I have been reading about people and staying warm and keeping their feet warm.  I hunt in a big swamp and need knee boots to get to my stand.  I also have a problem with cold feet.  One reason is due to getting them sweaty before I get into my stand.  I love to sit and found this to keep me on stand all day with warm feet.  I have found that my feet are the first to get cold.  Here is what I did.  I bought a pair of LaCrosse Ice King Liners 2 sizes too big for my feet.  I then put the liners in a Polar Shield Boot Blanket.  These are my stand booties.  They weigh about as much as a bottle of water and can be folded up in a pack.  The secret to staying warm is to put a chemical hot pack in each one before you leave the house.  When I get to my stand, I take off my rubber knee boots, change socks, (I wear a cotton gym sock) and put on the booties.  Once on, I can move and wiggle my feet with the hot pack to create more heat.  I have been able to sit was 11 hours in 10 degree weather with very warm feet.  One important thing is to not walk in them because they will rip.  I hope this helps out.

Sounds great. Also try anti-perspirant on your feet.

I am sorry I mentioned Polar Shield boot blankets.  I use ArcticShield Boot blankets.

Thats a good idea.  What do you do with your knee boots to contain the scent - once your feet are out of them I would think they would work like a human scent bomb.  I guess put them in a garbage bag at the base of your tree?

I had some wool boot covers made up, they work great on leather boots. The wool really activates when the boots are a little damp when I walk to stand. I keep the boot covers in a pack till I get into stand to put on.

If you will spray your feet with anti-perspirant,your feet will stay dry and warm. If I spray mine for 3 or 4 days they are good for several days.

You may want to ditch those cotton socks.  I bet you would be even warmer with a pair of Smartwool or UnderArmor Cold Gear socks.  I don't like UA undies, but their socks are awesome.

I'll second getting rid of the cooton socks..as much wool in mine as I can find

Have any of you guys tried the heated boot insoles? made of the same material as the handwarmers but designed to work with low oxygen in a shoe/boot.

There incredible to say the least!

If you can find SmartWool socks, change them out for the cotton socks you are wearing now, and your feet will be even warmer. They are Merino wool, and don't itch. Costco carries some, too, just not SmartWool.

Great idea - thanks for sharing!

Gene Wensel also wrote in one of his books about anti-perspirant on the bottom of your feet to keep them from sweating.  But getting rid of the cotton socks will help out tremendously.

That's a neat idea!  I picked up a set of the Arctic booties a season ago when they went on mega clearance.  I'm pretty sure I've got a set of wool liners from an old set of Sorel's somewhere around the house.

I get cold feet too.  I also use the knee high rubber boots (they're even insulated to 800gr), though I know what the issue is even with wool socks - they're too tight!

They fit just fine with medium weight socks, but if I put a set of heavy socks on there's no more room for my feet to breathe.  Sweat stays right where it is instead of evaporating and leaves me with ice cold toes as the temps drop under 30deg.  They work great in the mid season, but for late season I usually swap over to my mickymouse boots.

Much heavier and certainly clunkier than your solution.

QuoteOriginally posted by adeeden:
Have any of you guys tried the heated boot insoles? made of the same material as the handwarmers but designed to work with low oxygen in a shoe/boot.

There incredible to say the least!

I love those things !
Dan

I'll echo the anti-perspirant....it works.  Also, under those smartwools, wear a pair of wicking liner socks, the real thin ones.  That helps as well.

Well I also live and hunt Wisconsin, similar conditions -- use knee high muck boots, this brand of boot keeps the water out and breaths, also has a comfort rating of -40F to +60F. I wear a liner sock ( thin) and a good pair of wool socks. My feet have never got cold, although I have a pair of Artic Shield booties along just in case. Hope this helps Jerry.

found some merino wool socks at cosco last year + used those shoe sole hotpacks -worked awesome. I got my antlerless last year sitting in minus 30 Celcius

This pussycat has been whimping out at 10 degrees!  And that is above zero.  Thanks for all the great ideas.  Not that I am looking forward to 30 below celcius to try them out.

Kip

Thanks for the info.  Good suggestion.

Grabber brand boot/shoe warmers are very good. I only use new Grabber brand. I've found others to be worthless. They last about 6-8hrs depends on how cold. Keep spares and change them out for long sits. Also get a pair of Muks of some type put them over your boots then drop in some heat packs. You can sit all day in total confort. Good luck. Cotton socks went out with Rayon leasure suits!!!