Please add your own.
I have found if I spray my feet with an antipersperant (not deoderant) my feet stay warmer.
Take some old large socks with you and once in your treestand pull them over the toes of your hunting boots and put a little heat pack on top and bottom of your boot (inside the sock). Seems to work better than in the boot for some reason.
I do the same thing but I use lavilin, the old european deoderent they use to sell in screaming eagle catalog. Don't use to much or it will dry your feet up. They won't sweat and therefore they won't get cold. My feet never get cold.
old one here.... carry as much of your outer clothing out there with you as you can stand. Don't put it on till you are up in your stand or (safer) at the bottom of your tree AFTER the stand is up and ready. Don't cover your head till your body is done being overheated from the walk out there. If you sweat, you will get cold.
ChuckC
I live in Texas and I still get cold feet -even down here. They STAY cold when I hunt up north. Legolas, I'll try your idea and incorporate it with the Lavilin that Night Stalker mentioned (if I can find some)...thanks!
Legolas, I had to chuckle. A week ago Saturday I was sitting in the piney woods not moving a muscle. It was 8 degrees. HA! I was shivering to beat the band, and my feet were blocks of dry ice. The sock trick works! I never thought to use socks, though. Spare hat and neck gaiter, one on each boot. Makes quite a difference. I didn't have hand warmers that day.
The more air that comes into contact with a chemical warmer, the faster (and hotter) they combust (oxidize). They won't last quite as long, but they give a lovely heat.
Killdeer :thumbsup:
We use to do this 20 years ago to our XC ski shoes cause they had no insulation and it was cheaper than commercial overboots.
Try:
http://www.e-screamingeagle.com/pitstop.htm
Killdeer, glad to have you on one of my threads. Seems when you post scores follow ;)
Leg
I will try the Lavelin. I've tried every type of boot and sock I can and still cant keep my feet warm while hunting. I've all but given up hunting late season because of it.
I could have a wall full of bows for what I've spent on footwear over the last twenty something years. :banghead:
mickey mouse boots you can get em at military surplus stores best cold weather boot ever. I have worn them in -45 degree weather climbing power poles and my feet stayed warm. Have had water come over the top and into the boot in sub freezing wweather and my feet stayed warm.
Two-heat packs placed in the front of your pants at the belt line will heat the blood going through your femoral arteries. This will help keep your feet and body's core warm.
I tried the antiperspirant on my feet this past weekend and it worked great. My feet did not sweat. Thanks Tradgang! This is the only place that I have seen a solution for this problem.
I've used the antiperspirant before with great results also.
Another foot saver that can be used in the winter and/or summer is duct-tape. I have my kids use duct-tape on their heels "BEFORE" they get the blisters when they plan on useing ice skates and hunting boots. The key here is applying the duct-tape directly to your skin/foot "BEFORE" you go hunting and do it every time/day.
good luck!!
Mickey Mouse Boots work great, Make sure you get the one with the air valves on the sides.
I did a search on dogpile for the lavillin or laviun. You will see a underarm kind like pitstop and a foot deodorant. I use them both.
I then use mickey mouse boots as mentioned above. I just use regular socks. If it gets down below 20 or 10 or so, I use my heater body suit. I have used this suit for 8 years or so and just ordered another. I have use the micky mouse boots for about 20 years.
A heat pack down the back of my shirt sitting on my kidneys is the best saty warm trick I have found yet.
Kidneys stay warm, back doesn't clench up, shivers don't start.
Great thread. I'm enjoying the tips!
The above link of screaming eagle sells the underarm formula. The foot laviun comes in a green container. I ordermine from a health place in CA.
Once again, look at the heater body suit. In 15 degrees, I fall asleep. I know there costly but its better than freezing. I have a vest that I have pockets sewed in and I place large warmers in the vest. One in the middle of the back and one over each kidney. I also put one under my hat at the base of my neck. I just wish I could hunt til the end of January like I use to. The late season was challengeing but also very productive for me.
Great info. I have a friend who always gets cold feet. Can't wait to share this with him..
