Boot for later rifle seasons in the west

[Sharpspur]

I've never hunted the western mountain states past the end of september. I'm moving from WI to Northern Utah. Plan will be to hunt surrounding states late season rifle and Spring bear. Here in WI we run 1600g rubber boots. Obviously those aren't going to cut it out west. My question is what gram thinsulate are most guys running out there? 400, 800, or 1000 in a mountain hiking style boot.

 

[Danny Hoey]

I use uninsulated year around over here.

 

[Elkfitness]

I think it depends if you’re gonna be moving a lot, or just sitting. I wear Lowa tibets for late season and it’s been in the negatives on numerous occasions. I believe they are 200g insulation, but paired with gaiters for the snow, they are always fine. I grew up hunting Whitetails in the Midwest and would use pac boots back there, but not here.


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[LongWayAround]

I think it depends if you’re gonna be moving a lot, or just sitting. I wear Lowa tibets for late season and it’s been in the negatives on numerous occasions. I believe they are 200g insulation, but paired with gaiters for the snow, they are always fine. I grew up hunting Whitetails in the Midwest and would use pac boots back there, but not here.


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Regular Tibets are uninsulated, the insulated Tibets are 400 gram Primaloft, and the taller Evo are 200 gram.

I'm a big fan of the insulated Tibets, but they do warm up if you're hiking hard or active above 20°.

OP, most on here will say uninsulated and change your socks. I'm of the mind that it depends, I think 200 grams is about right for an active mountain boot.

 

[dgfavor]

Ditto uninsulated.

 

[PathFinder]

Uninsulated full leather, and drown them in Snowseal until they won't absorb any more.
Wearing down pants and booties will keep them warm while glassing.

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[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Uninsulated as well. Usually with a synthetic liner sock and merino over sock. Keep a dry thick merino pair in the pack.

 

[DangerRanger]

I just got back from Colorado 4th season

I wore vivo forest trackers uninsulated with thermal insole, a cool max liner sock and merino fluffy socks over the liner.

I was good to go down to mid 20s moving slowly and glassing. Had it been teens glassing or lower I would have wanted either something lightly insulated or down booties… moving would be fine

My feet get cold easy

 

[butcherboy]

I wouldn’t go more than 200g if you are going to be moving a lot. You don’t want your feet to sweat then stop for long periods glassing. Most of us will use uninsulated and wear a thicker sock with a backup pair in your pack. Booties over the boots for long glassing sessions are a great idea. Always wear a good pair of gaiters. They will keep your pants dry and the tops of your socks dry which will keep the whole sock dry as well.

 

[rogerdoger]

I go uninsulated unless it is in the low teens or below, that’s only if I will be sitting and have short hike in. When I do insulated and hike my feet sweat and are colder than if I went uninsulated. If it is cold and I am sitting puffy pants and if needed an extra puffy to wrap my feet. Or I bring the toe warmers, but they suck if you got to move quick after an animal and don’t have time to take them out.