Can Snakes Bite Through Rubber Boots?

Can a Snake Bite Through Rubber Boots?

The answer to this question is fairly complex because not all snakes are the same, nor are rubber boots. Generally, most snakes cannot bite through good-quality, thick rubber boots. However, snakes with exceptionally large fangs like the Gabon Viper,  might be able penetrate rubber boots, especially if the boots are not all that tough.

Who Needs to Wear Rubber Boots?

Traditionally, rubber boots have always been associated with farmers and other jobs where people work in wet or muddy conditions, like fishermen. In industries where water is used to keep the area clean, like meat packing plants, rubber boots are also a great way to keep your feet dry and protected.

Rubber boots are often required when people work with dangerous or corrosive chemicals. Specialized dielectric rubber boots offer exceptionally good protection from electrocution for electricians working with live electricity, especially in wet conditions. Because rubber boots are quite tough, and protect the lower leg as well your feet, they are great for outdoor dangers, like snake bites.

Are You Likely to be Bitten by a Snake?

For most of us, the risk of snake bites is minimal. If you’re working in your garden, you may encounter a snake, though it’s quite rare. Snakes tend to avoid danger rather than engage in an offensive attack. If you surprise a snake by accident, it may become aggressive and bite you. Though not all snakes bite and many aren’t particularly venomous.
 
There are those who face a greater risk of a potentially fatal snake bite. This would include hunters and people who enjoy hiking. If you’re an intrepid adventurer, enticed by the allure of the great outdoors, you should consider wearing boots that offer complete protection against snake bites. While some types of rubber boots may be great for this purpose, many don’t provide the best protection from snake bites.

Do Snake Proof Boots Really Work?

You may not be aware of this, but snake boots are actually a thing. Yes, you can buy safety boots that are tested and certified to protect you from snake bites. Snake bites are most common on your feet and the lower part of your leg, below the knee. This makes snake boots a vital part of your safety gear of you venture into areas where snakes can be a danger.

Snake proof boots are made from tough materials that are resistant to punctures. They are designed to provide comfort whilst walking and offer the best protection from snake bites. If you spend a lot of time in the wilderness or fields, you probably want to know more about snake proof boots.

How are Snake Proof Boots Made? 

You cannot assume that your rubber boots will protect you from snake bites. For that matter, any type of safety boot that proclaims to be puncture resistant may not necessarily offer the protection needed to withstand the fangs of a venomous snake. Snake boots are a specifically designed and tested to protect you the dangers associated with snakes.

A snake boot is made using tough materials. Often several layers of different materials are used to ensure both safety and comfort. These include:

Apart from using materials that are impervious to puncturing, high-quality snake boots are usually waterproof as many of the most venomous snakes reside in wet areas. They should also be knee-high, offering protection from larger snakes that can bite higher than the ankles.

Do You Need to Wear Snake Proof Boots?

Apart from outdoor enthusiasts, there are several types of professions that may require snake boots, like:

If you work in an area where you are likely to encounter snakes, the correct footwear could save your life.

Snake Proof Boots vs Rubber Boots

While some rubber boots can resist a snake bite, this not a guarantee that you are buying genuine snake boots. In fact, certified snake boots are quite rare. Reputable snake boot manufacturers rely on independent testing to ensure that their boots offer the best protection.

Snake proof boots need to offer protection as well as comfort. To achieve this, the boot has a snake-guard lining inside the boot. Rubber, neoprene, or  polyurethane are usually used in combination with other materials, like leather to ensure that the wearer is fully protected.

How to Tell if your Snake Boots are Genuine

If you’re serious about buying the best snake proof boots, you need to know what to look for. The first clue that a boot is designed to protect you against snake bites would be the height. Snake boots are usually about 16 to 17 inches in height. They tend to have thick soles and are made from thick, heavy-duty materials.

There are a few brands that are renowned for manufacturing high-quality anti snake boots. You should be on the lookout for the following names when searching for snake boots:

What to Look for When Buying Snake Proof Boots

When buying the best snake boots, start by looking at brands that are known for manufacturing good-quality products. The top brands test their boots to ensure that they offer full protection against snake bites.

Comfort

If you’re going to be wearing your boots for long periods, comfort is paramount. Flexibility and a good fit are essential in this regard. Abrasion resistant uppers are a great feature to look for.

Climate

Some snake proof boots work better in certain conditions. Not all are 100% waterproof. If this is important to you, make sure that you find boots that are designed for wet conditions, using materials like rubber, plastic, or Gore-Tex.

Some boots are better for hot climates, while others are designed for cold weather.

General Quality

Snake proof boots need to be extraordinarily tough, not just to resist snake bites but also to endure the rough conditions in which they are worn. This means using high quality leather, rubber, and other materials. If you stick to good snake boot brands, you should be assured that you are buying a top-quality product.