FYI, it sounds as if the Viking Neo (with the neoprene lining) does have a little more snug fit around the ankle than do the thinner cotton lined models and therefore would be better fitting for hillier terrain.
Definitely true of all our neoprene lined boots. You're basically wearing a 4mm neoprene sock around which we build the natural rubber boot. All the neoprene boots will have a snugger fit than the cotton lined Viking Tex or the Field bootl. The ideal fit is snug but not tight. You want the boot to feel like its a part of your leg.
Great review of a great product. I’ve been wearing GumleafUSA boots for 6 years now. As a Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock guide, Woodcock bander, and very amateur sheep dog trialer, I’m in my boots every month of the year. My current pair of Royal Zips are 2 years old and have approximately 4,000 hard miles on them, from early season in the Northwoods to the late season in the Appalachian mountains. I have never noticed any smell coming from the boots and do wear them in the deer stand when I get the rare chance to go sit. Great products.
My gumleafs are going into their third season this fall and they are the best boots I've ever worn and they're very comfortable but I wore them so much for my hunting, scouting, walking the dogs ect that the neoprene on the inside heel is wore thru to the rubber and now there is a crack on the back seam of both of my boots from the rubbing of my feet and taking them off so many times over the years. I talked to Jack about this and he suggested a shoe glue to fix the holes. They are fixed and waterproof but I'm concerned that $400 boots already has a problem after 2 years. Again, they are soo comfy and they fit my feet perfect, customer service is top notch with Jack. Great review!
I stopped using Rubber boots just because of how much my feet would sweat. You should make a video on keeping your feet warm mid-late season. This year I’m going with less insulation and a boot cover for late season . Hopefully that works!
Yes, I was going to do a video on it last year but by the time I got everything together many seasons were closing down. I'll post one this year for sure.
I bought a pair of Muck boots about 2 months ago. I loved the soles for climbing 🌳 with a climbing rope. The insoles r similar to my light but tall hiking boots. I wear alpaca or merino wool socks everytime I hunt. I have some nice cinch straps from an old waterproof backpack I wore out. I will need them for the Neoprene tops. Years ago on private family land I did a morning hunt with no-cinch boots. I had a fox hit my scent trail & he did a full circle away from me. On the same day in the evening I was hunt a nice area of Burr & red oaks covered with gray & fox squirrels. When a fox showed up that evening the squirrels went up high & didn't make a sound. That fox walked all around my area & below me & didn't pick up a scent trail anywhere. Not taking the full measure of having a cinch is a big mistake. I had better rubber boots on for that evening hunt. All boots I have regardless of make or model I put over a dehumidifier when I take them off. The year round practice of this pays dividends. I had a pair of Hodgeman camo hip boots thar turned into rubber boots. They r all of 30 years old & don't leak. Many boots out there in that $50-$100 range that look like a full rubber boot is junk. If that same boot is heavier with more insulation it's just heavy junk. LaCrosse Iceman boots fit pretty nice & the boot I wear during November. I camo'ed them out with a clear coating over the top & they don't smell. I ride a fat-tire bike to get back & don't walk long distances anymore. Hats off Garret for a solid review on a boot that will stand the test of time 👏.
I have a pair of gumleaf boots. Overall I like them. My biggest complaint is the soft/flexible sole makes standing on my platform(saddle hunting) uncomfortable after an hour or two. A more firm sole is easier on my feet with a platform or ring of steps.
Yea sole stiffness is definitely a tradeoff. Stiffness is more comfortable on thin metal but also harder to be stealthy on the final approach if you can feel that little twig your about to step on under the grass or leaves.
Used these boots for the last two seasons and I love them. Not a boot to be used under 40 degrees however. They need an insulated version beyond the neoprene. And also, the sole is quite thin so you REALLY feel climbing sticks pressure into your foot. Off topic question but do you still shoot bishop Broadheads?
No I currently am using primarily Ironwill and Sevr heads. And good thoughts on sole stiffness. I find that on the flipside, an advantage of a thinner, more flexible sole is that when you can feel what's underneath, you can be a little more stealthy. When I use very stiff soled boots I generally am more apt to break a stick under the leaves when on my final approach to the tree, though stiffer soles definietly are more comfortable standing on thin steps or pegs.
Nice review Garrett. I bought a pair when John E. first started talking about them. My biggest complaint is the smell. 2 years later and these things still have a very loud chemical smell. Did you encounter this with yours?
Hey Dave, if I put my nose right up to them I can still get a whiff of rubber. I wouldn't call it that strong smell like you get when boots are first out of the box, but it does still smell like rubber to me.
