Hello!
I'm using my saw more and more lately, and decided to get a pair of boots to complement my ppe kit.
I think i'm gonna go with the viking bushwhacker rubber boots, as they seems to be the standard affordable full protection boots. There is no place near who have them, so I'm considering a mail order, but I dont know wich size I should get... I usually wear a 10, so tought about ordering just that, but I read a couple of places where peoples say to get a size bigger for bama socks.
what size of boots did you viking owner choosed, and how is the fit? Is the bama socks really needed? I wont be using them in winter, mostly spring and summer.
Thanks !
You don't need a bigger boot size for Bama socks in the Vikings. They are made a little loose to accept the Bama socks.
Viking or Nokia boots were developed in Europe over the last 40 years with the Austrian made Bama socks to work together into a snug fit. The socks breathe keeping the foot drier .Advertised as "air conditioning " for the feet.
I have a size 10 foot and wear Bamas in size 43/10 Vikings.
I wear Bamas and the Vikings in spring and fall , leather in the summer.
Vikings size 45 (11.5) with full felt liners in winter.
I have a pair in size 9,my normal size. I do wear 2 pair of stockings with them.
I wear mine in the winter and have no problems with cold feet. Mine has a felt bottom in them. If I am outside working,I have them on. Even in the garden. I wear them year around.
Different Vikings fit differently. The VW69-1 style/model fits exact size. I am an 11 in both boots, shoes, and Vikings. I do wear a slightly heavier weight sock in the VW69's.
I had never heard of Bama socks.
Searched on it and the "Alabama Crimson Tide" kept coming up ;D ;D
then final found a reference to these socket things.
Is this what you are talking about? http://www.gear-up.com/products/view/bama-socks-for-rubber-boots (http://www.gear-up.com/products/view/bama-socks-for-rubber-boots)
Thanks a lot for the detailed anwser HolmenTree and thecfarm, I've been reading you both for a while, and know you knows your trade. I just ordered them in size 10 with a pair of bamas.
Yes Furu, theses are the one, I've never tried them either, but read everywhere than they are a must in rubber boots. Will see!
Quote from: Furu on January 30, 2017, 06:58:57 AM
I had never heard of Bama socks.
Searched on it and the "Alabama Crimson Tide" kept coming up ;D ;D
then final found a reference to these socket things.
Is this what you are talking about? http://www.gear-up.com/products/view/bama-socks-for-rubber-boots (http://"bama%20socks")
That link doesn't open for me here in Canada.
It appears there is a problem finding Bama socks in the USA over the Internet.
I found this link from New Jersey with a good description of the product. Hope it works for you. You might have to click twice on the link.
https://www.durawear.com/bama-xtratuf-socks-for-boots-mfg-28500/?gclid=Cj0KEQiA5bvEBRCM6vypnc7QgMkBEiQAUZftQKnPdYxneLaFKUuMQFXMI6bMQODatMi-AZ8ymQWNMSUaAt158P8HAQ
I always get 1 size bigger for the felt liners. no extra socks needed that just makes your foot clumsy lol and you don't want that1. I have 5 different styles of vikings. all size 11 and fit my size 10 foot great.
I also have some bama sock.. never use them. its way too cold here and if u don't use a felt type liner most Vikings will chaffe your shin nicely!
Quote from: thumper on January 30, 2017, 07:34:38 PM
I also have some bama sock.. never use them. its way too cold here and if u don't use a felt type liner most Vikings will chaffe your shin nicely!
I don't wear my Bama socks for warmth, only to keep my feet dry and comfortable in the spring and fall with wet snow and slush on the ground.
Never had a problem with shin chaffing, the Bama's keep my feet snug in the boots preventing flopping around.
In the winter I wear full felt liners in either my half leather rubber bottom Nokia's or my oversize full rubber high tops, along with Alpaca insoles (warmest wool). Wool liners for the trigger finger mitts and wool hard hat liner.
In summer I wear my leather Haix or if wet my Helly Hansen full rubber caulks.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20170130_202531.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1485830275)
Here's one more pic, a close up of a couple of pairs of my Bama's .
I just noticed my newest pair are labeled with a Viking logo. ???
So there you go... Viking is now in the business selling them too.
You'll never appreciate how comfortable these Bama's are until you try them in your rubber logging boots.
I've been wearing them for over 40 years. :)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20170130_205640.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1485831823)
30C below today... outdoors with full felt liners.
For full felt liners I believe I had to go up to size 13 boots for size 10 feet. And they fit perfectly, but are very tight going on. If you are going to use felt liners I'd try and buy in person.
