Why 72 year-old bunny boots are STILL used by the military

Bunny Boot Review - What's inside a Bunny Boot? Some of the worlds warmest boots can still be bought at surplus military stores for under $100. So what makes these old military boots so warm? We bought a pair to find out by cutting them in half and running a few tests to see how warm they actually are.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:33 NordPass
2:21 What Is It?
4:23 Retention Test
5:11 Waterproof Test
5:30 Why Rubber?
6:34 Air Valve Info
7:42 How Comfortable?
8:45 Heat Transfer
11:03 Cut In Half
12:42 Analysis

#bunnyboot #mickeymouseboot #usmilitary

[seanschmidt]

Have had my pair for 37 years and still wear them when I go ice fishing. No other winter boots can compare to the warmth

[jasonmalone]

I wore them in the Marines in cold weather training in Minnesota. I was there for 2 weeks in -35. Feet sweating the entire time. We changed our socks frequently (every few hours. We rung out the soaking socks out and tied them to the outside of our clothes. It was so cold, the sweat froze and blew away, thus completely drying them quickly.

[stevenk]

Was stationed in the 6th Infantry Division in Alaska, wore those all the time in the field. Loved them, comfortable down to -40°. Only time I disliked them was when the company commander decided on a whim at the end of a field exercise that we would ruck march back to garrison in bunny boots. It was just over 26 miles, so cool, it's a marathon, right? No stops, no opportunities to swap out socks.There were so many foot injuries, and so many people who had to receive medical treatment from the clinic that the doctors formally complained to our battalion commander. Company commander survived that, later relieved of command for something else.
Properly worn, though, outstanding cold weather boots, no better for extreme cold weather. However, they do not breathe or drain at all, so swap your socks a lot. Extreme exertion will have you walking while sloshing in your own sweat.

[patriley]

I had a pair of these when I lived in Alaska from 1962-1965. They were actually too warm until the temperature got down well below zero. I wore them at 40 below zero and my feet were dry and toasty. Since my shoe size was 12, the bunny boots made my feet look like they were size 16. Very effective. It is amazing to me that these boots have not been superseded in the past 60 years.

[jacktheaviator]

It's funny that you mentioned the lack of a "foil" type insulation, I cut insoles out of a space blanket and lined the bottom of mine when on sentry duty in Alaska. It seemed like the only time I really ever felt any cold coming through was when standing still. It crept in through the sole. The reflective "space blanket" material took care of that.

[Jestokost]

The Marine Corps also still uses these things, but you only get issued them short-term, if you're going somewhere cold like Bridgeport, Norway or NE Asia, and you have to return them when you're done. They're not just for stationary purposes, though - you wear them basically the whole time you're in the cold environment, usually with snow shoes and knee-high gaiters attached. It takes a while to adapt to having that much mass on your feet, plus the weird hinge motion of the snow shoes, but they're pretty alright once you're used to it. The way you get it to not pinch your shins is to size them right, wear thick socks and tuck your trouser leg in far enough to pad the contact points, BTW.

[Williameagleblanket]

December 2003, I wore those Mickey Mouse boots on a combat mission. I was with 10th Mountain Division. Ninja suit, Arctic mittens, goretex top and bottoms. Even had the winter CLP for our weapons. It was cold AF. Around 30-40 below zero. The boots worked. 🇺🇸

[two_toned_rooster]

I’ve used mine for 10 years. Notably they have been my main snowmobile boot for 9 of those years, after I bought $300 snowmobile boots and they ripped in one season, and the bunny boots are still in perfect condition.

[hughsonj]

I was issued a pair of these when I was stationed at Ft. Drum, NY. I wore them on multiple occasions, because my feet always seem to get cold quickly. I can testify that my feet were never cold while I wore these boots.

[timbeatty]

I wore the bunny boots from 1990-1994 (6th Infantry 1/17) when I was infantry in Alaska. They were the best boot no matter how cold it got. Just change your socks a lot when wearing them, every hour. We use to freeze dry the wet socks on the rucksack and then bang the ice out of them. We called it freeze dry socks. Then you just keep rotating them with baby powder. We used them with 220 cross-country skies (the old style with no support) and snow shoes.

[shortattentionspangarage]

I wore them during my winterover at the South Pole back in 2020. -103F and thick wool socks with no issues with my feet.

[myownsite]

In Finnish army we dealt with cold temperatures by wearing somewhat oversized regular rubber boots, inside which we double stacked woolen socks AND stuffed in some newspaper to trap the moisture and work as an additional insole.

[ns-]

Issued these back in the late 90’s.
It is awesome to see how they’re made!—Thank you!
Hiked up and down mountains in Vermont with them. I remember crossing a frozen pond and breaking through the ice, drained the water, changed my socks and was good to go!

[albertattla]

These boots really are lifesavers in alaska. Years ago we were breaking trail on the yukon river with snowmachines and got our sleds stuck in overflow at about -20 F. The overflow water overflowed thru the tops of our boots while getting our machines out. Our body heat warmed the ice water in our bunny boots so our feet stayed safely warm (not warm warm but not going to freeze warm) and we were able to keep driving back to town (ruby, alaska to tanana). Everyone that spends a lot of time in the country in alaska swears by the good ol bata bunny boots

[jjtimmins]

There is one boot I've tried that can compare and that's the Siberian all-felt boots. Those things were incredible but can only be used in extend cold where there's no slush or mud. On the other hand they're cheap, normal size and lightweight and breathable.

[scottprewitt]

Bunny Boots are legit. We used them on an Alaskan bush trip and they were totally up to the task. Amazing.

[christusrex]

I love seeing old boots like this reviewed, and it's incredible that it's still used to this day!
Personally, I'd love to see you cut apart reproduction Double Buckle boots, and see how they compare to the original.

[shreks_loins]

I was in the 102nd infantry, which was a part of the 1-86 Brigade. The 1-86 runs the Army Mountain School up in VT, where, if you attend the school, you’ll be issued a pair of these. They are indeed very good boots

[brianmoore]

I'm college we played a lot of broomball at the local rink. I found some bunny boots at the flea market and it's amazing how well you can full stride run on ice with them. It gave me a big edge up against the rest. Warm as can be too!

[fyrdoc]

We had them in Wainwright in 2009 when I left there. Was always giving classes on them. Had to emphasize to Soldiers not to wear them on rucks or when you are moving alot. They were designed for static or limited movement. The gun bunnies loved them, feet never got cold waiting on fire missions. I currently work outside, if I did not have to walk so much I would have a pair!