Thursday, January 31, 2013

Equipment Review - Bogs Boots


Boots are a necessity of country life.  Work boots, mud boots and snow boots line closets and stand at attention behind doors.  During the winter months, our shouse is awash in boots.  Because our winters are a mixture of freezing temperatures and mini "thaws", our snow boots are nothing if not constantly wet.  On top of that, we have active children, so we always make sure to have at least two pair of snow boots and one pair of mud boots apiece.  That way, while one pair dries behind the cookstove, the other can be in use.  The problem with this system is the shear multitude of boots.  Just think, 3 pair boots each times 5 children - that is 15 pair of boots - not even counting Sir Knight and I!

One year we tried to make do with one pair of snow boots and one pair of mud boots.  We thought that would keep feet dry when it was wet outside and warm when it was cold.  It worked, mostly - but it was still challenging trying to keep up with so many boots and the children inevitably slipped on their mud boots when it was wet (and cold - think slush) and their feet would freeze, no matter how many pair of socks they wore.  Or, they would pull on their snow boots and end up with wet (and cold - think slush) and freezing feet (again!).

This year, I decided to go out on a limb and try something new.  Bogs.  The theory was that we would have one pair of boots for the winter, rather than three.  Bogs are waterproof (unless the water or snow goes over the top!) and good to -40°.  Mud boots and snow boots, all in one convenient package!

First, I bought Bogs for the little children.  I thought if they could make it through 5 and 7 year old, rough and tumble country kids, they could make it through anything.  Master Calvin, Princess Dragon Snack and I sat at the computer and went shopping.  Calvin chose a pair of sensible black boots and Dragon Snack chose a flashy pair of purple boots with a riot of flowers emblazoned on them.

The boots arrived and were opened in a flurry of excitement (the children had never had brand new boots before!) and fit perfectly.  That was in September.  They haven't been off their feet since.  Well, maybe to sleep, but really, that's about it!  The kids LOVE them.  Never have they complained of their feet being cold - not even once.  The only time they have had wet feet has been when they tucked their snow pants into their boots and snow filled their boots.  Oh, and there was that one time Master Calvin waded in a mud puddle that was up to his waist - but that probably wasn't a problem with the boots.

After a successful trial run with the littles, Miss Serenity ordered a pair of Bogs.  She chose my favorite color, OD green!  Again, the Bogs passed the test.  Serenity is harder on boots than any of our children (she's all go - no quit) and her boots still look like new (except for the mud).  She did trip over some barbed wire that was hidden in the snow and ripped a small hole in the top of her boots, however they still seem to be waterproof.  We will take them to Les Schwab Tire the next time we are in town and have them repaired (they put on patches, like they would fix a tire).

Sir Knight is up for Bogs next.  We will continue to buy boots, one pair at a time, until the whole family has been shod.  I love the fact that we now only require one pair of boots rather than three (our shouse is only so big!) and the kids love the fact that they have warm, dry feet.

Good boots are non-negotiable.  Bogs have met and exceeded our expectations.  The only down side of Bogs are the price.  Generally, I buy snow boots at thrift stores, garages sales or through Ebay and I have to admit that it was somewhat difficult for me to sit down and order expensive boots online.  However, I am convinced that in the long run we will be saving money.  Not to mention, the Bogs seem to be constructed well enough that we will be passing boots from one child to another (well, maybe Master Calvin won't really want to wear Princess Dragon Snack's purple boots).  From what I have seen, Bogs will wear through many a fall/winter season.

If you live in the country (or in the city, for that matter) and need a good, solid pair of mud/snow boots, Bogs just might the the boot for you.  I know that I will be stocking up (as I am able) so that I can keep my family's feet warm, dry and well protected.

23 comments:

  1. I had a pair of BOGs that I wore for several years. I eventually tore a hole in them - low enough where it was a problem. I bought some cheaper imitations - did not last long. My BOGs were COMFORTABLE, warm and waterproof. Since they were slip on they were easy. Warm in down to - 20 to 25 if I wasn't out all day. Since I have Bunions on one foot comfort is a big deal..... natokadn

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  2. Enola,


    (captaincrunch)


    I can believe the contrast in environments we live in Enola. Boots like that would melt our feet off down here in South Texas. It was 90 degrees the other day with tropical winds coming out of the carribean (Coconuts wash up on the beaches down in the summer months) The cold front we got yesterday cooled things down to the 40's in the morning.

