I know I mentioned my experience with the Danner's earlier - but - I would recommend something warmer for the wife as a second pair. I'd hate to think of your wife getting cold feet and then you remember back about when that SOB fish head said that the Danner's would be warm enough.

While sitting my feet do get cold but another hike cures that.

Good luck hunting,

fish head

I don't know that I"ll get Pronghorns, I'll have to look into it... I'd like to get her Hanwags like mine, but the break in she would not like at all.... Maybe I"ll get a super high insulation level of Danners for her. Backup or not.

Too many different suggestions...

Though we've hunted down into the teens with them and she is totally fine there...but no snow.

rost,

I am in the process of breaking in a new pair of Hanwag GTX Trapper tops - know what you mean. I was in no position to buy Lathrop's $170 footbed after buying the boots. And the footbed that comes stock seems like it's made of concrete encased fiber mesh. I had a flash - get the Meidl Perfekt footbead from Cabelas for $20 and take a chance. Worked like a charm! What a difference! Footbeds that fit mine were a half size smaller than the boots.

I also use the pronghorns and have been satisfied with their performance. I have both an insulated pair and an uninsulated pair. Choice of socks makes a big difference.

+1 on the gaiters suggestion.

Roger that Jeff.

I douche my Meindl(Hikers and Hunters) in Obenhauf's once in awhile and they are honestly pretty much waterproof.
Great boots although next time I'm gonna try some Kenetreks simply because they are local(I think?)and Dober and the gang like 'em.

I wore my Schnees everyday/all day long for the last 8 days.
First day it was about -10 to zero and my toes got cold(one pair of Smartwools). Next day I wised up and wore a pair of merino socks inside the heavier Smartwools and it was perfect. I'd rate the Meindl Hunters about the same regarding warmth.

My lower back is killing me though, not sure if it's from the boots or what.

Regardless, I still think highly of the Schnees but the Meindl's would probably be better for climbing or backpacking.

The over boots are great for stand hunting.

I wish I had a pair that were more like a Mukluk and better suited to walking around camp. Some of the down booties have a sole and water proof lower and would work if you could keep them dry.

Consider the terrain you will be in.
If you aren't going to be on steep slopes, down timber, rock, or if you are going to be moving through melting snow look at the LaCrosse Grange. This is a VERY comfortable boot.
If you are on ice, steep terrain, thorns, and frozen (not wet) conditions then go with the more mountaineer style (cleated soles, stiff, insulation).

I agree that it's real difficult to find a compromise between keeping your feet warm when sitting and preventing them from sweating when walking. What I have discovered is that if I can keep everything else warm, there's more warmth to go around inside my body so some can be used to keep my feet warm. There's the old saying that if your feet get cold you should put a hat on and there's a lot of truth to that. 75% of your blood goes to your brain through your neck and blood circulates warmth. So if you keep your head and neck warm there's more warmth to be shared with your feet. I layer all my clothing and when I sit I put on all the layers before I get cold. If you wait until you get cold it's too late and too hard to warm up.

I also sit on a small foam pad and I try place my feet up out of the snow.

KC

+100 on KC's statement. A good stocking cap or hood on your hunting jacket will do wonders for keeping you toasty.

Having said that, I use lots of Nikwax on good quality Gor-tex Vasque, Asolo, back packing boots with a good knee high gator and a mid-weight merino wool sock and have been very happy.

Yes, they eventually get wet, but they dry out since I rotate them every day and my feet stay plenty warm.

AKU(Italian company) makes another excellent quality boot that I like alot.

IMO, you should never go on a Western hunt(week or longer Mule deer/Elk) without at least two pair of good quality boots.

Too many of my hunting buddies only have one pair of boots and they always regret not having a spare.

YMMV, Leftybolt

Absolutely. Put the layers on before you get cold. Otherwise you may never warm up until you start moving again. E