Cold feet

[CharlieTN]

I swear that my feet stay warmer in a saddle than they did before saddles. Maybe I have better blood flow to my feet when hanging in a saddle than when sitting on a lock-on seat?

This has been my experience as well and I believe it has to do with the 90 degree angle my legs would be at in a tree stand putting pressure along the back of my legs. In the saddle, even when I sit, my knees are not nearly as bent. I do still use the boot blankets when temps are around 30* or so but overall they are much warmer in the saddle.

 

[oldsouth]

I have struggled my whole hunting life fighting sweaty then cold feet. I'm very interested in trying some of the smartwool or Alpaca socks previously mentioned paired with alpaca or wool insoles.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Do you have a Link for the alpaca insoles?


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Haha, So I am cleaning off the clutter on my bench and lo and behold, there's a tag from my alpaca insoles.
The link on the tag is
NEAFP.com
Let me describe how I use mine. I was skeptical that they would continue to lay nice and flat in my boots. One thing I hate is when socks slip down and start bunching up in a boot. I think these insoles have the potential to do that, especially when they are in contact with wool or alpaca socks. I strictly wear these insoles UNDER the boot insoles...in my case its always Superfeet insoles. Doing it this way keeps the alpaca insoles firmly in place. I still get the insulation that the alpaca insoles adds but I dont get any benefit of the moisture wicking quality of the alpaca insole. My socks are still in contact with the Superfeet insoles. I imagine it would be even warmer with the alpaca insoles placed on top of the boot insoles but I don't believe the alpaca will stay in place while walking.
So, a key point with this is, what type of insoles did your boots come with? I gotta think that not all boot insoles are created equal. Maybe switching to a better insole is something that is over looked when figuring out a boot system??
I do know that an alpaca insole will improve your system. Exactly how you insert them in your boot may be something to experiment with.

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[Gator]

Haha, So I am cleaning off the clutter on my bench and lo and behold, there's a tag from my alpaca insoles.
The link on the tag is
NEAFP.com
Let me describe how I use mine. I was skeptical that they would continue to lay nice and flat in my boots. One thing I hate is when socks slip down and start bunching up in a boot. I think these insoles have the potential to do that, especially when they are in contact with wool or alpaca socks. I strictly wear these insoles UNDER the boot insoles...in my case its always Superfeet insoles. Doing it this way keeps the alpaca insoles firmly in place. I still get the insulation that the alpaca insoles adds but I dont get any benefit of the moisture wicking quality of the alpaca insole. My socks are still in contact with the Superfeet insoles. I imagine it would be even warmer with the alpaca insoles placed on top of the boot insoles but I don't believe the alpaca will stay in place while walking.
So, a key point with this is, what type of insoles did your boots come with? I gotta think that not all boot insoles are created equal. Maybe switching to a better insole is something that is over looked when figuring out a boot system??
I do know that an alpaca insole will improve your system. Exactly how you insert them in your boot may be something to experiment with.

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Interesting. I have ordered some of the alpaca insoles for my boots and waders. Maybe I’ll try it both ways but definitely will try having the alpaca ones on top in contact with my socks and see how it goes


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[weekender21]

I switched from heavy rubber insulated boots to lightweight boots with arctic shield boot covers this year. Huge difference! I’m using a very lightweight boot (Salomon OUTline) which keeps my feet from sweating on the way to the tree. The lightweight boots also help with effectiveness of the boot covers. Slide a hand warmer inside the boot cover on top of your boot (toe area) for all day comfort when it’s really cold.


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[Still Kicking]

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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I have good results with vapor barrier socks from Stevenson Warmlite.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

it hasnt gotten bitter cold here yet, but earlier this year (June) i picked up a pair of N1-B mukluks for cheap on EBAY, it came with wool liners and inserts. they have kept my feet warm in the coldest weather this year has thrown at me so far, and i expect them to do well even when it gets really cold out.

 

[Boomah21]

Those look expensive but amazing.

I am interested in these

Overboots

Manufacturer of the finest sleeping bags and outdoor gear in the world. Nothing keeps you you warm & dry in cold, wet conditions like Wiggy's!

www.wiggys.com

because of the rear entry looks easier in a saddle at height.

What size shoe do you wear and what size Mukluk are you wearing? Do you put the mukluk on right over your other boot?

I have those they are nice but a lot bulkier than i was thinking they would be

 

[Boomah21]

I switched to these and I wear a pair of wiggys socks inside them, if it gets really cold I wear wiggys socks and an alpaca sock over it.

incredibly warm and awesome for quietly moving in the woods...only down fall is I don’t take them where it’s wet and or muddy.

