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Possible problem with my new snake proof boots.
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by Rattler4 on March 27, 2009
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I may have a possible problem with my new Cabela's 17" El Dorado Pull-On Snake Boots. I had decided to perform a small test on the boots to see if they would hold up against a bite, so I grabbed a thin target dart that you shoot out of a blowgun and pushed it against the top of the boot and was supprised when after a little pushing it when through. It also partially penetrated when shot from the blow gun and penetrated through when jabbed. The boots are rated to be snake proof from top to bottem. I don't know if I could actually count this as a failure because the dart is 4 inches long, very thin in diameter, and the point is very sharp. I dont think snakes fangs would penetrate because they are thicker than the dart. The reviews for these boots are almost perfect, the only problems other people had with it are that they were hard to get on. One person said they held up to bites from 2 rattlesnakes and a 4 foot copperhead.Any inpute and advice would be greatly appreiciated. Thanks.
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by Pug on March 28, 2009
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I took a common sewing needle and a pair of pliers, and pushed the needle through both the leather lowers and kevlar uppers of my snake boots. That's how they put them together. Steel is stronger than fangs. Enjoy your new boots!
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by yoyoing on March 28, 2009
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The description on their website is "proven 100% effective in blocking strikes from North American vipers". Vipers fangs (delivered by a snake and not pliers or blowguns)are not darts and sewing needles. I would suggest contacting the company to get the research info to back their claim and what their definition of "blocking strikes" might be. They may actually have a good product.
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by Cro on March 29, 2009
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All "snake-proof" boots, gloves, chaps, jeans, etc are more properly called snake-resistant.
All are easily pierced by small guage needles, like insulin needles, and are also pierced by the sewing machine needles that are used to sew and construct them.
We must remember though that snake fangs tend to taper wider and wider, unlike many needles that stay the same diameter. That tends to prevent a snake fang from going too far through a material. And we also must remember that no snake strike can duplicate the puncture power of a commercial sewing machine.
The best thing to do is to not take chances when wearing these products, and allways assume that a fang might get through. Consider them snake-resistant and you will be using them they way they should be used.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by theemojohnm on March 29, 2009
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John, I could not have put it better. I actually thought about posting in this topic, but figured it was not even worth it.
Even though all snake fangs do eventually taper down to a much wider width when comparing the "base" of the fang to the tip, they are still a uniform enough thickness to compare to some of the common household items that folks may be temped to "test" them with in my opinion.
My point is, why are "snake-proof" boots important at all? Maybe it is just me, but in case your version of the venomous hobby involves a trip out into the woods to step on snakes, I do not see and need to pay for anything extra then a good pair of leather boots, rather than a "snake-proof gimmick".
Seriously, how many of us really have an intent, when buying boots, to use those to step on a snake?
I do understand the claim, and the reason why some may be a bit upset to find that they do not hold up to the “snake-proof” claim, but find it hard to believe that it is necessary to prove that ANY boot is "snake-proof" in ANY situation.
Indefinitely, the manufacturers of these boots are not herpetologists, and probably do not even have a slightly educated understanding of what a venomous snakes fangs look like, do, or their capability of penetration.
Again, maybe I am alone on this, but I always found the "snake-proof" stuff to be ridiculous. A good pair of hiking boots are certainly all the protection anyone needs, even those who go out, intentionally, “herping“?
Why would someone’s boot ever have to close enough to risk the chance of a bite? I know. I know, there are always those circumstances, but to make a claim such as "snake-proof", there does not seem to be many logical scenarios that I can think of where such a boot would be needed.
Does anyone recall a recent incident in which a man was bitten trough a MIDWEST (reptile specialty, no?) glove by a mamba?
Anyways, I do think that it is a shame that (according to those who posted), these boots do not even hold up to common household items (again, however, snake fangs are very differently tapered and shaped). However, I am still having a hard time seeing why anything "snake-proof" should be needed, or so highly relied on. Unless of course, you are a "Snake-Stomper" rather than a "Herper".
Take Care,
-John Mendrola.
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by FlaSnakeHunter on March 29, 2009
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Throughout the last 45 years, I have tromped through more miles than I could possibly calculate of very thick undergrowth in both thick palmetto stands in search of Eastern Diamondbacks as well as canal banks lined with very heavy undergrowth looking for Florida Water Moccasins. Whereas I have never had any incidents with EDBs, I have had a few occasions where I was very happy to be wearing Gokeys while working my way along canal banks.
So, I would say better to be safe than sorry while in the field, depending upon how "in the field" one finds oneself.
Marty
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by Pug on March 31, 2009
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Marty,
Thanks for apparently saying it better than I did. I did not mean to infer that folks wearing snakeproof boots stomped snakes. I will confess to gently restraining one with the toe of a boot from time to time (and can assure you that I did so more gently than Mr. Pilstrom can).
I just wanted the writer to feel comfortable with his protection. At my age, my vision is probably less acute than Mr. Mendrola's or yours. And when flipping tin, it's nice to have something sturdier than flipflops on..........the nails are often more dangerous than the snakes.
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by Buzztail1 on March 31, 2009
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I do not use or recommend any "snakeproof" gear.
However, I did attend a photo shoot for Midwest's gloves one year.
I watched as several very respected herp people handled a very large Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and a nervous Blacktail Rattlesnake.
When it came to be my turn, I declined.
I figured that I have nothing to prove, no thrill to seek, and everything to lose.
No-one was bitten through the gloves and I wound up asking one of the more knowledgable participants about it.
He told me that North American pitviper fangs are curved and that the pressure on the curve would cause the fang to break before it pushed through the bite resistant fabric. He also told me that he would not be so cavalier with a large elapid and the same gloves because elapid fangs don't have the same weakness being shorter and less curved.
Now, I recognize that was gloves and we are talking boots. But it stands to reason that the same weakness in the design of the fang, as it were, would apply to puncturing a boot, which by any stretch of the imagination, must be made of thicker material than a glove.
Just some food for thought.
I generally wear leather docksiders while out herping. But that follows along with a caveat I learned as a child - never put your hands or feet where you can't see them.
Anyway, I hope this helps.
R/
Karl
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by pictigaster1 on March 31, 2009
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I had a pr of chippawa bull hide diamond back hunters.These boots were 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick bullhide.These boots would stop any fang that I ever dealt with.The main protection was cactus, man I miss those boots when I get back from a hunt and am picking out thorns for days.I took a needle and a pair a pliars and tried to push it through.Only after a minute of pushing would it go through.
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RE: Possible problem with my new snake proof boots
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by TMay on October 8, 2012
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You are wondering who would be interested in the subject. The reason I looked up the subject is that I have a cousin who lives in Australia which is home to the most poisonous snakes and insects and poisonous creepy crawly things in the sea. On Facebook they posted that they found a snake in their chicken coop, with a photo, who had eaten an egg and who was eyeing a chicken. The husband moved the snake with gloves and a plastic garbage container. It looked about 6 feet long. As he moved it he noticed that when it opened its mouth that it did not have fangs. That is when he knew that he was dealing with a python and not a poisonous venomous Tiger snake.
His greatest difficulty was that the python wrapped itself around his wrist and would not let go. His other hand was holding the tail. I was wondering if there were special boots and gloves etc that he and his wife should have on hand. He successfully moved the snake. They named him Monty.
If the thing grabs your wrist, I don't know that even gloves are enough.
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