One pair ultra thin silk liners a pair thin wool socks then mids then heavy. Minimum 1400 gram or better with toe warmers in the base. KOM gators then slip some warmers in on top of the foot. Lastly large hand warmers in each pant pocket. You can stick it out in damp 0 temps all day. Just add some extra warmers later in the day. Make sure you buy big boots!
Go to Walmart or Kmart or one of the other upscale clothes stores and get a turtleneck dickie. Great little item that adds a bunch to keeping warm in the morning and then comes off for the drag out.
Hey been wearing the Mickey Mouse boots for about 20 years and they work very well indeed. Just wanted to drop a quick comment on them since I saw a suggestion to get the ones with the air valves on the side. Unless you change altitudes a lot (ie. air plane or mountian climbing) I would suggest not getting the ones with the air valve. The valve is simply to equalize pressures at altitude of you hadnt guessed already and if you happen to leave an air valve open and walk in water the water gets the encapsulated insulation wet and they are about impossible to get dry again.
Any sources to get the mickey mouse boots? I liked em when I was in the army. My feet didn't get cold guarding the ammo pad in Grafenwoer Germany (Spelling? don't know how to do an umlaut on my keboard) in the winter.
Also what works better for a base layer; polypro, nylon, or silk?
Here is a post I made a short time ago about this subject.
Cold Weather Primer (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=051505)
Any one treied one of these?? Not the vest but the strip-suit thingy.
http://www.bodywarmer.com/
I agree, you must stay dry. antiperspirant or powder works great. Polypro or thermasilk as a base, head to toe. Couple of my tricks are to place hand warmer on the back of my hands (in between layers of gloves) and/or toe warmers on the underside of my arms (between elbow and armpit). For my feet, hand warmers in front pockets, polypro and #*!&!wool socks. If I'm wearing rubber boots I fill the dead space (above ankles) with an strip of wool to prevent any heat from escaping. I also laundry my socks inside out, this helps the little loops pop back up and really helps keep your feet dry and warm. Keeping your layers flat (shirts tucked in).
The most Important is to keep your core and head warm.
QuoteOriginally posted by BamBooBender:
Any sources to get the mickey mouse boots? I liked em when I was in the army. My feet didn't get cold guarding the ammo pad in Grafenwoer Germany (Spelling? don't know how to do an umlaut on my keboard) in the winter.
Also what works better for a base layer; polypro, nylon, or silk?
I see the boots from time to time in The Sportmans guide catalog
I agree with Fletcher, I like to have my dickie around my neck, keeps me warm. Also, I use a pair of "wrist gaiters" for lack of a better term. They are like socks with the toe end cut off and a thumb hole to keep them in place. They go on before my outer layer and under my gloves. Keeps the drafts out.
The best stay warm tip I can think of is to get on a
plane and head to Moloka'i to hunt...
If you don't have to walk far, or can carry everything to your hunt location, try a pair of neoprene chest waders under your outer layer. Walk in wearing the lightest clothing you can get away with. Add the waders as part of your layering, then your outer clothing. If you can stand in a trout stream for hours during the early spring, think about how it will help stay warm when the snow starts to fly.
One of the greatest things going for staying warm on stand is a thermacare heat wrap. The kind that goes around your waist. If you get cold lean your back against the tree, to hot lean forward alittle. The second plus if you wear real tight it pulls your gut in makes you look thinner in deer camp. LOL
QuoteI agree with Fletcher, I like to have my dickie around my neck, keeps me warm
Kevin you are the man... when I get cold things just shrink.
Paul
A friend of mine turned me on to these a few years ago after getting tired of hearing me constantly complain about cold feet. Not even my 1,200 gram Thinsulate boots would keep my feet warm when the temperatures get under 40 degrees (gotta love frostbite as a kid).
Since I started using these, my feet always stay nice and warm. Even when it's below zero outside and I'm wearing 600-gram rubber boots.
