Complete Boot Confusion

[Longbow917]

OK guys, I have been reading a bazillion reviews, old threads and the such looking for some direction on pac boots for Iowa late season hunting.  It gets cold!!!  I have looked at the Kenetrek Grizzly, Hoffman Mountaineer, and Schnees Extreme and Guide series.  They all look like very reputable companies with quality products.  However, the prices go from $170 for Hoffman, $250 for Kenetrek Grizzly, and $250/$340 for the Schnees respectively.

I have read reviews on every boot with exception of the Schnees Extreme where people say their feet are getting cold!?!  I realize there are quite a few factors regarding "cold feet" but seriously, you have to spend $340 for a warm pair of pac boots?  Looking for some updated reviews of anyone who has tried these boots recently and what the results were.  I am really looking at the Hoffman's due to price/service.

Thanks for your input!  Don

[Covey]

I had a pair of Kenetrek Grizzly and I honestly couldn't recommend them. I will say, I'm kind of cold natured to begin with, but I never had any luck keeping my feet warm with that particular pair of boots. I also had the bottoms replaced on them after about 2 years of use due to cracking. Some others my have a different opinion, but that's my 2 cents. I would recommend Cabela brand (I think their called inferno)pac boot or their regular knee high rubber boot. Had some really good luck with them.

[Daz]

If you know what you are doing you can make a pair of $20 WalMart rubber boots warm enough...

[John Scifres]

I don't know if you are open to other boots but I really like my Sorel Caribou's.  Get 1 or 1-1/2 sizes bigger than your feet.  If it's really cold, you can add a toe warmer or thick electric socks.  They run about $150.  I got mine on clearance for $80 in the spring.  That was 10 years or so ago.

[D.J. Carr]

Sorel's  the new liners with the metal flex make them even warmer, you can get a pair used for $50 then new liners for $40.

[Whip]

A boot that was really good in very cold weather was always elusive for me as well.  If they were warm enough they were cumbersome to walk any distance in.  

The solution that has finally worked for me is a heater body suit.  It solves the cold foot problem as well as the rest of my body. I don't dress nearly as heavy in real cold weather, yet stay very warm on stand.

I've only been using it since last fall, and only in cold weather.  I have yet to shoot a deer with it on but I really don't think that will be a problem if the opportunity presents itself.

[indianalongbowshooter]

Get a pair of Muck Artic Pro`s, I just wear one pair of wool socks down into the teens and my feet do not get cold.. just make sure to have a boot dryer and put them on it each time you wear them.

[Basstar]

Originally posted by Longbow917:
OK guys, I have been reading a bazillion reviews, old threads and the such looking for some direction on pac boots for Iowa late season hunting.  It gets cold!!!  I have looked at the Kenetrek Grizzly, Hoffman Mountaineer, and Schnees Extreme and Guide series.  They all look like very reputable companies with quality products.  However, the prices go from $170 for Hoffman, $250 for Kenetrek Grizzly, and $250/$340 for the Schnees respectively.

I have read reviews on every boot with exception of the Schnees Extreme where people say their feet are getting cold!?!  I realize there are quite a few factors regarding "cold feet" but seriously, you have to spend $340 for a warm pair of pac boots?  Looking for some updated reviews of anyone who has tried these boots recently and what the results were.  I am really looking at the Hoffman's due to price/service.

Thanks for your input!  Don

The secret to warm feet isn't specifically the boots, it's one's core body temperature.

Get a good quality pair of well insulated pac type boots with a good thick liner.  Make sure the boots are large enough to wear a thick pair of wool socks without squeezing the toes.

Now focus on not sweating or getting too warm when walking to the stand by wearing light clothing for the walk in.  

Once at the stand be sure to then put on good, warm and insulated clothing to keep the body's core warm, and about 85% of your cold feet problems have been solved.  As much as possible alternate between sitting and standing and move your feet and toes from time to time.

At cold enough temps and in certain conditions your toes will get cold almost no matter what especially if standing still too long but the advice here will go a long way in alleviating cold feet problems.

