keeping your feet warm, is it possible?

basket-rack'89 · November 29, 2013, 08:05:00 PM

Another vote for the Mickey Mouse boots! Use them for everything from ice fishing to tree stand hunting, and for $25.00 I couldn't find a better deal!

SELFBOW19953 · November 29, 2013, 11:01:00 PM

Mickey Mouse boots aren't very high, be careful if you have to wade, you might get wet feet.

Roger Norris · November 29, 2013, 11:14:00 PM

I have a pair of KOM boot blankets for the scary cold days.

For regular cold....quality wool socks, a boot with about 600 grams thinsulate, and......a pair of old wool socks cut down like "footies". Slip them over your boots once you are on stand.

jrchambers · November 29, 2013, 11:21:00 PM

I second Chinook907, but I use the black bunny boot, the beauty of them is they will still keep you warm even if your feet get wet. I work construction year round to 20 below and my feet are the last thing to get cold, oh yeah wool socks with moisture wickers over top.

LB_hntr · November 30, 2013, 02:19:00 AM

another nice option is an old sleeping bag. keeps your feet warm and insulated all the way around and also keeps your lower body warm if you pull it up to your waist and use a rope as a belt. on really cold days you can pull it up over your shoulders and sit comfortably in extreme temps.
my favorite method for all day sits in northern Michigan Decembers.

wisconsinteacher · November 30, 2013, 08:12:00 AM

Here is what I have used the past 6 years and my feet have been warm in -5 weather. I wear a pair of rubber boots to get through the water I need to cross getting to my stand. When I get to my stand, I take them off and put one inside the other to lock the scent inside the boot. From there, I put on my stand boots. They are a pair of Ice King liners that are 2 sizes bigger than my feet with a chemical toe warmer inside if is really cold. The boot liners are inside a pair of Artic Shield Boot Blankets. Total package weighs around a pound and I can put them in my pack to carry them. I wear wool socks and if I am on stand for a long time, I can take them off and add a new toe warmer. Trust me, it works. My feet freeze when I am inside the house but the boot blanket with a liner works for me.

Butchie · November 30, 2013, 08:31:00 AM

Arctic Shield covers. Just wear any comfortable pair of boots to your stand slip these on. A couple of chemical hand warmer packs will guarantee warm feet when really cold out.

Easykeeper · November 30, 2013, 08:54:00 AM

I'm with Mr. Fingers, rubber boots are the worst for staying warm. I like my leather Red Wings with Thinsulate and good wool socks. If it's below freezing and I'll be out for more than an hour or two, one of the small chemical heaters inside my boots and on top of my toes feels mighty nice.

For truly brutal conditions, the boots and chemical heat pads go inside a pair of Arctic Shield boot covers. I've never had cold feet with that combo.

usmc1029 · November 30, 2013, 09:32:00 AM

Bought the artic shield covers this year. Very light. Easy to pack. And warm. Opening day of Wisconsin gun season found me in an exposed stand, 6 degrees out with 30 mph wind. Used the artic shield with a handwarmer stuffed in them and stayed pretty warm. Was wearing 1200 grain thinsulate boots.

Montanawidower · November 30, 2013, 11:23:00 AM

I use a combination. Schnee pack boots and wiggys slip on boot warmers. I have hunted in 0 degree weather each season on stand with this system. I wear silk liners and alpaca wool socks.

i prefer Schnee or bean style boots over my rubber or muck style boots. They all have rubber lowers to keep snow from wicking in but Schnees have leather uppers that breath better.

I have hunted many seasons in Mickey Mouse boots as well but they are very rigid and heavy. I have to hike a good distance to my stands and prefer lighter more nimble boots. The slip on warmers seem to be the strike the right balance.

Hood · November 30, 2013, 11:37:00 AM

Good info...

Thanks

November 30, 2013, 11:56:00 AM

I don't know how you guys wayup there keep from freezing solid! Down here, those 400gram boots would be sweltering hot. It is nothing for me to be hunting in 80-90 dgree weather in December or January in S Tx where my lease is.

Bisch

Owlgrowler · November 30, 2013, 12:10:00 PM

My feet always get cold. I always hunt from a treestand, and I always used to stand up most of the time. I figured out that when I sit more it takes the pressure off my feet and they stay warmer longer.

I also so started to use the chemical handwarmer thingies that have stickum on 'em that sticks to your shirt,(they also make ones that are toe shaped and stick to your socks). Anyhow, take the 2 toewarmers that come in a pack and put one under each armpit, or one on your lower back and one on your bellybutton, Don't put em directly on your skin!! or use the bigger body sized ones for a longer burn time. Body core stays warm, feet stay warm, you won't believe it til you try. Wait until you get to your stand to put em on. Don't have to wear as much bulky clothing either.

Mojostick · November 30, 2013, 12:22:00 PM

In my nearly 20 years in and out of the retail sporting goods business, these boots are without doubt the best I've ever worn for late season sits, for any cold the Lower 48 can throw at you...
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Ice-Fishing/Ice-Clothing-Footwear%7C/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/110969280/Cabelas-Predator-Extreme-Pac-Boots-150-BrownMossy-Oak-Break-Up-Inf inity/1217229.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fice-clothing-footwear%2F_%2FN-1105958%2B4294735063%2FNe-4294735063%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd722130%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_styp e%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd722130%3Bcat110969280

saltwatertom · November 30, 2013, 03:33:00 PM

What Owl said!!!! I use "GRABBER" brand foot warmers ( or hand or toe warmers ). I've worn them in uninsulated shoes in below zero conditions and my feet felt like it was summer. Combined with some breathable shoes to allow the moisture out might be the ticket. Other than that, I would vote for the "bunny" boots and the right sock combo.
OH yea, they are biodegradable too.

JMHO

grabberworld.com

xtrema312 · November 30, 2013, 04:31:00 PM

Sounds like getting your feet to stay dry is going to be the big issue for you. I don't have a issue with that. But, 400 rubber will not do much in my experience. That is more like October weather boot for me. I have had a hard time with my feet since i was a kid. Electric socks were the only thing to really work in my pack boots back then. Those usually worked to good or died.

I have 1200s over sized with liner socks and good heavy wool socks. Good to freezing. Chemical warmers on top of toes not under to get down on the mid 20's. Keeping your core warm helps. Even then, my feet get cold after about 3 hours on stands. Chemical warmers help but don't get as hot in rubber boots due to limited air.

I think it is real hard to keep feet warm in most rubber boots. I have had some pack boots that have done no better though. One of these days I am getting some boot covers to try over my 1200 rubber lacrosse. When those boots are used up, I am going to something like Mojo posted for a change.

Most of the time I try and fill the freezer before the really cold stuff sets in. Then do some small game hunting where i can move around in the winter. Some of the biggest bucks show up in the late season and cold weather so worth being out if you can stand it.

xtrema312 · November 30, 2013, 04:38:00 PM

Also I put the warmers on my thin liners under my wool socks. I have found that not only is it more comfortable to have the warmers on top but it is also warmer for me. Not sure if it is more air or boot construction.

tracker12 · November 30, 2013, 05:36:00 PM

I have a pair of black and a pair of while Micky Moose Boots. The best our there. Just don't wear too much sock with them A line liner sock and mid weight wool sock.

Jock Whisky · November 30, 2013, 06:06:00 PM

sorel glaciers. Keeps my li'l piggies warm and comfy.

Sam McMichael · November 30, 2013, 09:13:00 PM

Not possible past age 60.