Snakes are known for their sneaky moves and heightened ability to camouflage themselves. Even though they do not attack first unless prompted or agitated, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially if you have to walk through their regions.
Regular shoes might save your feet from thorny branches or mud, but will they withhold a snake bit? Maybe not. It is believed that most snakes can’t bite through rubber boots. As rubber has a reliable and robust construction, people prefer wearing rubber boots while walking through a forest region. But is this entirely true? Let us find out.
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What are Rubber Boots Made of?
Self-evidently, rubber boots are made of rubber. It can either have a natural rubber or synthetic rubber or synthetic resin construction.
The process:
Firstly, natural rubber is extracted from the tree’s bark. The sap removed has a sticky and milky texture. It is stored till it hardens.
The rubber compound is created by removing excess water or moisture from the rubber latex. It is also mixed with other materials.
It is converted into rubber sheets that are left to dry.
These are sent to the factories where a print will be applied to them.
These sheets are wrapped around the boot’s last.
A vulcanizer is used to mold the shoe materials to create the end product- rubber boots.
Rubber boots are also known as billy boots, wellington, gum-boots, rain boots, galoshes, mucking boots, mud boots, etc. Besides rubber, they can also be made of a halogenated polymer or PVS.
In the present times, neoprene, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber are used to make rubber boots.
Properties of Rubber Boots
The following are some of the properties of rubber boots that can are responsible for their high credibility:
- Rubber boots have a waterproof construction.
- They have a robust yet flexible material texture.
- As it is molded through injection, it has a seamless build.
- Durability is guaranteed due to its wear and tear resistance.
- It is comfortable to wear and style with multiple outfits.
- Their outsoles are cleated, making them slip-resistant.
- They are comfortable to wear and remove.
- If they get dirty or laded with mud, you can clean them easily with some soap and water.
- They are incredibly light in weight.
- Lastly, they have a trustworthy and secure closure.
Can Snakes Bite Through Boots?
You do not have to be a herpetologist to know that not all snakes have those sharp fangs. That being said, almost all snakes have four rows of teeth on the top and two rows on the bottom. These are enough to bite through the boots.
As snakes crawl on the ground, they lack the ability to bite over and above the ankle area. So if you are planning to walk through a forest or wooded area with a significant habitation of snakes, you must wear shoes that cover your entire feet as well as a part of your ankles. In other words, do not let your skin be exposed.
Certain types of snakes have extremely sharp fangs. These can easily penetrate through any boots. But just to be on the safer side, always wear boots while walking through a snakes-laded area. It is better than wearing no shoes at all.
What Type of Rubber Boots should you wear to Prevent Snake Bites?
As mentioned earlier, rubber boots have immense useful properties that can help prevent snake bites. As they have a robust build and sturdy construction, they can withstand the bites from most of the snakes.
First and foremost, ensure that your rubber boots cover your entire feet and no part is left exposed for the snakes to take a dig. Pair your shoes with long pants for an added safety.
You must keep in mind that not all rubber boots will protect you against snake bites. So, if your work requires you to walk in a swamp where there is a possibility of snake-breeding, you must invest in a pair of snake boots instead.
Snake boots are made of varying material types, like denim, leather, synthetic weaves, Cordura nylon, etc.
These kinds of materials will help you get the required protection from snake bites. Along with that, these shoes will protect you if you accidentally step on snakes.
Where are you at Risk for Snake Bites?
There are over 3000 species of snakes found on Earth. Most of them are found everywhere except for Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, and New Zealand.
Out of the 3000 species, only 600 are venomous, and about 200 have the ability to kill a human being. Regardless, you must be careful and have your guard up at all times whenever you are walking through a questionable region.
More snakes are found in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The people working in rural areas are more at risk. If you are a herder, fisherman, hunter, or agricultural worker, you must wear reliable snake boots to avoid putting yourself at risk.
Try Snake-Proof Boots
As it is well-established now that rubber boots might not be the best alternative in protecting against snake bites. You must consider investing in snake boots to gain the ultimate protection.
The following are some of the most significant features of snake boots that will help you get a better layer of protection:
Coverage
As previously mentioned, your boots must cover all the parts of your feet and ankles. Some snakes might attempt to climb and strike your feet and shins. As snake boots are long, they cover a significant part of your leg, thereby reducing the possibility of a snake bite.
Snake boots are also available in a shorter length that goes till the mid-calf. But even they cover the ankle, which is the most prominent area for snakes to bite. For reference purposes, choose the boot that has 16-18 inches of height.
Material
Snake boots are made of robust and reliable materials like nylon, synthetic weaves, denim, etc. These materials make it difficult for the snakes’ fangs or teeth to penetrate through.
As these fabrics are thick, the snake might find it difficult to bite through, and this can save you some time to make a run for it.
Closure
The closure is a crucial aspect as it determines your comfort and protection levels. Some snake boots have a lace-up or zip enclosure, while other boots have a slip-on construction. All the types of enclosures have their set of merits and demerits.
Lace-up and zip closures provide a custom fit but are challenging to put on and off. They are also more common but can quickly get stuck with the thorns or bushes lying around.
Comfort
Snake boots are made with strong and robust materials, giving them an upper hand in protection. However, they are a hit-and-miss when it comes to comfort.
As they are knee-high boots, you might feel uncomfortable in the initial usages. You might not be able to run in those either. However, they are a pre-requisite when it comes to protection against snake bites. You win some, you love some, after all.
Ventilation
As snake boots have thick material, your feet are bound to get sweaty. This will lead to a foul odor. You can prevent this by opting for breathable fabric. If you already have the boots, put some baking soda on the interior part to get rid of the odor.
Do I Really Need Snake Boots?
Yes, if you want to protect yourself from the deadly snake bites. You might be tempted to wear your rubber boots while walking through a snake swamp or a wooded area, but always remember that snake boots exist for a reason. Their purpose is to protect the wearer from snake bites, and it rightly does so.
As snake boots have a trustworthy construction, proper enclosure, and full coverage, they are a must-have for explorers and people who have to work in or walk through the jungles.
The bottom line
So are you still willing to wear your rubber boots in hopes that they will protect you from snake bites? We hope not. Snake boots serve a specific purpose, and you must get them if you are going to face similar situations.
Even though snake boots might not be the most comfortable boots, but what would you choose- comfort or safety? We thought so too. So, don’t wait up and get your pair today!
Also Read:
Are Vans Shoes Bad For Your Feet?
William has hands-on experiences with construction sites, and the hazards employees face while working. He has been a dedicated worker since 1995 and is currently looked up to by many of his subordinates for the work he has done throughout his tenure. He has passed several certifications regarding safety at the workplace, including OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Silica in Construction Certificate, and the National Association of Safety Professionals Certification.
He has ample experience in woodwork and welding and understands the importance of a tough work boot in dangerous occupational environments. His achievements, experience, and knowledge allow him to be an expert in the field of work boots. He selects and tries all the products that he reviews and presents to his readers. As per him, the safety of the boot is beyond the beauty of it. He carefully scrutinizes each aspect of work boots, including flex, laces, length, breathability, strength, and more.