Hello David. I'm at a loss to explain this 'loud chemical smell' you are describing. Neither John E, or Garrett, or The Hunting Beast Dan Infalt have described such a smell in their Reviews. In 8 years of operating, we have never had a pair returned because of a smell concern - and our policy on immediate returns is ultra-liberal: any reason as long as the boots have not been worn outside. We now have LOTS of deer hunters wearing Gumleaf USA boots. So I wonder if the issue you are experiencing has to do with how and where you are storing the boots, or how you are treating the natural rubber, or the inside of your boots. There are NO petrochemicals, PCV, formaldehydes, lead or phthalates used in our rubber and our factory runs on steam--not petrochemicals. The are mostly natural rubber rather than plastics and synthetics. In fact, our boots are stored on racks in office space, not out in a warehouse, yet no one working in that office space has ever complained or even mentioned smelling rubber and they are surrounded by hundreds of pairs! Give me a call if you wish to discuss this matter. You have my email and phone number for your original purchase. Thanks David! 844gumleaf (844.486.5323)
Hey David, I’ve worn these boots for a number of years. I haven’t encountered a loud smell. Maybe like Garrett said, a hint of rubber but I was wearing them prior to writing this and smelled them.
Hunting in HEAVY venomous snake country, I can’t consider a boot that isn’t snake proof. They look like fantastic quality, though. I have either stepped on, or gotten hit by, a venomous every year for the last 7 years. With 5 bite saves in 7 years (3 moccasins, 1 copperhead, and 1 diamondback), I won’t ever move away from my snake-proof rubber boots. My current choice is the Lacrosse 4X Alpha snake boot.
@@joehenz I live in north Texas, and most of our available public land is Army Corps land around reservoirs. I get lots of moccasin encounters back around the backs of those things. The rattlesnake was a little baby sucker tucked under a bunch of native grass, and the copperhead was just me not paying attention. This year was an exception, but most years I put at least 300 miles on a pair of boots before the summer heat forces me out of the woods. I am sure my high snake encounters are more of a factor of the amount of miles I cover and days in the field than It is an indication of high snake populations.
If I can’t see the ground while it’s warm out I ain’t walking thru it unless I sound like a whole army coming thru lol I live in south Louisiana and have never been bitten and never wear snake boots. But I watch my every step
Bought a pair four years ago and have not used them much or been hard on them in the slightest. Both boots are leaking like a sieve seemingly from separation along the sole. I just patched them with Aquaseal, but I don't have high hopes that I will get much more use out of them given how bad they were leaking. Given how high priced they are, they seem to be cheaply made. No way I would recommend them to anyone.
@@dualthreatoutdoors When deer got downwind of me on the ground, usually within 20 yards, they definitely acted like they could smell something. But the most common reaction was either taking a couple bounds and continuing the direction they were going, or in some instances turning around. When high up in a tree though, I had one instance when I observed a doe and a fawn feeding out around 35-40 yards. The doe caught my scent and stood there smelling for several minutes while the fawn fed. After those couple minutes she must have decided there was no danger and they both continued to feed for the next half hour or so in the clearcut. I always had the full head cover on during those encounters.
Mine are 8 years old and going strong. Customers routinely get 5+ years plus they are extremely comfortable. And they are not made in China where the rubber is diluted out with plastic and synthetic materials. Most rubber boots coming into the US are made in China.
Kamik makes a rubber boot with a felt liner. The felt liner absorbs sweat and can be removed and dried out. These gum rubber boots would work well with a felt liner. As always, a very good review.
I've had several pair of those Kamik's & the pair I have now have no liner & I wear them over my lightweight Field & Stream waders. They have a Neoprene boot on them & if u cover your legs with a nice baggy pair of fleece pants they stay quiet & comfortable. Those Kamiks r nice but have no insole so I wouldn't want to walk more than 100 yards in a straight line with them.
FYI, it sounds as if the Viking Neo (with the neoprene lining) does have a little more snug fit around the ankle than do the thinner cotton lined models and therefore would be better fitting for hillier terrain.
Definitely true of all our neoprene lined boots. You're basically wearing a 4mm neoprene sock around which we build the natural rubber boot. All the neoprene boots will have a snugger fit than the cotton lined Viking Tex or the Field bootl. The ideal fit is snug but not tight. You want the boot to feel like its a part of your leg.
Great review of a great product. I’ve been wearing GumleafUSA boots for 6 years now. As a Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock guide, Woodcock bander, and very amateur sheep dog trialer, I’m in my boots every month of the year. My current pair of Royal Zips are 2 years old and have approximately 4,000 hard miles on them, from early season in the Northwoods to the late season in the Appalachian mountains. I have never noticed any smell coming from the boots and do wear them in the deer stand when I get the rare chance to go sit. Great products.
Excellent review as always. I hope each of you has a successful season this year and many great adventures. Thank you for reviewing a fine product.