 

[ryansean]

I switched to these and I wear a pair of wiggys socks inside them, if it gets really cold I wear wiggys socks and an alpaca sock over it.

incredibly warm and awesome for quietly moving in the woods...only down fall is I don’t take them where it’s wet and or muddy.

Do you slip on the Wiggy's mukluks over your hiking boots after you get to your destination or do you wear them in?

I have the sweaty feet no matter what syndrome and all 145 lbs of me gets cold easily below 30. I've been debating the Wiggy's mukluks for a while. Then I thought about Baffin titans, but wonder if I'll just trap the sweat in those too like my muck boots.

The Steger and Manitoba mukluks also look appealing. Just trying to enjoy it, instead of fighting to stay out. Searching for a buck, doe, and a unicorn.

 

[Boomah21]

Do you slip on the Wiggy's mukluks over your hiking boots after you get to your destination or do you wear them in?

I have the sweaty feet no matter what syndrome and all 145 lbs of me gets cold easily below 30. I've been debating the Wiggy's mukluks for a while. Then I thought about Baffin titans, but wonder if I'll just trap the sweat in those too like my muck boots.

The Steger and Manitoba mukluks also look appealing. Just trying to enjoy it, instead of fighting to stay out. Searching for a buck, doe, and a unicorn.

Yes they slip over
Might be interested in selling my pair worn only 1 time did the job well just the bulk wasn’t for me and went with the other options pm me if interested

 

[814814Hunter!]

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.

If you can find them Hot -Mocs are awesome

 

[raisins]

If you can find them Hot -Mocs are awesome

I've been searching for these for a few years now in my size. I wish someone else would start making a similar product. Hot Moc is still a company, they just make other stuff now.

 

[woodsdog2]

I have found replacing the insoles of my rubber boots with a thicker wool felt insole really helps a lot and provides another layer of insulation between your feet and not something you have to bother worrying about snow and ice accumulating on it as its inside the boot. You can get them for like $10 at Tractor supply. One side has a reflective type of foil coating (but not noisy) which goes down and the softer white wool felt part is what faces up. Try them they work really well. I always buy a half size larger rubber boot to accommodate these insoles and wool socks.

 

[814814Hunter!]

I've been searching for these for a few years now in my size. I wish someone else would start making a similar product. Hot Moc is still a company, they just make other stuff now.

I diy stuff and I may start making some if I do I’ll keep ya in loop !

 

[raisins]

I diy stuff and I may start making some if I do I’ll keep ya in loop !

Thanks. Please do.

My sewing machine is a cheapo that can't take thick layers, so I can't even try to make ugly ones right now.

 

[JFin15]

I have good results with vapor barrier socks from Stevenson Warmlite.

Those are the ones I was talking about. I started to order those but the shipping was like $20 and I had a code to save 50% from whatever site I bought the rab ones. How are they as far as comfort and durability?

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[JFin15]

If it gets into the 30`s I'm in an IWOM, I stay warm down under 0. That's why I don't use a saddle much. Usually in a climber. I don't even have to do any special socks or boots. Just rubber boots, cotton socks. Just a wool pull over on top. I just cant stand to be cold anymore. If its really cold just drop a hot hands body pad in the bottom. Mike

Are you saying you hunt with no pants on?? Awesome!

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[JFin15]

Just to report back, I finally got to use the ororo socks and I am very impressed. After one use, I feel like they're worth the $100 bill. It was in the upper 20s the other day and I had on an uninsulated pair of rubber boots. I turned them on when my toes got chilled and a few minutes later they were getting hot! I actually turned em back off after my feet were toasty so Idk how hot theyll actually get. A plus is they're very comfortable too.

Word of advice to anyone who tries the rab vapor barrier socks: put on a thin liner sock before the rab socks, they are very slick! You wouldnt think it would matter with a thicker sock and boot on but I was slipping and sliding so much I actually turned around and went back to the truck and added a sock underneath. Other than that, they work as described.

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[Still Kicking]

Those are the ones I was talking about. I started to order those but the shipping was like $20 and I had a code to save 50% from whatever site I bought the rab ones. How are they as far as comfort and durability?

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They feel kinda funny when you first put them on but you adapt quickly. I wear a sock over them and it helps make it feel more normal. They wear pretty well as I have had them two seasons and hand washed them several times and they appear new when dried.