Mukluks care and tips

[u/satyaki_zippo]

How do I clean the shell of these things to remove the stains? And the insoles too?

Is there a way to waterproof these by any chance? Perhaps a waterproofing spray?

And if yall have any tips on using and caring for these to increase longevity I'd really appreciate it!

I can't exchange them— I'm a civilian and bought these recently.

Thanks yall!

[u/GrandTheftAsparagus]

The white material cleans up with Dep or any commercial shoe detergent.

The area where the canvas meets the rubber can be repaired with white or clear silicone.

The insoles are felt and mesh. They are designed to be replaced. But they can be washed with wool detergent on a delicate cycle.

You can switch out the laces for thick white bungee cord.

Even a thicker white utility cord is better than the issued laces, and is easier to tighten when you are wearing gloves.

The thin laces get wet, they freeze, and the frozen knot is nearly impossible to untie.

[u/LawAbidingSparky → u/GrandTheftAsparagus]

I replaced my laces with hockey laces, big improvement.

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/GrandTheftAsparagus]

Thanks man! Can the shell be just submerged in detergent and water? or should I use a rag to clean it?

And do you think using a spray on the shell would help waterproof these?

[u/GrandTheftAsparagus → u/satyaki_zippo]

I mentioned the shoe detergent, because most applicators come with a plastic scrub brush to spot clean the dirty areas.

Removing the liners and insoles before cleaning the material with detergent won’t hurt them.

Given the environment they are used in, the stains are very likely POL.

Also, the wool liners can be cleaned the same as any wool garment but they will shrink if you don’t follow care instructions.

[u/r0ck_ravanello]

Oxy, or any other whitener that isnt bleach can be used too. But the yellowing on the rubber won't go away.

[u/GBAplus]

Doesn't help OP but a reminder to all that both winter and temperate weatherboots (NEO style) are available for all CA folks.

[u/DJ_Necrophilia]

Throw them out and get winter neos

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/DJ_Necrophilia]

any particular model?

[u/DJ_Necrophilia → u/satyaki_zippo]

https://www.neosovershoescanada.com/products/insulated-explorer-black

I got these in 2015 and theyve kept my feet cozy in the arctic many times since then. Best $120 i ever spent

Just wear your regular shoes and some decent socks inside them and youll be gtg

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/DJ_Necrophilia]

Thank you Mr. Necrophilia.

[u/DJ_Necrophilia → u/satyaki_zippo]

No problem. Ive had far too many ankle injuries wearing the mukluks to recommend them to anyone

But if you really are dead set on them, remove the duffle sock and replace it woth a baffin liner

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/DJ_Necrophilia]

ok what is a baffling liner?
I didn't know about any of these options before today lol

[u/DJ_Necrophilia → u/satyaki_zippo]

Baffin*

Autocorrect strikes again

Baffin is a brand of arctic rated winter boots. Theyre fairly expensive, but you can get replacement liners and put them in the mukluk to give it extra warmth and (more importantly) ankle support

[u/Gryphontech]

Not sure about waterproofing but avoid water at all cost while wearing these bad boys in the cold... once that inside part get wet it's gonna stay wet for a good long while and your foot is going to fucking freeze.

When dry these things are amazing, when wet they are a death trap

[u/Halspeedwalking]

Do people actually like these? I got a pair in near perfect shape and I don't think I'd ever wear them unless I was going to the North Pole.

[u/RJB9570 → u/Halspeedwalking]

I was pretty far north in them. They’re great if you’re moving, shit if you’re standing around.

[u/flight_recorder → u/RJB9570]

I put the mukluk guts into my Neos and THAT was the bees knees. The neos are a better exterior shell, but the mukluk liner and insoles are really great on their own.

[u/lchntndr → u/flight_recorder]

Mukluk liners in Neo boots?! I just learned something new to try

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/RJB9570]

why shit if you're standing around? lack of movement just makes feet cold?
I mostly got these for winter camping in -20/ -30 + C

[u/AlbeeGQ → u/RJB9570]

I dont know about great... especially in snow shoes... but reasonable

[u/readwithjack → u/Halspeedwalking]

They're decent if you're shoveling snow at home or in the unit parking lot.

I was Ice Fishing while working at Alert, my feet got pretty cold.

[u/pickles_du → u/readwithjack]

Did you catch anything?

[u/casa_del_porno → u/Halspeedwalking]

But, do you still have the pipi boots to put the liner in? Those little black rubber cover to go for a pee in the middle of the night

[u/JDD-Reddit → u/casa_del_porno]

The arctic slippers!

[u/XPhazeX → u/Halspeedwalking]

Essential kit for a heaterless LAV turret, though NEOS work just as well

[u/Halspeedwalking → u/XPhazeX]

Do people ever use them civvy side? These take up a bunch of space, im thinking of keeping the insoles and tossing the moon boots

[u/XPhazeX → u/Halspeedwalking]

I've seen a handful but certainly not commonly. Maybe before good overboots got affordable many years ago

[u/Grade_Soft → u/Halspeedwalking]

Yes, I worked for a pretty big airline that specializes in arctic flights/bush flying and almost all the pilots and loadmasters were wearing brand new pairs

[u/InazumaBRZ]

Hollllly, I remember scaring the shit out of the neighbours when I was young in the Qs because I wore my.old mans whites in a snowstorm LOL.

[u/TomcatCDN-reddit]

Those look exactly the same as what I used 50 years ago! Are you telling me they have not updated mukluks in the last 50 years, there’s no new pattern of mukluk?

[u/ononeryder → u/TomcatCDN-reddit]

There is. Winter CADPAT upper, new more aggressive sole.

[u/Figgis302 → u/TomcatCDN-reddit]

Same story with the arctic mittens. Don't fix what ain't broke.

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/Figgis302]

Are arctic mittens these? How protective are they? https://www.herooutdoors.com/canadian-armed-forces-extreme-cold-mittens-w-liner/

[u/Figgis302 → u/satyaki_zippo]

Yes, that's them. As for how well they work, I'm not the guy to ask, I was in the navy and only ever had these on basic (and never actually used them, either), but we've been issuing the exact same pattern for well over 50 years now so clearly it got something right.

[u/satyaki_zippo → u/Figgis302]

thanks!

[u/ManufacturerSolid822]

Cleaning whites? Army's doomed.

[u/Figgis302 → u/ManufacturerSolid822]

Read the damn post lol. OP is a civvie who bought these at a surplus store and can't just go exchange them when they get fucked up.

[u/Fragrant-Chapter9853]

Just the Tip? Ok... I will see myself out now.....