Showing posts with label Hunting Boots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hunting Boots. Show all posts

Truckin’ with the Spider Family

Magnum’s New Spider Boots

Awhile back, The Outdoor Blogger Network celebrated the New Year along with adding a 1000th writer to The Outdoor Blogger Directory. An annual kickoff Gear Review Opportunity from The Outdoor Blogger Network included these boots.

MAGNUM® ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT™
SPIDER 8.1





The Spider family
As the Magnum® brand adds to what is known as The Spider Family, line or collection of boots, “The Species Evolves”. There are approximately 20 or more models, versions or styles of Spider shoes and boots. The new SPIDER 8.1 HPI was launched at this year’s NSSF SHOT Show in Las Vegas.
















Tactical Elite Assault Boots:
Born 30 years ago, from Britain’s top selling athletic shoe firm, to supply U.S. Federal agents, California’s Magnum® reported that these new boots were originally designed for Special Forces operating in Afghanistan. Six years prior to this, the Magnum Stealth was the top selling uniform boot in the world.

In the past few years, field reports regarding the limitations of military issued boots resulted in policies allowing some troops to switch to civilian market boots, especially mountaineering boots.

Nowadays, newer boot styles are much more multipurpose. Magnum® designs new, technical, assault boots that deliver extraordinary off label use from crossover or spin-off technology, turning out benefits and applications for a variety of outdoor interests.

Spider Boots can take a person’s feet through most seasons, from urban areas, through rural areas and into “The Back 40” while enhancing athletic agility for the wearer.
MAGNUM® ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT™
SPIDER 8.1 HPI-WIDE MULTICAM
Magnum style #5380
Weight and Fit:
Spider 8.1 HPi boots are exceptionally light weight at an approximate average of 21 ounces each. These boots are available in medium and “Wide Fit” sizes 7 through 15. Spider Boots are very flexible and come with a comfort guarantee.
Sole/Tread/Shank:
Certified for safety and occupational footwear, these boots are labeled oil and slip resistant. The soles are deeply lugged with reinforced stabilizers. 

The MultiCam® camouflage pattern is molded completely through the sole and remains effective even through wear and damage. The Shank is formed from Thermoplastic Polyurethane to pass Metal detectors.
Toes:
Double layered leather toe guards on top resists snags and abrasions. Flexible toe fins grip inclined surfaces (walls, rock faces).


Each toe has 4 sand/debris-proof vents that cycles fresh air through the boot.



Notches under the toes are supposedly for stepping on fencing and may also be suitable for aggressive style biking.

Fast Rope System:
Magnum® probably has the most sophisticated Fast Rope capability included in their boots (for sliding down and climbing ropes). *Surveying different brands of Fast Rope boots, online, will quickly divulge this. Conceivably, Fast Rope boot features could also be useful for clambering trees, ladders, rocks or rigging. 

Uppers:
Uppers measured 8 inches tall (9-1/2 inches total boot height). An external support frame wraps around the malleolus (ankle bones/balls) and lower calf. Upper materials are leather, 1650 denier ballistic nylon, authentic Crye Precision sourced MultiCam® pattern/fabric and ceramic SuperFabric®.


















Insole and Lining:
A dimpled, quilted “Spider Mesh” interior and a thick memory foam insole feels both secure and airy.

























Lacing:
Round, cord style laces slide easily through precise guides (“composite hardware”). Some of the guides or eyelets have a built in locking mechanism and there is a lace storage system at the top of the boot. Lacing can be quickly removed if needed.







Pulls:
Big loops for pulling boots on.



















Finish:
Seriously reinforced and meticulously sewn. These boots resist liquids, biological and chemical agents because of ion-mask™, a nanoscopic molecular treatment that is applied in a plasma chamber and unaffected by high use and wear.

Unhelpful Aspects:
Neither a Vegan boot nor Vegan footwear. Not recommended for extreme cold. May be too blunt for some sport climbing toe holds.

Happiness and Value:
These are boots that can be worn almost year-round and have a big show off or wow factor. Enjoy wearing these boots for errands, banquets, church, work or sports. Try out different lace styles and colors. Add thermal or cooling insoles to customize the warmth of these boots.
Retail Price Survey:
$180-$240 (MultiCam Camouflage)
$119-$185. (Tan, Desert, Black / Work, Tactical, Wet)

 Additional Notes:  Spider Boots feature TecTuff Leathers, agion® odor control, Ortholite® insoles and Starensier’s Breath Right® comfort and breathability technology.


