Generic question here, and mind you we are from TX so not used to cold basically.

Wife and I have never hunted in snow, but where thinking of high top Schnees of some kind. Insulated of course, but using a 16-18 inch tall boot would preclude having to wear gaiters also...

Any thoughts along this line.... How much insulation would someone from our climate want? I"m betting generally talking zero and up but walking through snow...

Don't want a pack boot so much due to weight as we do take on backpack type jaunts here and there.

Thanks for input.

Jeff

Jeff,

Not sure what your budget is.......I hunt the Adirondack Mountains in Meindl's Perfekt Hunters. We hunt in snow quite a bit, took them on an elk hunt to Montana as well. The outfitter in Montana was impressed that a "flatlander" had such good boots! Although the Meindl's are a leather boot my feet are never cold, or wet. My shoes size is a 12, I ordered the Meindl's in 13 for the thicker socks. They are a great mountain boot as well. Hope this helps!

All of my boots are the standard mountaineering/back packing boots that come over the ankle with protective cups. None of them are any higher than that.
I've used all of them in the snow. After all, I live just a few miles from mountains that are covered with snow much of the year.
I've used higher topped boots in the past. No more for me. Gaitors are far more practical in many ways. Much lighter and more flexible, keeps the lower legs warm, keeps snow out of the boot tops, etc.
When I hunt elk, I have done so for the whole season and usually the extended season. In Montana, that can mean temperatures down to -20 or more and a daytime high in the 20's. That has meant lots of climbing at 6500 to over 9000 ft., often every day I hunt. It can means a couple of hours of sitting while glassing. It can mean moving very slowly in very dense cold forests.
The one thing I haven't seen much of is deep, soft snow that requires the use of snowshoes. But that's on the east side of the Rocky's for the most part. It can happen from what the locals tell me. So i make sure I have mine.
One thing I have found so useful I will not leave camp w/o them are light weight Kahtoola Crampons. They have short teeth and all of them point down. Which means they aren't designed for climbing very steep slopes of ice. E

In 40+ years I have never found a pair of leather boots that were water proof.Even the so called gore tex lined.So first throw that idea out.I assume you are talking about a goodly amount of snow,and not a skiff.

I remember one year,I bought an expensive pair of Mendel boots ,gore tex lined for a goat hunt. The second day they were soaked through while packing my goat back down to the truck.I would have been miserable if I had to hunt several more days in those wet boots.

Next are the different kinds of packs.Schnees, sorels ,etc.Sorels keep my feet warmer than the Schnees I have but the Schnees a remore comfortable.The idea of buying them over sized in order to wear more socks gets you a boot that feels like a canoe on your foot. Buy them so a good wool sock with a poly liner will fit ,but not tightly.Then use the chemical toe warmers. When hiking ,lace them up tight.When sitting , loosen them up.

Anything more than 10" of snow,you won't be wlaking far anyhow.Anything less than say 6" about any boot will with do gaiters as long as it isn't wet wet snow.

Even with my packs ,I wear fleece gaiters as they come up to my knees and also keep the leather uppers of the packs dry

I really like my Schnees boots.
That being said I go out of my way to not wear pacs if I can avoid it...

I wear a 200 gram Danner super rainforest boot all winter, and unless its below 20 my feet stay warm as long as Im moving around.

A 400 gram boot would be a good compromise. Enough to keep your feet pretty warm when your glassing yet not too hot to make your feet sweat like crazy when your hiking.

If you find that you have "cold feet" maybe 600 gram...

+1 on gaitors , insulated, and 8" ankle high hiking boots ( 200-400 grams max) I loose to much mobility with 16" pac boots. Schnees are great boots if I was jut sitting all day, but for covering a lot of ground they slow me down.

Good info, not what I thought, but good so far.

I have good boots now, just wanted something better. Can't think of the name right now, but some German boot. WIfe wears Danner Pronghorns and likes them.

