Cold feet

[Allegheny Tom]

I notice that my feet don't get as cold since I switched to saddles. Not sure why. I assume that I have better circulation to my feet in a saddle position??
I think that sitting in a conventional stand is probably more conducive to cold feet...leg muscles are totally relaxed in the seated position while at the same time, my feet are on a metal platform.
A certain amount of muscle tension in the legs maximizes blood flow so maybe thats the reason my feet stay warmer in a saddle.
And as mentioned earlier always put your boots on a boot dryer after EVERY hunt. Not only will your feet be warmer on the next hunt, dry boots will grow less bacteria which will produce less odor.
Boot dryers are a requirement IMO.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Pertaining to the Hot Hands warmers: buy and use the actual toe warmers vs. the footbed warmers or "hot hands", also stick them ON TOP of the toe of your sock, not the bottom. Check out Thermacell foot warmers?

 

[Sniper4hire]

I’ve never had luck with toe warmers. Seems once my foot is in the boot, they don’t get the oxygen they need and aren’t warm.

Toe warmers are made for low oxygen conditions. But if you let them get stoked up a little before you insert them, they are very radiant. Dont last as long but I keep a couple extras in my pack and swap them out if I need too.

 

[CZMark]

Blood circulation is key. As others have said, wear your boots loose; and as my dad used to say, when your feet start getting cold, wiggle your toes!

 

[mattsteg]

I can tell you that I fought the same crap everyone else did until I didn’t let my feet sweat, or let them dry, loosened my boots, and was dry and warm on rest of my body. Once I figured all of that out, wearing breathable no insulation goretex hikers in 20* all day with one pair of thin socks was fine. Based on limited hunting below that, the swap to leather boots still kept me fine. No warmers no extra socks no insulation in boots.

maybe it’s another level to consistently hunt near freezing, but the concept is still the same I’m sure.

Yeah the concept's largely the same (good advice all around) but when hunting e.g. subzero temps you definitely need a higher baseline level of insulation (and/or a ton of heaters). But above all don't get wet feet (and this means breathable footwear).

 

[Jay_Disarray]

First year saddle hunting here. I have a question of how the more experienced guys help keep your feet warm from having them on a cold metal/aluminum platform. On my tree stands I usually bring a little piece of foam to put in one spot on the footrest to rest my feet to shield them from the cold metal. What are some of the ideas do you guys have. Thanks.

i wouldnt put a piece of foam between my boots and my platform, if wet and icy it would become very slippery. could make squeaky noises with rubber boot soled boot as well. good advice on here, keep your feet dry and they will be a lot warmer. since i was a kid ive always used a bread bag over my socks to keep them drier

 

[JFin15]

I have Reynaud’s, so my feet get cold sitting with socks on in my 70-degree house. Everything listed above is great, but if you have circulation problems, once the heat goes, it doesn’t come back (absent some external heat source). I got an electric heated vest for Christmas last year, and it was a huge difference-maker for me. This year, I’m looking at some battery-powered heated socks for my Christmas wish list. They’re pricey, but if they’re half as good as that vest, they’ll be more than worth it.

Did you ever decide on a brand to try? I have poor circulation as well and the older I get, the colder my hands and feet are. I know some of these can be expensive but compared to the amount of coin I spend on everything else, if they actually work itll be well worth it.

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[TNbowhunter]

Did you ever decide on a brand to try? I have poor circulation as well and the older I get, the colder my hands and feet are. I know some of these can be expensive but compared to the amount of coin I spend on everything else, if they actually work itll be well worth it.

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No, still searching, so let me know if you find the solution!

 

[JFin15]

No, still searching, so let me know if you find the solution!

Thought I'd dig this up and let you know I ended up getting a pair of heated socks from a company called 'Ororo'. They're a small (very small) company out of Nevada that makes heated socks, a jacket or two, and a vest. Very high quality, comfortable, and pretty good pricing for what you get. Durability/longevity is yet to be determined but these socks are very well made and very comfortable. I can't compliment them enough.

I think I spent $105 for the socks which includes a dual charger and 2 batteries, and a backup set of batteries. Not bad considering the decent Amazon socks are around 70 with iffy reviews.

I wouldnt be suprised if these last several years

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[7mmremmag]

It took me entirely too long to figure out but my feet stay warm as long as they are dry. I wear heavy full cushion merino smart wools with gold bond inside with uninsulated boots for everything down to 10 degrees. A little wiggle and I'm ok.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

It took me entirely too long to figure out but my feet stay warm as long as they are dry. I wear heavy full cushion merino smart wools with gold bond inside with uninsulated boots for everything down to 10 degrees. A little wiggle and I'm ok.

