Field Boots

 

Here we are getting ready for Cubbing and if you’re anything like us, your boots might still be dirty from the last meet of the 2014 season.  Before we talk about cleaning, we should go over what kind of boots you’re supposed to wear for any hunt that calls for “Ratcatcher”.  Field boots, of course, are the correct choice if you have them.  So what’s a field boot you ask?  A field boot is a tall boot with laces in the front.  They got their name because throughout history they were often worn by officers ranked “field grade” (major or colonel) or higher.  You will see folks out today in black or brown and if you’re  lucky, you may see someone out in their Newmarket field boots, shown above.

If you didn’t clean your boots at the end of last season, you really need to clean them before Cubbing starts in a few weeks.  The first thing you need to do is take out the laces to get in there with the conditioner and cleaner.   If you think laces are supposed to be laced in the typical, zig-zag fashion, then you are sorely mistaken. They’re actually meant to be tied with straight bar lacing, so they can be easily cut with a knife if necessary.   The shoelaces are supposed to be tied at the center, with the ends neatly tucked in.

We know, that statement “take the laces out”, is almost as scary as someone telling you the hedge up ahead has a three-foot drop on the other side.    Don’t worry,  we found a great video to help you get them back in.  You’ll feel like you’ve hit the lottery having this new skill in your back pocket and remember, come out even if you don’t have field boots as long as your boots are clean, you’ll be good to go!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4l2JayBQiI