Maybe its just wear what we have but get the best gaiters we can then.

Thanks, Jeff

I carry a pair of toe warmers if it gets real cold (-15/20) they are good for 6 to 8 hours, and a heck of a lot lighter than pac boots.

For the past 35 or so years, my favorite boot for elk, or any other hunting in deep snow has been a pair of insulated LaCrosse pacs with 10" leather uppers and "air bob" soles. They're like Schnees but half the price. I'll also wear a quiet gaitor over them.

They're small enough to fit in a stirrup and not too bulky for walking. I've worn them on many November deer and elk hunts and was wearing them when I shot my first Bighorn ram and when I shot my Mountain goat when it was -15* F with 2-3' of snow.

saddlesore,

I'm surprised at your bad luck with gore tex lined leather boots. I've had a couple pair of Rocky's that are not an expensive boot and I have never had wet feet unless water ran over the top. For a few hours in the snow they work fine.

For extended trips in the snow, I like pacs, especially if it gets really cold. I carry an extra set of liners, so I can change them each day. It allows accumulated perspiration to dry so you can start each day with a completely dry liner.

+1 For Schnees. I don't have the 16"(short legs), but I really like my 13" hunters. I mainly use them for ice fishing and calling yote's but will pull them out in a heartbeat if we get a good snow during the regular season.

The deal with leather and waterproof is that it needs to be maintained. I'll start with beeswax and melt in as much as the leather will take. It then takes maintenance to keep it that way.
So far so good on those issues.

But if you don't maintain it... and goretex is really a joke all around. Wears out quick, wets out quick, and if it gets a bit dirty it'll wet through quick. I"ve gotten to where I look for non goretex but if it has it so be it, but I never consider it waterproof just cause it says goretex....

I have wet feet in Gore-tex boots in the summer because my feet sweat. If I wear pacs my feet sweat enough that I get cold after an hour. So far the only thing that keeps my feet warm in winter is tall insulated rubber LaCrosse boots. The insulation in them must be sandwiched between two waterproof layers because it doesn't absorb so much sweat that I get cold.

You thinking Hanwags? They are good boots. So are Kenetreks, check 'em out.

I have a pair of 13 inch Schnees and like them a lot. But, must confess to having used them only sparingly since I got them. I keep hoping for one of the good snow years every year, but, seems to be dry as a bone and warm.

Put me pretty much in this camp, and I'd add goose hunting late in the year. My packs don't see much wear and I much prefer my Kenetrek Hardscrabbles and or Mtn Extreme 400's for my hunting. And I never go anywhere without my Kenetrek gators as well.

Dober

I very much like my 14" high Schnee boots for in the snow and I've worn numerous other boots including various pack boots and high end leather boots. I purchased the Schnee's for a late season goat hunt after asking exactly what did the outfitter wear, then purchased the exact same model. I added a pair of gators. We spent 6 days in the snow and my feet never got uncomfortably cold and it was cold enough that we built fires on several of the days as we stood around most all day in the snow waiting for the weather to lift. My boots are not insulated and I wear one pair of premium wool socks with a heavy knee high polyester oversock.

The Schnees hug your calf and the boot is relatively narrow for a pack boot, narrower than any other pair I've owned.

If the snow is less than 6 inches then I prefer one of my leather boots.

I believe ALL Texans should have an ample supply of chemical heaters whenever venturing into the snow.

Hanwags it is.. very pleased with those boots.

Now I'm torn, as usual... half for, half against....

i got to go with schnees also from alberta in peace river walking on game trails . to saskatchewan on long sits on stand(with the help of foot warmers) and on all day walks in ny and pa they have great traction and ankle support with the option of a extra liner to change at the end of the hunt day great boots imo

Schnee's Hunter II's are VERY comfortable for me. Hunted in them in PA, Colorado and Montana. Never got wet feet and traction is great in snow! I need to get gators next.

Has anybody looked at Schnee's "sportsman series"? Seems to be about the same boot at a fraction of the price.

