Trad Gang

Ok you guys from the cold places like Wisconsin,Minnesota and such , what kind of extreme cold weather boots do you like ? I'm looking for a boot to ocassionally ground blind hunt in, to kick around in and basically have a real cold weather boot. I'm looking at sorel felt boots and Kamik . Any other suggestions ? Were is Al Gore's global warming  :)

I live in the northern lower penninsula of Michigan. We get plenty of cold.

I wear the LaCrosse "Burly" knee high, insulated, rubber boots. For all but the coldest days, these work great for me. I use a boot dryer to keep the moisture out (a MUST DO). When the temps fall to near zero, I simply put one of those disposable handwarmers in the toe of each boot, and my feet are actually too warm. These boots are less bulky than most other cold weather boots.

I used to wear pac boots, but I have found using the little handwarmers a great alternative.

People always ask me..."aren`t your feet cold?"
Nope...toasty.

The "white" mickey mouse(military) are no doubt the best for sitting  , high end LaCrosse felt liners are excellent - most extreme weather boots will be heavier but are worth their weight as far as that goes . Felt lined boots are more comfortable , the 2 you mentioned I would skip over their are much better boots out there .

Look no farther...
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Casual-Shoes/Mens-Pac-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104824080/i/103959180/Cabelas-Predator8482-Extreme-Pac-Boots-1 50-Brown/722130.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F_%2FN-1102516%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%3BMMcat104797980&WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104797980;cat103959180 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Casual-Shoes/Mens-Pac-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104824080/i/103959180/Cabelas-Predator8482-Extreme-Pac-Boots-150-Brown/722130.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2F_%2FN-1102516%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%3BMMcat104797980&WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104797980;cat103959180)

Ill second the Mickey Mouse boots the military uses.

The white ones are "Bunny Boots", black are "Mickey Mouse" and not as good.  I bought a pair for my muskox hunt and no hint of cold at -35 with massive winds.

I've been wearing Schnee's boots for about twenty years or so and I really like the Extreme pac boot for real cold weather. The Schnee's boot hugs your foot and ankle, and also provides good support.

http://www.schnees.com/product/2613/schnees-footwear

The bunny boots look to be short and snow would get down in them , is this true ?

Thanks for the replys guys.

i like cabelas trans- alaska III.northern outfitters has a couple really good boots.i used their artic boot in canada and never got cold

I'm from Montana.  The late season whitetail hunting can be brutal, especially the past two years.

Anyhow, I use the Sorel Pacs w/felt liner.  My feet never got cold once.  The worst weather I hunted was -15 below (degrees F) for a three day duration.  The snow was knee high in alot of places.  I mixed it up with doing some walking but mainly sitting.  The boots are comfortable, but most important very warm.

Schnee's are the best, I have three pairs. My feet never get cold. The knee highs  are best for horseback hunts. Good luck Don

Lacrosse Icemans's work for me, hours on stand, -10 degrees, toasty warm feet! DK.

Forgot to mention, NorthCentral SouthDakota...COLD...BRRR!!  :)

I've tried most of them and the military bunny boots are the best.  I worked missle security in the Air Force in Montana in the 70's and this issue boot was comfy in that -30 weather.  Other parts of your body would chill before your toes.

Most cold weather boots will keep you warm if you're moving, but only one stands out for me if you're sitting.

Blackhawk,

I worked the missile security from 1986 to 2001 in Montana also.  I was issued a pair of dark green sorrels and White bunny boots.  There is no comparison.  Those bunny boots are awesome.  Ken

Before next season, I will be getting some of the -40 rated Muck Boots. My wife has a pair and she of the ice cold feet swears by them.

Are the black micky mouse ones almost as warm as the white bunny boots or do you think you could paint the white ones camo?

I've got the black MM's and I've yet to have a problem.  I hate cold feet and have had a history of being colder than "the next guy".  I've hunted down to -45 and not had any problem.  The white ones may be warmer but I don't see myself needing them.