    I got some combat boots but I wear Nike tennis shoes year round. If my feet get too cold, I wear two pairs of socks. I keep my house at about 74-75 degree's in the winter, nice and toasty. Houses down here are built for cooling and not heating. Back to the combat boots, I got some of those gulf war brown boots so my feet don't burn up and some of the more traditional ones for winter (which last maybe three months here in South Texas)

    Out in the country "snake boots" are the order of the day. Lots of oil field workers wear snake boots. We got Rattlesnakes out in the brush country that can drop an elephant in ten seconds with fangs that can poke holes through half inch steel plate. I need to score a pair of snake boots for myself. A good pair will just about go up to the knee. I know for a fact if you find a 10 foot rattlesnake, snake buyers will buy the snake (live) for about $1000.00.

    The diet primary diet for "Jakolopes" is rattlesnakes. You have not lived until you see a Jackolope poking its horns into a snake in a death match.

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    Replies
    1. We have rattlers too - but they don't move much (at all) when it is cold enough to need insulated boots! (No scorpions tho') - natokadn

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    2. Hey natokadn

      Are talkin about Ratttlesnakes in Idaho???

      There can't be rattlesnakes up there in the frozen tundra and siberian snow Idaho. Now if they grew hair like snowshoe hare. Then maybe they would survive siberian snow in Idaho.
      I think thousands of knitters maybe needed to knit body socks for snakes so the snakes don't get the shivers in the cold of Idaho.

      Nobody wants to see a "poor old cold Rattlesnake" shake and shiver and turn into a frozen critter.

      The group of volunteer knitters could be called "Knitters for Critters"

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    3. Enola,

      natokadn

      (captain crunch)

      almost forgot,


      We eat Scorpion stew in Texas. Toss the Scorpion in a pot of boiling water (like lobster) wait ten minutes, pull scorpion out, Tear off the tail. Dip in cocktail sauce and go to town....Mmmm Yummy.

      Same for centerpede's and other very large insects that can be found in Brewster County Texas (area of some of Joe Nobody's books)

      (that reminds me, anybody remember the scene in the movie "Pampillion" with Steve Mcqueen on Devils Island prison when he was in solitary confinement for months and he ate a centerpede)

      that was classic...good survival movie.

      Delete
  3. Sierra Trading Post has some sizes/styles, about 50% off retail.

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  4. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    Yeah, the boots that I see down here the most are Chippewa brand snake boots. Yeah' there are cowboy boots down here but for the oil field its mostly work boots or snake boots. If your out in the brush too you gotta carry an AR-15 or better also for the snakes, illegal aliens, and drug runners. More oil field workers have been killed by Mexican Cartels than Rattlesnakes so just about every truck, oil field truck and oil field employee is packing serious heat' heck we got grandmothers down here with AR-15's

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  5. I have been using a pair of Bogs Men's Classic Ultra Mid Waterproof Boot for two years in Texas. They are lightly used daily boot. Usually when I head out to feed the animals and weekends working in the garden. They can be a bit warm for our heat but nothing I mind. I have cracked a glued seam around one sole and now get water in the heal but nothing inside to wet my feet. I'll be getting another pair to see if this is a one off.

    And as for captain crunch's Jakolopes - be sure to check out Suburban dad survivalist and the snake vs rabbit:
    http://suburbandadsurvivalist.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-rabbit-and-snake-i-posted-this-on.html


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enola,

      and Anon,


      See, what I tell Ya' them jackolopes are deadly, worse than them there Rattlesnakes.

      "Critter versus Varmint" should be the title of that video.

      Now that there jackolope had no horns becouse it was a yearling. The spikes dont sprout until the first full moon after its first year. When the full rack is developed you got a varmint that can take out a full platoon of wolverines.

      Remember, Jackolopes go for the throat so where throat protectors.