My pair of hunting boots are Danner pronghorn 400 gram. I bought them when I lived in Alaska and have been using them for hunting for ahout 8 years now. They are my dedicated hunting boots and that is the only time I wear them. So far I've hunted with them in tempatures from single digits to 70 degrees. I use medium weight merino wool socks and when when it gets cold I'll add a pair of sock liners.

So far these have worked out well in all the conditions that I've hunted in. Wet, cold, rain, light snow - everything. The one absolute most important feature is that they fit "my" feet perfectly. I trimmed the footbed inserts with my dremel tool to get rid of a couple of tight points when they were new and have never had a problem since. I can lace them up tight and my feet don't move around in them and I've never gotten a blister. I typically walk four, five or six miles a day when hunting and my feet have never bothered me.

With all that being said I too have been thinking about a more appropriate pair of boots for real cold weather and snow. One thing that was mentioned earlier that I agree with is when the snow starts getting more than a foot or so deep, walking becomes rather limited unless you are extrodinary physical person. I spent enough time in Alaska snowmobiling to have found this out from experience.

The features I'll be looking for in a cold snowy weather hunting boot are as follows. An eight inch hunting boot with a codura exterior and maybe 600 grams of insulation. A sole that provides good traction. Gore tex liner. And absolutely the most important thing is a pair that fits my feet from the get go. Which brand they will be is secondary to the features and fit.

I agree with the prior posts about leather gore tex boots and waterproofness. My boots are waterproof but when it's soaking wet all day my feet stay damp. Not wet - just damp. The wet leather does not allow the gore tex to breath and that is why I will look for something with a cordura exterior. It's also like gore tex rainwear. They only stay absolutely dry for so long and after awhile you just feel kinda moist. Not wet - just damp. The wool socks make this tolerable though.

I've had too many so-so boots to get stuck with something that may be a good boot but just doesn't fit my feet right. I'll try on boots until I find the perfect pair for me.

fish head

My experience very much mirrors Saddlesore's. I hunt back in the Adirondacks and it is not uncommon to have to hunt in pretty deep snow without coming back out for a couple days.
I wear Mendel Alaskans and my boy usually wears Kennebec Shnee type boot and we both usually suffer wet feet to some degreee if the snow is deep and wet. If it stays cold it is not so much an issue.
The only truly waterproof boots,IME, when you are talking the waterproofness being tested every second of the day, are rubber.

I haven't found a pair that works well for the hiking,pack carrying, and steep hills so do not use them for back country hunts.
Gaitors are a great aid though I am still searching for the right pair. Seems every pair I get are too small.

The big thing to me is wearing a good liner sock and high quality wool on top and having extra pairs or two.
Rost is right that keeping up the waterproof on leather boots/tops makes for a big difference in how quick and much they soak through.

All of my serious mountain boots have Gore-Tex linings. I treat them once a year with Nikwax, and I'm good for the whole year. No wet feet problems here. Haven't had those problems since I went to Dahlgren socks.
That includes crossing lots of streams, wet meadows and lots of time in snow that's well over my boot tops. Even over the tops of my gaitors. E

I must have differnt snow where I hunt

In that pic the snow was about 24" with day time temps in the mid 40's. I think the way it gets by the gortex is the stitching in such.

Another way moisture gets by Gore-tex is if your toenails rub the top of the toe cavity in your boot, over a long time it abrades it enough to cause a leak there in the Gore-tex bootie. BTDT.
I used to wear Danner Gore-tex boots every day at work in all kinds of mud and water, and I mention them by name because they were excellent boots --- even climbed in them--- but after a while even those that looked to be in good shape would start leaking in the toe. If I remember correctly Danner went to a shorter warranty back then (as far as leaking)because the condensed use alot of their boots got caused leaks.
We bought them anyway because they were the best thing out there.