The black ones are lighter, maybe a bit more practical in some hunt situations, and ALMOST as warm...and certainly worthy of consideration.

Here's another option... very warm, very light, and quiet like a moccasin... but NOT waterproof...

Steger mukluks (http://www.mukluks.com/)

Hey Jack, happy New year, Hope things are good. I've had these for quite a while, & they do a great job.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Hunting-Boots/Mens-Insulated-Hunting-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104826780/i/104841180/Cabelas-Predator8482-Extr eme-Pac-Boots-150-BrownMossy-Oak174-Break-Up/722118.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffootwear-mens-footwear-mens-hunting-boots-mens-insulated-hunting-boots%2F_%2FN-1102846%2B1 0005237%2FNe-10005237%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104841180%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104797080%253Bcat104826780%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104797080;cat104826780;cat 104841180 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Hunting-Boots/Mens-Insulated-Hunting-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104826780/i/104841180/Cabelas-Predator8482-Extreme-Pac-Boots-150-BrownMossy-Oak174-Break-Up/722118.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffootwear-mens-footwear-mens-hunting-boots-mens-insulated-hunting-boots%2F_%2FN-1102846%2B10005237%2FNe-10005237%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104841180%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104797080%253Bcat104826780%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104797080;cat104826780;cat104841180)

Guys thanks for all the replys. I have Lacrosse boots and love them but in cold weather they could stand to be warmer. I'm going to have a good pair of packs before next season .


Jack

You might look at camucks.com

There is a nice review in the products review forum here on Trad Gang...

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=000865

I have a pair of irish setters waterproof and light.
And a pair of icebreakers boot blankets.  When I'm on the move my feet don't get cold, and when I'm still I put the blankets on and I can sit all day -20.   :goldtooth:

I have a pair of the Rocky Blizzard Stalkers. 1000 or 1200 grams of insulation. I've sat a stand all day in single digits and had no problem. The addition of some Toasty Toes once I get to my spot is good insurance as well.

OkKeith

http://kenetrek.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KE-0428-6K  Great boots and customer service. I found their temp ratings accurate for me. I hate when boots are rated to - 80 etc. which is pure  Blank!

Baffin Bay Expedition. Light, water proof, warm.
They use them in Antartica.

I lived in the arctic circle for 7 years.  I put 3000-5000 miles a year on a snow machine hunting and trapping and I like the bunny boots.  Sometimes my feet got a little cold at -54, but most of the time they worked great.  They are not very tall, but a guy can use gators.  They are waterproof, and less expensive than the other fancy pancy boots.  You can pick up used ones for $50-$60.  Best of luck.

I have never ever had my feet think of getting cold in my black military Mickey Mouse boots.  Hunted for hours on end this week end in negative below zero degree weather and nothing but totally warm feet. Bought them at a military surplus store years ago--some of the best money I ever spent on hunting gear.

I have Steger Camuks and like them a lot! They have rubberized leather lowers that are waterproof. The upper is a camo water resistant material.  They are quiet, light and extremely warm. I use them when the temps drop and the snow flies. They are like wearing slippers in the woods, comfortable!

I have lived in Northern Minnesota, North Dakota all my life except for my 3 yrs of military life.  Then I spent almost three years in Alaska.

Bunny boots were good, and I actually like a pair of Columbia boots unless the thermometer really drops.  If I am still-hunting in the cold, a good pair of running shoes with rubber overshoes over them works quite well.

I finally bought a pair of Muck insulated boots that do work pretty well also.

If I had to choose one for really cold weather it would be the bunny boots.

