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Insulated Hiking Boots

raisins said:
The chemical warmers never seem to heat up for me when inside a boot (no oxygen). Any tips on that?
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Are you using the toe warmers? I’ve had the problem you described when trying to use the regular handwarmers in oxygen-deprived areas. The toe warmers are supposedly formulated to still work even in a closed boot. I’ve had good experiences with them.
 
Marmuzz said:
Are you using the toe warmers? I’ve had the problem you described when trying to use the regular handwarmers in oxygen-deprived areas. The toe warmers are supposedly formulated to still work even in a closed boot. I’ve had good experiences with them.
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I tried both and didn't have luck (hot hanks and yak trax brands), and so went to the boot blankets. I might've not been waiting long enough. I heard somewhere to crack them open on the way to the stand and they'll be good and hot when you are sitting still.
 
nighthawkF-117 said:
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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I use the Arctic Shield boot covers with my Meindl's and it is a great system!!
 
I've tried rubber boots with 1200grams of insulation and heavy weight muckboots along with 600 gram insulated hikers and always had cold sweaty feet. uninsulated hikers, wool socks and boot blankets are the most comfortable and versatile setup available. If your toes are still getting cold then chemical warmers can always be added.
 
Does anyone know of any good black friday deals on good hiking boots right now?
 
So what is the consensus on boot blanket brands, I want some good ones if I try a set.
 
nighthawkF-117 said:
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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Ya their stateside customer support is awesome. I have the hunter and hiker.
 
Topdog said:
So what is the consensus on boot blanket brands, I want some good ones if I try a set.
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arctic shield are the only ones i know of that are not super bulky, have a durable outer finish, and have a skid proof bottom....the arctic shield sizing is totally off, i wear a size 12 and am using the largest size they make and it still takes some elbow grease in the tree, the sizes are off because their shape is slightly off and you can't slip the front of a boot all the way in to their toe (you end up with a some air in the toe)

the original ones, i still have, are gigantic in comparison

the arctic shields are more to me a windproof area to stow a hot hands super warmer

just buy a box of hot hands super warmers every fall and bring a few with you

there's no pocket inside but this is the exact size as a hot hands super warmers, i sewed one inside each right over the toe


has to be mesh to allow air flow to keep warmer running off oxygen reaction, the pouch keeps it from shifting around and keeps heat right over the toe

i just tacked each of the 4 corners through the boot blanket and cut off the metal zipper pull tabs on the pouches and replaced with cord, just in case the big zipper pull tab would get on a bind and make a pop noise or scratch up my boot
 
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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


How does their sizing run?
Looking to order a pair.
 
Zero One Actual said:
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.
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Now you know the stuff I hunt in!!! Where in NY where you for the opening day of firearms?
 
woodsdog2 said:
Now you know the stuff I hunt in!!! Where in NY where you for the opening day of firearms?
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In the Allegheny sir. I think I was the only saddle hunter insane enough to be up in the trees during the snow and sleet and wind. Oddly enough the week prior I had the same conditions on the PA side of the Allegheny also for archery. We stayed in an insulated cabin in the park. I saw a ton of does but I’m out of state and didn’t have a doe tag anyways. Still had a great time.
 
Zero One Actual said:
In the Allegheny sir. I think I was the only saddle hunter insane enough to be up in the trees during the snow and sleet and wind. Oddly enough the week prior I had the same conditions on the PA side of the Allegheny also for archery. We stayed in an insulated cabin in the park. I saw a ton of does but I’m out of state and didn’t have a doe tag anyways. Still had a great time.
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ASP or Allegany National Forest or both? Cool!!
 
GeoFish said:
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


How does their sizing run?
Looking to order a pair.
Click to expand...

I called them before and they seem to be oversized based upon convo and their website. I can get away with 11.5 wides in bigger sized boots but my current Lowas are 12 wide and are almost snug.

The guy on the phone recommended 11 wides after we talked, but that seemed like someone recommending me skinny jeans!

Any input on sizing for Meindls? (wish this was more standardized....why not fix your sizing if you have to tell everyone to order 1 size up or down?)
 
A good rule of thumb on quality boots, German made boots usually run more wide, boots made in Italy tend to run narrow, both regions produce some of the best boots money can buy. Lowas fit me perfect 11 wide, true to size, last time I tried a real pair of Meindls ( not the Chinese version Cabelas sells), Meindls were also true to size for me. Cabelas does carry a couple real Meindl boots, those are probably good, just avoid the cheaper version made in China or wherever, I bought a pair once and they went in the dumpster 6 months later, boots are definitely one thing you get what you pay for.
 
The last time I needed new boots for work, I go to my local Redwing dealer, to replace what I always wear so I already have a model number and size… easy right? Nope. I tried on 3 pair of brand new Redwing boots all the same size and model to get one pair to kind of fit, at times I even robbed a left from one box and then a right from another box to get a pair on, mind you all of these were the same size and model, finally I said **** this and left all that garbage in the store and ordered another pair of Lowa tibets and retired a pair from hunting and put them into work duty, I can order Lowa Tibets online and know they fit perfect, 3 pair and they all fit exactly the same, the lady at the Redwing store told me the quality control on the Chinese made Redwings is the problem. Schnee pac boots in the winter and Lowa Tibets for everything else for me.
 
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