I've heard people say the old MM boots used by bomber plane crews were really very warm. Any experiences with them?
They are the warmest boot you'll ever own. But they are extremely heavy and you don't wanna be walking around in them.
They are also very easy to get wet wrinkly feet due to sweating when you walk in them, since they don't breathe at all. If you do wear them and are active, you need to change your socks often, maybe use some foot powder to dry your feet and prevent blisters.
Also expect to be pretty clumsy in them until you get a feel for their size.
To help keeping your feet dryer, you can use Bama Sock, they are made to be used in rubber boots, and they work magic!!http://www.deakin.com/shop/products/?p=5150
try them out!
Cheers
If white boots, never use them in a heavily pressured area where there could even be the likelyhood of poachers. My dad's buddy had bullets hitting at his feet when he wore white MM boots. In heavily hunted area's, anything white is dangerous, even before firearms season. White hat, white scarf, white gloves, white boots, etc. In my opinion.
Mr. Speer,
They are outstanding!
My wife and I have used them (the white ones) extensively for the last 19 years.
Best Wishes
I had them on for a muskox at 35 below and toasty warm! I understand the white one are better than the black ones.
In my experiences, they are the warmest boot a person can buy. I have the white ones and love them for ice-fishing, snomobiling, and sitting somewhere in the cold. You can dunk your foot in the ice water and never know. The biggest problem with them for a lot of hunting is how heavy they are. There isn't anything light about them. As Steve said, I too have heard the white ones are better than the black ones.
Used them in Ak back in the 80s. Very warm. Your feet will sweat as mentioned and therefore can get cold later if you don't change socks. If active while feet are wet, no big deal. If you sit at length with wet feet, look out.
I have a couple pair....never had a cold toe with them on. I recently saw an episode of "Ice Road Truckers". I noticed several of the DOT guys working on the Dalton Highway wearing them. That should be a real testament to their warmth!
Thanks for all the info. I own a pair of the black ones. Just never used them cause my feet freeze in rubber boots. I guess I'll give them a try in the blind. Once it gets cold.
I had a PM this morning. A fella TGer offered me a pair of them. Can't beat the generosity of the good folks here.
If you have "sweaty feet" spay them down good with ANTI-PERSPERANT, it makes a difference anytime of the year....jarhead trick learned from humping a 40lb pack and a 40lb M2 receiver.
I wore them in the Corps and they are warm but very cumbersome. Vapor barrier boots are hard to walk in and I would not recommend using them with anything other than a ground hunt.they give you a false feeling due too the size of the toe(width and height) part of the boot.An 1800 gram thinsulate lacrosse boot with a poly or silk sock under wool will work just as good.Foot warmth is all about wicking away water from the foot.JMHO
I can sit all day in the coldest weather wearing mine, but stalking is a real challenge. The white ones are suppose to be warmer than the black.
Mr. Speer,
If I recall correctly, the white Bunny Boots with the "valve stem" are rated to -70 degrees below 0 (F). The black ones (without the stem) are only rated to -20 degrees.
Best Wishes
I have had about every kind of boot imaginable. The bunny boots are as good as any but for my toes I have never had any boot that will keep them "toasy warm" with temperatures in single digits for a prolonged period.
Uncomfortably bearable is a better description.
I us them all the time for ice fishing, never cold feet
The black ones are smaller and probably a bit better for getting around. Be very careful if you go up a tree. White ones are awesome for ice fishing and both have more walking support for arches than pac boots. Nothing light about them. I could never get them to work with my climber and feel clumsey going up a tree, so only fixed stands with big steps for me.
Do appreciate all the comments. Mine are the black ones with the valve stems. I quit climbing. Too old & fat. I'll just pack them into the woods & put them on when I get to my blind.
I have an old pair of the white ones and I can attest to the fact that they will keep your feet warm and I can't chew gum and walk in them..lol
I think mine are for the most part... shot!
God bless,Mudd
The warmest ones (black or whie) have the valve on the side. These were designed for paratroopers (from what I understand). The ones without the valve were for ground troop and have one less layer of wool felt.
I have both, and can really tell the difference. I have actually had my feet get cold wearing the ones without the valve.
Think my dad wore em in Korea. I have no experience with em.
The valves in the side of the boots (black or white) were used to adjust the pressure inside of the boots when at altitude. These boots are made with a sealed rubber outer and inner that has insulation sandwiched in between. If you couldnt equalize the pressure they would keep getting tighter with higher altitudes. Ive had both and as far as I could tell in Northern Michigan the valve made no difference in warmth. I have seen people ruin MM boots by getting water in through that valve and soaking the insulation, it only has one way in and one way out and it basically will never dry once soaked. My advice if you do get the ones with valves is to smear a dab of silicone into it so it cant let anything in unless you plan to use them in the mountians or on air planes.
As far as my experience with them Ive been using them now for 20 years (same pair mind you) and I hunt/fish a lot with them. They are warm and waterproof and durable even if a bit cumbersome. Ive fallen through some thin ice more than 2 miles from home in December and when I got home I poured steaming water from each boot on the porch before going in. If anything I tend to over heat in them when moving about.