Mickey Mouse boots !

someone post a picture of hte "bunny boots" and the dark greens - so we can recognize at hte army surplus stores.
thanks
mgreen

This ins't a boot suggestion but the boots are only as good as the sock you put on your feet.  Sometime a crappy pair of boots is because the wearer uses crappy socks.  I have used $200 boots -30 rated and had my feet freeze out.  Proper wicking socks with a wool or wool blend over sock works best for me.  Once I figured this out I haven't needed anything with higher than 800 gram thinsulate.  I have hunted in a duck blind in negatives as well as the deer stand.

I grew up and lived 20+ years in the interior of Alaska.  You won't find boots any warmer than bunny boots, and waterproof too.  I've worn them at -30 predator calling in January....all day snowmachining a trapline.
 They are not the greatest for walking long distances, but if warm is what you want, look no further.


(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n140/ryanita/bunnyboots.jpg)

I now live in the Fiji Islands and am presently wearing flip-flops.  :)

I really like the looks of the CUMUKS ,but they have no heel and the ground would fly up to hit me in the butt  here in Appalachia. Keep the suggestions coming this has been educational to say the least    :thumbsup:

Where do you get bunny boots? I have a problem with cold feet even with wool liners and socks.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus

jack,

Depending upon how "cold of weather" you hunt in. I have a pair of LaCrosse, ICE Kings, they are so warm I can stand on a frozen lake in them barefoot.

there are also a pair of Green Pacs LaCrosse sold or used to sell called the ICE Man, they are not quite as bulky as the ice kings but a good design.

The bunny boots are very warm, but they are also EXTREMELY heavy. The LaCrosse Icemans are pretty nice too.

I love my camuks!!

I live in the wilds of Michigan. For cold weather hunting I wear WOOL and Steger Mukluks
http://www.mukluks.com/

  (http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Cold_combo.JPG)

Dang didn't know there was this many cold weather boots out there.


Jack

I prefer Sorel (Wool Pac)for the value. Wool for warmth does the job. In my opinion.
Ron How does the suede on the Mukluks hold up in wet snow ect.?   ...Mark

I treat the Mukluks periodically with spray on waterproofing. The are great in snow and I have never had a problem, just don't cross any streams with them. I don't break out the Mukluks until the cold and snow arrive. I have two pair one is brown and short, I like the tall ones best.

I wore sorells for a number if years and recently (three years)ago switched to lacrosse alphas and haven't looked back.  There is no comparison between the two for warmth when sitting, no to mention that with my alphas I don't ever have to wait for the ice to melt off my laces before I can get them off when I get back to camp!

I'll try and settle this, well maybe, Bunny boots or mickey mouse boots, are from world war two. they were used mostly by paratroopers, that is why they have an air valve on the sides ( if they are real that is ) one would blow them up before jumping out of an airplane and the boot being blown up around the ankle would prevent them from falling of due to different air pressures ( I think ) As far as I know the only Diff. between the black and the white are the color, other than that they are the same.

Now if you wear these and step into water that goes over the top and gets inside, your feet will warm up the water after awhile, will any of the other boots do this ?

One point, if you wear these boots you should install a inner sole in each boot, this gives the sweat someplace to go while it escapes out of the boot. If your a treestand hunter, when you get to your tree just take them off for a minute to let the built up sweat escape then put them back on and your in business for the rest of the day.

Also I installed those laced in zippers on each of mine, makes it real fast and easy to remove and put back on, you know the ones they use to put on army boots.

Hey guys
I guess I should've checked here first before I went out and purchased a set of Whites Pacs.  Looks like Bunny Boots are winning.  I have used the Muck Arctic Sport for 4 years.  Some downfalls to the mucks...if you buy mucks, buy a boot dryer and use it more than you wear them...if you have sweaty feet such as I do, the sweat seems to break down the material...the rubber cracks out in the creases by your toes.  I have owned 3 pairs in 4 years and am trying the Whites out.  I think a removable liner is key so you can dry underneath the liner (a downfall of the mucks)  So far the Whites are holding their own, of course any new boot is good for a while, but I was tired of buying a new pair every year.  Might have to hit the Surplus Stores and try a pair of Bunny Boots.  Also I feel a good pair of socks is another key.  These new cotton/wool blends seem to be pretty good.

