If you’re not walking in water, skip the rubber boots and get Lacrosse Ice Kings. Be sure to get them on the big size a bit. Wear a liner sock and a wool sock. Be sure the socks aren’t too tight. If needed use the chemical toe warmers. Enjoy your toasty feet.
Interesting actually since less insulation but heavy on the felt.
My only concern is sole design. How would these do in mud.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
If you’re not walking in water, skip the rubber boots and get Lacrosse Ice Kings. Be sure to get them on the big size a bit. Wear a liner sock and a wool sock. Be sure the socks aren’t too tight. If needed use the chemical toe warmers. Enjoy your toasty feet.
Interesting actually since less insulation but heavy on the felt.
My only concern is sole design. How would these do in mud.
IMO nothing is really great in mud. Trekking poles or just old ski poles can help. I cross creeks often but my knee high rubber boots were about a foot too short once this week. THAT was some mud! It rather sucked. Too wet in that place for my Lacrosse boots.
Rubber boots are going to “save” your sweat someplace; in your socks, the liners, whatever. Get some genuine Gore-tex lined insulated boots, leather or fabric/leather. They will allow the sweat to pass out and keep your feet dry, and with enough insulation, warm. Wear good quality wool socks. My Danners are 800 gram, and I’ve never had cold feet in them, but others are available with more thinsulate.
There are other waterproof fabrics and other insulations, but your money is safely invested in Gore-tex and thinsulate.
Sweat...exactly what your problem is..my guess anyway. I fought cold feet for several years in Alaska, finally co workers tired of my sniveling clued me in. Dumped all the heavy insulated gear...ended up with Goodyear Xtra Tuffs, a felt insole, a wool sock, and a light (almost a dress sock) wicking sock. Problem solved to minus 20. If you don't like 100% rubber, the LL Bean uninsulated hunting shoe is even better, same innersole/sock layer. Don't lace them tight...let the moist air circulate up and out. You should shoot for cool dry feet, not warm sweaty.
Why I am using a wicking liner. The felt insole would be a good idea. Otherwise your set up is just like I stated I am using.
No problems if I am working/moving. It's 3-12 hours in a stand.
I almost wonder if 1 size larger boot would help with letting air circulation and socks wouldn't be pressed right up against boot interior.
i don’t tie my Sorel’s to the top. They’re like a slip on that I can tuck my pant legs in to keep them dry. Plenty well ventilated like this. They might be a size too large. They’re comfy.
Sweat...exactly what your problem is..my guess anyway. I fought cold feet for several years in Alaska, finally co workers tired of my sniveling clued me in. Dumped all the heavy insulated gear...ended up with Goodyear Xtra Tuffs, a felt insole, a wool sock, and a light (almost a dress sock) wicking sock. Problem solved to minus 20. If you don't like 100% rubber, the LL Bean uninsulated hunting shoe is even better, same innersole/sock layer. Don't lace them tight...let the moist air circulate up and out. You should shoot for cool dry feet, not warm sweaty.
Why I am using a wicking liner. The felt insole would be a good idea. Otherwise your set up is just like I stated I am using.
No problems if I am working/moving. It's 3-12 hours in a stand.
I almost wonder if 1 size larger boot would help with letting air circulation and socks wouldn't be pressed right up against boot interior.
i don’t tie my Sorel’s to the top. They’re like a slip on that I can tuck my pant legs in to keep them dry. Plenty well ventilated like this. They might be a size too large. They’re comfy.
Caribou?
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
Sweat...exactly what your problem is..my guess anyway. I fought cold feet for several years in Alaska, finally co workers tired of my sniveling clued me in. Dumped all the heavy insulated gear...ended up with Goodyear Xtra Tuffs, a felt insole, a wool sock, and a light (almost a dress sock) wicking sock. Problem solved to minus 20. If you don't like 100% rubber, the LL Bean uninsulated hunting shoe is even better, same innersole/sock layer. Don't lace them tight...let the moist air circulate up and out. You should shoot for cool dry feet, not warm sweaty.
Why I am using a wicking liner. The felt insole would be a good idea. Otherwise your set up is just like I stated I am using.
No problems if I am working/moving. It's 3-12 hours in a stand.
I almost wonder if 1 size larger boot would help with letting air circulation and socks wouldn't be pressed right up against boot interior.
i don’t tie my Sorel’s to the top. They’re like a slip on that I can tuck my pant legs in to keep them dry. Plenty well ventilated like this. They might be a size too large. They’re comfy.
Caribou?
I don’t know... says Manitou?
These are I don’t know how old.
I wear some kind of licra wool blend socks. Thick, soft, and stretchy.
For stand hunting during cold days Arctic Shield boot covers have worked great for me. I pack them in to my stand and put them on over my boots and throw in a couple heat packs and my feet are comfortable.
"Individual liberty depends on keeping government under control" Ronald Reagan
For stand hunting during cold days Arctic Shield boot covers have worked great for me. I pack them in to my stand and put them on over my boots and throw in a couple heat packs and my feet are comfortable.
I have these. Noisy bottoms are my main complaint, other than that they do work.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
I carry a 60” youth rectangle sleeping bag with me on my pack. Whether I’m in a climber, lock-on ot sitting on the ground I can get in the bag and zip it up and stay warm.
I hunted this morning in wool socks, un-insulated boots, a medium base layer top and bottom, thin insulated pants, a bad lands 1/4 zip, a thin vest and a jacket with the bag zipped up to my arm pits.
It was 16 degrees at daylight and it had warmed up to 36 with a 12 mph wind when I left just after noon. Never even offered to get cold.
I’ve always had cold feet problems with winter activities. These are the only boots that have worked for me. I think I have went through 2 pairs in probably 30 years, and I have replaced the liners in the pair I have now. They are big and bulky but they work. I don’t know if you would need them in Missouri though. I see they have changed the design a bit from the pair I have. https://www.lacrossefootwear.com/mens/men-s-footwear/hunt/ice-king-10-brown-400g.html
Edit I’ve tried other off brand pac boots and just gave them away.
This is worth a shot. I tend to agree that sweat is likely a significant factor.
I have issue with cold feet as well. I've not solved the issue entirely but do a couple of things.
1. Keep my feet dry. I've used antiperspirant on my feet, seems to help a bit but my feet don't sweat much when it's cold.
2. Make sure your legs are warm. Bought a Sitka Incinerator set a few years back for my Whitetail hunting and instantly my feet became way better. I like the sleeping bag idea. I bought a Get Out Gear down and synthetic blanket for 3 season backpacking and will be taking one of them to PA next week when I go for the very reason of keeping my feet warm. I also wear Gaiters every time. I beleive they help keep your feet warm by providing another layer over you calf area.
3. Make sure you boots are not too tight. The toe wiggle test is not all that great. For WT stand hunting, I want a slight bit of movement from midfoot forward. I wear size 9.5 boots and usually buy size 10. I also buy an aftermarket insole to provide cushion and a layer between my feet and the ground/treestand.
This year I will also try standing on a seat pad. Boots against an aluminum grate can't be the best way to insulate your feet. A piece of carpet may work better - I'm still chewing on that one.
Walmart sells unscented Sure spray antiperspirant for about $3. I’d pair that with the stick-on toe warmers and try it out. I wear toe warmers and wool socks when morning temps are below freezing.
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