I've read a couple of posts on snake boots and they seem pretty fancy. Can a snake bite you through a regular pair of cowboy boots? I mean that's part of the reason cowboys wore them.

How strong is the snake's jaw? (I never wait to find out, I'm a shoot first and ask questions later kind of guy when it comes to snakes.)

I also saw someone mention chaps. These are just leather too, do they really work against snakes.

After we killed that rattler a few weeks ago, I was getting ready to wrap cardboard and duct tape around my legs to keep from getting bit.

I think that the "chaps" in question are made of Cordura, not leather like the cowboy style. I own a pair of the Cordura ones and they are just way to hot for me to wear. I only use the boots.

From what I hear a thick pair of leather boots will stop a snake bite but one big difference between snake boots and cowboy boots is how much taller the snake boots are. Both pair that I have come all the way up to my knees.

I agree, chaps are hot, but the alternatives allot worse than just sweaty legs. Some here already know, I've been hit 4 times by rattlers, once while hunting, twice while hunting snakes and the last one was one of them " Here, hold my beer, kinda things ". I was lucky, mine were handled with antibiotics and anti-venom until they found out i was allergic to anti-venom. Now the do long incisions to relieve the swelling. My buddies 9 year old son was bit on the calf of his leg, while riding a 4 wheeler. They cut that poor boy from his ankle to his hip, plus he still had to go through the injections. I recommend the chaps.

I have heard that 10% of snake bites are above the knee,i don't know for sure and never want to find out but it pays to be careful.

My first one was right behind my left knee. He was a big snake and i was actually standing on him when he bit me. He kind of swung up and got me.

I bought a high-dollar pair of those snake chaps that come all the way up to your crotch (we all hear about the 20' rattlesnake) when I was bowhunting Javelinas south of Cotulla. Walking in them is really noisy so I wore them under my jeans. First time I wore them, I waded off into one of those monster patches of prickly pear cactus. All the long thorns poked through the chaps and the jeans like they were toilet paper. Sold the chaps and just watched where I was walking. Someone told me that the snake fangs wouldn't penetrate cause they're curved but I wasn't convinced. The snake boots may be great but the snake chaps suck.

Never buy snake chaps from a salesman named Wipple.

does any one have a reccommendation for the kiddo's? not trying to high jack your post, just a question

Depends on how old the kiddos are, but you can find ladies snake boots in smaller sizes to fit kids. I don’t mess around with snakes. I do a lot of bird hunting and I always wear snake boots, even in the winter months mainly because they don’t allow thorns to penetrate and I don’t have to “watch” wear I’m walking and can keep a better eye on my dogs. In the warmer snakey weather, I wear snake boots and chaps.

The chaps that are truly “snake-proof” will say so. Turtle Skin is one such brand. They are expensive, but they are light and don’t get too hot, they are also water proof and that’s a big plus when walking through the brush in the mornings. I have a pair of Filson Double Tin Cloth chaps that specifically say “we don’t claim that our chaps are snake proof, but we have had other people that have been bitten claim they are”. The Tin cloth can be HOT!!

Do they make chaps for kids say 6 years old and younger? I have not been able to find them.

Yep, I would wear snake boots. The ATV story I have wondered about myself. The front tire rolls over them, they strike or get ready to, but that time your leg is in front of their face looking nice and tasty.

I have ordered a pair of chaps to go over my boots for walking in the dark. Always have that fear of stepping on one and then they strike higher than normal.

Wondered if they can see the heat on your thigh better when your legs are covered up with the boots??? Or, they are designed to strike along the ground at rats and rabbits not up in the air on your thigh...

I had one strike back at me on the 4 wheeler last year in Ralls.. I saw the front tire hit him, and I screamed like a girl when I saw him try to strike at my leg. In reality, he was just striking at what hit him... Me going fast was what kept him from hitting me..

Depends on the cowboy boot. Justin ropers yes. a heavy leather like red wings no. I have a pair of custom 18" top beck cowboy boots. They are made out of heavy water bufflo. I know for a fact a snake cant bite thought them from expereince. www.beckboots.com

As far as chaps go you could get some shootgun chaps, just again make sure they are heavy oiled leather. will tell you coming from a guy that has worn boots and chaps half his life, In texas shoot gun chaps will burn you up. Most cowboys will wear chinks in the summer and they go just a little past the knee and are open in the back, which unless you think a snake is going to bite you on the thigh they won't do you anygood. Just by our self some heav leather cowboy boots.

i bought a pair at bass pro that fit from the knee down. they were having a show that day and a rep. was there. he had a little 10' x10' pen set up outside and dumped out a couple boxes of rattlesnakes out. they were striking his ankles and calves and apparently nothing went through. i bought a pair i think they were about $40.00

I have a pair of snake chaps by WICK -- they are hot but much more durable than my Filsons. They also have kids' starter chaps at good prices, though I don't think those are snake proof. Here is a link to their site:

http://www.houndhunting.com/modules.php?name=catalog&file=index&cPath=25_28_36

Oh, and BTW, they have AWESOME customer service and are willing to do custom work. Very affordable and good stuff IMO.