People often ask on the Anglers’ Net forums what the best fishing boots are. As you’d expect with a wide range of members, the answers vary all the time. I thought I’d chip in with one of my own recommendations – the Viper Tactical Boots, or Viper Tactical Combat Boots as they’re sometimes referred to.
Why the strange name? Well, these ‘army style’ boots are not actually targeted towards anglers. They are supplied mainly to outlets that cater for the shooting fraternity. In fact, it was a gun enthusiast who put me on to them in the first place, saying that they would be ideal for me, having heard me whinge about not having a pair of boots that ticked all the boxes for me.
Not only am I not in a financial position to have a pair of boots for every situation, but I also do a lot of walking and don’t want to have to wear one pair of boots for walking and one when I get to where I want to fish. This is why these boots have proven themselves to be ideal for me.
When I say I do a lot of walking, I should also mention that this isn’t just for fishing. My favourite sea fishing mark involves a long hike, so good footwear is essential there. I also do a bit of roving river fishing, where good boots are also beneficial. For my carp fishing, to be honest, I could wear 6” stilettos and it wouldn’t make a great deal of difference. A lot of my carp fishing is done with my feet up, or wearing Crocs! I do, however, walk my dog every single day over many fields and these boots are what I wear if it has been raining or snowing.
Rather than pretend I have a degree in footwear construction and have analysed these boots under forensic conditions, I’ll copy and paste what it says on the supplier’s website about unique selling points of these boots:
– Full grain & action leather upper
– 1200D Nylon
– Leather collar
– Waterproof breathable Breathatex® lining
– 3M Thinsulate insulation layer
– Non-metallic speed lacing system
– Patent poliyou anti-bacterial
– Breathable
– Washable & odour-free cushion insole
– Durable slip/oil resistant outsole
I’ll admit that the ‘Non-metallic speed lacing system’ isn’t exactly a feature that I’ve noticed a great deal of benefit from, but the rest does make for a good boot!
When I first received the boots, it did take me a couple of good walks with the dog to break them in. If I was going to buy another pair (which I will, if these ones eventually break!), then I’d slip on an extra thick pair of socks, grab the dog and take her on one almighty walk, just to get the job done. A bit of dubbin on when I get home and I’d be ready to roll. Nowadays, the boots are perfectly comfortable and the lacing system ensures that you have a comfy grip. Talking of grip, the soles haven’t let me down, either. Well, the soles on the boots haven’t….the soles on the beach refused to play ball last year, but that’s a different story!
From a fishing perspective, these boots have been ideal for me. Firstly, they are warm. Even in the coldest of weather (and it’s been cold this winter, that’s for sure!), I have never needed to wear more than a normal pair of socks underneath. Truth be told, I do often wear a pair of thicker socks when I go fishing – I’m sure that’s out of habit, though! I have never felt cold in these boots, and that is important to me. Cold feet and cold hands are a big enemy to any angler. I’ve always been a fan of products made with Thinsulate materials, and these are just one such product.
I have also been in the surf in these boots and, whilst I wouldn’t recommend them for wading (they are land boots, after all!), my slight ‘slip’ to recover a mate’s cod left me pleased they had a waterproof liner. I would have really felt it that night in a pair of trainers! Walks with the dog, especially when my kids accompany me, often involve jumping through puddles, streams and deep snow. I’ve never had wet feet yet. The fact that they are breathable means I’ve never had sweaty feet, either. Wet doesn’t have to come from the outside – if your feet sweat, they will get wet and, therefore, cold. And smelly.
Occasionally, I clean and polish these boots. I also rub dubbin into them once in a while. Apart from that, they get used and abused. I am not the world’s most ‘product-friendly’ man and don’t look after things like some people do. If a product can withstand me, it can withstand just about anybody. I’ve had these boots about a year now and there are no signs of them failing whatsoever. Considering the use they get, that’s not bad!
I’m always nervous about recommending a product. Money is tight for many of us right now, especially, and I’d hate for somebody to buy something because I thought it was good and then not share my opinion. However, when a friend recently asked me to suggest a pair of boots for fishing, I told him to get a pair of Viper Tactical Boots. I’m pleased to say that I just phoned them and he is still over the moon with them.
The price for Viper Tactical Boots varies, but you should be able to get them for around £45 online, plus postage. CLICK HERE to see the ones currently on eBay.
Elton Murphy, February 2010
