$60 Mouse Boots & $35 Mountain Hardwear Ascent gaiters

[Chip]

We've discussed these before. Thought I'd share a link with good prices and sizes available;

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/black-mickey-mouse-boot-with-valve.html

http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/p...8&zmap=50507&gclid=CJzSmvSgwrMCFYZM4Aodr3oASA

 

[Chugach001]

I'm a big fan of mouse boots and still wear mine a few times a winter. VT doesn't much justify them but up in the arctic, they were amazing.

 

[sardog1]

An acquaintance in AK ended up being one of the slides on a touring frostbite medical lecture, after he left his bunny boots at home once and relied on his Sorels, to his everlasting regret.

 

[jake L.]

Is it true these boots run VERY big? I've heard to size down one whole size and a regular width boot will do fine for a wide foot.

 

[RoySwkr]

Is it true these boots run VERY big? I've heard to size down one whole size and a regular width boot will do fine for a wide foot.

Part of the sizing is if you decide to wear fewer socks than with some other boot style, I wouldn't say that the inside is that different

Note however that the outside is huge, some snowshoe bindings simply won't fit and the boots don't take crampons well either

Warm yes

 

[jake L.]

Just picked up a pair of these black boots without the valve at my local Army Barracks for $20, non issued. They also have the version with the valve for $59.99 like the link above. A note on sizing: These run big. I normally wear a 10W but got a 9W with some wiggle room.

 

[DougPaul]

If you are interested in buying K/Mouse/Bunny boots:
* Make sure you get US or Canadian military surplus (there are inferior imitations...)
* Wear a high wool sock. It needs to go above the top of the boot--otherwise the rubber will rub your skin raw.
* Most K-boots are very hard to get into--you basically try to use the smallest boot that you can get into. Once you get your foot in, it should fit reasonably well--so use the smallest that does both. Sizing varies according to the source. (When camping, the struggle to get into your boots can warm you up in the morning... )

They don't have much support--I don't think I could get an insole in mine.

Fitting crampons to K-boots is difficult--only a few brands will fit adequately. And watch out for the upper portions--they can rub holes in the boot. (The integrity of the rubber is vital to their performance.) I put tape on mine to protect wear points.

The soles are flexible--you may feel rocks and crampons through them. They also aren't very good for kicking steps (too flexible--you can bruise your toes). However, they work very well on snowshoes. And you can walk through streams without a second thought...

Expect your feet to be warm, very damp, and very smelly by the end of the day... (If you are multi-day camping, change into dry socks at the end of the day to prevent trench foot.)

BTW, I bought and used K-boots in the mid-1970s. It is possible that the design of boots has been changed since then.

FWIW, a friend of mine still uses hers now and then. (She tends to have cold feet if she uses other boots.)

Doug