When we think of cowboys, the usual things that come to our mind are the rural, countryside environment, ranches and the tough, rugged vibes of the people.
And in the countryside, we may encounter various things we like, and some, well, things that we do not like near us. Snakes top the list for sure.
Fortunately, cowboys are tough enough to deal with snakes if they come across one. But are cowboy boots well equipped to protect you from snakebite? Well, keep reading to know.
Although certain snakes can bite through regular cowboy boots, most snakes lack the biting ability to puncture good quality, heavy leather cowboy boots. Their sharp needle-like teeth, however, may puncture thin leather boots and inject poison.
But don’t be tricked into thinking that you’re totally immune to snakebites if you are wearing a good quality cowboy boot. Because it also depends on the location of the bite.
Cowboy boots offer least protection from a snake bite on the vamp, that is the top and side of the foot region, but the thick sole will definitely protect the bottom of your foot.
Are good quality cowboy boots snake proof?
When it comes down to it, cowboy boots will undoubtedly assist you avoid being a victim of a snake bite. Poisonous snakes utilise strong fangs to inject their venom, and cowboy boots, with their long leather shafts, provide excellent protection against this.
There are only a few snakes whose teeth can pierce leather. However, this does not rule out the possibility of some fangs penetrating. Wearing jeans is also a smart option because the fabric will give extra protection under the boot.
So I wouldn’t say they’re completely bite proof, but they’ll undoubtedly assist and may or may not keep the fang from penetrating your flesh.
Okay, so there are a few things that have to be taken into consideration before you identify any cowboy boot as snake proof. What are those?
Let’s find out..
The type of snakes
There are over 20 kinds of poisonous snakes in the United States, however, rattlesnakes are the most common and venomus one.
Pit vipers include rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths, and these are the three most common varieties and the ones you are most likely to get bitten by in the US.
Time and again we come across news about humans bitten by venomous snakes. The greatest thing you can do to avoid being bitten is to keep your eyes open and aware of your surroundings.
The type of material
Wearing cowboy boots does lower your chances of getting injured by a snake bite. Materials like good leather that are not only strong but also durable, can provide protection to some extent.
But there’s another way you can increase protection while wearing cowboy boots. You can actually wear denims tucked in or outside of the boot, as far down as possible to provide optimum protection.
Does the length of the cowboy boot shaft help in assisting against snake bite?
The design of the cowboy boot with a tall shaft has nothing to do with protection against snake bite. The shaft really aids in keeping the boot in place as you wear it. Because they don’t have laces, it basically helps to keep them balanced on your foot.
After all of this, it’s easy to conclude that the shaft is absolutely advantageous in aiding in the protection of a person from a snake bite. Although it was not designed for this function, it has shown to be beneficial.
Snake Proof boots
As the name suggests, snake proof boots are solely designed to protect the wearer from poisonous snake bites. They’re unlike these regular cowboy boots or any other work boots.
The majority of these snake boots are made of a combination of durable materials such as leather, rubber, polyurethane, and neoprene, as they are essentially considered puncture-proof components.
Moreover, most versions employ a snake-guard kind of insert that is said to be impermeable. This layer is sandwiched between the outsole and the interior covering of the boot for that super good protection.
In general, these snake resistant boots reach high up to your calf for further protection, that is why, although they may look like cowboy boots, they are far more safer when it comes to snake bites.
Here are some recommended boots that provide best protection against snake bites-
1.) Thorogood Men’s Snake Boot
- Waterproof
- Dual-density polyurethane footbed
- Z-trac rubber outsole
- Cement construction
- Footbed: Removable Dual-density polyurethane
- Protection: SnakeGuard Extr
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
It’s easy to understand why they made the list with their signature handcrafted aesthetic, high-quality manufacturing, and outstanding performance.
These boots are not only snake-proof, but they also have breathable uppers that allow moisture to evaporate quickly and keep your feet comfortable.
2.) Danner Men’s Boot
To ensure comprehensive snake protection from the bottom of your foot to the top of the boot, they contain flexible snake protection fabric in between the liner and the outside of the boot.
The outsoles of these boots also keep you securely anchored on the ground regardless of the obstacles in your path.
3.) Chippewa Men’s Snake Boot
These boots combine comfort, performance, and a dash of style into a single practical boot. They have a 100% rugged Goodyear welt construction and are crafted in the United States, ensuring high-quality footwear.
The shaft is made of leather and viper cloth fabric adding a touch of sophistication and a tad bit safer.
4.) ARIAT Men’s Hunting Boot
- Wide Square Toe Profile
- Shaft measures approximately 14.75 from arch
- 100% Leath
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The structure of these snake boots ensures complete protection against snake bites. The quality, full-grain leather uppers are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also puncture resistant, keeping you safe from harm.
Are snake boots really required?
If you must travel through an area that is known to be infested with snakes, snake boots are essential.
They are simple to put on and take off and they can also be worn over ordinary shoes to provide additional protection against the bite of some non-venomous snakes.
And since we all know that snakebites are poisonous and can also be fatal, we don’t have to stress on the importance of snake proof boots. It is always good to be careful and take precautions, rather than regret later.
FAQs
How long do snake boots last?
If you use snake boots every day at work, or on walks to and from the shop, or during yard work, they will last around 5-6 months before the soles show indications of severe wear and tear. That is the time to know you need a new pair.
Do I need to add extra snake-proofing to my snake boot?
Well, it is not quite necessary because the best snake boots are already protective enough for a wide range of situations, as they are designed to keep your legs safe from snake bite.
And wrapping your legs in extra layers just adds weight and makes the boot more unpleasant and uncomfortable to wear.
Conclusion
We know that no matter how expensive and good quality your cowboy boots are made of, they still cannot be considered 100% snake proof.
For protection against nasty snake bites, you need boots that are designed keeping in mind the dangerous surroundings and safety that it should provide against it.
And snake proof boots almost look similar to cowboy boots, so whenever you think you need some extra safety while at work, simply switch to your snake proof boots.
