Posted: 11/29/2007 6:25:39 PM EDT
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i`ve been sitting out the last 2 weeks for rifle deer season.and i`ve come to the conclusion,my boots are not up to par. ive been wearing 4 pairs of socks and i still freeze.2 pairs are carharts.all season and winter socks. so,what are some decent boots to look into? i`d like to keep the price around 100-150 bucks. thanks |
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Don't know if this will help or not: I wear smartwool socks and sometimes another layer of wool sock over that, anymore than that and it will cut off circulation in my feet. Then i throw on my Pac type boots..very warm...very thick. My toes are constantly frozen...my hands are the same way...i have yet to find a pair of gloves that keep my hands warm and same with my feet. Currently I'm in my apartment with the heat at 71* and my toes are cold to the touch. Not saying this is your problem although it might be...just know there are those of us out there braving the cold with you. Happy hunting P.S. I see you're from MI as well...where do you hunt at? |
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Your feet will get cold several different ways: --Moisture --Lack of insulation --Over insulation Boots are kinda like scopes--don't skimp on quality/purpose. You cannot expect a 200gr insulated boot to keep your feet warm w/o a supplement in 20*. But, you should be able to get by w/ 600-800gram. You may want to consider walking in w/ just a single, lightweight pair of smartwools on and then switch or add another layer when you reach your stand. If it's REALLY cold, nothin beats Boot Blankets!  |
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Winter here = 0-10 degrees and 10-15mph winds so I use at least 800 gram insulated/water-proof breathable boots ( Rocky Pro Hunter ) and Smartwool Mountaineering socks. If it is really cold and snowy I will break out my 1200 gram insulated Lacrosse pac boots, but they are pretty damn heavy amd the Smartwool Mountaineering socks. I wear Smartwool socks all year round. AC |
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Go for max Thinsulate, at least 800 to 1000 grams. Goretex is good to help keep the feet dry. Consider buying boots a half-size too large and wearing an extra pair of good wool socks, like Smartwools. Not all Smartwools are created equally--get the thick ones. Wiggle your toes to try to keep the blood moving. Actually, move any body parts you can for the same reason. I realize you're limited in a deer stand. If you keep the rest of your body warm, your feet are a LOT less likely to get cold. So keep the rest of you warm. Most heat is lost through the head and neck. Get a seriously insulated head and neck covering--I mean it, like a baklava [sp?] with an insulated hat on top of it or a goose down head and ear cover with a good scarf--it makes a big difference. For the same reason, get good gloves or maybe even an insulated mitten for your left hand. Obviously, wear good layers of warm stuff on your body and legs, too. Eat some warm and substantial food before heading out to the stand. Do not let yourself sweat on the walk to the stand. If nothing else, pick up some of the little flat pocket heaters, or whatever they're called, and put one in each boot. They make some larger ones for boots. They'll last for 6 or 8 hours. |
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www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2539100&cp=1905680&origkw=Lectra&kw=lectra&parentPage=search&searchId=17899122221&cid= Sitting in a stand your feet get cold , your not moving and you have to keep still. I'm assuming that's what your doing , if you were walking there wouldn't be a problem. Buy some good boots and try these and keep them on the whole time. I don't wear them any more but did when I was ice fishing. Your feet won't get hot but what they do is keep the chill off them. |
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thanks for the intell fellaws. i do own a pair of bates gortex boots.while walking around,theyre pretty decent. just sitting,bout an hour,im freezing.the rest of my body is all good to go,it`s just my feet. i`m goin to grab a pair or 2 of smartwools and go from there.as today,is the last day of rifle season here.but,i tend to do alot of shooting through out the winter months. USMC_monty,i live and hunt in isabella county*central area* |
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Deadboi77 here is the combo that works for me & I hunt in the western U.P. Redball Boundry 10" (all leather upper) pac boots with Fox River boot & field sox. Only one time in the several years I've worn these did my feet get cool. Not cold, just cool. The snow was knee deep & the high for the day was 0°. Lacrosse IceMan Alpha is a comparable top quality boot as well. I know the boots are available at J&K Fur Exchange on M-65 south of Whittmore MI. Normans or Millend may still have them. The sox are available at Meijers & were on sale for $6.75 a couple weeks ago. Fox River sox One other method I employ to stay warm while in the woods is to keep eating. Digesting/metabolizing food is what keeps you warm inside. A piece of candy or granola bar will add fuel to the fire. Additionally, a good coating of Sno-Seal prior heading to the woods will keep the water out your boots. |
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I've been wearing Lacrosse Iceman boots since the 80's. I've also used USGI mickey mouse boots w/o the bladder valve. The lacrosse are more comfortable and I've yet to get cold wearing them. The rest of my body is likely to get cold before my feet. Oh, and I wear them well beyond deer season and use them snowmobileing in -20 deg weather and ice fishing. the USGI Mickey mouse boots make my feet sweat, they're still warm but drenched in sweat. You do need to dry the felt liners out or you will get diminished insulation from them. I'm due for a new pair of liners in my orig. 1988 boots. I have a backup pair of boots barely broken in. The downside is I don't like driving cars with either type of boot due to the fat foot effect on the gas and brake pedals. SoS |
| You wear 4 pairs at once? You may be cutting off the circulation to your feet (boots too tight. Also if your feet sweat they will get cold (no cotton socks). How about your core (torso/head)? If either or both of these get cold, then your body takes blood away from your extremities (arms/legs) to keep your core warm. |
