I have some cabela's ones that have held up well for several years, but I did not want laces (seen too many people picking burrs and such out of their laces) and they are hard to get into/off especially if you have big ankles, calves, or high arches.

If I had it to do over, I'd have bitten the bullet and gotten Chippewas, but the $99 price tag was enticing at the time.

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I'm going to let you boys in on a little secret for getting a brand new pair of snake boots on the cheap. Go to snakeboots.com and click on the first boot which is the gold standard for Chippewa. When it opens up click the Discounted "As Is" Imperfects. About $90 cheaper than the regular boots and imperfections so minor you will probably not notice. Mine had a scratch in the side of the left leather foot and a tiny stitching wobble on the right upper. Talked to the lady that runs the store and she said most of the time they can not see what's wrong with them but Chippewa flags them so that's what they are

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Nice, but sizes are 7-8.5 and 13-14.

Yeah you have to keep checking in with them to see when they have your size. Had a buddy call and they took his name and called him when some came in

Thanks for the help!!! Tried on a pair of Chippewas at bass pro last night and they felt pretty good. I wanted to try one 1/2 size smaller and will try to find that size to try before I buy. I noticed that have a zippered back model that looks easier to put on and take off. Any thoughts on this feature? Bass Pro didn't have this model and don't offer it for on-line sale. I won't be needing waterproof boots in the hill country. Thanks again, will buy Chippewas when I find right size.

Carters country carries chipp's and last time I was there they had the zipper back ones, I would only go there to try on as they are way high on price.

Just curious if anyone here ever had a rattler or water moccasin strike them wearing Chipps or other snake boots?

I'm sure they work, just wanted hear about times they were needed.

http://www.krsaddleshop.com/Moccasin-Toe-Leather-Snake-Boots

I've been wearing snake boots on my ranch in South Texas for twenty years now. I have both the Justins and king ranch chippewa. If you wear them with pants they will be hot, but what makes snake boots literally cooler than other boots is that you can wear a them with shorts are with the confidence that your entire leg is protected from brush and snakes. I would have to say that I favor the Chippewas more because a 1911 fits perfectly into the top of them. It's an incredibly handy draw especially in the truck. I haven't had to buy a new pair in ten years, and I have put some major miles on both.
http://imgur.com/tdnuswQ

GF and I bought a pair each of Chippewa 17 in. Snake boots Model# 23913. We both found that fit well out of box, may try to break in some this morning. Thanks for the OB help. Oddly, we found that LLano Feed and Supply, just down the road, had the best selection and prices of anywhere we checked. Also had some models in extra wide, small sizes for kids as well. We paid $219 for the boots. If you are in the market and heading near Llano, would be worth checking out

I've been popped three time while wearing my snake boots. But I have to qualify it that I was jacking with the rattlers when they hit the boots. They did their job. Did I know it happened? Of course. But the actual hit wasn't as hard as I anticpating. Now that could be due to the fact I was wearing jeans over the boots (except for Sean's favorite Texags photos), and have fairly skinny calves, so a lot of energy was likely already knock down.

Generally speaking, if I'm wearing my snake boot it's more for blocking poison ivy.....or dropped jeans over the tops and they make good dress shoes.

I have enjoyed this thread because I am interested in getting some nicer snake boots also. It seems OP made a good choice.

I have been wearing my cheap Academy Game Winner snake boots for almost 2 years, about 6 times a week for a few hours each evening. They have served me fine but I want nicer ones now. I never tested them in high water but wore them successfully in about 2" deep water without getting wet feet. They are side-zipper style.

What I am most concerned about is if I am going to be able to easily get my foot into other models, so probably looking for one with a zipper again. On most days I can get a really bad calf cramp if I have to work too much to get my foot into the boot. I think this is because I am an old fart and I don't stretch regularly enough.