Good luck

Jack,

Well there have been LOTS of suggestions so far to your orignial posting.  IO acan not asy I can argue woth most of the replies.  That said I can tell you I do live in Wisconsin.  I also ice fish her as well as bow hun t and i ice fish Minnisota as well.  I have bow hnted in 20 below degrees.  So, for extreme cold ... to me that means 0 and below, I have a pair of sorels.  With good wool socks, I have hunted in a sitting position for 4 hours before I felt a tinge of cold in my feet with the sorels.  Also, Lacrosse Icemans ( old style) ae warm and easier to hike in than the sorels (tighter in the ankles and shins).   I ahve 2 sets of linners.  one I keep in the boots the other on the boot warmers.  After a day of hunting/ice fishing, I switch the linners out.  If I am active I ahve a pair of Kennetrek Grizzlies.  They are by far my favorite boot of all time at 13 inches tall they rock.  I tuck my pants in the boot but outside the linner.  I can walk and sit, walk and sit all day in weather 20 below or so and I am fine.  If I am siting still all day, I go to my Sorells.

I love being outside in the winter.  I am in the cold every weekend.  PM me if you have questions.

Those boots are great for extreme cold.

Bob.

They look kinda heavy to drag around...5.6lbs...each?  

 http://www.kenetrek.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KE-3428-K

Mr.LaClair,

I respect you too much to argue your opinion.  I will say this, they are MY go to boot and I do not seem to mind the weight, they are just a great boot in my opinion. I have shot a lot of deer in them and caught a lot of fish in them.  I guess my feet/legs just like those old boots.  We have seen a lot of timber together.  I have use them at work when I guided 8 "at isk " youth on the ice age trial near Medford Wisconsin in the dead of winter  mile after mile.  I guess they should be a bit heavy as they are insulated.  However,they fit my feet and ankles well on 5 to 8 mile hikes with a pack.  I like them a lot and have hunted them hard and not found them to be overly heavy.

I guess I should have stated they are a great boot for me personaly, that does not mean they would be for everyone.  I personmally do not find them heavy although they may be.

Bob.

Bunny boots work by keeping a moisture free felt lining sandwiched between two layers of rubber between your feet and the environment.  They are only effective if the moisture vapor barriers are intact and the felt remains dry.  The air valve on the side is opened when in flight to equalize the air pressure in the enclosed envelope with the ambient air pressure so they do not swell  and rupture.  Each bunny boot has a molded in "dry weight" imprinted on the side of its sole.  If buying used boots check to see that the boots weigh what is stated.  If they are heavy then usually the lining has cracked somewhere or the air valve has been left open for a long time in a humid environment and the felt has moisture trapped in it.  The boots will still work but not nearly as effectively as designed.  The only place I needed to use bunny boots was when I was working under the South Pole Station in a culvert like space that stayed at a steady -58 below F (reflects the mean annual temperature) everywhere else I used the standard Sorel with felt liners.  The key thing with the Sorels was to have three pairs on felt liners so two could be drying out while you wore the other.  I didn't like the wet clammy feeling I got from sweating in bunny boots (vapor barrier) even though my feet would stay warm when wet.  I also found them heavy and clumsy when climbing ladders although many of my co-workers lived in them.  Lots of different boots for different tastes and environments.

sdlane,

Thanks for clearing up the information in my post.

Thanks guys I'm shopping to see what I want . I want to have different ones in my hands so I can try them on for comfort . Thannks to all who posted .

Good LaCrosse pac Boots are the best thing....removable felt liners so you can switch to a dry pair often..Keep 'em dry and they will keep you warm...IMO, the Micky Mouse boots are too heavy and damn big - not too much fun if you will do any amount of walking.

