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Insulated Hiking Boots

N

nighthawkF-117

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Joined
Feb 25, 2021
Messages
73
I've found this year I have a hole in my gear setup that insulated boots should fill. I wear Lowas in the early season and they work great for me. I hike a lot while I hunt getting into areas and scouting. This time of year my feet get frozen sitting in the saddle. Anyone have recommendations for an insulated Hiking boot that is durable and comfortable to walk in with?
 
I have that issue too. The problem with a heavy insulated boot is the sweat and moisture that will build up on the hike in. I think the best options are either a heated sock or boot blanket/warmers. I have heated socks and they are ok, but won't last all day unless you have spare batteries and changing them would be a pain. Boot blankets with chemical warmers might be a better option. I have artic shield but they are crinkly and could be too loud in certain scenarios. Especially since saddle hunters tend to use their feet more to move around the tree, position for a shot, etc. I've been wanting to try the Gray Wolf Woolens version but just haven't gotten around to it.
 
Look for a boot with 400/600 or maybe even 800 grams depending on how cold your feet get.

I wear these (I have wide feet and they make an excellent boot if you want a wide toe box)

meindlusa.com

Comfort Fit® Hunter 400

Meindl built the perfect insulated waterproof hunting boot to get you from opening day to that last winter blizzard. 9" all leather uppers with Meindl's exclusive Comfort Fit last and cork footbeds, these boots provide extra room in the toe box and mold to your feet for a custom feel. Made in...
meindlusa.com meindlusa.com

I just got back from the Allegheny in PA for bow hunting and was in 32 degree or less weather for several days straight. Snow, sleet and rain with high winds daily. I had zero issues with my feet getting cold. I then went to the NY side for opening day of deer season for rifle and it snowed and sleeted there as well. In both locations I was averaging seven hours a day in a saddle and in a tree. I had no issues with my feet getting cold.

Your sock is also a huge part of the equation also. I wore these daily and love them. They also have a life time warranty.

darntough.com

Hunter Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hunting Sock

This is our burliest hunting sock. When it's crazy cold, but you're still going out, this is your sock for hunter boots. Available charcoal gray and forest green.
darntough.com darntough.com

There are several boot companies out there making varying levels of insulated hunting boots. I was just using mine as an example. Same with the socks.

Hopefully this helps a little.
 
Zero insulation. Go slow and Don’t sweat, or change socks at tree. Loosen boots completely for unimpeded circulation. Keep core warm so body gets signal to dump heat to hands and feet. Saddle will restrict blood flow some but that’s unavoidable saddle hunting.

I wear lowa boots down to 20* this way and keep warm feet. If it will get below 20 I toss in hand warmer or bring down slippers to wear in tree.

I have no recommendation below upper teens, you should seek professional help for wanting to hunt in such conditions…
 
Boot covers with heat packs work well. Sat in uninsulated Crispin in high twenties, low thirties with my dad yesterday for 6 hours. Artic Shield covers and a hand warmer in each and I was good. I have cold feet FWIW and this works well.
 
Which Lowas are you already running? I ask because there is a huge difference between something like Renegades and Tibet GTX, you mite just need to upgrade depending on what temps your hunting.
 
I have the uninsulated Tibet’s and don’t have any problems. Like others have said keep your core warm and I would also recommend some boot blankets for when it gets real cold.
 
I wear Uninsulated rubber boots down to zero. When it’s in the teens I walk to the tree and put hand warmer insoles and toe warmers on and Im super warm.
When it gets to single digits I put boot blankets on top and another hand warmer or two.
I use artificial heat for everything. I hunt super light layers because I sweat so much.


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Thanks for all the replys! I currently run the Lowa Toro Evo GTX. I was looking into the Renegade Evo Ice but I'm unsure about the insulation used. I can't find much information on how warm it really is, and I'm not sure how rugged of a boot it is.
 
Jim DeSantis said:
Boot covers with heat packs work well. Sat in uninsulated Crispin in high twenties, low thirties with my dad yesterday for 6 hours. Artic Shield covers and a hand warmer in each and I was good. I have cold feet FWIW and this works well.
Click to expand...

X2 for the boot covers. I hunted in the low 20s the other day and didn't even need to add chemical warmers to them. Just a heavy wool sock and some UA uninsulated boots. I've also heard of guys putting wool insoles in their boots too.
 
