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I CAN’T KEEP MY FEET WARM

Vtbow said:
Good socks. Darn tough, or smartwool. IF you sweat a lot and don't want to go the antiperspirants route, a polypro or silk sock liner works great.

in a saddle or treestand your feet are hanging in the air. heat loss through convection is real. first in whatever boots you have, ditch the insole. Even in a $500 boot has a $0.25 insole in it. some thing with better insualtion and support will go a long way. It will keep your foot from compressing all of the insulation of your sock and insulate some against heat loss.

And sorry everyone...but the 30's aren't cold....:)

Oh, and make sure you're dressed the rest of your body appropriately, that will make a difference too, if your core is cold at all, or struggling to keep warm, your body will compensate and ciculation will stay closer to your core.

And food---high calories. No wood in the furnace, no heat.
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Insoles made of alpaca really helped me. They are flimsy so I put them UNDER boot isoles, and I use Superfeet insoles which don't insulate ut the alpaca insole makes up for it. Superfeet do not hold moisture and that may also be helping.
And as much as I like merino wool, it's a step below alpaca. I'm really impressed with alpaca.
And always, always, always put boots on a boot drier after EVERY hunt. Cut down on as much boot dampness as you can.
Almay antiperspirant on the feet every day too.
 
Steger mukluks change the game for ya. Size up in them

Along with good sock system like listed above.
 
I've read through this thread and didn't see any mention of drysol or something similar. It's a HEAVY duty antiperspirant that lasts for up to a couple weeks. Dry feet are the biggest factor for me and I hunt some really cold days.

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I picked up a pair of Trukke snowmobile boots for $8 at a thrift store last year like the ones linked below and use them for late season here in MN. They are so warm I only have to wear just a pair of regular socks when it's in the single digits.

www.ebay.com

Trukke Snowmobile Boots Mens Size US 7 Black Waterproof Winter Powersport Liners | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trukke Snowmobile Boots Mens Size US 7 Black Waterproof Winter Powersport Liners at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
 
Driftless Trout Bum said:
I picked up a pair of Trukke snowmobile boots for $8 at a thrift store last year like the ones linked below and use them for late season here in MN. They are so warm I only have to wear just a pair of regular socks when it's in the single digits.

www.ebay.com

Trukke Snowmobile Boots Mens Size US 7 Black Waterproof Winter Powersport Liners | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trukke Snowmobile Boots Mens Size US 7 Black Waterproof Winter Powersport Liners at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
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These look tempting. I have also been eyeing the old military mukluks because they can be had for cheap. I tested my boots this year which included my Danner Pronghorn Gortex 800g with and without the Arctic Shield covers and Muck Arctic Pro's. I had recently been a fan of the Mucks because I like them due to them being tall and waterproof but for walking and climbing I like the Danner's. In my testing I was sitting in the stand for a few hours at a time with the weather being about 30 degrees on average. I was able to wait about an hour or two in the Danner's before needing the covers. Once I had the covers on my feet got warm again and stayed warm. I figured I would try my Mucks for my last sit and despite them being thicker my feet got cold and wet. Not mention walking in wasn't all that great. I'll probably be selling Mucks since I won't be using them moving forward.
 
So your extremities get cold because of decreased blood flow. This is your bodies way of keeping your core warm! Make sure your warm everywhere. Your head mainly! Beanie or boggan. I also have cold feet. I wear therlos liner socks and wool outer socks. Down to 20 degrees. After that I add toe warmers AFTER I get In the stand. Don’t let your feet sweat!!
 
Cotton sock over the top of wool socks. Wool wicks the sweat and the cotton absorbs it away from your skin. Gives this a try before you drop anymore money and see if it works for you. It did for me.


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I’ve tried a lot of things. Arctic Shield Boot Covers worked the best for me but they are bulky.

I was only able to implement this a couple of hunts. But both were around 10 degrees out. Think I saw it on an exodus YouTube video.