My gumleafs are going into their third season this fall and they are the best boots I've ever worn and they're very comfortable but I wore them so much for my hunting, scouting, walking the dogs ect that the neoprene on the inside heel is wore thru to the rubber and now there is a crack on the back seam of both of my boots from the rubbing of my feet and taking them off so many times over the years. I talked to Jack about this and he suggested a shoe glue to fix the holes. They are fixed and waterproof but I'm concerned that $400 boots already has a problem after 2 years. Again, they are soo comfy and they fit my feet perfect, customer service is top notch with Jack. Great review!
I stopped using Rubber boots just because of how much my feet would sweat. You should make a video on keeping your feet warm mid-late season. This year I’m going with less insulation and a boot cover for late season . Hopefully that works!
Yes, I was going to do a video on it last year but by the time I got everything together many seasons were closing down. I'll post one this year for sure.
Great review Garrett.
If you want want a lower price point, check out the Skellerup Quatros. Half the cost and an excellent boot
I bought a pair of Muck boots about 2 months ago. I loved the soles for climbing 🌳 with a climbing rope. The insoles r similar to my light but tall hiking boots. I wear alpaca or merino wool socks everytime I hunt. I have some nice cinch straps from an old waterproof backpack I wore out. I will need them for the Neoprene tops. Years ago on private family land I did a morning hunt with no-cinch boots. I had a fox hit my scent trail & he did a full circle away from me. On the same day in the evening I was hunt a nice area of Burr & red oaks covered with gray & fox squirrels. When a fox showed up that evening the squirrels went up high & didn't make a sound. That fox walked all around my area & below me & didn't pick up a scent trail anywhere. Not taking the full measure of having a cinch is a big mistake. I had better rubber boots on for that evening hunt. All boots I have regardless of make or model I put over a dehumidifier when I take them off. The year round practice of this pays dividends. I had a pair of Hodgeman camo hip boots thar turned into rubber boots. They r all of 30 years old & don't leak. Many boots out there in that $50-$100 range that look like a full rubber boot is junk. If that same boot is heavier with more insulation it's just heavy junk. LaCrosse Iceman boots fit pretty nice & the boot I wear during November. I camo'ed them out with a clear coating over the top & they don't smell. I ride a fat-tire bike to get back & don't walk long distances anymore. Hats off Garret for a solid review on a boot that will stand the test of time 👏.
I have a pair of gumleaf boots. Overall I like them. My biggest complaint is the soft/flexible sole makes standing on my platform(saddle hunting) uncomfortable after an hour or two. A more firm sole is easier on my feet with a platform or ring of steps.
Yea sole stiffness is definitely a tradeoff. Stiffness is more comfortable on thin metal but also harder to be stealthy on the final approach if you can feel that little twig your about to step on under the grass or leaves.
Dude please do a video on some tips to get better at shooting stickbows!! What you’ve learned since that old video where you were coached by mr Moe
I am planning on a video or two on traditional this month
Used these boots for the last two seasons and I love them. Not a boot to be used under 40 degrees however. They need an insulated version beyond the neoprene.
And also, the sole is quite thin so you REALLY feel climbing sticks pressure into your foot.
Off topic question but do you still shoot bishop Broadheads?
No I currently am using primarily Ironwill and Sevr heads. And good thoughts on sole stiffness. I find that on the flipside, an advantage of a thinner, more flexible sole is that when you can feel what's underneath, you can be a little more stealthy. When I use very stiff soled boots I generally am more apt to break a stick under the leaves when on my final approach to the tree, though stiffer soles definietly are more comfortable standing on thin steps or pegs.
Nice review Garrett. I bought a pair when John E. first started talking about them. My biggest complaint is the smell. 2 years later and these things still have a very loud chemical smell. Did you encounter this with yours?
Hey Dave, if I put my nose right up to them I can still get a whiff of rubber. I wouldn't call it that strong smell like you get when boots are first out of the box, but it does still smell like rubber to me.
Hello David. I'm at a loss to explain this 'loud chemical smell' you are describing. Neither John E, or Garrett, or The Hunting Beast Dan Infalt have described such a smell in their Reviews. In 8 years of operating, we have never had a pair returned because of a smell concern - and our policy on immediate returns is ultra-liberal: any reason as long as the boots have not been worn outside. We now have LOTS of deer hunters wearing Gumleaf USA boots. So I wonder if the issue you are experiencing has to do with how and where you are storing the boots, or how you are treating the natural rubber, or the inside of your boots. There are NO petrochemicals, PCV, formaldehydes, lead or phthalates used in our rubber and our factory runs on steam--not petrochemicals. The are mostly natural rubber rather than plastics and synthetics. In fact, our boots are stored on racks in office space, not out in a warehouse, yet no one working in that office space has ever complained or even mentioned smelling rubber and they are surrounded by hundreds of pairs! Give me a call if you wish to discuss this matter. You have my email and phone number for your original purchase. Thanks David! 844gumleaf (844.486.5323)
Hey David, I’ve worn these boots for a number of years. I haven’t encountered a loud smell. Maybe like Garrett said, a hint of rubber but I was wearing them prior to writing this and smelled them.
