VikingMen's VW3 Handyman Rubber Boots

I have been looking for a long time since LaCrosse discontinued their original Alpha Burly boot. It used to be thin rubber that molded to your leg that felt like another layer of skin. It came in un-insulated or felt insulated years ago. Now they have double reinforced the heals, thickened the walls of the boot and then in some places like back of heal and toe have triple or quadruple(?) thickness and it is like walking in a spare tire. I am an archery hunter and like being able to manipulate the ankle for the next quiet step and they used to have thin souls with a chevron pattern that I could feel the ground with. Now it is an ankle workout to move your feet in them. They were a family icon in our hunting camp, now we have all been looking elsewhere to find our boot foot comfort.These boots are a GOOD flimsy in the sense that if you stand them, give them a single finger nudge, they will fold at the ankle and the top hits the floor. This is a GOOD thing. I put them on and walked a half mile up the hill and the ankles didn't get the fatigue of bending the boot every time I pick up my feet. I drive an hour in my truck into the woods and my many other stiff ankle rubber boots give me a workout just shifting the clutch. I have strong ankles and just need my feet to stay dry, whereas apparently most of the population is in need of support brackets, ace bandages, neoprene lined, and quadruple layer rubber boots these days. These are just thick enough to stand up on their own and keep you dry like most rubber boot applications should call for.I am not saying these are replacement boots for all day hiking - although I think they would be comfortable in the ankle department, they are a cheaper pair of boots. For me these will be the yard work, lawnmower, day trip, camping. fishing kinda boots. Like any new pair I will see where these take me. Next week they are taking me to visit family in ND for a week long lake camping and walleye fishing trip in the boat.LaCrosse customer service indicated that the change to the thickness of their best boots came from so many complaints (whiners) after 3 to 5 years that their boots were wearing out or cracking at the flexible parts. They have a 1 year warranty - I would have told all complainers "you are welcome". I hike 5 - 7 miles a day about 60 times a year in fairly rough country of the pacific NW and although my boots are only worn in the field/ camp/ or boat, they see miles and years of service before needing replaced. I usually wear the traction off the bottom before a crack develops in the boot and I don't care if they are 70 - 100 bucks, they were worth every penny for years of service. My boots gave me on average 5 years. Say that is 20 bucks a year to hunt, fish, camp, whatever whenever in confidence, comfort and reliability shot all to Hades because of cheap whiners. I say get a pair and I don't mean boots.That being said, I still own LaCrosse boots although not sure really why? Occasional workout for my ankles I guess.I am done with my LaCrosse rant.I will keep updated on these. They are a little big in the feet for thin socks per the size as they should be - most rubber boots are worn with thicker socks which are comfortable in these both width and length. Half my shoes are regular width and wide as I bounce right on the border depending on manufacturer - these are regular and fit great with regular insulated socks. They are a mid calf height. With pant legs tucked in they are comfy. Expect to be wearing these most of the time around the house yard work stuff.Not expecting miracles, but almost every rubber boot you run across is so stiff around the calves that it slaps the front and back of your leg every step. These are a pliable rubber boot to keep the water out. Just thick enough to not fall over ..... unless provoked.The rubber isn't really much thinner than most rubber boots, just a softer more pliable forgiving rubber. Will keep up to date for any changes or developments.

Has a very strong Rubber smell that will take a while to dissapate

Bought 3 pairs of boots on the Prime Wardrobe program. Kamik Men's Icebreaker, Northside Lincoln rubber boots, and Viking Footwear Handyman Rubber Waterproof Boot. Returned the Northside and Viking after trying all 3 on, kept the Kamik. The Kamik had the best quality, was the most comfortable, and seemed to be the most durable. That being said, for summertime use, I would have kept the Northside or Viking brand boots, since the Kamik has a heavy wool felt liner all the way up to the gator top.

I bought these for my son. He wanted something lightweight that without liner for fishing in the rain in Southern California. He said they are fine for his needs but did run big. They are flimsy and thin but again that's what he wanted.

The only outdoor landscaping boot I use now. As others have posted they are remarkably comfortable and I feel confident I am avoiding wet mud on my feet while working in and around such. My first pair did wear out after a year, developing a leak at the right front (between the 1st and 2nd toes), but I use them hard so I can't fault the workmanship. Just got my second pair in, and will be re-ordering in the future for sure.

Love these for working in the yard and they fit very well based on the size chart. You have to wear sock though because they will chafe if you don't. Am sure to use them for years to come.

Excellent for the price and well made. But could have use but the size are made a little small. I wear 14 but I needed 14 1/2 on this boot.

Decent boot. The upper is more flimsy than I expected.; but so far they are doing their job and keeping feet dry!

Super thin material, not what I expected at all! Would never purchase again

Talon fendue de 3 pouce après moin 6 mois créèrent une perte de l'étanchéité.