Cut a wool sock so it fits over the toe of your boot. Stuff a hand warmer in the toe. Good to go. Feet were almost too warm for the 3 hour hunts with just 400 gram boots and plain old cotton sock. That’s it.

I’ll be tweeting next season. Might try cutting my alpaca socks and seeing if that makes a difference.
E0E40D35-400D-4BCA-ACA9-4BE4B2374C38.jpeg
 
peteherbst said:
I’ve tried a lot of things. Arctic Shield Boot Covers worked the best for me but they are bulky.

I was only able to implement this a couple of hunts. But both were around 10 degrees out. Think I saw it on an exodus YouTube video.

Cut a wool sock so it fits over the toe of your boot. Stuff a hand warmer in the toe. Good to go. Feet were almost too warm for the 3 hour hunts with just 400 gram boots and plain old cotton sock. That’s it.

I’ll be tweeting next season. Might try cutting my alpaca socks and seeing if that makes a difference.
View attachment 61066
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Gonna try this. The problem I've had with any of the air-activated warmers in boots is that they get oxygen starved and then are worthless lumps of iron and salt doing nothing in your boots. This seems like a great way to make sure they stay active.
 
peteherbst said:
I’ve tried a lot of things. Arctic Shield Boot Covers worked the best for me but they are bulky.

I was only able to implement this a couple of hunts. But both were around 10 degrees out. Think I saw it on an exodus YouTube video.

Cut a wool sock so it fits over the toe of your boot. Stuff a hand warmer in the toe. Good to go. Feet were almost too warm for the 3 hour hunts with just 400 gram boots and plain old cotton sock. That’s it.

I’ll be tweeting next season. Might try cutting my alpaca socks and seeing if that makes a difference.
View attachment 61066
Click to expand...
Dude, I was all set to hit the "like" button until you mentioned cutting your alpaca socks, lol.
I do really like your idea of cutting junk socks, and I think I'll try that. But no way would I cut a pair of precious alpaca socks unless they were totally worn out.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Dude, I was all set to hit the "like" button until you mentioned cutting your alpaca socks, lol.
I do really like your idea of cutting junk socks, and I think I'll try that. But no way would I cut a pair of precious alpaca socks unless they were totally worn out.
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Haha I’ll probably keep the alpaca socks for ice fishing. But not joking about getting higher quality wool, maybe merino, and trying it. Feel like the hot hands will start to fade after a few hours so thinking I need better wool or maybe sew cordura around the wool to better insulate it.
 
peteherbst said:
Haha I’ll probably keep the alpaca socks for ice fishing. But not joking about getting higher quality wool, maybe merino, and trying it. Feel like the hot hands will start to fade after a few hours so thinking I need better wool or maybe sew cordura around the wool to better insulate it.
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Which Hot Hands are you using? I always use the 15 hour Super Warmers and they hold up very well in a hand muff. Usually still warm from dawn till dusk.
 
peteherbst said:
Yeah I fluctuate between whatever brand is on sale so I should pay better attention. I can tell you that the mossy oak branded ones from hot hands are no good.
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I have really good luck with Hot Hands brand. But I've never tried the smaller versions. Only use the 16 hour ones. I get a box of 40 off of chinazon...not sure what the current price is.
I've had horrible luck with Grabber brand.
 
peteherbst said:
I’ve tried a lot of things. Arctic Shield Boot Covers worked the best for me but they are bulky.

I was only able to implement this a couple of hunts. But both were around 10 degrees out. Think I saw it on an exodus YouTube video.

Cut a wool sock so it fits over the toe of your boot. Stuff a hand warmer in the toe. Good to go. Feet were almost too warm for the 3 hour hunts with just 400 gram boots and plain old cotton sock. That’s it.

I’ll be tweeting next season. Might try cutting my alpaca socks and seeing if that makes a difference.
View attachment 61066
Click to expand...
This is an excellent idea!
 
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