Another vote for Schnees Hunter II, 13". They see a lot more action after the season ends than during it, but I find them as comfortable (and warm) as any boot I've got. Just a little heavy if there isn't enough snow to make them worthwhile. I also am a true "10" and bought these (against the admonitions of the salesman in Bozeman) in a 10. He recommended 11's since it would keep my feet warmer, but I didn't want to be sliding around in them in the steep and deep. No worries with a liner sock and a heavy pair of wool socks, either.

good 8 inch lightly or even unisulated boots with a goretex liner. You either need goretex pants or gaiters over that. I wear the high seal skinz socks with a thin polypro liner.

We'll have low top hanwags and those are maybe 8 inches or so... and the Danner Pronghorns.... so maybe I"ll just buy the best gaiters..

we keep sealskinz in the packs just in case of a leak. I won't wear them unless I have to though, feet sweat way to much in them.

We buy larger boots though, sized to a pair of liner socks and big thermal ones. And a bit of slippage on top of that, generally a size larger than normal. The extra room allows the insulation to work like its supposed to.

I continue to read though.

And may well buy a pair of Schnees and use our regular boots plus gaiters for normal but have the Schees as backups.

Jeff

That might be one reason why I have no leaks in my GT boots. Mine get worn out rather quickly. None last much longer than 2 years. I replace them rather than resole them. E

Don't overlook the advantages of good gaiters. A well broken in pair of uninsulated boots treated with Bees Wax and then insulating gaiters works pretty well. Far better than something that you can't walk in. With two pairs of socks good for all but extreme cold and wet.

I used to use the super gaiters but lost them somewhere and am looking for a replacement. Hard to find insulated ones that are quiet and don't collect snow.

I have too many hunting boots, including Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400's and three pairs of Schee's pacs in different weights from unlined to insulated-with-thick liners.

The one for-sure comment I'll make is that the Montana Pitchblend that Schee's sells for waterproofing leather is the best I hav ever used, and I've used most of the leather treatments on the markets. It's a combination of beeswax, oil and pine pitch that really waterproofs leather BUT also lasts longer than any thing else I've tried. I would definitely recommend ordering some.

I have good luck with the Kenetreks in wet conditions. I wore them in Alaska for two weeks of bear hunting last fall, when hiking across tundra in the rain and crossing swamps and creeks. I was the only guy in the two camps I hunted in that didn't get blisters or wet feet.

That said, when I really truly want my feet to stay dry I wear pacs. If I'm snow-hiking a lot in moderate temperatures I wear lighter Schnee's, which are warm enough when hiking and abssolutely waterproof in wet snow.

In colder temperatures I sometimes wear my really big, insulated Schnees even though they are clumsier, because in colder temps I'm often sitting as much as hiking, since the animals will be moving more.

Might also mention that I froze my toes a couple of times when much younger, due to mediocre boots and really cold weather, so my feet are very sensitive to cold.

rost:

I have hunted elk in Colorado since 1978. I have also done lots alpine mountaineering and cross country skiing all over North America during the same time frame.

My experience has been the same as those who say that leather boots, even those that are lined with Gortex or similar product and also have the waterproofing well maintained will eventually get soaked when walking through melting snow. I use to take two pair of good leather boots to elk camp and when one got soaked I would switch to the other pair and let the first pair dry out in the cook tent.

In the last ten years I have been taking a good pair of alpine mountaineeering boots and a good pair of leather boots.

I own a pair of Sportiva Trango and a pair of Sportiva Karakorum boots. The Trangos are multipurpose boots for the approach and for mixed rock/ice climbing. The Nepals are intended for use on pure ice/snow climbing.
http://www.sportiva.com/products/cat/M

I also own a pair of Asolo Sasslong boots. They are leather boots with a full rubber rand and Gortex lining with penetrating waterproof coating in/on the leather. They work best when most of your hiking will be in dry conditions and with ocasional snow/mud. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Asolo-Hiking-Boots.html

I recommend against using boots that go way up onto the calves. They are just too heavy for me and it's hard to get good ankle support.

