Maybe I'm wrong, but perfect footwear seems to be the Holy Grail of us groundpounders. What is perfect footwear?
Well, to me it is warm (assuming you hunt in cold weather like I do), quiet, comfortable, stable (slippery moccasins are scary on snowy hillsides), waterproof and inexpensive.
Anyone have anything like that? I mean really - how in the world did the plains (or midwest or north, etc) Indians keep their feet warm and dry in the winter?
I'm currently wearing polypro socks with an adhesive chemical toe warmer and one or two pairs of wool socks inside a pair of good (LaCross) rubber boots and my feet still get cold. The rubber boots are waterproof and not as loud as you would think, but they are far from silent.
G Fred mentions moccasins encased in rubbers and Maine hunting boots and maybe I'll try one of those next. Where I hunt though, crossing creeks is mandatory and I just don't think either of these options is going to cut it. Maybe a pair of sealskins socks or something would help - dunno.
Anyway - what do you guys do? Surely there is some brilliant choice out there from which the rest of us could benefit.
I'm with you on this one!
I can't answer all your questions, but I do have one small comment:
I have never found a pair of rubber boots that will keep my feet warm! I've tried everything from military mickey mouse boots on up to costly big name all rubber boots, and the only success I've had at all, is when I had a very short walk to my stand, or carry them in, and wear them only when I have to....... but that's a real pain!
It seems my feet sweat no matter what I do with rubber boots, and then they get really cold!
I've got a humongous pair of Lacross 1200 gram pac boots, that only the foot is rubber that do well, but they're so big you can't walk in them. Especially around a side hill or they'll rub blisters on your feet.
I guess my biggest obstacle in hunting cold weather is keeping my feet warm and dry also!
hnh
I agree with all that has been said above. It's not super cold here in KY, but it does get down into teens and single digits. No snow to deal with, but I can't keep my feet warm either.
Rubber boots only add to the problem it seems. I'm still looking for a good solution -- and watching this thread with lots of interest.
As to how did the Indians keep their feet warm and dry ... too big for this thread. E-mail me if interested. As to boots, in very cold winter, I have hunted in well below zero and deep snow this winter, I wear a silk sock, with a good wool sock over that. I have a pair of Sorels a size bigger than my foot. With the extra socks it fits ok. I walk up and down hill sides, over ice covered rock ridges, side slopes etc. I have been warm and dry. They are heavy, but I am warm for many hours.
For fall and early winter, I like a light boot, even if it means being cold. Smaller is quieter. I have a pair of 17 inch boots from Cabela's. They are very quiet and the right one never leaks! My left foot hates those boots. Crossing creeks is always a bummer. I suggest a pair of wadders bigger than your foot size with moccasins inside. After the crossing, hang them upside down, and sneak in your mocs. I love hunting in mine.
Good luck man.
Bob.
Check out the thread a little bit down about Schnees boots it discusses several different kinds of boots and had some good suggestions.
it dont get that cold down here in texas, but work in the water 80% of the time as a beaver specialist for the govt.,, i got some Muck boots and had a man make some waders out of them, they are knee high boots made of neoprene, and my feet never get cold in the water. bu they do get hot, which is not good in cold wheather. very comfotable, and prety quite, not too expensive for just the boots.
I just posted asking a similar question. This year I really want to get more into stalking and still hunting with a fat doe as my main focus. Rubber boots have their place as far as bad ground conditions but in crunchy leaves or forest with lots of debris, they can be clumsy. I was thinking about going with the old Chuck Taylor's but want to see what the experinced hunters are using.
I use a leather boot made by Asolo for most conditions where traction is required, and a fairly smooth bottomed pair made by Danner when I want to be extra quiet, and don't need the traction so much.
You may wish to remove the word 'inexpensive' from your list. Nothing worse than gear that does not stand up to the job in my opinion.
For ground hunting good footwear is essential.
I've started wearing the Maine hunting boot with a set of neoprene wader socks that I picked up for about $10. I'm good stalking and in the stand down to about 20*F. I really like the feel the sole of the Maine hunting boot.
I wear knee-high moccasins made by Bald Mountain Moccasins. They are made from very soft and thick buffalo (bison) hide and have a very thin rubber sole cut from industrial conveyor belt.
I wear them with a thin silk sock and feet are comfortable from
0 to 100 degrees. The sole is quiet and will grip a fish with vaseline smeared on it. LOL
Honestly, the traction is unbelievable. Just ask Asbell, he saw them in action once. But, that was a long time ago and being a lot "older" now, he may not remember. :bigsmyl:
Gene--
I bought a pair of Muck Wetland boots this year. With just a thin SmartWool sock, my feet are warmer and drier than they have ever been while hunting.