      One last thing, if you feed your jackolope deer corn and tame your jackolope, they can be ridden like horses, camels or yaks and used to heard cattle. "It takes ten camels or twenty yaks to equal one jack"

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    2. Captain, if you have any time on your hand, you should write your jackolope lore out and draw illustrations. I think it would be a hit with kiddies and old kiddies alike.

      sidetracksusie

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  6. Enola- I'm a long time lurker from Oregon. I love hearing your adventures, reviews and recipes. I was just thinking today, while out doing chores, how great my basic black Bogs are. I can wear them with anything- casual or formal and they look and feel great! (I'm not kidding- I've had to run out to feed critters in pearls and hose!)
    -Kari

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  7. Bogs website has some pretty good sales going on, 25$ to 50$ off. This is the time I kick myself for getting rid of my ambulance zipper boots that were waterproof and wonderful! Sigh the things we learn as we get older.... Man I miss those boots. :(

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  8. Dollar cost averaging might make you feel better....Sometimes the more expensive item is actually less expensive in the long run. For example...you buy a pair of used boots for say, $20. They last one year. Next year, same thing...total cost is $20/yr..on the other hand, you buy more "expensive" boots for $60...but they last 4 years, not one... Cost per year is $15. Overall, you have saved money. Now, I obivously do everything I can to reduce the inital cost, but like I learned growing up...sometimes you just got to get the quality equipment to be able to do quality work.

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  9. I'm so glad you reviewed these! I'd never heard of them. I checked out their website and they also have one cute/dressy style that functions like their more practical looking boots. This is exciting because I am a teacher and I get stuck with all the outdoor duties. Dress shoes or boots are useless in snow, slush, and cold temperatures, but I rarely have enough time to change shoes when I come indoors. The BOGS dressy boots (with leather!) will be cute enough to wear all day, even with a skirt, and they sound from your review that they will keep my feet warm and dry. I think you've just won this company another customer!

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  10. I haven't had a pair of boots for twenty years or so-two jobs ago, they were a necessity. I once destroyed a pair of new Wolverine boots with calcium chloride-ice melt is rough on leather. A quick and effective boot repair is hog rings(I was given a box, along with the pliers) and silicone gasket gunk-that is, when the leather separates from the sole. I probably should get a pair, since I do every now and again stand in mud/snow/gunk. How well do Bogs stand up to road salt and petroleum?

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  11. Thanks for talking about this. Day before yesterday I had told my husband I needed a good pair of wet weather boots because where we live it is either drought dry or when it rains, it pours. You didn't mention the website you ordered from. Was it direct from manufacturer?

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  12. I just came in from walking the dog in the foot of snow we got, and wondering what I'm going to wear for that chore when it's 40 on Sunday. My snow boots are good in the dry powder but not in the mud or rain. I'm off to shop! Thank you so much.

    I would think that you could probably sell Princess Dragon Snacks boots when the time comes since Master Calvin certainly would not be caught in them!

    sidetracksusie

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  13. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)


    sorry to take up more space, but I think 'Sir Knight maybe interested to know I just ordered an E.O. Tech 552, for the Stag 3G I have. Sir Knight will know what that is. its backordered to doomsday:( so Im not holding my breath waiting for it to get here.

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  14. Good to know-we are in the woods every day with the bird dog! Good duel purpose boots are hard to find-and such a wide range of sizes for men! The hubs has large feet.

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  15. Thanks Enola,
    You have great recommendations.
    Luv the head lamp-great Christmas idea!
    Bog has a much better selection than Muck boots. Our kids were confusing ownership leaving two different sizes and older child did not like that.. So they will luv a unique pair.
    The steel toe Bog boots for men are awesome looking.
    Oh and the Wyoming saw is as you said and fantastic price. You saved Christmas!

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  16. I've never tried Bogs, but Muck Boots from Tractor Supply are pretty fantastic, too. They seem about the same.

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  17. Hello Enola,
    Love your blog and read often, just never have commented before. My family loves Bog boots, the girls and I have the tall style with pretty flowers and our son has a black pair. Just need to get some for dad, he has snow boots and mud boots but you are so right about the bogs being the only boot to take the place of those two boots.
    After 3 years of almost daily wear on our farm I finally bought myself a new pair. Just love 'em.
    Thanks for all your wonderful informative articles.

    Blessings from Willow Creek Farm

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  18. Boots are major part of everyone’s life because they are responsible for holding our whole body. Wearing a boot that have strong features are also recommended by doctors. best work boots for men

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