@@jackbutler7424 I'll call Monday. it's a loud rubber smell, just taking far longer to dissipate then I would have thought.
@@davetoms63Smells don't make sound.
Hunting in HEAVY venomous snake country, I can’t consider a boot that isn’t snake proof. They look like fantastic quality, though. I have either stepped on, or gotten hit by, a venomous every year for the last 7 years. With 5 bite saves in 7 years (3 moccasins, 1 copperhead, and 1 diamondback), I won’t ever move away from my snake-proof rubber boots. My current choice is the Lacrosse 4X Alpha snake boot.
Yea I definitely take for granted that I don't have to worry too much about venomous snakes, spiders or gators too much where I'm at.
Man, you need to look down when you walk sometimes. 5 bites! That is nuts. I don't go into the wood without snake boots and a thermacell.
@@jonathansimmons4253 waist high native grasses will hide a LOT of things.
@@joehenz I live in north Texas, and most of our available public land is Army Corps land around reservoirs. I get lots of moccasin encounters back around the backs of those things. The rattlesnake was a little baby sucker tucked under a bunch of native grass, and the copperhead was just me not paying attention.
This year was an exception, but most years I put at least 300 miles on a pair of boots before the summer heat forces me out of the woods. I am sure my high snake encounters are more of a factor of the amount of miles I cover and days in the field than It is an indication of high snake populations.
If I can’t see the ground while it’s warm out I ain’t walking thru it unless I sound like a whole army coming thru lol I live in south Louisiana and have never been bitten and never wear snake boots. But I watch my every step
Bought a pair four years ago and have not used them much or been hard on them in the slightest. Both boots are leaking like a sieve seemingly from separation along the sole. I just patched them with Aquaseal, but I don't have high hopes that I will get much more use out of them given how bad they were leaking. Given how high priced they are, they seem to be cheaply made. No way I would recommend them to anyone.
Sorry to hear that. Did you try reaching out to them?
another great review, thanks !
Merry Christmas! Do these fit true to size?
Had high hopes for these boots, but the rubber dried up, cracked and started taking on water after a couple years of use.
How tall are these Boots and for the lower 48 where is the best place to order from?
Now if they made a snake boot, I would be interested.
I see in some of the clips you were wearing Scentlok; did you switch to it for better scent control?
I was testing it out both for fit and function as well as if I could perceive a difference from how deer reacted to my scent.
@@DIYSportsman nice, what did you find?
@@dualthreatoutdoors When deer got downwind of me on the ground, usually within 20 yards, they definitely acted like they could smell something. But the most common reaction was either taking a couple bounds and continuing the direction they were going, or in some instances turning around. When high up in a tree though, I had one instance when I observed a doe and a fawn feeding out around 35-40 yards. The doe caught my scent and stood there smelling for several minutes while the fawn fed. After those couple minutes she must have decided there was no danger and they both continued to feed for the next half hour or so in the clearcut. I always had the full head cover on during those encounters.
@@DIYSportsman that’s great! Even though it’s not 100%, it definitely makes a HUGE difference compared to regular hunting clothing
Good review a little pricey for me but they look awsome
Mine are 8 years old and going strong. Customers routinely get 5+ years plus they are extremely comfortable. And they are not made in China where the rubber is diluted out with plastic and synthetic materials. Most rubber boots coming into the US are made in China.
The are pricy because they are made of quality materials by adults in a first world country. I have the Viking Neo and really like them.
Nice boots but that price is 😳 I'll stick to my lacrosse alpha agility.
Did you with your orignal size or did you size up one
I chose my normal shoe size
I thought these were handmade in the uk
Kamik makes a rubber boot with a felt liner. The felt liner absorbs sweat and can be removed and dried out. These gum rubber boots would work well with a felt liner. As always, a very good review.
I've had several pair of those Kamik's & the pair I have now have no liner & I wear them over my lightweight Field & Stream waders. They have a Neoprene boot on them & if u cover your legs with a nice baggy pair of fleece pants they stay quiet & comfortable. Those Kamiks r nice but have no insole so I wouldn't want to walk more than 100 yards in a straight line with them.
How tall is this rubber boot?
In my size 11, they are 17" tall.
Get yourself a pair of Canadian dress shoes "Dunlop's" you won't be sorry.
I wish they made these in man sizes....like 14+