My feet get really cold setting in a stand, has anyone try the battery heated insoles?
Sure, they'll work. You can try layering various socks (inner layer thin and wicking, outer insulating) or even line with plastic, plastic (like a small garbage bag) will keep you feet very warm...and sweaty.
Thermacell make a rechargeable pair with a remote control button and max heat of 100deg. My friend Eddie Parker had a pair this weekend on a hunt we were on together. You might find them in Cabellas.
Pat, did they keep his feet warm?
Pretty pricey if I remember right.
The best thing I used was boot blankets.
When extra cold like single digits add the chemical hand warmers.
Regular boot blankets are bulky, the ice breakers are less bulky both work.
I tried about every kind of cold weather boot Cabelas sales and my feet still get cold.
I ordered a very expensive pair of insoles around 250.00. They are rechargeable and have 4 settings. A friend has used them for years. He told me not to ever but them on 4 the highest because they get too hot. But I have had them on 4 several times stand hunting in below 0 weather.
I use to hunt in zero weather for about 2 hours and my feet would be froze. Now I can hunt for about 5 hours before they get cold. They will keep your feet comfortable but not hot. Only problem is on extended hunts no place to re-charge them.
I have used the insole similar to the thermosell, but after a month they quit. Not sure if the sole or the charger quit. But they did work keeping my feet comfortable.
Eddie drills test bores for mining company and his company bought them for him when he was in Alaska. He said they were the best thing since sliced bread. At 100 degrees, if your feet get too how you turn them off with the remote control.
Hot hands toe warmers work good. I can wear rubber boots into the teens with them and stay very comfortable.
I bought a pair of hotmocs, but haven't needed them yet. Basically like a fleece sock with a thin textured sole of some sort. You put a handwarmer pocket in them and slip them over your shoes. I use non-insulated boots with them down to a little below freezing with no issue. Apparently they don't work well with rubber boots, and if you wear thick insulated boots they have little effect. What I like about them is that I can wear lightweight boots for getting to my stand without getting my feed all sweaty, then put them on.
I use the hothands toe warmers with the adhesive to stick them to your sock, they don't last as long as the hand warmers and next time I have to use them, I'm going to replace them mid-day.
My feet rarely get cold enough where it us unbearable since I started applying deodorant to them. Yes, just roll it all over your feet and toes and it will keep the sweating down. Moisture is what causes the feet to get cold.
By the way, I do not use insulated boots even down into the teens.
I use 600 gram thinsulate boots, and wool socks most of the time but when it gets really cold I add toasty toes insoles. My Papa uses hot mocs and uninsulated boots and swears by them.
FWIW, experience from the great white north.
Down to 20, I wear insulated Schnees pac boots. Below 20, I wear LaCrosse Ice Kings. They are a very fine, yet economical extreme-weather boot and can be had for under $100 on sale. Below -10, I sometimes add chemical hand warmers.
You'll see folks recommend things like bunny boots. Wrong tool for the job. They aren't warmer, just waterproof. In a tree, your feet will be dry.
I think Schnees would meet your needs in IL and they are also a good walking boot. Ice Kings are like putting pillows on your feet and you should not get cold above zero, even if you have a tendency to get cold feet.
With all due respect, if you believe "Bunny Boots" are not warm you have never worn them! Once at Prudhoe Bay AK. I ran a 1/2" of tap water in each boot, wore them outside watching the Northern Lights in 45 below temps/40 m.p.h. wind for an hour and twenty minutes and my feet were never uncomfortable. These were the white boots with the tiny stem valve on the side to open when they were going in an un-pressurized aircraft cargo compartment.
I think I have 1000 gram Thinsulate boots and I wear merino wool blend socks. I think they are 75% wool. My feet stay pretty happy.
I did not say bunny boots are not warm. I said they are the wrong tool for the job if you can keep your feet dry. Other boots are also warm, but are more comfortable and breathable.
Hey guys FYI.
I just checked the Hot Mocs sight. They have the mossy oak infinity ones on sale. $15.49 for a pair. I jumped on them for that, total shipped to me was $24.03