Real Men Wear Bunny Boots

The few of you here who know me know I spent just over ten years working up in Bridgeport Calif as a red hat (instructor) at the Marine Mountain Warfare School in fact you can find my trainers version of the Winter Survival Manual here..
US Marine Corps - MWTC Winter Survival Course Handbook

Anyway of all the Military surplus equipment you can possibly lay your hands on... (BunnyBoots) ... Have probably done more to save feet, thus Lives, than any other piece of equipment you can name...
Just surfing the net I found a number of places that offer them in prices right around $50 to $60 surplus (Used)
New they sell for around $80
New U.S. Military Mickey Boots, White, Military Surplus, Brand Not Specified at Sportsman's Guide

the white ones shown here are good to temps of -30... layers of rubber over felt keep your tootsies warm and dry... there is a black pair called Micky Mouse boots... these have an air valve and air is the insulator... they are rated to -50... however the one and only pair of these I had, came with a leaky valve so it never worked for me as advertised... so I stick with the tried and true BunnyBoots....

 

And...then they start to freeze, really quick!
I preferred the slip on "rubber's or "galoshes"..
But today, I'd be happy with the white ones!

 

I wen't through Camp Pickle Meadows about 15 years ago for cold weather training. We had snow, but weather was probably in the 20's. Anyway, lots of hiking and trail breaking with the air valve boots. I just remember the blisters.

How are these bunny boots in comparison?

 

my old mickeys didnt last long, they snagged some stubble in the woods
all i heard was a pop-hissssssssss and goodbye warm foot
i dont know what theyre rated to take but that pair sure didnt hold up to real backwoods travel

 

If you get a pair that fit there wonderful... see even if you get a tear in the outer layer of the rubber there are still 2 more layers of rubber and felt...between your foot the elements... they tend to be on the wide side so normally I'll wear two pair of thick wool socks to prevent blisters...

I have to echo my complaints about the ones that need air... As I said the idea is sound but my first issue pair never worked so I went back to my BunnyBoots... Fact is I still have 3 pair...

 

I learned that if you remove the schrader valve/valve stem from micky mouse boots,fill the cavity with no-tox anti-freeze,and then replace the valve they become good to more than -100degrees below zero.
At-60below,going 100mph plus on a snow machine,and my feet were still toasty.I always hated them becouse they were clumsy to walk in.
Sorrels,I thought sucked,and were cheaply made.
I loved my Terra's,and Lacross boots.They were quality made,and comfortable to wear.They also cost me,an arm,and a leg.
Matt

 

Wet feet = trench foot

Good boots for what they are. The Army issued me a set on arrival in Alaska, the USAF gave me a set of mukluks and a set of Caribou pacs.

Wore the Canadian boots for all but the coldest of the winter months, then wore the mukluks.

One thing I noted (was the unit medic) was the large number of casualties on the Army side from trench foot. You really should change to dry socks every four hours (or every break, if you have the time) to keep your feet dry.

When working the ER at the base, (EAFB) we would sometimes get so-called "homeless Vets" - mostly chronic inebrants the local hospitals didn't want to deal with.

One fellow came in and as we cut off his bunny boots, the skin on his feet came off with the socks. An extreme case, and a warning as well --, trench foot is a permanent partial disability...be careful.


For those not familiar with the condition-
http://globalbioweather.com/weather_trenchfoot.html

 

I love the sorrels , I bought extra liners and trade them off frequently, It's like putting your foot in a new shoe every time.

 

Mickey Mouse boots kept my feet safe through two winters, on the Korean DMZ. Including all night river watch's, on the Imjim River. Usually gets about -30/-35* at night out there. DKR, is exactly right! Those things are dangerous if you can't dry your feet! We carried spare sox a fresh towel and powder out in our rucks every night.

 

-73 (with wind chill) in my bunnies today. Toes were nice and warm, but the wind tore my face off.

 

Was issued Mickey Mouse boots in Baumholder Germany and never once wore em. Stories of 'trench foot" come to mind.