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4 pairs of socks is too many. Its the air in your socks that keeps you warm, not all the material. And too much material wedged in your boots will hamper the circulation to your totsies. A pair of decent leather and/or combination uppers that allows your feet to breath is a good way to go for sitters. Then get yourself those wrap around outer boots. Heavy insulated non breathable boots will just turn into mini saunas which then turn damp and chilly. A thermos of tea will also help your feet stay warm. I walk all the time so I wear the uninsulated Alpha Burlies and my feet are never cold with one layer of heavy socks. |
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Schnee Schnee's 13" Extreme pac boot is unbeatable for snowy and extreme cold conditions. We built 9mm of wool felt right into the midsole from heel to toe, with 600 grams of Thinsulate™ Ultra Insulation built into the entire bottom around your foot. Finally, the boot is made for use with our removable 400-gram Thinsulate™ liner, for 1000 grams of warmth, making it rated to -20°F inactive and -40°F active. The Advantage sole provides excellent traction over all terrain. Comfort Rating: -40° F active, -20° F inactive Schnee's Pac Boots are unisex Men's sizing and are available in whole sizes. If you are between sizes, we recommend going up a half size. Women should go down a whole size for a proper fit. Example: Men looking to fit a 10.5 shoe size should order a size 11. Women looking to fit an 8 shoe size should order a size 7. Women looking to fit an 8.5 shoe size should order a size 8.  I got some of these for pheasant hunting in the Texas panhandle. My feet never got cold. The only problem was "kleechee" (sp?) mud that would build up on the bottoms. A lot of other guys had the same problem with their boots, so we just had to kick it off from time to time. I also used them duck hunting when I knew I wouldn't have to use waders.  If that isn't enough when you get on your stand...........  Fire up some of these Electric Heated Socks for Sportsmen The basic Thunderbolt electric sock kit contains a pair of heated, high-quality socks coupled to a state-of-the-art rechargeable battery pack. With a high-low power selection switch waist-mounted control box. The control box features a built-in LED which gives an indication of high or low heat settings and shows the state of charge of the battery. Also included is a 110 volt "smart" battery charger. The heated electric socks are designed to be worn inside a pair of insulated boots, over a pair of inner socks. One cable from each sock is normally run up the leg between long underwear and outer pants and exits at belt-level. The cable connects to the controller/battery pack, which may be clipped to the belt on either side of the waist. The battery pack is quite light, weighing just 13 ounces with carrying case and attached control box. |
p.s. i'm serious!!
my boots are tight,but not too tight where it hurts and/or cuts off circulation. i started off with 2 pairs of socks.froze. added another pair,froze again.then went to 4 pairs. the rest of my body is all good to go.just my feet. today wasnt too bad,though i didnt see a damm thing,sept some ducks eating and fighting in the river next to me. but,thanks for all the input fellaws. i`ll be heading up to my local shop,Jays*the MI boys will probally know the place*and see what they all have. |
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i went on this quest years ago. there is no such thing (for me anyway) to have totally warm feet all the time when sitting in a blind or stand. its just the way it is. the only way i get warm and cozy is when im sitting next to the woodstove after being out in the 20 degree weather all day. UNLESS i was out cutting wood or working. that is a different story. i almost never have problems getting cold then. |
 I wear these... best winter boots I have ever owned. I have never even needed wool socks. Red Wing 1229 |
This brings up a good point. Before giving up on your current boots, try vapor barrier socks on the INSIDE of your smartwool socks. |
They make some neat little strap-on cleats for boots and shoes that work pretty well. They're made of rubber with metal studs. |
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The black or white Mickey Mouse boots are fairly popular with the oilfield guys in the Rockies. They're pretty good in the 20-30 below range as long as the weather is cold and dry and if you aren't getting your feet sweaty. Since they are moisture proof, there is nowhere for water vapor to go. I'm getting old enough for circulation to be slowing down. My LaCross Iceman boots don't keep my feet warm when I'm stationary in a blind while hunting. I've recently done several things: 1. Layers on my head, too. Fleece brimmed hat under a fleece balaclava, under a hood on my camo shell, if I'm hunting. Knit hat when necessary. 2. I use an adhesive heat pack (hand warmer) on the center of my chest over my thermal underwear. It keeps my core warmer and allows my body to push more blood to my extremities. 3. New boots. I've just bought a pair of LaCrosse Broadside 800 gram thinsulate/goretex on sale. I also got a good pair of merino wool socks and tried on the boots with those socks. It happens that I bought 1/2 size larger than my shoe. I'm wearing them as loose as possible while keeping my foot stable in the boot to promote circulation. |
+1 more for danner. i haven't tried the smartwool, will have to look into those. |
the smartwool mountaineering socks are outstanding for cold weather down in the teen's anyway........ I'm a cheap bastard and never thought i'd sugest spending that much money on socks but they are worth it |
I was in the same boat and I picked up a pair of Schnee's Extreme's and they are awesome! I have wore them goose hunting in a pit blind where even in waders I would get cold feet and varmint hunting in Eastern Oregon in the winter. A bit heavy, but if your feet get cold in them youre probably already dead. If you do get them, get the Montana Pitch waterproof for them as well. Works great and lasts real well. |
| I have a pair of Cabela's Outfitter series boots with 1000 gr of Thinsulate. I wear a poly sock liner with a medium weight wool sock over it. I have never had my feet get cold in them yet and I live and hunt in northern WI. I used to wear Icemans, they are ok for sitting but if you are going to be walking at all they are a little heavy and cumbersome. My new boots are fairly light and you can have a new sole put on them if it is ever needed. |