Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting How much boot insulation?

I hunt IN & KY where weather is almost never really frigid. Presently I am using a pair of uninsulated Timberland hiking boots, I wear merino wool socks, light weight for early season and heavier weight for late season. I add chemical heat pacs with the lighter socks and full length
insole heat pacs with the heavier socks.

Like others have said too much insulation is counter productive. For a fair amount of walking 200-400 is good to keep down sweat. In a stand I wear 1,000 gram Danner Elk hunters if it is below about 30 degrees. But if I walk much the sweaty feet undo any advantage of the heavier insulation. The boots are not good for rough terrain as they are too bulky and your feet swim in the extra insulation. They are not bad on trails or solid ground just loose rock. With boot blankets and chemical warmers you could wear just about anything to the stand. With these it might be better to take the boots off entirely. I have done this and then worn down booties inside of boot blankets and I am toasty warm to single digit temperatures. If really cold leave an extra set of warmers in the boots so they don't freeze.

A change of socks can do wonders either when I get to the stand or mid day. My current favorites are Alpaca socks super comfortable and warm. Liners help a lot to and using unscented talcum powder reduces sweating and blisters and it is the best thing for checking the wind while stalking so worth carrying.

I used to get cold feet. When i figured out the key was to keep my bodies core warm I stopped getting cold feet. I have some 200 gram insulated boots but rarely wear them. I've hunted in the 20's and teens with uninsulated hiking boots. The only time I find insulation helpful is when duck hunting while standing in cold water or in deep snow that draws heat from my feet. The insulation causes sweat which sucks heat from your feet. I just wear good wool socks and often change to dry ones once I reach my stand. Even with uninsulated boots your feet will sweat some while walking even short distances.

If your core starts getting cold your body naturally reduces blood flow to your feet and hands in order to try to warm your brain and core. No amount of insulation in the world will prevent this. If your core is too warm your body naturally sends extra blood to your feet and hands to cool you down. That is why your feet sweat. If your core is comfortable your feet will be comfortable as long as you keep them dry.

A warmer head covering and jacket will do more to keep your feet warm. Eating snacks such as energy or protein bars ramps up metabolism while sitting in a stand to warm you also. Snickers bars work great too. One bite every 10-15 minutes makes a big difference. Isometric exercises require no movement but will generate body heat.

You got some guys who claim slippers are enough for them. Maybe. But I hunt, and work outside. I like insulated boots. Like I said, I work outside, not just a couple days year hobby. Granted safety toes are problem, even with composite. Then again 30s is coming up in a couple weeks, September and October. Frost warning last night.

I've been wanting to try mickey mouse boots or bunny, for stand hunting.

I prefer crapping in the porta johns, to crapping in corporate offices, wearing a polo shirt. Choice I made a while ago. Don't worry, I get paid alot of money to crap in outhouses. I just don't like being indoors, as much as some folks do.

If you are trying to insult me, you got it backwards. I put all my polo shirts and dockers in rubbermaid containers in the basement. feel sorry for you guys in the petting zoo.

The point is there's something for everyone. You're a perfect example. While I wouldn't call being on the port-a-jon gloryhole gang working outside, I don't doubt it pays well. It also doesn't require basic English composition, algebra, critical thinking or self respect.

Working behind a desk, in a cubicle isn't for everyone either. I tried it, hope I don't have to do it again. Not sure why you think because you don't work in an office you wouldn't need those critical skills at work.

As for grams. My 1000g Pronghorns, don't seem warm enough to sit. My 1000 timberlands seem warmer, though not as much the 2nd year. While I like the new style boots without a liner. For real cold weather, I tend to think an old style pack boot is the way to go. Though it depends if sitting or active.

even thou 400 gr may be warm and work for someone doesn't mean it will work for you. It really depends on the weather, and if you tend to get cold or not. For me hunting in Wisc, I won't buy anything less than 1000 gr. And even then i can get cold. I have worn pack boots (snowmobile boots) and still get cold feet when sitting in my stand. But here are the things i have done to keep my feet warm;

1. 1000 or 1200 gram waterproof breathable boot
2. i put a foam mat on the ground in my stand to keep the cold or snow off the bottom of my boot, much like people do ice fishing.
3. i insulate my core with a down vest (this really helps, warm core keeps your extremities warmer) and can be removed if i go on a drive
4. Merino wool socks to keep your feet dry. (alot of people get cold feet from moisture and not from the boot not being insulated enough)
5. Chemical toe warmers for those really cold days

hope this helps. I may even try a heated vest this year from Milwaukee Tool. Heard really good things about them keeping your core warmer.

You'll probably be disappointed in them. I used them in the Arctic for three years, they are great for moving around, but they get cold if you sit still.

Soldiers standing guard had to keep shifting their feet to stay warm, we had to rotate through the guard mounts and check for cold weather injuries from standing/sitting too long.

JMLE.

If I'm moving, none. If I'm sitting still, all of it.

Boot covers or super thick mucks are my ticket for frozen stands, and even toe warmers. Doesn't matter if my core is warm. My feet are cold. I don't really feel it to a point. After some past life snow living experiences, my feet often stay cold and I don't notice it. Once I do notice it, it's probably at a dangerous level.

I like these with no insulation
http://www.danner.com/pronghorn-8-realtree-xtra-green.html

I like these for insulated
http://www.danner.com/high-ground-8-mossy-oak-break-up-country-400g.html

I'll second that Danner recommendation. They are kind of a chore to break in, but I haven't found one that I like better than their 8" Grouse uninsulated with the Gore-Tex in their Classic Hunter series. That sole alone is worth the price over the Pronghorn series. Boot Blankets over those carried in my pack make a nice combination. The LaCrosse Alpha Lite 3.5 almost cost me the deer season from two big blisters. For wet and cold I do like the Muck Arctic Pro boot with a thin felt liner in the bottom. For just plain cold if you don't need to walk very far I've found that it is hard to beat a Caribou Sorel with a Smartwool sock. Just get them big enough for wiggle room. Those original Arctic Pro boots went back to Cabela's for one size larger.

I normally choose 800grams of insulation. My feet get cold, when that happens I get miserable.

I use 400 gram boots with wool liners and wool socks to however cold it gets here sometimes I hunt between zero and 10 degrees. This sounds smart ass but wearing a warmer hat and keeping your head and neck warm does help with your feet and hands.