Anybody abandoned bulky hunting boots for hiking shoes and better socks???

[Bushape]

My new lease is borderline mountainous and my brand new Rocky's about killed me last year. For anybody here that has made the switch, what setup works for you during the few 27-35 degree days we experience in Tennessee?

FWIW my feet sweat like crazy.

 

[TNRifleman]

Merino liner, merino sock and either Zamberlans or Salomon boots. I wear all uninsulated boots

 

[Wolverine72]

Merino wool socks.
Keen targhee hiking boots.
Made the switch about 6 years ago. Never looked back

 

[ImThere]

Alpaca insoles
Liner sock
Wool sock
I wear uninsulated rubber boots or Uninsulated hikers depending on how much water I'm going to be around.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I don't wear insulated boots anymore and I primarily hunt mountains. I just increase the thickness of merino socks based on the temp.

 

[Acorn]

Merino wool socks, muck boots and boot blankets if it gets cold.

 

[Trapper John]

Yes to the above. Merino wool. Liners and socks and then those boot insulators if absolutely necessary with a hand warmer tossed in each when I settle in for the sit.

 

[Lost Lake]

When I hunt the mountains, it's usually earlier in the season and I wear my snake boots. Not the best option, but after seeing one guy struck and several rattlers up there during that time, I won't go without them.

Smartwool is the only sock I'll wear for hunting.

After trying Mucks back in the mid 2000's, I won't wear anything else from November on in middle and west Tn where I hunt. I never want to sit on stand with soaking wet feet like I used to back in the day. My Lord, that was TERRIBLE.

 

[rem270]

I still like wearing rubber boots but I don't own a pair of insulated boots anymore. I carry an extra pair of socks or 2 in the cold months to change out to keep my feet from sweating. I like wearing the knee boots to have my bibs inside of them to keep scent down and I also walk through grass fields and don't want to get my bibs soaked.

 

[Savage]

Nylon liner sock
Merino sock
Keen Targhee or Solomon hikers
Boot blankets if needed.

If it's wet, I do the same set up with lacrosse Grange boots, with a toe warmer inside

 

[WTNBowHunter]

merino wool socks from kuiu have been great. pack a second pair of socks to swap for when your feet get wet/cold. i wouldn't go liners, just my opinion.

 

[Bullfrog]

Merino liner, merino sock and either Zamberlans or Salomon boots. I wear all uninsulated boots

This^^^
Quality boots and a good sock go a long way. Rocky is neither of those.

 

[Winchester]

If you hunt rough steep terrain invest in a good pair of Mountaineering boots and you will never look back. I use Hoffmans myself but several good brands out there to choose from, mostly sold out West. Injinji merino liners and either Merino wool or Alapaca socks.
I do wear trail runners some but not in the backwoods.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I like wearing the knee boots

I guess anything taller than a flip flop would be considered "knee boots" to you!!

 

[Ridge Rooster]

alpaca wool socks and hiking boots with light insulation are all I wear now.
I stay pretty comfortable.

 

[ImThere]

Oh if it ever gets really cold I take my boots off and put on boot blankets with hand warmers in them.

 

[Gravey]

I started wearing Kennetrek Mountain Extremes with 400 grams insulation instead of the heavier 1000 grams boots along with merino wool socks. If it's cold I use boot blankets as well. The Kennetreks are stiff and good for my bad ankle.

 

[Polarkraft]

Darn tough socks and uninsulated Lowa high boots for me they have a gore Tex liner and I waterproof/condition the leather a week or two before season each year. Or as needed through summer hiking trips
I think they are 6 years old or so and I expect I'll get another 10 years out of them.

 

[killingtime 41]

I'm always looking for something better. For years I been wearing arctic pro mucks wool socks with liners. I've got boot blankets also. It's the long sit in the stand that freezes my feet.

 

[Derek]

I carry boot blankets in my pack. I don't need them often, but when I do they are fantastic. I've gone with Merrill hiking boots and, in warmer weather, waterproof roper boots from Ariat.