chemical smells on hunting gear

[dremarquis]

Hi all,

I know many folks are not as concerned with scent control and focus on hunting the wind, but the wind swirls so much where i hunt that that really is not a great option for me.

I can't believe how many hunting products  - weather rubber boots, backpacks etc come with such STRONG chemical smells. I guess i'm kind of a wuss but my feet get cold sitting long hours in december stands, so i bought some 2000 gram thinsulate rubber boots from Cabelas - they REEK. I've had them hanging from tree branches for 8 weeks and they still smell so strongly. What do you all do to minimize such smells on your hunting boots, gear etc.?

thanks!

Andre

[JakeyBaby]

Ozone!

[Gill-T]

Off-gassing will take time to cure. You might try putting them in a bucket of water for awhile, leaving them in your car and allow the heat of summer to bake off smells. I know an old technique to get tar off the hands is use mayonnaise. Maybe a little mayo rub??  I don’t buy rubber boots for the same reason you are worried about. Off-gassing takes time. 

[Legacy]

Ozone is the answer for most of my gear however keep it away from rubber. Ozone destroys rubber prematurely. I wear rubber boots. I keep them outside and spray them constantly during hunting season.

[dremarquis]

thanks everyone!