I also highly recommend in favor of using OR Crocodiles gaiters. They weigh a lot less than high boots, help keep snow from getting inside your boots and help keep your calves warm. They are real easy to put on/off and once they are on, they stay on. http://www.rei.com/product/725915

There is usually lots of hiking involved with elk hunting and so I recommend against any kind of pack boots, because they just don't fit well enough, at least not on my feet. They fit loose no matter how tight I tie the strings, so my feet slip inside the boots and that causes blisters.

KC

Jeff,

It's a conundrum, because in my experience if you insulate the boots enough to truly have warm feet when you aren't moving, they'll be too hot when you are. Which is true of most cold-weather gear but you can't "layer" your boots.

I use Redwing Irish Setters, leather with insulation and gore-tex. They've never leaked. Dry snow won't make your boots leak anyway. The worst is wet, gloppy snow that hangs on the lower brush. That's a test of your pants or gaitors and boots.

In truly cold conditions I just figure my feet will be cold and that's what it is. Where we hunt it's been as cold as -15F walking in in the morning. Cold. I wore surprisingly light gear hiking in, so as to get as little stuff wet with sweat as possible. Then layer it on when it's time to sit and watch a saddle or whatever.

I'm very tolerant of cold; maybe from being a skier. If your goal is to have perfectly comfortable warm feet, without ginormous clonkers on them, I don't know what the solution is. Even my Sorels won't keep me warm when it's truly cold and I'm not moving around.

What I do when I stop to glass for a couple of hours on really cold mornings is I add lots of clothing to what I'm wearing. The top half gets a DAS parka with hood as well as the fleece cap and fleece Baclava that I'd be wearing. This leaves on the eyes open for glassing. My legs get wrapped in my wind parka. I put on extra gloves for my hands. Any extra fleece tops I have go on under the DAS parka, etc.
I sit of a piece of ensolite that I carry with me. Haven't needed any insulated boots yet. E

Anyone use those air activated foot or toe warmers? Heard from a couple guys that use them and they think they are great.

470Nitro.I have used them for years They work very well You can't use the hand warmes for foot warmers as they are a different formula. I used some up in Alberta fro a week one year in my Sorels It was -25 and I had to change a set out mid day and chang emy inner packs every day to let them dry out,but my feet stayed warm.
I just picked up a box each of toe warems andhand warmers from Costco and it worked out to about 35 censt a pair

Saddlesore

Thanks for the input. What brand do yo think works best? I see most of the toe warmers peter out after about 6 hours, which really isn't an issue if you remember to take a spare.

I'm not quite so much worried about myself... my wifes feet get cold our hunt could be over. I always have the toe warmers in the backpacks, never used em though. Never had snow in MZ season yet... not the years we went.

I'll look into the non leahter boots, but so far we have waterproofed our boots 2 times a year, very well and with heat, and I"ve walked in wet swamp stuff one time well over 14 hours and until I stepped into a bottomless hole that almost killed me, my feet were only sweated, not wet.

Seems like our current boots will be fine, and then could add some mountaineering boots as the backup. I'll get good gaiters, not the bass pro stuff....

And I"m inclined to buy a pair of the big insulated things that go over boots, but if we sit, I"ll make the wife take her boots off and then the overboots on to stay warm.

We do layer, no need to worry there... starts with silk, merino wool, and then it gets more interesting after that... a heavy wool coat and rain gear are always around.

Nitro.Really can't say which toe warmer is best.I have uaually just grabbed what Walmart had or at times Cabelas had them on sale.Mostly Grabbers I think. Really need to keep them sealed.I think I have noticed some deterioration over time.If they feel lumpy or a bit hard they are no good.They have to be nice and powdery.
I don't think a lot of guys hunt the extrmes I do,nor sit in a saddle for 3-4 hours riding to a hunt area.Then get off and hunt several hours in snow ,etc ,and get back in the saddle and ride back for 3-4 hours.If one is moving, feet stay fairly warm. A lot of guys that have hunted with me say I hunt too hard to suit them. Usually hunting muzzy is like hunting in mid summer for me.

