Since starting my clean out / junk removal business. I've clean out a couple of sheds, stacks of old lumber,wood, old small barn and whatnot that could harbor Mr.Noshoulders. My .38 does the job if i can see them first.
So, i'm considering chaps or leggings. Boots are too expensive of an expense at this time. What is your experience with chaps and leggings and prefered brand.
Thanks, Sarge

I need to get some leggings my my thing is always to wear pants that a a bit on the longer side . 30" fit me perfect but a 34" bags up around ankles. Been popped a few times there with this deal and in conjunction with boots that come tall over my ankle haven't had anything come to the skin. That being said mabye I've just been lucky lol

The people who used to manually cut sugar cane with machetes wore shin guards made of metal. Saw them displayed in a Lake City motel lobby. They should be pretty good against snakes.

Wonder if a wrap of window screen would work.

I don't know much about snakes but have heard that heavy equipment operators and mechanics would blow compressed air around their engine compartments and machine as a way of getting the snakes to leave without getting too close and make it safe to start their day being it greasing the equipment or working on a repair

if you have a leaf blower blowing down the area your about to start working at might help get them to vacate before you get up close.

50 bucks for a pair of gators sure sounds cheap compared to a trip to the hospital and lost work time

if your really that bothered by them get a 410 pistol. only good for 3-4 feet but plenty of range to kill a snake. lots safer than a 38 and easier to hit it in the head. your more likely to get bit on the hand than your leg when your reaching to grab stuff.

I have tried the leggings and gaiters, but they do not work for me if I am moving around much at all, they are too hot and chaff badly, I am able to wear the boots and they really are much more comfortable. My current pair are Redhead brand the previous ones have all been Rocky brand. This time of year when I am working around the barn or with lumber that has been stacked for a while, I do the initial rearranging with my trust tater rake because as danny clifton pointed out you are probably as likely if not more likely to be bitten on the hand than on the leg or foot. I know you said boots were too expensive but the ones I bought last were 129 dollars the leggings are about 75 and the gaiters about 50 which i think would probably be money wasted because it is hotter and more humid in SC than in KY.

Never owned any sort of snake boot or legging. Don't see the need and I catch snakes for pay.

Difference is that your looking for them and expecting them, it when your working and not paying attention other then to what your lifting and moving around is when you get bit, and I second the boots over the chaps or gaiters much more comfortable especially if it’s hot and humid where your at

Move north where we don't have the nasty ones you do.

Danny, i handload my .38 with #12 shot. Devastating up 6 feet and effective up to 8. I agree that your more likely to get hit on the arm or hand.
My trusty tater rack goes wherever i go. Plus i wear heavy leather gloves.

I appreciate everyone's comments. I would feel better knowing i had some protection then not. Sarge

just don't look for snakes, if ya see one all ya get done is lookin for snakes, Bees are my main concern!

And freaking yellow jackets. This time year, horrible. Plus brown recluse. Tater rake, .38 with shot. Several cans of hornet spray always stocked in the truck. Sarge
Also benedryl.

A cheap version is a stove pipe wrapped around you legs.

Sarge, pretty sure you know this but Dan’s boots make a snake chap version for hip boots.

Bird Doggers and Beaglers wear chaps that are Briar/snake proof, Wickes made a great pair, but they went bust years ago. Try www.Okiedogsupply.com
Some legal BS keeps them from saying "Snake Proof", (that's what killed Wickes), but get the lined briar proof chaps and they will be.

John Wick retired not bankrupt. He chose not to sell as he knew the quality would decline.

... leather boots are enough in most situations ... a grown canebrake might test them though

Turtle skin makes a spendy chap. I bought couple cheap and donated to friend for rattlers in Montana. Don't know if they've been hit so can't review.

Might try Dans Hunting Gear. Very nice chaps for snakes.