wildthing54
New Member
Alright, I've decided it's time to ask for some help. I've ALWAYS struggled with cold feet/freezing toes when hunting, whether it be from the stand or ground blind. I've just joined this forum within the last month or so, and I've done some research, but nothing was really focused on lace-up vs rubber boots. So here I go...
I've just been wearing a pair of 800g Wolverine lace-up leather boots since I started hunting. They've lasted me forever, but I've never been satisfied with how warm they are. For the past couple of years I've been debating whether I should buy some rubber boots (mainly been looking at Muck and Lacrosse, but recently came across TIdeWe with my research) and whether they would help with my cold feet/frozen toe problem. After doing some research, I've read that rubber boots almost always make your feet sweat, and then they freeze throughout your sit. That really turned me away, but I also read where some people just change socks out when they get to the stand and that works wonders. My uncle LOVES his Muck boots (can't remember what model they are) but he has electric-heated insoles in them, which is what initially set me on to this rubber boot thing.
My only experience with rubber boots was when I went duck hunting with a buddy. I initially wore my Wolverine boots because they are also waterproof, but we were hunting a flooded stream next to a cornfield, and the water went over my boots and soaked my feet pretty much as we were walking in. Keep in mind it's 20*-22*F this morning. Buddy tells me he has an extra pair of FieldBlazer Mucks at the truck, but were size 9 and I wear size 11. Decided those were better than wet feet the entire hunt. They were definitely snug, but my feet never got cold one bit even though I wore them with my already wet merino socks. We were in water up to my calves, so maybe that had something to do with it since the water was warmer than the air around us? Reason I mention this story is because it goes against what everyone says that your feet will freeze in rubber boots if your feet are wet. Overall confusing.
My overall experience with my lace-up leather boots has been sub-par. Always freezing cold, even with toe warmers, extra room (sz 12), and lacing up sort of loose to allow even more room. I also like the idea of just being able to slide the rubber boots on, as my fingers would always freeze trying to tie my lace-up boots on those cold mornings!
Another thing I saw with the research was that people bring Arctic Shield / Ice Breaker boot covers with them to their spot and throw a hand-warmer down in each one and that also works wonders. I've mainly seen this with lace-up boots, not much with rubber boots.
One big difference I've read between lace-up boots and rubber boots is the breathability. I know boots being able to breathe combats sweat, which combats unwanted odors, but is that it? Is that the only advantage lace-up boots have over rubber boots? Other than being lighter and having more overall support. I understand rubber boots don't have the best fit or support, but if they'll keep my feet warm I think that's a pretty good trade-off IMO.
So overall, what I've came down to are a few different options:
Extra Info: Area is Kentucky. Can get down to the teens late season, but average is about 20*-35* I would guess on most mornings. Haven't walked much in the past while hunting, but this year I'm hunting public so I will be walking a lot more. I always wear Merino SmartWool socks, no liner socks.
I've just been wearing a pair of 800g Wolverine lace-up leather boots since I started hunting. They've lasted me forever, but I've never been satisfied with how warm they are. For the past couple of years I've been debating whether I should buy some rubber boots (mainly been looking at Muck and Lacrosse, but recently came across TIdeWe with my research) and whether they would help with my cold feet/frozen toe problem. After doing some research, I've read that rubber boots almost always make your feet sweat, and then they freeze throughout your sit. That really turned me away, but I also read where some people just change socks out when they get to the stand and that works wonders. My uncle LOVES his Muck boots (can't remember what model they are) but he has electric-heated insoles in them, which is what initially set me on to this rubber boot thing.
My only experience with rubber boots was when I went duck hunting with a buddy. I initially wore my Wolverine boots because they are also waterproof, but we were hunting a flooded stream next to a cornfield, and the water went over my boots and soaked my feet pretty much as we were walking in. Keep in mind it's 20*-22*F this morning. Buddy tells me he has an extra pair of FieldBlazer Mucks at the truck, but were size 9 and I wear size 11. Decided those were better than wet feet the entire hunt. They were definitely snug, but my feet never got cold one bit even though I wore them with my already wet merino socks. We were in water up to my calves, so maybe that had something to do with it since the water was warmer than the air around us? Reason I mention this story is because it goes against what everyone says that your feet will freeze in rubber boots if your feet are wet. Overall confusing.
My overall experience with my lace-up leather boots has been sub-par. Always freezing cold, even with toe warmers, extra room (sz 12), and lacing up sort of loose to allow even more room. I also like the idea of just being able to slide the rubber boots on, as my fingers would always freeze trying to tie my lace-up boots on those cold mornings!
Another thing I saw with the research was that people bring Arctic Shield / Ice Breaker boot covers with them to their spot and throw a hand-warmer down in each one and that also works wonders. I've mainly seen this with lace-up boots, not much with rubber boots.
One big difference I've read between lace-up boots and rubber boots is the breathability. I know boots being able to breathe combats sweat, which combats unwanted odors, but is that it? Is that the only advantage lace-up boots have over rubber boots? Other than being lighter and having more overall support. I understand rubber boots don't have the best fit or support, but if they'll keep my feet warm I think that's a pretty good trade-off IMO.
So overall, what I've came down to are a few different options:
- Switch to heavyweight rubber boots (like Muck Arctic Pro or Lacrosse 1600g ABPs) and just switch out socks when I get to my spot to combat sweat
- Switch to lightweight rubber boots (like Muck FieldBlazers/Woody Max or Lacrosse Uninsulated ABPs/Aeroheads) and switch out socks as well as wear with boot covers
- Stay with my lace-ups and invest in the boot covers to wear over the boots for breathability and support and switch out socks
- I've also seen where some people take their boots off completely and only wear the boot covers with hand-warmers
Extra Info: Area is Kentucky. Can get down to the teens late season, but average is about 20*-35* I would guess on most mornings. Haven't walked much in the past while hunting, but this year I'm hunting public so I will be walking a lot more. I always wear Merino SmartWool socks, no liner socks.
