Chippewa Snake Boots Review 2024: Are They Worth Buying?

When your work or hobbies take you into snake territory, having a reliable pair of snake boots is crucial protection. Chippewa has been making specialty rugged boots since 1901 and their snake boots are regarded as some of the best.

In this in-depth review, we’ll cover Chippewa’s top snake boot models, materials, key features, and how they hold up in real-world use. Let’s dive in!

Why Wear Snake Boots?

Before reviewing Chippewa’s boots, let’s discuss why snake boots are important safety gear:

• Venomous snake bites – Boots provide a protective barrier if bitten by common venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and pygmy rattlers.
• Hazardous work conditions – For workers like land surveyors, linemen, and field scientists in snake-prone areas.
• Hiking safety – Snake boots give hikers and hunters peace of mind if encountering snakes on remote trails.
• Thorn/debris protection – High boots protect against scratches from thick brush.

Quality snake boots could literally save your life or limb. Chippewa designs its boots to provide maximum protection with minimal hassle.

Top Chippewa Snake Boots Compared

Chippewa offers several snake boot models. Here are the key options:

Chippewa Men’s Waterproof 25720

• $220-250
• Materials: Waterproof leather & Cordura nylon
• Height: 17 inches
• Snake Guard: Double layer fabric
• Sole: Vibram rubber lug

With a lug sole and sturdy leather, the 25720 is built for tough terrain. The Dri-Lex lining wicks away moisture.

Chippewa Women’s Waterproof 25384

• $180-210
• Materials: Waterproof leather & nylon
• Height: 15 inches
• Snake Guard: Snake Guard 2.0 fabric
• Sole: Vibram double-density outsole

Shorter in height than the men’s pairs, the 25384 is designed to fit women’s feet comfortably.

Chippewa General Utility 25116

• $250-280
• Materials: Briar Pitstop leather & nylon
• Height: 18 inches
• Snake Guard: Snake Guard liner & Kevlar stitching
• Sole: Vibram V75

With a Kevlar midsole and rugged Vibram sole, the 25116 is built to handle the roughest conditions.

Chippewa Snake Boot Materials

Chippewa utilizes premium materials to provide durability and protection:

• Full-grain leather – Water-resistant and maintains shape over years of wear. Stands up to brush, rocks, and scrapes.
• Cordura nylon – Abrasion-resistant nylon used on high-impact areas for lightweight toughness.
• Snake Guard fabric – Double-layer material prevents snake fangs from penetrating through the boot.
• Vibram rubber soles – Provides traction and shock absorption on slick, uneven terrain. Highly slip-resistant.
• Dri-Lex linings – Moisture-wicking liner keeps feet dry and comfortable in hot weather. Fights odor.

Chippewa carefully selects each material to enhance comfort, safety, support and longevity.

Key Features and Technologies

Beyond just materials, Chippewa packs clever features into their snake boots:

• Triple ribbed contoured shaft – Gives flexibility and ankle support when crouching and bending. Prevents rubbing.
• D-ring lacing – Allows fine-tuning the tightness along the entire boot for custom fit.
• Removable Flecx insole – Orthotic-grade insole offers underfoot cushioning and support.
• Kevlar stitching – Kevlar thread reinforces high-stress seams for extra rip resistance when hiking rough terrain.
• Shock absorbing midsole – Cushions feet and joints during long days on your feet.
• Moisture-wicking lining – Keeps feet dry and comfortable when sweating. Fights odor.
• Heel stabilizer – Reinforced heel reduces slippage when walking on uneven ground. Prevents blisters.

Chippewa did their homework designing boots tailored for Snake Country.

Testing Chippewa Snake Boots In the Field

Don’t just take my word on how Chippewa boots hold up. Here is first-hand experience from people who relied on them in hazardous conditions:

“I used the Chippewa 25116 boots doing fieldwork in the scrubby flatwoods of Florida. Lots of cottonmouths around the cypress swamps. The Snake Guard liner gave peace of mind from bites. My feet stayed comfortable all day while hiking through palmetto bushes in 90-degree heat.”

“I wear my Chippewa 25384s daily working streams in Oklahoma. Between wading through water moccasin territory and trekking muddy banks, they keep me protected and sure-footed. After two years they still look almost new thanks to the waterproof leather.”

“When doing line work through the sagebrush and prairie dog holes rattlesnake country of Wyoming, the Chippewa 25720 boots stood up to the punishing terrain. The ankle support was crucial for uneven ground. Kept me snakebite and blister-free out there.”

As these boots-on-the-ground experiences illustrate, Chippewa’s snake boots provide outstanding comfort, protection, and support mile after mile in snake territory.

Additional Features and Benefits

Here are some other noteworthy features that wearers appreciate in Chippewa snake boots:

• Temperature regulation – Allows air flow while blocking debris to prevent overheating.
• Cushioned sole – Reduces foot fatigue from long days on your feet.
• Moisture wicking – Dri-Lex liner keeps feet dry and comfortable on hot sweaty days.
• Odor resistant – Antimicrobial materials prevent smelly bacterial buildup inside the boots.
• Easy care – Scrub with mild soap and water to clean. Air dry thoroughly. Use conditioner every 3-6 months.
• Slip-resistant tread – grippy lugged sole provides sure footing on logs, rocky inclines, and slick mud.
• Puncture protection – Snake Guard inner lining prevents fangs and other sharp objects from penetrating the boot.

When your job or hobby demands full protection, Chippewa boots deliver on all fronts.