The guys that do a lot of ice fishing will use the MM boots almost exclusively.

yeah, you sure don't want to show up at the deer hunters' ball wearing your bunny boots.
but for standing on a tree stand at dawn in the dead of winter i don't think anything can beat bunny boots.
one really good thing about the black mickey mouse boots is that i think i paid 20 bucks for "used, like new" ones and i couldn't tell that they were used - they looked brand new.  i wear those here in texas and have retired the white bunny boots since i left michigan.
but you wouldn't want to show up at the deer hunters ball with the mickey mouse boots either.
bill

Hmmm.  I looked at Mr. LaClair's Arctic Mukluks With Ribbon and I do believe you could wear those to the Deer Hunters' Ball - not the plain ones without the ribbon though!
In fact it appears they have a Mukluk Ball to attend.
Those do look like they would be both very warm and comfortable.
Bill

Having frozen my feet a few times I bought a pair of Camuks this year.  I had to send the first pair back and get a size larger.  I really like them, and there is a review video on youtube that talks about being up to the top in swamp water with no leakage...maybe, maybe not.  They aren't cheap (in fact, they are badly overpriced until the first time you blow a hunt or fall with numb feet) but they are light, give better traction and mobility than you would expect because of the sole's flex, aren't bulky, and are made in America.  I also have a pair of white bunnies that I wear if I'm going to be immobile for a long, long time.  Incidentally, the black bunny is not rated for the same kind of cold as the white, but it's likely better to walk in.  I loathe walking in my white ones.  Lots of good options, and with toewarmers and bootblankets not much to complain about!

Cabelas Pac Boots - I have heard the WHITE boot thing is good too

Mickey Mouse Boots any day of the week for me.

One thinng that's changed lately is the "felt" in many liners isn't wool felt anymore.  It's sadly become made of polyester and that stuff aint the same!!  I've written to some manufacturers and complained about these new "non-felt" liners but haven't even been given a response.

This what I love about trad gang 4 pages on keeping our feet warm -thanks guys and gals.

Well then, lets go for five. I used the micks yesterday to do some work around the house, I guess it was in the upper 20's or 30's yesterday, with about 12" of snow on the ground. I put a WOOL felt liner sole in each, something I hadn't tried before. The LaCrosse insoles went on top of the wool felt. This took up lots of space and made the boots tighter but not too tight all around. Now although I didn't stand in one place long enough to see if I got cold feet, it did make the walking around much more comfortable and stable. So I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. Again very comfortable and stable, I almost forgot I had them on.

What makes these boots so good in there cost versus performance, I'm sure there might be better boots out there, but they are going to cost much, much more. I have just seen the micks on sale for 39.95 brand new, how can you beat that ?

For years I wore Irish Steers elk hunter on stand with Arctic Shield Covers. I Have never liked the weight of them at about 4.5 lbs each. About a month ago I bought a pair of the Steger Mukluks. Excellent purchase. No problem sitting for three hours on stand and a hell of a lot lighter than any pair of winter boots I have worn. I am still putting them through the paces. pheasant hunting, ice fishing, snowshoeing but so far so good. I have yet to need toe warmers and general wear just a pair of lightweight wool socks.

I have a lot of trouble with cold feet.  I had severe frost bite as a kid on hands and feet, and have toes goe numb in summer time if I swim in an unheated pool.

I have owned Sorels and othere pac boots and was okay with temps, but still had trouble sitting still.  Plus the arch support is pretty poor with most pac boots.  I purchased a pair of Cabelas Transalaska boots or a precursor to it.  These boots have very good arch support and are so warm it is ridiculous.  I actually dress down a little because my feet stay so warm.  

Downside?  Very heavy.  I have not walked more than a few miles at a time and mine are still fairly stiff after four years.  Mine do not look exactly like the ones advertised now.  But man are they warm!  I have warm the in -25 Fahrenheit in Lake of the Woods in northern Minnesota and had incredibly toasty feet.