(http://www.heatfactory.com/Products/db_Toe-in-pkg-med1.jpg)
For your hands...Screaming Eagle Woolie Muff. I've had mine for years and I never have to use heaters on the inside...course I only hunt to about 5 below here in Mass & Wisconsin. Doc
I hear you Jeff. I like the newer self adhesive warmer packs. You can stick one to the inside of your jacket or bibs. (whatever you're wearing)
I also wear the merino wool blend "Sportsman" 2-layer underwear from Duofold. Good stuff. Traps a layer of warm air against your skin. Wool, wool, wool! Wool socks with boots that have room for your toes to move around. Fleece is pretty warm stuff too, but wool is the goods. Hand muffs are worth their weight in gold too. Just slip a heat pack in there and you may not even need heavy gloves! I have been out in pretty cold weather with just lightweight gloves on to cover my hands.
I like the ThermaCare heat wraps that go around your waist/lowerback?kidneys. The have a velcro belt closure, and they stay warm all day.
I put it on over first layer shirt, after I get to my hunting area. Tried to put it on when I left house, had to stop car on the way to take it off cause it was too hot! Works great!
LEe
In a basic survival book I read it said if your feet are cold put on a hat , and if they are still cold then put on 2 hats . Heat rises , I usually wear Northern insulated rubber boots with a pair of wool socks , polyproplene underwear and layer some fleece over that with a good hat and I use the wool army glove surplus liners with the 3 fingers cut off , with this setup I was able to hunt all day today here with 25 degree temps and winds gusting to 35 mph, didn't get any deer but stayed warm . Fred
Muff from Wally world works. the largest muscles in your body are the ones in your thighs. Use a long WOOL coat to cover tha=ose muscles. I think G Fred and Ron laClair sell them. Those little white cotton gloves sold at Wally world are great for working outside-I was ice fishing in well below freezing temps with thema nd still had deterity. Some of you that work in emergency rooms know those "sock" like cotton cloth things they put on your leg before a cast make exceleent neck gaiter or head warmers. Beleive it or not gaiters can also keep you warm. If you ddon't have gaiters, we used to use the 3 inch masking tape. Fold your trousers and start wrapping just beloe the knee-slightly loosely and then down over your boots. Easy to slide the knife just down the folded crease to remove. They can help seal in the heat in your lower legs. You breath is also a place to conserve heat. Cover your moutha nd nose to capture some of your heat as you exhale and pre-warm your incoming breath. This is tricky and you can get a frosty moustace over this.
QuoteOriginally posted by Legolas:
QuoteI agree with Fletcher, I like to have my dickie around my neck, keeps me warm
Kevin you are the man... when I get cold things just shrink.
Paul [/b]
Bwahahaha! Nice one.
Best way to stay warm... shot your deer early.
I cut a back-pocket out of an old pair of jeans and sewed it into the back of my camo bibs so I can put one of those large heat packs "body warmer" in it. That helps to keep my whole back warm, especially if I press my back up against a tree. Then I put a "hand warmer" heat pack in each front pants pocket to keep my legs warm and my hands too when they get cold. I bought some socks at Gander Mountain that have pockets over the toes to put "foot warmers" into.
**READ all of my previous post and here is the link to the suit. www.heaterbodysuit.com (http://www.heaterbodysuit.com)
Make a vest like I said with the pockets and put in the heat packs like pic above. They come in large size that last for 12 to 18 hours. Its the only way to go. I also use combination of ufrotte wool underwear and KOM. when you unzip the suit in 10 degree weather you can feel the heat rising out of the suit. For me its the only way to go when it gets below freezing......
I have used military issue Mickey Mouse boots for 30 years. Look at what winter construction workers wear. I worked outdoor construction in any winter condition and wouldnt wear anything but them. Hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing, tree stand. I have fallen thru the ice and had them fill with water, dumped them out and finished hunting. Socks were wet but my feet warmed back up. They last for years. No nasty wet liners to contend with and you can even wear them when the temperature fluctuates and gets warm out. Knee high wool morino socks work great in them. Make sure you get the Millitary Issue. They do make after market ones that I have heard are not as good. My first pair I bought in 1978 and was dated 1952 (Korean war issue). It took me 10 years to wear them out. You can get them at army surplus stores and I have seen them on a online auction place. My opinion is best winter boot investment you will ever make and they are less then $100.00.
