I was afforded the use of a pair of Bogs Classic High Men’s boots to try during the spring turkey season here in the state of Michigan. These boots are 15 inches high and are constructed of a natural hand-lasted rubber with a four way stretch outer shell. This allows the uppers to be quite flexible while walking about. They are comfort rated from temperate down to -40°F (or sub-zero conditions). Usually I find that boots rated comfortable in a temperature that low are best used when I am hunting from a blind and will not be doing much walking. They are usually heavy and are, by design, simply not conducive to much overland travel. However, these boots surprised me at how well they worked while walking through woods and over hills. The light weight of this Classic High model was also surprising. I did not tire from walking in these light boots and actually forgot I was wearing such a cold weather model. The inner soles do indeed afford maximum comfort, stability and shock absorbency. Just as the Bogs information states, these boots can also be worn in temperate conditions. The temperature while I was hunting got up into the high 70’s and yet my feet did not get overly hot. Also helping with this is the moisture wicking inner pad that helps keep your feet dry. No water entered from the outside, either, as these boots are designed to be completely waterproof.
I splashed through 8 inch deep puddles with not a drop of leakage. The outside of the shell makes use of the Mossy Oak pattern of camouflage which works very well in the Great Lakes areas where I hunt most. The camo on this boot covers the whole boot, not just the upper parts. (I never understood why some manufacturers use camo on only the uppers.) When I first looked at the tread on the boot bottom I wondered if it would give enough grip on mud and snow. But I never had any trouble while walking through mud puddles and up very steep, sandy hills. Also, the tread is designed to be self cleaning. Lastly, I will not be able to try the Classic High model in extremely cold temperatures until this fall and winter. However, since I hunt in Michigan’s north woods, there should be no lack of opportunity to give them a thorough testing. Needless to say, I will be wearing my Bogs Classic High Men’s New Breakup’s throughout the next hunting season!
Written by: Ken Head on Archery Talk