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

Get her a pair of Kenetrek Mtn Extremes for ladies, it's a 400 gram boot. She'll find new love in both the boots and you..

Dober

This is a good thread. Especially the part where rost495 is trying to do something for his wife, to make her hunt more better.

Mark

I'll check into that too.. Was thinking more insulation but one can cover that with correct socks IMHO and toe warmers....

Bullet- thanks, I don't enjoy hunting as much if she's not along. She only takes photos anymore, but that and her being there is the most fun. Now if I could ever get her over her bitchiness about exploring the next face/valley/hill/mountain... still afraid something will happen to me and she'd be lost... but we have so much gear.... it would be hard to die while carrying the kitchen sink and water heater...

Jeff

Jeff,

Unfortunately no one boot will do the trick. I have to agree with Saddlesore about goretex boots. Sooner or later the goretex will fail, I buy goretex boots that are all leather for that reason, you can use a waterproofer on them to extend their use. I have a pair of Schnee's Hunter II's. They are an excellent addition to a Man's outdoors arsenal and are MUCH better than Sorrells or other pac boots. I wouldn't want to spend a long and rough day walking in them but in snow situations they do the trick. "A tool for each trick".

I got to thinking about this and started to remember back in the fifties. Most guys under 50 or so won't remember ,but back in the days of hunting the big hardwoods in deep snows for whitetails,the old red/black plaid of Woolrich was dominant. Along with that were 5 buckle artics,like the over shoes they sell today, only higher. With them were lace up packs with hard bottoms that you could wear around camp at night. In them you wore a pair of wool socks. Everyone called them hunting socks back then. Since then,there has not been any significant technology except maybe poly sock liners, gaiters, and chemical toe warmers that keep your feet as warm and dry. The closest thing today are the pack boots like sorels, schnees, etc. You can buy the $200 mountaineering boots, etc. with gor tex liners,but after a year,or less you have an expensive leather or part canvas boot that isn't waterproof anymore and /or requires constant applications of something to make them useable.
I live at 7650 ft. We get snow on the ground in early Nov,sometimes Oct,and it stays until April or so. I'm out every day,feeding stock, moving manure, or hay, plowing snow ,etc. Mostly I wear sorels,or schnees when I need to walk further,but I'm in wet,slop, about anything one can imagine for a few hours every day.I need to keep my feet dry and warm. Tour about any high country ranch or farm and you will see the same attire on most guys feet. Over the years,we have found what works.These other boots may work for those one-two-three 10 day hunting trips a year or when it is dry,but a person needs something else also.

Neatest thing I have seen for a wife was with a guy that comes up from OK every year where I hunt. He secured a pair of those thick down camp booties to his wifes stirrups like taperderos.She puts her feet in them, boots and all when she is riding.

That's funny. IME, the Dacks are overall a heck of a lot rougher to navigate than most anything found in Montana...

Jeff, a 400 gram Thinsulate boot with a full rubber rand will be ideal for cold weather elk hunting IME. Paks really aren't needed unless stand hunting IMO.

Kennetrek makes a good boot, but there are others out there too. Depends on what your feet like mostly.

I just saw the over boots made by Wiggy's and they look ideal for the stand hunting option. Shoes or boots will fit inside and they have some sole for minimal walking or riding.

They would be the height of luxury in camp with down booties inside. The perfect valentine gift for an outdoor type gal.

Tejano:

I hope they have improved overboots since I tried using them, which was a long time ago. Then, the supergaiters took two men and a boy to get them onto the boots. The overboots were pretty flimzy and had no tread on the bottoms so they were good only if we were wearing crampons. I still have both and they have sat in a box in the closet for a couple of decades.

