Bunny Boots?

CKE2

CKE2

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Anyone got them...how are they? I just read the last issue of Field and Stream and it had an article about a trapper in Alaska. One of the small asides recommended Bunny Boots....I had never heard of them.

What is the skinny on these Bunny Boots???

Thanks
Craig
 
Bushman5 said:
here ya go!

http://www.bunnyboots.com/

I do believe these are used by our CDN&USA Forces in the arctic and are nicknamed "mickey mouse boots"
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The white ones are called "Bunny Boots," and are rated down to ridiculously low temperatures. The black ones are called "Micky-Mouse Boots," and aren't rated for as low of temperatures. We trained wearing them once for two weeks, back in the day. They're absurdly heavy, but they do keep your feet warm (made mine sweat).

And you thought I'd never left sunny Southern California.:D
 
We were issued Bunny Boots when I was in the Air Force. They felt a little awkward the first time wearing them but you get used to that quickly. The one thing I remember is your feet stay warm no matter how cold it is. Wish I had a pair right now.
 
I own a pair of bunny boots. They are super comfortable and warm in any temperature that exists on this planet. The problem with them is that they weigh too much for any long walking, they are exceedingly clunky and they offer very little support. Basically they are like wearing clown shoes that keep you warm. If you go ice fishing or do any other activity that will have you standing or sitting outside in frigid temperatures for long periods of time then they are great. For hiking they suck.
 
The boots are great, but they do have 1 draw back....heavy!
They are constructed with heat retention of the utmost concern.
If your boots are rated low enough for the temperature your in, then
one of the most common reasons your feet get cold is because your insulation gets wet.
Now, your insulation gets wet by one of 2 ways.....water actually gets in, or because of sweat. ALL insulation losses efficiency when it becomes wet. Some a lot more than others, but they all lose some.
Now, the mickey mouse boots has a layer of wool insulation sandwiched in between 2 layers of rubber. There is no way for the insulation to get wet unless you happen to puncture the boot. If the insulation can't get wet from either sweat or water entry, then your feet will stay warm to about the rated temperature.
If you happen to go over the top of the boot in water, they then can act like a wet suit boot that SCUBA divers wear. The warmth of your feet will actually heat the water up. Thats not to say your feet wont be cold because they will, but it wont be as important to get out of your boots and into some dry socks and liners.

You can kind of do the same with a pair of Sorels. What you need is a liner sock, like Thinsulate, a VBL sock (Vaper Barrier Liner) and a wool sock over that. The VBL wont allow sweat to pass into your insulation, but if you happen to dunk your boot over the top in water, your in trouble! Your insulation is now wet. I used to wear VBL when I backpacked in the winter.
A MAJOR drawback of them is STINK!!! Your feet wallow in their sweat for hours! I never before stunk so bad! Better have good friends or else!

Mickey mouse boots are a great boot to have when you might find yourself in a situation where failure could mean disaster!
I wouldn't want to have to walk too far in them. They are really popular with ice fishermen and tree stand hunters. Just sitting around kind of stuff.
They are worth their money though...I mean for $50 with shipping you can have a great pair of low temperature boots.
Never know when you may need them either......
 
The white Mickey Mouse boots were our standard issue boot while in Alaska. We more correctly called them VB boots, as they are vapor barrier. They are nominally rated for six hours of standing still at -65f. There is a screw valve in each boot that is used to equalize the pressure in the boot for large altitude changes, or airborne opns. These valves are a pain as they have to be constantly checked during the day as they loosen during normal activity. They must remain closed in order to keep moisture or water from entering between the layers. Being VB, sweat is a problem. One pair of issue socks are the rule. We removed them whenever we could in order to allow our feet and boot to dry. If they become too wet they are easily wiped out as there is only a thin layer of moleskin inside. The black ones are a lighter version and rated for -35. Once you get used to them they really work, but like everyone said, they are heavy.
 
I was issued white bunnies in South Dakota and Upper Michigan by the Air Force in the 70s. They were never designed or intended for much active use, certainly not for hiking or long distance walking.
They did, however, keep your feet from freezing in some very cold places.

I found a source of surplus black Mickies toward the last five years or so of my police career in Utah, bought several for friends & wore a pair myself during cold winters where we had real cold snaps. No good for foot pursuits, but again- my feet never got anywhere close to being cold with those things on.

Still have two pair here.

Denis
 
I have used these when working in Northern B.C. (Fort Nelson). The winters in Fort Nelson are about 7 months long and average -30 below, so Bunny boots are a big hit up there as they do keep your feet warm.
 
I do know they ROCK for snowmobiling! buncha my sled buds have em and will wear nothing else.
 
bunnyboot.jpg
 
I just thought that bunny boot was a generic term for any canvas topped rubber bottomed high grade winter boot. Sorel, Baffin, both pretty common, your choice of regular, electric shock rated, and full composite safety toe/shank. As far as I remember, these boots are usually rated to comfort while not moving, while other more "hiker" style boots are rated for activity. and as long as the liners are dry, no problems. although I never had to wear them for days on end with no chance of drying them out.
 
Thanks for all the info guys! I may look into a pair of these for next years ice fishing season.
 
JRB said:
I own a pair of bunny boots. They are super comfortable and warm in any temperature that exists on this planet. The problem with them is that they weigh too much for any long walking, they are exceedingly clunky and they offer very little support. Basically they are like wearing clown shoes that keep you warm. If you go ice fishing or do any other activity that will have you standing or sitting outside in frigid temperatures for long periods of time then they are great. For hiking they suck.
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I had a pair and agree with you 110% for GP I would recommend the Mickey Mouse boots (US Surplus not the China made imports that are 20 bucks cheaper) neither are good for long distance stuff but are amazing for hanging off your bag or stuck in your truck when a blizzard hits...
 
If you are ice fishing and not moving around too much they are great. In a rough country hike they will wear you down.
 
mossyhorn I have the hiking boots covered for cold weather but for long extended periods freezing on the ice I am a little under booted. Plus with their construction if I do get into slush they will handle that to.
 
About 15 years back, when the military was selling off a whole bunch of everything, I found two guys who'd won bids on trucks, trailers, generators, uniforms, and so on.
They were selling unused black Mickeys at $15 a pair. I got several for friends at work, besides the ones I bought for myself.

Denis
 
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