A few weeks ago I picked up a pair of the Grub’s Treeline 3.5 High field boat, a rubber-coated knee boot that is perfect for the mild to cold temperatures we have during deer season here in the Southeast.

The Treeline has 3.5 mm of insulation and 2 mm of natural rubber for protection from rocks and sticks as you’re walking. The insulation rates it to sub-freezing conditions, which is nice on those nasty, cold days we get in the Southeast by mid-December.

But as with any boot that has a rubber coating, there’s an aroma. You can’t miss it. Rubber just has that “whew!” factor until it wears off.

So, how do you get rid of it? Spraying something like Scent Killer or Dead Down Wind doesn’t help. The rubber repels moisture and pretty much laughs at anything sprayed on. I’ve tried the Scent Killer and, unlike with clothing that absorbs and holds it, the boots just giggled at me.

In the past, with new boots I’ve worn them around the yard or on my uncle’s property that has a pond and creek. Into the mud and water for scuffing, scraping and such! That seems to help a bit to get the aroma to dissipate. Over time, of course, the boots lose their newness as they get broken in. After that, a liberal shot of Scent Killer before a hunt helps (or, I think it does).

But if you’re buying boots and want to go hunting right away what can you do? The mud trick seems to be the best immediate remedy.

What do you do with new rubber boots? We’d love to hear some suggestions.

— Alan Clemons, Southern Managing Editor