Anybody gone away from heavy insulated boots for lighter shoes with layered socks?
- Thread starter Bushape
- Start date
DeerMan66
Well-Known Member
It depends on temperature and your ability to with stand cold weather. I don't get cold that easily so I usually go with uninsulated leather boots and mid-weight socks down to around 28 degrees. Between 28 and 20 that I go with 400 grams of thinsulate boots and heavy weight socks. Below that I add peel and stick foot warmers.
I did. I also added the arctic shield boot covers with the hot hands. It doesnt get much better for stand hunting!!
When I'm walking deep I carry warm socks and wear in work socks. When I get where I'm going I strip it down and change my undershirt and socks after cooling down for a couple minutes. Sweaty cloths go in a big ziplock
Chiflyguy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2019
- Messages
- 5,204
Great topic
In the market for a new pair of boots.
Not to hijack the thread but any recommendations?
In the market for a new pair of boots.
Not to hijack the thread but any recommendations?
dhpro
Well-Known Member
I switched to danner 400 gr a a good pair of merino wool socks with a base layer and keeps me comfortable.
Gobble4me757
Well-Known Member
Me…I like my non insulated rubber green lacrosse boots. Have worked pretty well for me
I wear non insulated boots even in cold weather now and adjust the thickness of merino socks based on temp.
I have been using 1200 Thinsulate Rocky Buckstalker rubber boots for years with one pair of insulated socks with Toastie Toes and have not had a day when my toes were so cold it drove me out of the stand.
Ventilation goes a lot further keeping me warm than insulation. When it gets very cold or when I have to walk a lot I leave the rubber boots at home.
Boots are one place where I don't skimp and they are not one size fits all. You really need to try them on to see which fit your feet best. Kentetrek, Crispi, Zamberlan, Schnee's, all make great boots but they'll all fit differenty. I've settled on Zamberlans for my foot and have insulated and uninsulated pairs. For superlight boots in relatively easy country, I will wear Salomon 4D 3 GTX's. If it will be cold, I have gone to a combo of liner sock with heavier wool sock and then some toe warmers.
I wear a rubber lower insulated boot with only thin polypropylene socks. Then when my feet start to get cold I put on heavier merino wool socks. I also use toe warmers if I get cold feet later. This has worked well for me. Like you my feet sweat a lot.
I tried it last year just wearing uninsulated Danner Pronghorns with a merino wool sock. Add arctic shield boot blankets if you need a little extra. Unfortunately they crapped out on me during turkey season this year and began leaking like a waterfall so I trashed them.
I wear rubber/neoprene boots all season. When it's going to be cold I wear electric socks until I get on stand, then put wool socks over them & turn the sock heater on. Rubber boots are easy to slip on & off so it's pretty easy to do once I'm on stand.
The problem I have with boots & socks is that I often walk far and sit long. My feet are either sweaty or frozen, usually both in the same day. Using the electric socks made it a lot easier to control than trying to find the perfect boot & sock combo. I got heat when I want & how much I want. And electric socks are cheap on Amazon.
The problem I have with boots & socks is that I often walk far and sit long. My feet are either sweaty or frozen, usually both in the same day. Using the electric socks made it a lot easier to control than trying to find the perfect boot & sock combo. I got heat when I want & how much I want. And electric socks are cheap on Amazon.
Kmushrooman
Well-Known Member
I use cozy toes the toe warmers. Some people may cringe at this but I get a lot of deer. My feet feel like it's tropical. They make electric socks to but cozy toes work.
Buzzard Breath
Well-Known Member
I start the season off in a pair of waterproof trail running shoes and move to a pair of uninsulated Salmon gtx 4d boots when I want something a little taller. I never wear heavy boots. When its really cold, Ohio bow hunting in January, I carry Attic Shield boot blankets to the stand. My feet get hot and sweat easily. This is the only way I can prevent this.
Shoes and boots go on a boot drier each evening, after the hunt.
Shoes and boots go on a boot drier each evening, after the hunt.
I wear Salewa boots most of the season but out west and in cold weather I trade them out for Crispi boots.
Nope I cured that problem years ago. Very good pair of socks and insulated boots 2 sizes to big. Haven't had cold feet in years.
I've been wearing the insulated version for 2 years now with Smart Wool liner socks and Darn Tough Merino socks over that (this is all for after the temps drop in Nov). Been very pleased with the results. I've heard of others besides Gravey who have had issues with the uninsulated version leaking but haven't heard the same about the insulated ones.
One thing that will REALLY help for a COLD weather boot is to go one size larger than your regular shoe size. It is amazing the difference having "loose " boots will make on cold days.
