any interest in a warm/light over-bootie for glassing in cold weather?

[Shraggs]

is there any insulation in them or just a reflective shell? insulation in the bottom- foam or something?

Thanks

To my knowledge the entire upper is their retain technology. Which by the way they claim is a derivative of space suits keeping astronauts warm in -460. The bottom is something more, rubber ish outside maybe some thin foam and then retain. They are waterproof and do breath.

I did do an experiment years ago... I put an extra wool sole liner in bottom, used military mauk wool bottie over my sock and pulled the attic shield over and sat in stand for couple hours in cold. Honestly it worked way better then my super duper expensive pack boots. Mine are sized to go over boots however and I would size down if going to do routinely.

Last weekend rifle in Montana, it was like 3 degrees snowing and blowing, we had a foot of snow. We found some fresh tracks near meadow and each set up for dusk. I put chamberlain, puffy pants and those over my insulated hiking boots and I was fine for an hour. If I were going to stand for more than an hour I would have thrown a toe warmer in each one and they create enough heat to extend what your body is no longer producing for a lingering stationary sit/stand.

 

[Poser]

I had to buy a boot insulation solution recently when I agreed to help a new hunter out for 3rd rifle. I ended up with the Icebreakers but they are freakin’ enormous! Too bad OR discontinued the Brooks Rangers some years back. Something along those lines are really what I was looking for. I figure if you’re going to carry around something that bulky, might as well be able to reasonably hike in it.

 

[JimGa]

Shraggs, I was thinking the same type of thing. I have a pair of the Artic Shield over boots and have some thinsulate inserts from old military leather boots. I was going to try that with a thick pair of socks without boots. The combo is pretty light, decently packable and cheap.

 

[mtwarden]

@Shraggs -thanks; they appear the closest to what I'm looking for

if I can't convince someone to build me what I had in mind, I'll give them a shot

 

[Anozira]

They must have noticed this thread and included the boot insulators today. Looks like all Camofire has is black ones today:

 

[n816kc]

You can pick them up on Amazon for $45 if you need an XL. They do recommend you size up if in between sizes or wearing bulky boots.

 

[mtwarden]

Well I got to spend a lot of time glassing in very cold weather this season; a ccf pad just for boots definitely helped! In addition, I grabbed a pair of 40Below Simple Slippers- 3mm Neoprene overboots, I got these actually to wear over my backcountry ski boots in cold weather, but figured I'd give them a go for glassing. They helped too- 8 oz for the pair, not super lightweight, but not real heavy. Just slip them over your boots and zip up.

But what I think helped the most was when I was using my Apex quilt; it's a light (12 oz) Apex quilt that has a "poncho" hole so I can throw it over the top of everything. This season I tried it a little differently- I put my boots in the foot box (carefully as not to tear anything) and then pulled it up like I was going to sleep in it, but was sitting- has an adjusting strap that I could cinch down a little around my legs and then an upper closure I put around my neck. Definitely helped with my legs and core, but also helped with my feet.

I still think an overboot- with something like 40d nylon on the inner and 20d on the outer (they outer doesn't need to be very tough- your not walking with them) and 6 or even 8 oz Apex w/ a foam cutout insole would be the cat's a$$ though. I'm guess 5-7 oz total.

 

[wind gypsy]

Just got back from a week in MT and a way to keep my feet warm was the biggest thing preventing me from hunting some open faces like I wanted..

I have the icebreaker boot blankets for whitetail stand sits but I really don’t want to carry them around the mountains. Think I’ll try arctic shields next go round or camp booties and throw some foot warmers in my boots so they aren’t a block when I put them back on.

 

[mtwarden]

Well a couple of more seasons have passed

My feet are still the weak link when it comes to quitting glassing when cold. I had a guy on backpacking light.com that was going to build me exactly what I was looking for- relatively lightweight nylon w/ Apex insulation overboots. He had me take measurements, choose materials and even created a 3d model- but then disappeared

He estimated the weight at about 7-8 oz and would pack small.

I've tried a couple of cottage industry shops, but no one seems to being doing any custom work anymore.

 

[fngTony]

Well a couple of more seasons have passed

My feet are still the weak link when it comes to quitting glassing when cold. I had a guy on backpacking light.com that was going to build me exactly what I was looking for- relatively lightweight nylon w/ Apex insulation overboots. He had me take measurements, choose materials and even created a 3d model- but then disappeared

He estimated the weight at about 7-8 oz and would pack small.