Check out russel boots the mohican.I'm drooling over them...but they are not cheap. But if your feet get sore on a hunt,your done.
I'm going to look at the ones mentioned above,also. :campfire:
I have a pair of irish setter elk hunter 1000gm ultra thisuilate boots. They are water proof and have a year warranty. I have had them on several spot and stalk hunts, in icy cold ohio hills. They grip well in snow not so well on solid ice but what does. I have had them through several "cricks" (sorry its an Ohio thing). So far they have worked out well they keep my feet warm and dry other than a small amount of sweat, but its hard to get rid of that factor. There is a lso a company called filson that make a high end $$$ boot that is lined with wool insted of senthetic. That company would be filson. As for Indians until the english and french brought wool the indians just wore fur on moccasins, and i dont think there moccasins were ever water proof. Another thing to look at would be mukluks(i think thats how its spelled. They're what the eskimo's wore. They're made out of seal skin. I also believe they're pricy. Well good luck on your quest. And may your arrows be fast true.
I've heard good things about wearing neoprene socks with rubber boots. Your feet will sweat but the neoprene will keep the foot dry and will act like a wet suit! My hunting buddy swears by this method! I personally haven't tried it YET! I just got a pair of muck boots for the early season. They seem pretty good and not bulky at all! Late season I wear a pair of Cabelas pac boots, comfy warm but bulky!
For late season with snow I'll use LaCross rubber boots. Early season it's Danner (GTX or TFX) lightweight boots. I also carry a pair of Wiggy Waders that are designed to fit over your boots. They are lightweight nylon and can be carried all day inside a fanny pack.
... mike ...
What ever happened to felt shoes an buckle artics. Light weight, waterproof, an cheap if I recall. Thats probably why there gone. Bob
Best way to keep feet warm is to rub some bear fat on them. I prefer a nice wool sock and a water proof leather boot with a good gripping sole. If I'm ground pounding, it's good enough. How quiet I walk depends on me not the boot.
If you wear rubber boots carry an extra pair of socks and change them when you got to your stand. My feet usually only get cold while on stand. Rubber doesn't let your sweat evaporate and they might as well have gotten wet.
The neoprene socks are definately nice. I used to wear them mountain biking in early spring when riding through runoff etc. They are good if you know your feet will get wet.
I think a lot of people make the mistake of wearing too many socks. A light wicking liner and medium weight wool socks are really all you should need. Boots need some room too. Remember that the air around your foot is the insulation and if you wear too many tight socks, you will restrict the circulation in your foot and you will get colder quicker. For sitting in a stand or blind in the frigid cold you can't beat Sorel's with the felt liners.
He's talking about still hunting and stalking,he's looking for a quiet comfortable boot,so he's not worried about big insulated rubber boots. :campfire:
We wear a sock liner and Smartwool socks. They are a bit pricey but you get what you pay for, warm feet!!
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=298968
Great responses so far folks. :-D
I have a pair of Danners, 400g. They're about 10 years old are still waterproof, warm and comfortable. Very important to get the ones made in the U.S.A. The quality compared to the foreign stuff is night and day different. Oh, and Obenauf's LP will help anything leather last longer.
Bridgedales are the best socks I have tried. I wear wool socks year round. Cotton holds too much moisture.
I've got a pair of Muck Woody Max and they are a cut above the Lacrosse and other rubber boots I've worn. Much better about not sweating your feet, lighter, and a lot more comfortable. Way warmer too. I've worn these on the stand in single digits for up to 4 hrs and not suffered. Just don't buy them too small. In the worst conditions I wear a polypro sock liner and one pair of heavy smartwool socks. Managing moisture is the key. If you are on the move though, the Woody Max will keep you feet warm, dry and be comfortable to walk in.
I can't say enough about the SmartWool Socks. I wear them with my Bean Boots when still hunting and scoutig, my LaCross rubber boots when stand hunting, and my vasque hiking boots when carring loads. My feet now stay dry unless I get in deep water crossing streams or swamps.
Good footwear for hard miles is one of the cheapest investments any of us can make in our hunt. Getting blisters the first or second day into a 10-12 day hunt makes buying quality footwear look like the best bargain this side of quality optics. Lathrop and Sons is a sponsor of this site and they offer what, in my opinion, is the best hunting footwear on the planet. I personally have hunted in Alaska in deep snow, cold, and wet conditions with miles of walking in the following boots. I can't recommend them highly enough.
http://lathropandsons.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/36
Give these guys a call and let them fix you up.
I wear knee high rubber boots with a single pair of 100% wool socks on my feet. I have never had a problem with "sweaty" or cold feet.
Steggar Mucklucks - and they look just plain COOL!