[calgarychef]

Muck boots were mentioned and I'm cold blooded so get cold very easily.  With a pair of toe warmers I can sit on stand to -10C and be ok, not toasty warm but not with numb toes either.  If you're moving the arctic sport mucks are good to -20/-25C and they work fantastic on snowshoes too.  Get them a bit loose so you can put thick socks on.  I've also used them in the mountains with crampons and I was nicely surprised at how well they worked.

Then there's also the plain rubber boots with felt (real wool felt) liners and they work well for early season or late.

[Ray Lyon]

Here's my formula and I've got a pair of Schnee's insulated and basic pair of Sorels. The Schnee's are to narrow, snug for good, super cold long sits. they're good for moving around or earlier season cold.  
That said, here's how I set up my Sorel's:
They're one size bigger than I need. Make sure you're using the wool felt packs. Under the pack place one (or two if you have enough room) Two Tracks wool felt sole liner. These make a HUGE difference in blocking cold coming up through the bottom of the boot while on metal tree stand. I don't wear a heavy wool sock, instead I wear a very thin wicking liner sock(silk if you can find them) followed by a light to medium wool sock. Make sure the wool sock is not tight over the liner sock. Your foot should still have room in the boot with this setup. If it's tight, you're defeating the purpose, which is creating pockets of dead air space. When its super cold or I'm doing a longer sit, add a toe warmer. Make sure you allow it to heat up for a few minutes. They're air activated and if you put them in a snug boot right away I don't believe they get to temp.
The liner sock is important to keep your foot dry that and the Two Track liner were what made all the difference in the world. No need for super expensive boot, just go with mid grade Sorrel.

[David Mitchell]

The warmest boot I have ever had is the military Mickey Mouse boots--ugly as all get out but they have never let my feet get cold, not once.  Cheap too if you can find some at a military surplus store.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by David Mitchell:
The warmest boot I have ever had is the military Mickey Mouse boots--ugly as all get out but they have never let my feet get cold, not once.  Cheap too if you can find some at a military surplus store.

They called em "Bunny Boots" up in Alaska in the early to mid 80's. i worked in -40 degrees and never got cold feet in those ugly rubber boots. The sole was 2" thick with layers of wool and air space between them. These were white boots.... the mickey mouse boots were black... same thing.

look for them on flea bay... they run 45 -55 bucks.

[stalkin4elk]

K,H,and S are all great brands and really similar. All of those brands have many models and I use several for different conditions. Get the K Northern (or equivalent)for cold sits. Add half a size to fit an extra wool insole(Two Tracks) and you are good for -20 sits,coyote calling,ice fishing or Sunday football. Baffin's have warmer and lighter models for less money and may be next for me after I wear out my current pair of Northern Kenetreks.Tons of folks here with all those brands. The K Grizzly version is good for 0 degrees walking or +15 sitting. Study the diffence in insulation on their sites.

[meatCKR]

Here ya go.   http://www.bunnyboots.com/

I found a pair of the black ones at a military surplus store for $45.  Year before last I sat in 4 degree temp for 6 hours and my feet stayed warm with these and just one pair of thick wool socks.  If you can find a surplus store nearby to try them on, that would be best.  That site I pointed you to has good advice from the folks up in the great white north on getting the right size.  Good luck!

Steve

[Hatrick]

I have to agree with the Mickey Mouse boots. Warmest boots I ever owned. Bulky and ugly, but warm and toasty.

[centaur]

I wore my Kenetreks this morning with toe warmers and heavy socks. 10 degrees and windy, with blowing snow. My feet stayed toasty warm. I have Muck boots for when it gets really cold, but the Kenetreks are better for walking/sneaking.

[indianalongbowshooter]

forgot about the mickey mouse boots, hunted with a pair for about 10 yrs, have had water come innover the top when wading a creek and my feet still stayed warm just wiggling toes while in stand, downside is they are pretty heavy..

[Chain2]

Do what Ray said. It works. Sorrels aren't too bad to sneak in either.

[hawkeye n pa]

In my opinion, and I have wide feet, the Sorels run one size small to start with.  So order two sizes larger minimum.

[jackdaw]

If you're prone to cold feet, then get a pair of 1000 or 1200 gram thinsulate boots....regardless of pac style.   ! I'm good for 6-8 hours with lacrosse   800 thinsulate boots in 10 degree weather. Depends in your circulation. If you're prone to cold feet...toe warmers or over boots...