I used to use bama socks out in BC, but I just wear wool socks in mine here back in NB. I wear size 11. And be sure to get either the 68 (lug sole) or the 69-1 (chaulk sole) model boot. I also wear chaulked bottoms year around, two pair of wool socks. Never been cold in the woods in my life. ;D
You can get bama socks on amazon.com
Men's Bama Socks (http://www.amazon.com/XTRATUF-Sokket-Insulating-Removable-Liners/dp/B0002EEROE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486417939&sr=8-1&keywords=bama+socks+mens)
I find these the most comfortable model. The lower models hurt the top of the foot. The leather ones chaff your shins raw.
Viking 68 (https://www.deakin.com/products/Details.aspx?p=643499&c=1340&g=5490)
Quick update :
I just received the vw58-1 viking boots in size 10, my usual size, and they fit surprisingly snug and confortables with bama socks over a light pair of whool socks. They are roomy to accomodate the Bama as stated by HolmenTree, but they can be worn without it using the 2 pairs of soles provided.
Very happy with the build quality and hope they will last a long time.
Thanks for all advices !
Lots of diffeant styles. I had no idea. I have the vw64-1
I have the least expensive Viking; rubber boot with short lace at the top back. They cut the fronts of my shins something fierce; like all rubber boots do. Need to wear long johns or some sort of long sock that doesn't slip down. And man are they heavy!! Hate them- but wear them anyways.
Duct tape a grocery bag on the outside rim, tuck down in the boot and punch a hole in bottom. Saves the leg hairs. :D
Thanks for the tip SwampDonkey; a little out there but I might just give that a try tomorrow... or a slight mod there of.
I know one thing,if I had that problem,I would try it. I kinda think he knows what he is talking about. ;)
I have a pair of vikings, and I usually wear a 12, but for these I found it better to order a size 13. I dont wear the bama socks, I am a bit old school when it comes to socks. I wear a thinner liner sock, synthetic never cotton, and I have knee high heavy woolen socks made that extend well above the top of the boots that I pull over my pants . Prevents chafing and keeps your socks from bunching up in your boot. The size 13 accommodates these really heavy woolen socks well with a bit of wiggle room .
Quote from: chainsawnewbie on March 10, 2021, 03:47:42 PM
I have knee high heavy woolen socks made that extend well above the top of the boots that I pull over my pants . Prevents chafing and keeps your socks from bunching up in your boot.
That's usually how I wear them to. But if your thinning with a clearing saw, the socks will end up down in the boot eventually. ;)
Wigwam or J.B. Fields branded wool socks does the trick equally well. :)
Great Sox - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toXBmN6_Uno)
These ones you have look great!! I actually have been having mine made in Nova Scotia! But I am going to try these you are showing here
Amazon has them. I think Mark there in the video got his there to.
I wear the Thorlos Over the Calf Combat Boot Sock year round. Lot's of cushion! And it stays up!! Not a lot of insulation in the cold, but a good all around sock.
I have always used my Dunlop Purofort boots until having a close call last year . I bought a pair of the viking rubber boots with the laces at the top in back , from my local co op .
I usually wear 10 1/2 and always wore size 12 dunlops so I could also wear a pair of bama socks . A must to not end up with trench foot by the end of the day with how much I sweat. Especially tripping pipe in summer lol
Anyway I bought size 12 vikings which were the largest size they had and I can't wear anything other then a thin sock in them and even then I have a helluva time getting them off.
They are also rubbing my shin raw and not very comfortable in general. They do seem to offer great protection but I will be saving up for a more comfortable pair of chainsaw boots.
I really hate not being able to wear bamas
I know about wet feet. :o
I worked for a National park for 2 summers, lots and lots of hikers. This was back in '78-'79 when hikers wore shorts and high heavy socks. No idea what is being worn now. There I was dumping foot powder and changing my socks through out the day trying to keep my feet dry. My feet would almost parboiled. :o
I asked the hikers how they kept their feet dry. 2 pair of GOOD socks, the outer pair a GOOD HEAVY sock. I just could not believe it. That would make my feet hotter. I kept asking and getting the same answer, but I could not get my young brain around it. Finally I just tried it, how could 50 hikers be wrong!!! Been using 2 pairs for more than 40 years now!!!
As Jeff says, you need good socks. :)
I all ready posted I wear the vikings boots year around. If I am outside working, I have the viking boots on.
Quote from: Greenhighlander on March 11, 2021, 06:55:57 AM
They are also rubbing my shin raw and not very comfortable in general. They do seem to offer great protection but I will be saving up for a more comfortable pair of chainsaw boots.
I really hate not being able to wear bamas
I wear 11's, same size even in sneakers, hiking boots and work boots. There is also different models of Viking. I can't wear anything except a FVW69 model and chaulk bottoms. I've tried the 68 and it cramped the top of my foot. I asked others and same results I had. Local shops don't carry the 69, so like 100's of other stuff you have to order online to get the good stuff. ;D
I have the VW 58-1 Bushwacker. They were way too tight and have terrible arch support . But they have stretched a tad so they at least don't hurt my feet anymore. But ya not a chance of fitting half insoles or bamas .