How Chippewa Snake Boots Are Constructed

Chippewa’s 100+ years of boot-making expertise shines through in the meticulous construction methods used:

• Goodyear welt – The upper and sole are stitched together for maximum durability. Allows resoling.
• Triple ribbed shaft – Allows flexing while supporting ankles. Prevents rubbing and hot spots.
• Waterproofed seams – Sealed, stitch-as-you-go seam construction prevents moisture penetration.
• Snake Guard liner – Soft yet woven tightly to prevent snake fangs from penetrating the boot interior.
• Reinforced heel – A Stabilizer built into the heel reduces slippage on uneven terrain.
• 18-iron hardware – Eyelets are made of sturdy stainless steel to prevent corrosion and breakdown.
• Vibram lug sole -Provides superior traction and shock absorption. Stands up to rugged use.

Every stitch and component is crafted for hardcore functionality, safety, and many years of use.

Sizing and Fit

Chippewa snake boots run somewhat true to size but lean towards the roomy side. Here are some tips for getting an ideal fit:

• Size down 1⁄2 to a full size from your regular shoes/boots. The extra room allows fitting orthotics or thicker socks.
• Try boots on at the end of the day when your feet are largest. Feet swell throughout the day.
• Wear thick hiking or wool socks you plan to use with the boots for sizing.
• Have a thumb’s width of space between your toes and the end of the boots.
• Consider wide-size options if you have broad feet. Chippewa offers wide variants.
• If between sizes, size down to prevent excess movement and blisters.

Ideally, the boots should fit snugly while allowing full ankle flexion and toe wiggle room. Take the time to try on different sizes and walk around. Proper sizing goes a long way for comfort and safety.

Once broken in, the full-grain leather forms to your feet providing customized support and protection.

Breaking In Your Snake Boots

The thick leather used in Chippewa’s boots requires some break-in time to soften up:

• Wear around the house – Walk around for short intervals to mold the boot to your feet before wearing all day for work.
• Use a boot stretcher – Stretching the leather gently overnight speeds the break-in process.
• Try different socks – Heavier socks take up more room, while thinner socks allow your feet to sit deeper in the boots.
• Use leather conditioner – Applying conditioner keeps the leather pliable to prevent cracking and discomfort.
• Watch for hot spots – Blisters are common while breaking in. Cover hot spots with moleskin or athletic tape before they form into blisters.

Expect at least 5-10 hours of wear over 1-2 weeks for the boots to fully form to your feet. The break-in time is well worth it for custom fit and soft leather flexibility.

Pros and Cons of Chippewa Snake Boots

Pros

• Premium materials for comfort, support, protection
• Moisture-wicking and temperature-control features
• Slip-resistant outsoles with strong traction
• Flexible triple-ribbed shafts
• Durable double and triple stitching
• Tested and proven in real field conditions
• 100+ years of boot-making expertise

Cons

• Expensive, but justifiably so given the quality
• A break-in period is required for new pairs
• Sizing can be tricky – may need to size up or down
• Occasional issues with sole separation

The Pros far outweigh the cons – the few shortcomings are minor relative to Chippewa’s outstanding performance.

Do You Need Snake Gaiters With These Boots?

Snake gaiters provide an extra layer of protection securing the tops of the boots. However, with Chippewa’s boots featuring dense Snake Guard liners, gaiters are not an absolute necessity for casual wearers.

Gaiters become more important if you are:

• Hiking through extremely dense brush and need to seal off vegetation from entering the boot tops.
• Working with highly venomous snakes like black mambas where maximum protection is critical.
• Wading through water with cottonmouth snakes present. Prevents water entry.
• Trekking in loose scree or sand where snakes can possibly enter from above the boots.

For most purposes, Chippewa boots alone provide sufficient protection. But in select environments, layering gaiters takes safety to the next level.

Finding the Best Prices on Chippewa Snake Boots

As premium boots, Chippewa’s snake boots range from $180 to $280 at full retail pricing. Here are tips for getting more affordable deals:

• Check Amazon – Various models are discounted 20-40% below retail. Read reviews and check sizing guidance.

-Shop end-of-season sales – Retail sites like Cabelas and outdoor outfitters discount them in winter.

• Search eBay for lightly used pairs – Individual sellers often list great-conditioned pairs around $100.
• Join retailer rewards programs – Signing up for email/SMS alerts provides access to special sales.
• Chat with customer service – Kindly ask if they have any current promotions or coupon codes. It never hurts to ask!

With some diligent searching and timing your purchase right, you can score Chippewa snake boots for under $200. The extra effort is well worth it.

Are Chippewa Boots Worth the Investment?

Considering their premium $200-plus price point, are Chippewa snake boots worth buying versus cheaper competitors or generics?

In a word – absolutely.

You truly get what you pay for with Chippewa boots. The safety features, materials used, and construction methods make them worth every dollar compared to untested budget boots.

When your life or livelihood depends on your footwear, going with a trusted brand like Chippewa that hunters, workers, and adventurers rely on every day is a smart investment. The moment you have to walk through snake territory, you’ll be glad you bought the best.

Top Chippewa Snake Boots: Key Takeaways

• Chippewa snake boots are regarded as some of the most protective and durable available.
• Key models include the rugged 25116 and 25720 for men and the shorter 25384 for women.
• They utilize premium leathers and fabrics paired with Snake Guard liners to prevent snakebites.
• The boots provide sure-gripping soles, moisture control, and ankle support for rough terrain.
• While expensive, Chippewa boots are worth the investment for life-saving protection that lasts.

So don’t put your safety at risk to save a few bucks. Get the proven snake bite protection you need with Chippewa’s high performance boots designed for the dangers of snake country.