Hey, and you can thank us guys on this post that reccomended them later. Cant beat that.
Danny J
Danny, I agree 100%, thats all I wear. I had several pairs stock piled to use the rest of my life but a house fire in 96 burnt them up. I really need to buy about 3 sets. Tim in NC
When it's real cold and the wind is on your back, I tuck a hand warmer into my collar or Balacava so it is on the base of my neck. The heat runs down my spine and feels nice.
I heard if you take a Doritos bag (personal size) and put it over your toes after the socks are on the bag will reflect all the heat back to your feet.
Later for a snack you can suck on your toes...
Paul
QuoteOriginally posted by rascal:
The valve is simply to equalize pressures at altitude of you hadnt guessed already and if you happen to leave an air valve open and walk in water the water gets the encapsulated insulation wet and they are about impossible to get dry again.
Use a vacuum pump like what is used in A/C repair. Water boils in a vacuum. Effectively boil it out. Talk to your car mechanic.
I use the self adhesive chem heat packs (made for sore backs), peel and stick right to the skin above my kidneys. also the chem toe warmers (stick them on top of my toes). and the fleece muff they sell at wally world with a chem hand warmer in it.
I also discovered the fleece balaclava a couple years ago and have to say its my new best friend! half the time I don't even wear a hat under it.
A chemical hand warmer in a sock and hung around my neck with a shoe lace (laying against the center of my chest) has also helped.
More than one hat- two or three work awesome- warms the whole body. I always carry a small thin wool bicyclers hat. It is a hunt/life saver. Acts as a liner under my hat.
That heaterbody suite looks very warm but I dont think I could use it hunting on the ground. Takes a lot of movement to get out of it. The biggest tip I can give is loose boots. Its amazing how much warmer a pair boots can be if they are loose fitting.
when real cold two stocking caps for me. also a thermos full of coffee! just pour a cup and something will show up while your bow is leaning against a tree- murphy at work again!
Those valves in mouse boots are important. I used to be the commander at the USMC Mountain Warfare Center. Every year we would use them to test the integrity of the boots. If the boots were ruptured, they would not hold pressure, once that happened we sent them to DRMO. Make sure you don't get those that are ruptured-they won't be near as warm. The bottom line of winter is venting-vent the moisture away from body and hold in the heat.
The HeaterBody suit doesn't take much movement at all to be able to shoot. To take it off, yeah. But to shoot you use the inside zipper to unzip. Raise your arms to shoot and the suit slips down and hangs behind you with the straps it uses. With a little practice there's noting to it. I love mine...
A pair of womens nylons under your longjohns and socks is very warm---and comfortable, too. Probably best not to parade around in them in camp though...
Raodkill,
How do you check for integrity of the mickey boot?
Paul
the only mickey boots I have seen for sale in the catalogs were white. Do they come in O.D. or black?
On the really cold days I take an old army sleeping bag up the tree with me. I only zip it up halfway and pullit up over my shoulders. When a shot opertunity presents itself I just slip my upper body out and take the shot, kinda like a poormans heater suit.
Okay, it seems that we have the feet covered pretty well. How about the hands? I don't like to shoot with gloves on, just doesn't feel right.
On really cold days I like to carry a can of Sterno which can be fired up every now and then to get the feeling back in the fingers. Just be careful, it's a very hot flame and I've burnt a few coat sleeves over the years.
-Sharps
Toe Warmers on the underside of your arms (between elbow and armpit) and as someone else stated before Keep your head warm. Both work great for keeping your hands warm.
Geno,
The black military issue Mickey Mouse boots are the only ones I have ever had. I have heard the white arent as good but I do not know that to be a fact.
Danny J
QuoteOriginally posted by Danny J:
Geno,
The black military issue Mickey Mouse boots are the only ones I have ever had. I have heard the white arent as good but I do not know that to be a fact.
Danny J
The white ones I believe are rated for colder weather than the black ones.
The valve is for letting the pressure out of your boots if you are in an airplane.
We had a machine that hooked up to them, inflated and measured the integrity. RRead above posts to find a way to inflate them