I'm having warmer feet when I wear alpaca rather than merino. I also have an alpaca insole that I slip underneath my boot insole. My feet are staying warm in uninsulated Mucks into the low 20s.

 

[7mmremmag]

I've yet to cross that bridge into alpaca socks, been wanting too, just haven't yet.

 

[JFin15]

I'm having warmer feet when I wear alpaca rather than merino. I also have an alpaca insole that I slip underneath my boot insole. My feet are staying warm in uninsulated Mucks into the low 20s.

I also wear alpaca socks but as with most everyone, my feet sweat, my feet get cold. I'm going to try 2 things next: 1) obviously the heated socks I bought,and 2) a pair of rab vapor barrier socks. I just got em in the mail a few days ago and haven't tried them yet. I'll wear them in the morning and report back. Basically keeps the moisture inside the liner preventing everything else from getting wet and freezing. They're actually not uncomfortable as I thought they'd be.

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[peteherbst]

My feet always sweat. No matter what. Only thing that’s worked for me is minimally insulated boots for the walk in, and then the boot blankets with a hand warmer inside.

 

[JFin15]

I've yet to cross that bridge into alpaca socks, been wanting too, just haven't yet.

They are incredibly soft and comfortable. It's like having baby duck feathers encase your foot.

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[Allegheny Tom]

I've yet to cross that bridge into alpaca socks, been wanting too, just haven't yet.

Ive worn several quality brands of merino for many years. I'm totally convinced that alpaca are warmer. They feel drier too when they come out of the washer. Does that equate to a sweaty foot feeling drier? I think so. I've used the laundry test on my base layers for years...if it comes out of the washer already feeling dry, then it passes my requirement for a base layer. Some fabrics are CALLED a base layer but if it feels cold and damp coming out of the washer, then I will only choose it in more moderate temps.
Alpaca feel dry right out of the washing machine.
And my insoles only cost $10...worth every penny.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I also wear alpaca socks but as with most everyone, my feet sweat, my feet get cold. I'm going to try 2 things next: 1) obviously the heated socks I bought,and 2) a pair of rab vapor barrier socks. I just got em in the mail a few days ago and haven't tried them yet. I'll wear them in the morning and report back. Basically keeps the moisture inside the liner preventing everything else from getting wet and freezing. They're actually not uncomfortable as I thought they'd be.

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Got a link to those vapor barrier socks? I love my alpaca socks but I'm always interested in learning something new.

 

[TNbowhunter]

Thought I'd dig this up and let you know I ended up getting a pair of heated socks from a company called 'Ororo'. They're a small (very small) company out of Nevada that makes heated socks, a jacket or two, and a vest. Very high quality, comfortable, and pretty good pricing for what you get. Durability/longevity is yet to be determined but these socks are very well made and very comfortable. I can't compliment them enough.

I think I spent $105 for the socks which includes a dual charger and 2 batteries, and a backup set of batteries. Not bad considering the decent Amazon socks are around 70 with iffy reviews.

I wouldnt be suprised if these last several years

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Thanks for following up! I'm actually familiar with Ororo because my parents got me their heated vest last Christmas, and I LOVE it. It's a really good puffy vest for hunting or non-hunting purposes, and when you add in the electric heat, it's money. Only thing I'd change about it is how high the collar is, but considering how great the rest of it is, I can deal with that.
I'd love to hear more about your experience with the Ororo socks once you've put them through their paces. I'm already thinking that might be the next thing to add to my late-season arsenal...

 

[JFin15]

Got a link to those vapor barrier socks? I love my alpaca socks but I'm always interested in learning something new.

VB Socks

<p>Vapor Barrier Socks for extreme cold

www.backcountrygear.com

The price seems a little steep imo but I guess if they work itll be worth it. I found another brand but these appear more comfortable and well made. I did some reading on them and people wear vapor barrier socks in their sleeping bags at night to keep their feet warm and bag dry. Hikers also wear em. Surprisingly, I was only able to find 2 actual vapor barrier socks that werent neoprene. They're very thin but once in a boot, I cant tell I have em on.

And I am definitely looking up those alpaca insoles!!!

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[JFin15]

Thanks for following up! I'm actually familiar with Ororo because my parents got me their heated vest last Christmas, and I LOVE it. It's a really good puffy vest for hunting or non-hunting purposes, and when you add in the electric heat, it's money. Only thing I'd change about it is how high the collar is, but considering how great the rest of it is, I can deal with that.
I'd love to hear more about your experience with the Ororo socks once you've put them through their paces. I'm already thinking that might be the next thing to add to my late-season arsenal...

Very glad to hear this hopefully the socks will be on par with the vest. I also spoke to the owner, Amy I think, of Ororo and she gave me a healthcare workers discount which was very kind of her. I'll probably try a pair of their heated gloves at some point if I like the socks.

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