Allen, GF had issue with right foot on almost every pair. Was hard for her to get past the "turn" on that right foot, guess on of her feet, right foot has taller instep. Checked out a wider model, D or E (can't remember) and that problem just went away. Still felt like it fit though. I thought I'd need zipper on mine but the model I bought slips on and off pretty easily...bout like a pair of ropers. I have thinner calves as well. Broke them in this morning for a couple of hours...no issues.

Cool, looks like I will have to try some out. Thanks.

I got the zipper model Chippewas and had to end up stretching out the boots since I was in between sizes. they fit like a glove now. Bought them online somewhere and paid around $250 shipped

Today I wore Game Wiiners with laces and side zip for the first time that I picked up on the post-hunting season clearance for $100. Did three hours of cedar chainsawing/stacking and filled a couple feeders. It was 90+ degrees outside and when all is said and done my socks were drenched. So was every stitch of clothing that I had on.

They were comfortable and for my application--hot weather brush clearing--they were fine.

For those with Chippewa's, how did you break them in?

Mine (waterproof version) are very snug across the width - but the sales guy assured me they would stretch with some oil and stuffing socks in them

Do the waterproof stretch out much?

Thinking i should look at an "E" width but haven't found any available to compare and I've never had to bump up in width for any other boot...

Only ones I could find in my size (16) were Danner's ( http://www.danner.com/pronghorn-snake-boot-side-zip-17-brown-1.html ). Comfortable out of the box and I've never had a snake get through them (never been struck either). They look a little too "Robin Hood Men in Tights" for me and I would have preferred Chippewas but beggars can't be choosers.

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Allen, GF had issue with right foot on almost every pair. Was hard for her to get past the "turn" on that right foot, guess on of her feet, right foot has taller instep. Checked out a wider model, D or E (can't remember) and that problem just went away. Still felt like it fit though. I thought I'd need zipper on mine but the model I bought slips on and off pretty easily...bout like a pair of ropers. I have thinner calves as well. Broke them in this morning for a couple of hours...no issues.

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I'm currently having that problem as well. Ordered another pair that arrived this evening and haven't tried them yet but hopefully the EE width fixed that. We'll see. I wish there was a store with tons of pair I could try on. That would make life easier.

I've had a pair of Chippewa's for a couple years.

I have to walk a lot, lot of quick movements sorting cows in pens, and I end up with some pretty bad blisters.

When not working cows, they are very comfortable, and I don't have any issues.

Wonder if I have a half size too big (or wide)...

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For those with Chippewa's, how did you break them in?

Mine (waterproof version) are very snug across the width - but the sales guy assured me they would stretch with some oil and stuffing socks in them

Do the waterproof stretch out much?

Thinking i should look at an "E" width but haven't found any available to compare and I've never had to bump up in width for any other boot...

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Haven't had mine (square toe) very long, but I wear a very thick pair of cotton socks while I'm doing field work. It helps, but I'm still getting small blisters occasionally. I have a fairly wide foot, so I ordered a 10.5W. Plenty of room and not snug like other shoes/boots I've had in the past.

ETA: After reading reviews, I ordered them wide with the intention of adding an insole if they ended up being too wide, and I have not felt the need to do so.

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For those with Chippewa's, how did you break them in?

Mine (waterproof version) are very snug across the width - but the sales guy assured me they would stretch with some oil and stuffing socks in them

Do the waterproof stretch out much?

Thinking i should look at an "E" width but haven't found any available to compare and I've never had to bump up in width for any other boot...

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I have always just soaked the foot in some shallow water. Walk around until they dry completely and repeat until they loosen up

Thank y'all for the replies - I'm going to order a wider width and compare the two before I put a hard break-in on them

We'll see how it works out

I thought about buying some Chippewas to bring to Zambia until I saw a video of a black mamba moving at cruising speed with its head about 4 feet off the ground.

Bought the new ones from Ariat, best investment I've made in a while.

I tried the Chippewas several years ago but couldn't find on I could fit my calves into. Tried several other brands with no luck. Same deal with rubber boots too, my calves don't fit.

On my third pair of Chippewa's. Love them. I have waded lots is swamps and walked lots of s TX in 'em.