I still take my down booties with me but haven't spent enough time laying around in a tent to use them much.

KC

The old super gaiters were a pain, even with duct tape around the bottom they would get snow or ice in them. But sure beat the Heck out of frost bitten toes. Used them before the advent of plastic boots, about the time I quit Mountaineering and Ice Climbing.

The Wiggy's have a light sole they were originally made for trench warfare applications. They claim they are ok for walking. I haven't tried them but I will if I am in the market. Over boots are only good for stand hunting or Goose layout hunting, but could be a toe saver if you got really chilled. Might work for riding, horses, snow machine, ATV etc. At 12 ozs worth a try.

If you look closely, the Sportsmen are "imported". In my book that spells second rate.

You would be side to look closely at the Schnee Hunter II in either a 10" or 13" height. That is their signature boot, made in Bozeman and has a active rate of -20* and a standing rating of 0*. I see no need for a 16" version. In fact, I just took delivery today of the Schnee Extreme which gives me an active temp of -40* and an inactive temp of -20*. If you are going to be hiking, you only the the Hunter II's. I've had mine for 10 years and they look like new.

Couple of other thoughts. Wear a light silk sock under a wool or wicking style sock. Buy and use gaiters, they are the best! Lastly, buy a replacement set of packs - you can rotate them while the others dry out. Get a can of Montana Pitch Blend - $8. Good luck.

I've considered getting a pair of NEOS overboots to make my non-insulated boots, snow boots.

http://www.overshoe.com/recreational/

Haven't used them but they have a good reputation. Much better for walking than the typical over boot but I would wonder if you could really hike in them. I hope someone with first hand experience will post.

I've done lots of mountain climbing, back country skiing, and hunting - Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska.

First thing, it depends on where you're going and what time of year. If it's cold and the snow is dry it's not difficult to keep most any boot dry. If it's Oregon in the late winter/early spring only rubber or plastic is going to work for anything over a couple of hours.

Since you said mostly backpack types of jaunts I'll assume you won't be on snow continuously... Continous snow = plastic mountaineering boots.

Gaiters help a lot, like lot have already commented on. Using a quality waterproofing dressing often is another. Having warm feet while sitting for awhile, but not getting sweaty while walking isn't possible, you just have to deal with it. Always carry extra socks. You can wear a thin wool sock over a liner while walking, then take the boots off and add another wool sock while sitting, then take it off before walking again, but it's a pain for me. My wife doesn't mind though, so do what works best for each of you. Another way to deal with it is to minimize the sweat by using a medical strength antiperspirant all over your foot each morning before putting on new socks. Another way is to retain heat by using an aluminized fabric sock (search on aluminized sock or thermal sock aluminum) over a liner sock, then a wool sock. The aluminized sock can be a bit abrasive by itself. These breath well, so sometimes you can get the best of both worlds. You can also get breathable neoprene socks that have small holes laser drilled in them (search on breathable neoprene socks) wear them over a liner sock with a wool sock over the neoprene; your feet will still sweat but don't get cold sitting. I sat in a canoe for over 4 hours the last day of duck season with breathable neoprene socks; got back to the truck and poured about a cup of water out of one boot but didn't even realize my foot had gotten wet.

Last tip is to put your boots on a dryer over night. If no electricity, stuff them with newspapers or paper towels, turn your sleeping bag stuff sack inside out and put the boots in them, and put your boots in the bottom of your sleeping bag.

Really last tip - sometimes you're just going to have to suck it up and let your wife put her feet under your armpits to warm them up... Been there, done that, wife still likes to go hunting with me.

I wear lace-up boots for support. My current ones are from Wolverine. They are all leather, Gore-Tex and Thinsulate lined (1000 gram). I have been ice fishing with them in complete comfort.

No boot stays dry with continued, daily use. Feet sweat. The best advice is to take your boots off and dry them out as best you can every day, and put on clean, dry socks every day.

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