Bass Pro Redhead RCT Side Zip Snake Boot review

I love a good pair of boots. My go to everyday wearing boot is made by Ecco. I am on my third pair over 12 years. However, they are not an ideal boot for hunting. I needed something taller and waterproof. My Ecco’s are waterproof but at only ankle high, I can’t wear them crossing a deep stream or wading through deep snow or heavy morning dew.

I went to Bass Pro Shops and picked up a pair of Redhead RCT side zip snake boots on sale at the end of the season for $130 with a pair of sox. I was expecting to spend upwards of $250 for a good pair of hunting boots. I always worry when I find a “good deal” that the deal is not going to be quite so good – maybe the quality is not great, or the boot really isn’t waterproof.

I have worn these Redhead boots hunting in deep snow and mud several times since purchasing them and have been very pleased. They have kept my feet dry and warm even in the deepest snow or wading through shallow creeks. I don’t know that they are completely waterproof, although they are advertised as such. I wouldn’t want to go trout fishing in them, standing in water for hours on end. But for hunting in snow, turkey hunting in heavy morning dew, wading small streams, or hiking through snake-infested western Oklahoma in search of a great photo, I believe these are going to work great.

One feature I really like is the zipper side enclosure with a lace up front. The zipper on the side allows me to unzip the top of the boot, making the leg openings bigger so my foot goes in and out easier. They are a bit tough to pull on without unlacing but it can be done. The zipper does not completely open the boot to water so they remain watertight despite the side zipper. The laces in the front allow me to pull the boot good and snug on my foot and leg. I hate normal rubber boots that are loose and allow your foot to move around on the footbed. Loose boots don’t work so well when hiking in rocky, rough, uneven terrain. These Redhead boots stay nice and tight even in the steepest rocks. Easy on, easy off, yet nice and tight around my feet.

And what a value. Much less expensive than my Ecco boots. I wouldn’t want to wear these Redhead’s as my every day boot – to big, bulky, heavy, and sweaty. But they are fantastic for a day of hunting and heavy duty brush popping, then take them off at the end of the day for something a bit more comfortable and cool.

2022 update – Great for riding a dual sport motorcycle

These make awesome dual-sport motorcycle riding boots. I have been using them on my Suzuki DRZ-400 since 2015 and LOVE them. They are completely waterproof. I can stand in a stream and they stay dry. Everyone else on our ride will be complaining about wet feet and my feet are dry and toasty.

I use them with a set of knee/shin guards that I slip into the front of the boot. I wear my KLIM riding pants over the boot and over the shin guards. I have taken direct hits from rocks and trees and stumps and my feet and shins stay protected. They are a bit soft in the ankle protection area so probably not ideal for off-road racing or motocross. There is no metal shank under the instep, which is a slight weakness, but I solved that problem by swapping out for wider footpegs. Now I have zero problems with my instep.

The great news is when you stop and walk, the boots are just fantastic. My feet are dry and comfortable, i can wade into a wet stream and my feet stay dry, they provide pretty darn good protection for my feet, and the last pair I purchased in 2022 still only cost me $120. What a great deal for a dual sport boot that is waterproof.