“I am very blessed to have these boots in time for turkey season. I wish I would have had these boots last fall when I was walking 15 miles a day in search of upland birds. These are boots that you don’t even think about while wearing. These will definitely make a difference next deer season. In the past I had single criteria for footwear: wide width; and these boots are available in wide fit. I love all things MultiCam, so these boots match my other MultiCam gear which blends in anywhere. ” -TRF


About:
I registered for the opportunity to independently test, review and give opinion for Magnum® Spider Boots. I utilized donated products for this purpose; upon being selected by random drawing. Currently, I am not otherwise affiliated or associated with Magnum® and have not received pecuniary compensation or incentive from Magnum®.



Insulated Knee-Boots | Build Your Own

Create your own Insulated Knee-Boots by adding insoles and liners to inexpensive Rubber Boots


 
Rubber Boots
Rubber Boots are widely available and can be purchased for as little as $10. Some of the different names for Rubber Boots are: Rain Boots, Chore Boots, Barn Boots, Tractor Boots, Slush Boots, Billy Boots and Swampers. Rubber Boots are generally scent-free and are superior to vinyl boots for traction, flexibility and durability.


A handsome pair of Swampers
Sources for Boots
The best sources for Rubber Boots are online rubber boot outlets, Safety Equipment Suppliers, Farm/Fleet Stores, Tractor Supplies and Sporting Goods Stores.


Boot Selection
You must select a larger boot, 3-4 sizes larger and wider than you normally wear. Only an oversized boot will allow an added insole, liner and thermal socks. If you have a large, wide foot or have trouble getting boots off, you should select an Overboot. Choose boots with dull, ecological colors for hunting, fishing or hiking. Make sure boots are labeled for sale as “Waterproof”. 



Boot Liners | The Felt Store

  • Style 826BB 
  • 12” Height
  • 8mm Pressed Wool
  • Reinforced Heel

I chose Boot Liners from The Felt Store because they have Boot Liners that are specific for “Barn Boots” or tall, Rubber Boots. Furthermore, after contacting numerous Boot Liner outlets, only The Felt Store replied with personal, detailed advice.



The Felt Store is a US and Canadian company that offers felt, wool, quilted, metallic faced and even Thinsulate™ Boot Liners for cold weather and most types of boot styles. The Felt Store also has insoles and Thermal Socks.


Reinforced Heel

The Felt Store is a technical, industrial supplier as well as a gentle purveyor of felt and woolen items.


  

Contact The Felt Store:

Thermal Insoles
I certainly wanted to include “Thinsulate” for these project boots. Thinsulate™ is a thin, airy, microfiber material that insulates and manages moisture. I contacted 3M™ and requested an opportunity to evaluate the new 3M™ Thinsulate™ Thermal Insoles because these insoles have a strong presence and accessibility in stores and online.


Thinsulate™ Thermal Insoles have 4 separate layers. The top layer is a tough, moisture moving, antimicrobial fabric. The middle layers are conforming foam and Thinsulate™ insulation. The bottom layer is an energetic and shock absorbing foam that is also antimicrobial and drying.



The Thinsulate™ soles fit easily, feel really good, and are a convenient way to improve the performance of any boot or shoe during cold weather.  





Visit the 3M™ website for information and retail outlets:

Here is a link for a very useful hand-out from 3M™ with advice for staying warm:

Socks
Nowadays, two pairs of socks are recommended for outdoor activities; a thin, liner sock and a thick, outer sock. I wear a thin soccer sock that reaches my knees and provides comfortable compression. Over these, I wear thermal boot socks rated for below freezing.


Snow and Gravel Guards
I picked up some “Gravel/Snow Guards” at a clearance sale. These are made from Neoprene and wrap around boots with Velcro.  


Pac | Pack Boots
Pack Boot is a term used to describe boots with removable linings. The main purpose of this type of boot is so that all the different parts of the boot can be removed, separated and dried between uses. Drying boots is very important during severe, cold weather.     


Update | My Favorite Boot
Because I have very wide feet, Overboots are now my preferred boots. Overboots are much wider than other styles of boots. I purchased an inexpensive pair of overboots that were on sale from Milwaukee’s Billy Boots/Pro Safety Co./slipfreeshoes.com. These boots came with aggravating buckles that are easily cut off with diagonal cutters. Buckles can then be replaced with split rings and laces for an awesome pair of boots.



About:
I requested the opportunity to independently test, review and give opinion for 3M™ Thinsulate™ Thermal Insoles. I utilized donated products for this purpose. Currently, I am not otherwise affiliated or associated with 3M™ and have not received pecuniary compensation or incentive from 3M™.

I requested the opportunity to independently test, review and give opinion for The Felt Store’s Boot Liners. I received a very small discount coupon for this. Currently, I am not otherwise affiliated or associated with The Felt Store and have not received pecuniary compensation or incentive from The Felt Store.