Should I buy hip boots for my December trip this year?

[Highvoltage]

It will be hard water by then.

[jackrabbit]

I heard about these "reusable waders" from Hodgman on a PF podcast. They're NOT something you're going to wear all day, but might be something a guy could use in a pinch and in a hurry.

For $20, I'm going to try them. There's a couple places I hunt where these might come in useful.

http://www.hodgman.com/hodgman-wader...r/1347865.html

I heard about them on the podcast as well. I haven't bought them yet but am curious. There are a number of times where I come across a small creek or ditch that cuts a piece of public land in half- that is just too deep for my knee high boots or too wide to jump. It sure would be nice to be able to pull those out of my pack, walk across it quick, then back to hunting.

[A5 Sweet 16]

I heard about them on the podcast as well. I haven't bought them yet but am curious. There are a number of times where I come across a small creek or ditch that cuts a piece of public land in half- that is just too deep for my knee high boots or too wide to jump. It sure would be nice to be able to pull those out of my pack, walk across it quick, then back to hunting.

Similar to my previous comment, am I missing something? Or am I right that they'd be worn w/ only socks? No boots involved, since pheasant hunters won't have wading shoes/boots tucked in their vests. It just seems like something I'd put a hole in the first time wearing them & get cold, wet feet anyway. And then have to do it again on the way back across the deep water. Seems like they need some sort of light boot built into them. ???

Maybe you'd have to have some sort of little water shoe that you could easily carry along to be worn over them to at least try to protect the "bootie" part (and your foot) a little???

As for their claim, "Also a great choice for putting in or removing your dock when lakes freeze up." First, if the lake's frozen, you're too late. But if you do it BEFORE the lake freezes, we all know what that water's going to feel like. Thinking I'd want something insulated. Just sayin'.

[jackrabbit]

Similar to my previous comment, am I missing something? Or am I right that they'd be worn w/ only socks? No boots involved, since pheasant hunters won't have wading shoes/boots tucked in their vests. It just seems like something I'd put a hole in the first time wearing them & get cold, wet feet anyway. And then have to do it again on the way back across the deep water. Seems like they need some sort of light boot built into them. ???

Maybe you'd have to have some sort of little water shoe that you could easily carry along to be worn over them to at least try to protect the "bootie" part (and your foot) a little???

As for their claim, "Also a great choice for putting in or removing your dock when lakes freeze up." First, if the lake's frozen, you're too late. But if you do it BEFORE the lake freezes, we all know what that water's going to feel like. Thinking I'd want something insulated. Just sayin'.

From what I understood on the podcast, they weigh almost nothing and fold up so small that they fit in your pouch and you hardly realize they are there. The ones referenced in the podcast fit over your boots and are meant to be worn for short distances, but definitely wouldn't hold up to prolonged use through cattails,etc. Some pairs (not sure on exact brands) last years, some get a hole after a few uses. For $15 though, it is probably a good investment to have in your pouch if they take up no space/weight.

[A5 Sweet 16]

From what I understood on the podcast, they weigh almost nothing and fold up so small that they fit in your pouch and you hardly realize they are there. The ones referenced in the podcast fit over your boots and are meant to be worn for short distances, but definitely wouldn't hold up to prolonged use through cattails,etc. Some pairs (not sure on exact brands) last years, some get a hole after a few uses. For $15 though, it is probably a good investment to have in your pouch if they take up no space/weight.

OVER your boot??? Ugh. I can about imagine myself trying to pull them on/off OVER my boots. I'd put several holes in them putting them on. Then more when I step on an old, tough thistle. Then more when I ask my dog to grab on & try to pull them off me. It's definitely something you'd want to have your Gopro around for. I'm all for learning new things though & I like the premise. Please buy a pair & post a video of you putting them on/off. I'm wondering if a little pair of cheap water shoes isn't the ticket. Worn OVER them??? Like this. They'd have to last a minimum of 2 uses. Across....and back.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/store/deta...RoCEvoQAvD_BwE

[jackrabbit]

OVER your boot??? Ugh. I can about imagine myself trying to pull them on/off OVER my boots. I'd put several holes in them putting them on. Then more when I step on an old, tough thistle. Then more when I ask my dog to grab on & try to pull them off me. It's definitely something you'd want to have your Gopro around for. I'm all for learning new things though & I like the premise. Please buy a pair & post a video of you putting them on/off. I'm wondering if a little pair of cheap water shoes isn't the ticket. Worn OVER them??? Like this. They'd have to last a minimum of 2 uses. Across....and back.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/store/deta...RoCEvoQAvD_BwE

The only real reason I haven't got them, even though it says fits over boots. Is I am willing to bet they will not fit over my size 16 boots no matter what they say.

[A5 Sweet 16]

The only real reason I haven't got them, even though it says fits over boots. Is I am willing to bet they will not fit over my size 16 boots no matter what they say.

I'm really starting to like this idea. Not necessarily for cold weather/water, but early season maybe.
I don't see where it says they fit over boots, & I don't think they're designed to.
But if I got some little wading shoes, like these, to wear over the sock part....
https://www.fleetfarm.com/store/deta...RoCEvoQAvD_BwE
We might be onto something here.
So I get through the slough, carrying my gun & boots, & hopefully don't lose the wading shoes in the muck.
Then I get out & find a place to change back into my boots. Shoes & lower foot or so of the waders are going to be covered in muck.
So after you try to get off as much muck as possible, you're going to want a garbage bag to put them in while you hunt.
Unless....you intend to cross that spot again & just leave the messy stuff there to put on again when you return. (done that many times w/ regular waders)
This would SOOOO not be the craziest thing I've done to try to shoot a pheasant.

[28gauge]

In Alaska you wore LaCrosse ankle fit/snug hip boots hoofing it across tundra for miles chasing Carabou. Should work for wet upland hunts. ?????

[Nasty-G]

In Alaska you wore LaCrosse ankle fit/snug hip boots hoofing it across tundra for miles chasing Carabou. Should work for wet upland hunts. ?????

If my Lacross Grange boots don't do the job I'm moving to higher ground !

[jackrabbit]

I'm really starting to like this idea. Not necessarily for cold weather/water, but early season maybe.
I don't see where it says they fit over boots, & I don't think they're designed to.
But if I got some little wading shoes, like these, to wear over the sock part....

I think the PF On the Wings Podcast was referencing something more like these. One is listed as hip waders and one as chest waders, although they both have the same picture... Pretty mixed reviews from leaks instantly to holds up for awhile.
https://www.amazon.com/Hodgman-GMWDE...651719&sr=8-10
https://www.amazon.com/Hodgman-Gamew...651742&sr=8-11