I order my 69's from Deakin Equipment in Vancouver. I've bought them there for 25 years. :) Used to be able to get them local, but have not seen them in 10 years. It's like Stanfields wool, out west they had shelves of it in the department stores, haven't seen it here in 30 years. You can buy the lighter white stuff in a couple men's shops in Fredericton, but not up here in Woodstock area anymore. Made in NS, but can't buy local. ::) Also have to buy Canadian made work boots and hiking boots from Winnipeg. Like Mark Bernstein in ND (youtube channel) , buy all I want first before you tell anyone else. :D
Quote from: thecfarm on March 11, 2021, 07:15:04 AM
I know about wet feet. :o
I worked for a National park for 2 summers, lots and lots of hikers. This was back in '78-'79 when hikers wore shorts and high heavy socks. No idea what is being worn now. There I was dumping foot powder and changing my socks through out the day trying to keep my feet dry. My feet would almost parboiled. :o
I asked the hikers how they kept their feet dry. 2 pair of GOOD socks, the outer pair a GOOD HEAVY sock. I just could not believe it. That would make my feet hotter. I kept asking and getting the same answer, but I could not get my young brain around it. Finally I just tried it, how could 50 hikers be wrong!!! Been using 2 pairs for more than 40 years now!!!
As Jeff says, you need good socks. :)
I all ready posted I wear the vikings boots year around. If I am outside working, I have the viking boots on.
Good point @thecfarm (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=436) about double socks.
My whole family wear double layer low and high top socks in our running shoes or all shoes for that goes.
We buy these double layer socks and they are the most comfortable socks available. The 2 layers take up the friction in the shoe to your foot.
Another advantage is the kids wear them right out with a big hole in the bottom of the outer layer but with the inner layer intact can still wear them for months after :D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20210313_093742.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1615650285)
Quote from: thecfarm on March 11, 2021, 07:15:04 AM
I know about wet feet. :o
I worked for a National park for 2 summers, lots and lots of hikers. This was back in '78-'79 when hikers wore shorts and high heavy socks. No idea what is being worn now. There I was dumping foot powder and changing my socks through out the day trying to keep my feet dry. My feet would almost parboiled. :o
I asked the hikers how they kept their feet dry. 2 pair of GOOD socks, the outer pair a GOOD HEAVY sock. I just could not believe it. That would make my feet hotter. I kept asking and getting the same answer, but I could not get my young brain around it. Finally I just tried it, how could 50 hikers be wrong!!! Been using 2 pairs for more than 40 years now!!!
As Jeff says, you need good socks. :)
I all ready posted I wear the vikings boots year around. If I am outside working, I have the viking boots on.
I have had the same experience. In both my work boots, and rubber chainsaw boots,I wear a thin wool/poly blend liner sock, and a heavy woolen pair of work socks over that all year round. Works like a charm.
Quote from: Greenhighlander on March 11, 2021, 06:55:57 AM
I have always used my Dunlop Purofort boots until having a close call last year . I bought a pair of the viking rubber boots with the laces at the top in back , from my local co op .
I usually wear 10 1/2 and always wore size 12 dunlops so I could also wear a pair of bama socks . A must to not end up with trench foot by the end of the day with how much I sweat. Especially tripping pipe in summer lol
Anyway I bought size 12 vikings which were the largest size they had and I can't wear anything other then a thin sock in them and even then I have a helluva time getting them off.
They are also rubbing my shin raw and not very comfortable in general. They do seem to offer great protection but I will be saving up for a more comfortable pair of chainsaw boots.
I really hate not being able to wear bamas
I have the Vikings and I had to get a size 13 . The twelve wont go on with two pairs of socks for me either! Hello from another Caper btw!
Quote from: chainsawnewbie on June 09, 2021, 06:25:53 PM
Quote from: Greenhighlander on March 11, 2021, 06:55:57 AM
I have always used my Dunlop Purofort boots until having a close call last year . I bought a pair of the viking rubber boots with the laces at the top in back , from my local co op .
I usually wear 10 1/2 and always wore size 12 dunlops so I could also wear a pair of bama socks . A must to not end up with trench foot by the end of the day with how much I sweat. Especially tripping pipe in summer lol
Anyway I bought size 12 vikings which were the largest size they had and I can't wear anything other then a thin sock in them and even then I have a helluva time getting them off.
They are also rubbing my shin raw and not very comfortable in general. They do seem to offer great protection but I will be saving up for a more comfortable pair of chainsaw boots.
I really hate not being able to wear bamas
I have the Vikings and I had to get a size 13 . The twelve wont go on with two pairs of socks for me either! Hello from another Caper btw!
I got mine at the local co op and they told me that 12 was the biggest size they can get them in . I wish I would of known that they do come in larger sizes. Not being able to wear my bammas is my only complaint now . They have worked in to actually be fairly comfortable.
Welcome to the forum :)