I've tried a couple of cottage industry shops, but no one seems to being doing any custom work anymore.

If you find someone to do it I’d be interested too. No mass production ones fit me

 

[Seeknelk]

Well I got to spend a lot of time glassing in very cold weather this season; a ccf pad just for boots definitely helped! In addition, I grabbed a pair of 40Below Simple Slippers- 3mm Neoprene overboots, I got these actually to wear over my backcountry ski boots in cold weather, but figured I'd give them a go for glassing. They helped too- 8 oz for the pair, not super lightweight, but not real heavy. Just slip them over your boots and zip up.

But what I think helped the most was when I was using my Apex quilt; it's a light (12 oz) Apex quilt that has a "poncho" hole so I can throw it over the top of everything. This season I tried it a little differently- I put my boots in the foot box (carefully as not to tear anything) and then pulled it up like I was going to sleep in it, but was sitting- has an adjusting strap that I could cinch down a little around my legs and then an upper closure I put around my neck. Definitely helped with my legs and core, but also helped with my feet.

I still think an overboot- with something like 40d nylon on the inner and 20d on the outer (they outer doesn't need to be very tough- your not walking with them) and 6 or even 8 oz Apex w/ a foam cutout insole would be the cat's a$$ though. I'm guess 5-7 oz total.

I'd imagine your wearing puffy pants in these conditions that freeze your feet? Here I see your using a blanket obviously.

 

[Wrench]

In Alaska we used Neos over boots a lot. They are an absolute game changer.

Insulated for Winter Overshoes

Protect your footwear & keep your shoes & work boots warm & dry with NEOS Overshoes, we are your online retailer available if you have any questions

www.neosovershoescanada.com

 

[mtwarden]

If you find someone to do it I’d be interested too. No mass production ones fit me

well I reached out to the guy and said he got super busy, but evidently had the pieces already cut out, just needs to sew everything up.

If it goes through, I'll let him know there is more interest.

I'd imagine your wearing puffy pants in these conditions that freeze your feet? Here I see your using a blanket obviously.

Yup puffy jacket and pants; the quilt definitely helps with the feet- something I could slip on directly over them I think would help more.

In Alaska we used Neos over boots a lot. They are an absolute game changer.

Insulated for Winter Overshoes

Protect your footwear & keep your shoes & work boots warm & dry with NEOS Overshoes, we are your online retailer available if you have any questions

www.neosovershoescanada.com

those definitely would do the trick, but I'm looking for a substantially lighter option (if possible)

 

[Wrench]

I get it. Your situation is either light and disposable or heavy and substantial.

For what it's worth, I worked at -30*f in those for 12 hours a day. I would wear 400gram hiking boots and neos. My job could be quite sedentary to moderate activity and even standing on a boom truck freezing to death I could stay comfortable on my feet.

 

[mtwarden]

this outfit has some really warm options as well, just not very light either

https://40below.com

 

[dtrkyman]

I use the artic Shield, warm, pretty light and durable.

 

[Maverick1]

Well a couple of more seasons have passed

My feet are still the weak link when it comes to quitting glassing when cold. I had a guy on backpacking light.com that was going to build me exactly what I was looking for- relatively lightweight nylon w/ Apex insulation overboots. He had me take measurements, choose materials and even created a 3d model- but then disappeared

He estimated the weight at about 7-8 oz and would pack small.

I've tried a couple of cottage industry shops, but no one seems to being doing any custom work anymore.

For $45 and 8 oz each, you could have tried the Artic Shield ones several seasons over already. Have you even tried them, as suggested by several users in this thread? Or are you just bent on getting something in Apex?

 

[mtwarden]

if I can't save a half pound w/ Apex, I'll give them a try next season

 

[manitou1]

My Arctic Shields fold flat and slide inside my pac nicely. I have not weighed them but they are fairly light.
In extreme cold a "Hot Hands" slid inside works too.

 

[ljalberta]

if I can't save a half pound w/ Apex, I'll give them a try next season

If you find the product you’re looking for, I’ll be giving it a try as well. In the meantime, I’m ordering a pair of the Shields. But I like weight savings and additional warmth as much as the next guy!