots.com—Mark Melotik

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