I to use lowas for warmer temps. I tried some danner pronghorn 400 insulates. That’s about the perfect mix for me. Not to hot to hike in and comfy to stand on the platform and ros all day.
 
Where I hunt the temps don't get to the extreme that some of you guys experience but it does get in the high 20's sometimes and a lot of days around freezing. Also when you take high blood pressure medicine you hands and toes get really cold easily. Normally I wear uninsulated boots until the temps hit low 30's then I switch to an insulated boot. With the uninsulated boot I use the HotHands toe warmers under my toes and sometimes on top of my toes also. I do wear merino wool socks which wicks the moisture if you sweat then insulates your feet very well. When the temps hit the low 30's I still wear the merino wool socks with a stick on foot warmer from HotHands which keep my feet warm.
Now someone mentioned keeping your core warm which helps with your extremities which is exactly right. Plus keeping your boots loose not tight makes an amazing difference due to blood flow to your feet. I dress in layers when I get to the stand so I don't over heat walking in. I do use the sticky HotHand body warmers with one on my chest and another on my kidneys when it gets to freezing. But for most days uninsulated boots with wool socks with a toe warmer get the job done for a multi hour sit until the temps hit freezing for me.
 
nighthawkF-117 said:
I've found this year I have a hole in my gear setup that insulated boots should fill. I wear Lowas in the early season and they work great for me. I hike a lot while I hunt getting into areas and scouting. This time of year my feet get frozen sitting in the saddle. Anyone have recommendations for an insulated Hiking boot that is durable and comfortable to walk in with?
Click to expand...

I would find a pair of leather, 8" or so tall, goretex boots with 400 grams of thinsulate or primaloft (Danner etc) that fit you well. Try to get them on sale and spend your savings on a pair of Arctic Shield boot blankets (get largest size they make, their sizes are wrong). Then get some Hot Hands super warmers for the inside of them and sew a mesh pouch over the toe to hold them. Put the boot blankets on in the tree. This will be lighter, warmer, and more comfortable than any other option.

edit: for cold temperatures, i like a very big toe box, i actually do toe exercises in the boot to get blood flow, and there is an alpaca sock fan club of sorts here; i'll say that toasty toes socks from warrior alpaca are the warmest socks i've ever tried and very soft also; i always wear a liner sock to prevent blisters and help with moisture/warmth; the boot blankets allow you to wear uninsulated hikers for long walks and when it won't be super cold but on stand the boot blankets make them feel like pac boots; very versatile and you rarely hear of someone buying them and then going back to not using them....only downside is you have to be slightly more careful stepping in the tree and sometimes you'll find yourself standing on one of your boot blankets so there is a learning curve, the bottom is a grippy rubber that probably slips less in the tree than most boots
 
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Following: I have grown to dislike insulate rubber boots over the last few years. Impossible to stop feet from sweating on the walk in
 
https://www.salomon.com/en-ca/shop/...AkmzyQsaAgzHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#color=42184

Not sure if these are still made, doesn't really look like it, but I love mine. When it gets below 45 or so I switch from my uninsulated Lowa's. Down to about 35 I can hunt all day in them. Below that I throw on boot blankets. Boot blankets are really a solution to a lot of these problems. I can still hike hard in them and stay relatively dry.
 
Arctic muck boots up one size plus chemical heaters and alpaca socks.
I have wide feet. You need loose wide boots arctic mucks are wide

I normally wear size 10 and up it to size 11 with the heavy socks.

Our December hunting conditions are usually cold


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Ontariofarmer said:
Arctic muck boots up one size plus chemical heaters and alpaca socks.
I have wide feet. You need loose wide boots arctic mucks are wide

I normally wear size 10 and up it to size 11 with the heavy socks.

Our December hunting conditions are usually cold


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

The chemical warmers never seem to heat up for me when inside a boot (no oxygen). Any tips on that?
 
I really like the Meindl Comfort Fit Hunters. Looks like the perfect boot for me. I actually just talked to them on the phone and they seem like great people. I will be ordering some when they are in stock.

I also really like the boot blankets! I might try to sew up something similar. Anyone do anything like that DIY?
 
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