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Boot Recommendations

For me I don’t feel like it’s a sweat issue, I’ve dealt with cold feet for 30 years now, for a long time I just assumed it was part of hunting. Honestly it kinda is; we have so many comforts we forget that sometimes when it’s cold we’re gonna get cold, all we can do is mitigate it a bit.

I think I’ve pretty much resigned myself to rubber boots for deer and putting a hothands insole warmer in right before I climb, I’ve consistently done that this year and been much more comfortable. I go thin dress sock, insole warmer, wool sock, boot. I could see myself finally spending the money for a pair of the battery operated ones though too. About did it yesterday on a stroll through bass pro but has already convinced myself that I was better off buying a CF platform so I’m not standing on metal, that’ll help. It won’t.
 
These are good enough (especially for the money) that I've considered a second pair as a backup.


I've worn them 2 seasons and so far so good, so I can't speak to long term durability. They haven't leaked. I usually wear a 12 wide and got these in 13 wide. I wear a liner sock under a thick alpaca sock and have a lot of room still.
www.warrioralpacasocks.com

Toasty Toes - Ultimate Alpaca Socks

Keep your cold feet warm and toasty all winter with a pair of Toasty Toes alpaca wool men's crew socks with comfort bands - the warmest socks for cold feet.
www.warrioralpacasocks.com www.warrioralpacasocks.com
I can sit still like that to around 25 F and my feet will be warm. Below that, I always grab the Arctic Shield boot covers with hand warmers. I could probably tough it out without the covers, but why not use gear you own?
 
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Im not a fan of merino wool socks.. ive had several brands and wasn't impressed.. I bought a pair of altera alpaca wool and they are far better than the merino wool.. just my 3 pennies
 
I have cold feet, always. I have always wanted to try the military bunny boots. The artic boots are supposed to be extremely warm.
 
I don’t wanna hijack this thread per se but - do rubber boots really make a big difference in not leaving scent? As opposed to a hiking or Milsurp boot?
 
HuskerInIowa said:
For me I don’t feel like it’s a sweat issue, I’ve dealt with cold feet for 30 years now, for a long time I just assumed it was part of hunting. Honestly it kinda is; we have so many comforts we forget that sometimes when it’s cold we’re gonna get cold, all we can do is mitigate it a bit.

I think I’ve pretty much resigned myself to rubber boots for deer and putting a hothands insole warmer in right before I climb, I’ve consistently done that this year and been much more comfortable. I go thin dress sock, insole warmer, wool sock, boot. I could see myself finally spending the money for a pair of the battery operated ones though too. About did it yesterday on a stroll through bass pro but has already convinced myself that I was better off buying a CF platform so I’m not standing on metal, that’ll help. It won’t.
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Another thing to consider is going to TSC or a local boot shop and asking for a wool felt insole and replace the stock one with that. It provides an extra insulation barrier in your rubber boots and IMHO boosts the insulation value at least, at least I say again 200grams if not 400 or more! This is what I was using in my rubber boots for a long time before I switched over to hikers and gaiters and boot blankets. Much more walking for me now so the big heavy rubber boots are not my go to. The wool felt insoles I got from TSC are trim to fit and are at least half in inch thick.
 
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mschultz373 said:
I don’t wanna hijack this thread per se but - do rubber boots really make a big difference in not leaving scent? As opposed to a hiking or Milsurp boot?
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Idk, probably on the sides of the boot a bit, but my pants go down to almost the ankle, so boot exposure is minimal
 
woodsdog2 said:
Another thing to consider is going to TSC or a local boot shop and asking for a wool felt insole and replace the stock one with that. It provides an extra insulation barrier in your rubber boots and IMHO boosts the insulation value at least, at least I say again 200grams if not 400 or more! This is what I was using in my rubber boots for a long time before I switched over to hikers and gaiters and boot blankets. Much more walking for me now so the big heavy rubber boots are not my go to. The wool felt insoles I got from TSC are trim to fit and are at least half in inch thick.
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Good addition. I’ve also use heat refelctove felt insoles with success and have them in most of my boots. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure they do not cramp your foot inside the boot. This can slightly impede circulation and be counterproductive. Doesn’t apply to all boots, but it did to one pair of mine.
 
This probably isn’t what you’re looking for but I started this season in Lite boots and they’re all I’ve used. Sits down to 29F so far, with Toasty Toes and arctic shields I’ve been good.

Bone dry feet can of course still get cold, some of us folks do need insulation.
 
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