best snow boots?

[Guest]

i need to get a new pair of ice fishing boots
what would you guys recommend
i need something that is warm yet easy to talk in deep snow pulling a fish trap ice house

thanks for your help

[hawgTime]

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001619.html

[CNY Tim]

I bought my new mickies: I can tell you that it is the last boot you will ever own, I can't even lace them up all the way, they are so warm. No expensie socks either just tube sock's. Think about it guys if the U.S. Military uses them there the best. If you order your boots and you wear a size 12 then you need a size 11 Mickey, don't know why that is but they run big.

[No unauthorized links please]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 10-30-2002).]

[Fish On! Guide Service]

The mickey mouse boots are quite the value for the buck. In extreme temps my feet tend to get cold unless i move about. The Sportsmans Guide out of South St. Paul has them for a reasonable price for all who are interested.

Fish On!

Stephen

[Hoyter]

Just curious since I have never seen them for sale before, what is a "reasonable price" for Mickey Mouse boots?

[CNY Tim]

$40 for used and new ones are up to $80 depending on your shoe size. I got mine at Coleman's...
Colemans Surplus
360 Klinger Road
Millersburg, PA 17061
Store Hours: Mon.-Thur. 8 to 5, Fri. 8 to 4,
Sat. 8 to Noon 1-888-478-7758

[Twitter]

I think I paid around $40 for new bunny boots from Sportsmans Guide last winter.
They're not great for walking in, but they DEFINITELY keep your feet warm.

[Guest]

A boot that is not great for walking in is recommended above all others, good greif!

There are a number of decent boots on the market that will keep your feet warm and are comfortable enough to walk for miles in.

Look for a major brand name, there are alot of immatators out there, that may seem less expensive, but they wont last. Look for a steel or other durable shank material, a boot without a shank is like walking around in bedroom slippers, not a good idea. Look for breathable uppers of quality material. Most important purchase good socks and good boots, change your socks if they get damp from perspiration, and your feet will thank you.

[Guest]

CNY TIM
You pretty much summed it up about the original Mickey Mouse boots.
Don't you wish you listened years ago ?
Auger Boy was another guy who though that his Sorels were the best boot out there until his feet got cold one day and I let him borrow one of my extra pairs that were in the van. I never got them back !
Walking in these boots is fine unless you're 5 feet tall and 115 pounds. The neoprene arch supports are great additions to the boots if you're going to be on your feet all day.

TWITTER
A few years back, the Sportsman Guide carried the "Original" Mickey Mouse boots but when their supply ran out, they had a company make a replica of the boots and supposedly, it was built even beter with more insulation. Unfortunately, the boots didn't hold up very well and the rubber dried out nd cracked after a year or two. They did keep you feet warm but as you walked, you'd leave a trail of dried out chips of thin rubber on the ice.
They're great for light duty (snow shoveling) buut they have to be taken inside and thoroughly dried and then treated with some kind of rubber conditioner so they don't dry rot.
Beta Boot Company in maryland has made the original Mil Spec Mickies for years and they sell them to cold storage companies and other organizations that work in cold or sub zero temperatures.
Retail price right from Beta is about $169.00 per pair but you can still find the Mil spec boots in surpls houses like the one where CNY TIM posted for anywhere from $19.95 for non popular sizes to $89.95 for the sizes 9 through 12. Mostly though, the average price is around $50 to $60 bucks a pair.

[Crappieman]

I used Mickey Boots in Alaska when I was in the Army. We were able to move around very well and we cross country skied with them. I have not seen those in years. Do they come in any other color than white?

[Fish On! Guide Service]

They come in black and in white. If i remember correctly, the white ones are the newest breed, but don't hold me to it. I have been told that the valve on this side of the boots is for paratroopers to relieve air pressure or something of the sort. Can anyone confirm this?

Fish On!

