I have the HSS covers and the arctic shields. The HSS are much quieter and much easier to put on but, not quite as warm. I usually take the HSS ones with me though. The first two outweigh the third in my opinion.
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Arctic shield boot covers
- Thread starter onestringer
- Start date
I have the HSS covers and the arctic shields. The HSS are much quieter and much easier to put on but, not quite as warm. I usually take the HSS ones with me though. The first two outweigh the third in my opinion.
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Thanks for the input. What size boots do you wear? I always bring extra Hot Hands, so if it's really cold I'll just stick 2 in each boot cover. The Arctic Shield take up a good bit of room also, being "high top".....I roll one up inside the other and then lash to the outside of my pack. Seems excessive for my uses (glorified Hot Hands holder).
11.5. The HSS pack up smaller then the Arctic shields also. They lay flat in the bottom of my pack and take up little room.
Nice, they should work well. The hotmocs make a big difference for me so those should give you similar results.
To add, I don't use them with rubber boots or heavily insulated boots. If I know I'm going to use them, I'll wear some 400g leather boots with some good socks, either merino or alpaca.
To add, I don't use them with rubber boots or heavily insulated boots. If I know I'm going to use them, I'll wear some 400g leather boots with some good socks, either merino or alpaca.
PoorMansWrangler
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Has anyone used the down booties before? I usually wear uninsulated lowa’s, was wondering if you could slip your boots off and put the booties on when you are up. May be tough on the feet though
Thanks for linking that post. Sounds like a great solution as you mentioned for a hybrid/stand hunt.
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Wife got me the First Lite Mocks for Christmas and some Chinese brand artic shield off brand boot cover. I’m going to look both over and see what direction I want to go. I’m still tempted to pick up the Northface ones since they have a decent sole on them. The first lite ones have nothing and seem like they would be uncomfortable even if sitting on a hangon.
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The Weather today was at where my feet get pretty cold with just uninsulated hikers, so it was a perfect time to take these mocks out.
Since I knew the neoprene sole was not much of a sole I put inserts from another pair of shoes in before leaving and had plenty of space. That combination was more than enough protection on my feet when standing; albeit, I was hunting from the seated position predominately.
I was a little discouraged at first because I thought after 30 mins or so my toes were still cold (I think it took some time for me to naturally heat up the mock) and I thought I was headed the other direction. To my surprise they were quite warm after an hour in stand and remained so until I got down ~3 hours. All I was wearing was the mocks and a pair of heavy darn tough socks. I think if you dropped hot hands in with these it would be game over (toasty). I have also considered a fresh thick thick sock would also up the toast factor, but I’d rather not change socks if I don’t have to.
Since I knew the neoprene sole was not much of a sole I put inserts from another pair of shoes in before leaving and had plenty of space. That combination was more than enough protection on my feet when standing; albeit, I was hunting from the seated position predominately.
I was a little discouraged at first because I thought after 30 mins or so my toes were still cold (I think it took some time for me to naturally heat up the mock) and I thought I was headed the other direction. To my surprise they were quite warm after an hour in stand and remained so until I got down ~3 hours. All I was wearing was the mocks and a pair of heavy darn tough socks. I think if you dropped hot hands in with these it would be game over (toasty). I have also considered a fresh thick thick sock would also up the toast factor, but I’d rather not change socks if I don’t have to.
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If you put a stiffer sole on those for leaning, then I guess you're recreating Moon Boots. If someone made a down stuffed Moon Boot that was packable, I might try it out. It is a bit weird to have your walking boots hanging though (I'd be afraid of dropping them).
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I think the north face thermoball boots are closer to that. I was going to get them but wife got these for me for Christmas so I thought I’d just go ahead and incorporate them.
As far as the dropping the shoes, it’s no big deal, pick them up at the end of the hunt. But slow and methodical was my mindset to not drop them unintentionally.
It’s kind of a janky solution I’ll admit and not necessarily a saddlehunting approved one but it’s going to work for me.
KUIU has a version like these. I'm curious if the sole is any thicker or more robust that may make it better for saddle hunting and leaning.
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Looks like Kuiu is twice as expensive but does claim to have a stiff sole. Just adding a shoe insert made standing on the platform plenty comfortable in these Mocs. It felt like wearing slippers in the tree. I think for a standard platform, fix, ambush etc, it would do fine.
For the price this would be what I’d be trying… north face thermaball
KUIU is definitely salty and they are proud of them.
My initial concern with the NF ones is how low they are. Would be worried about a draft on the ankle.
Might consider getting a couple of the small charcoal packs you can put in a clothes tote to stuff in the top of your boots when you will have them hanging like that. Might reduce the giant stink bomb effect. Or just stuff them in your pack if you take it. The thermoball slippers you posted have my attention.
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Yea I was wanting to try those but they were sold out
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They aren't cheap either and seem about as bulky as Arctic Shields.
I'm hoping the HSS ones work or these from Etsy (I have both and will decide between the 2 next year....just got'em and season is over today). The Etsy ones could fold up in your back pocket and doesn't cover your tread. I hope with 400 gram boots and Hot Hands Super Warmer they will take me down to 20 F. I rarely hunt below that.
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I had a two mile bike ride in this morning so I brought a fresh pair of socks, still no hot hands. It made a big difference because my feet definitely sweated on the way in. I stood up for an hour and my feet weren’t sore or hurting and they stayed warm enough.@BTaylor makes a fair point about the scent from open boot so I don’t know what if anything I’ll do about that. I thought I could stuff the boots back into themself, but I’m not bringing any more junk like charcoal pouches. I can’t stand adding more gear to make another piece of gear ‘work’. I did wear crocs in this morning so maybe that’s the move hah.
The FL one are quiet, and I imagine any of the other ones with neoprene bottoms will be dead quiet on the metal stands. I’m not really worried about brushing them up against anything other than that.
And Im sure a little toe box hot hand holder like that Etsy one would work decent @raisins. We don’t get a ton of morning under 30 here.
These Etsy ones have my attention! Holds the hand warmer securely, and they look very easy to put on and off. My toes are the only concern anyways.
Only worry is if they are quiet enough when rubbing together.
Please let me know when you get a chance to try these out. Maybe do some "bird watching" while it's still cold? Lol