Stephen

[Twitter]

All, the reason I don't like my bunny boots for walking in is because they're heavier and bulkier than most boots, but more importantly, they're too darn warm for walkin' ! What others have stated is correct about their ability to keep your feet toasty even after being submerged in icey water. They'll keep your feet at body temperature all day when they're laced up. I only use mine on the coldest weekends when I know I'll be fairly stationary and consuming more Crown than normal . They don't breathe at all though.....so after a day in them your feet get pretty pruney !
Tony on Ice....I got mine last year from the SG. I believe the real ones are labeled BATA, not BETA (unless mine are copies but, than again, I own a ROALEX watch ) and these were new, not used when I got them. I was real happy with the price at the time, since I was bidding on a pair of used ones on hsolist for more at the time I discovered these. I'm pretty sure it was someone here that referred me to the SG last year. I rotate between them and an old pair of Sorels on cold weekends.
The pressure valves on the sides are to relieve the changes in air pressure when worn by paratroopers so they don't blow up like balloons at high altitudes in non pressurized planes.

[This message has been edited by Twitter (edited 10-31-2002).]

[Steve Foss]

Someone please post a pic of the Mickey Mouse boots, or a link to a site with a pic. I'd like to be able to keep an eye out for them in my travels.

[Guest]

ROCKY Juneau packs when the snow is deep and ROCKY Bearclaws when the snow aint all that deep.Both boots are very warm,good traction on the ice and very comfortable.And highly recommend SEALSKIN socks.Just my 2 cents.

[This message has been edited by buzzard (edited 10-31-2002).]

[I Like Worms]

I have la cross ice kings, never got cold yet. Check out the new cabellas outlet in owatonna. I was in there today and they have the whole back room full of boots.

[Raven]

I will sure give a second on those Lacrosse IceKings. A logger put me on to them and I haven't used anything else since then. My feet used to get cold on the stand and on the ice. No more. They are a little more spendy than the Mickeys, but I wouldn't trade them for anything else.

[CNY Tim]

I never had a problem walking in them, I am 6'1 and 230 pounds... I where an insole in them for arch support and tube socks and I will run and gun all day no problems. I still have a fairly new pair of Lacrosse Ice Kings and the Mickey hands down are my choice. Easy on and easy off. Try submerging one of those name brand boots in icy water and then drain the excess water and put it back on. I guarantee you will see the difference... The mickey's have a sealed boot that does not let any water get to the liner. It won't let you down no matter what the conditions. They last for years... Like I said I can't lace mine up there so warm.

Twitter - That's a heck of a deal you got on yours. You gotta watch where you by em. If it doesn't come with a Defense NSN (National Stock Number) you got a knock off so be careful.

[Crappieman]

I was with the 82nd, 1/505th and when we were up in Alaska we did not make a jump, but that is what they told us. I do remember that if your feet did get cold in those boots your feet were had to warm up once inside

[Twitter]

I just checked and the sportsmans guide HSOforum has black mickey mouse boots ("original, new, US military issue") for $29.97.
These are the same ones I bought last year and I've been very happy with them. Great price for a super warm pair of boots !!
STFCATFISH, there's a picture of them on their site.
Twitter

[This message has been edited by Twitter (edited 11-01-2002).]

[Guest]

I say the original Mickeys are hard to beat for warmth, if you can find them for a reasonable price. I've seen surplus stores selling USED ones for over $150, claiming that "the supply is drying up". I got a few black pairs for a great price (think it was around $30!!!) last year from Sportsman's Guide, but don't know if they have any more of the original ones. They are making some "Siberian" lookalikes, but I don't know anyone who has them. A friend has a pair of the original white ones, and they are even more insulated than the black ones. Just make sure that you close the air valve before putting them on, otherwise they will suck cold air in and out as you walk. I think this air bladder provides much added insulation to the boots. I also believe that the valve is to relieve pressure at high altitudes. Just my 2 cents.

[ICEDAWG]

My vote goes to the Mickey mouse boots. Black or white they can't be beat.
seems like only the guys who have never tried them are the ones who say the felt or polypro lined boots are better. their loss