Boot Warmth: Sweat while hiking or cold while sitting?

[J.flanagan]

I used a set of Danner VItals 400g in CO last year. Our weather was 15-35 and wet. The boots got wet each day and I want to switch to something different and a bit more water proof. I've tried on the Kenetrek Mt Extremes and found a size that works well for me. I'm just not sure if I want to do uninsulated or 400g.

I'm pretty sure my feet will sweat when moving with 400g. But I'll be cold while sitting still with no insulation.


So, what is everyone's opinion and reasoning?

Sweaty feet and swap socks when I stop moving or no insulation and figure out how to keep my feet warm while sitting?

 

[Forestryguy]

Personally. Non insulated boots. Switch socks regularly and use boot blankets when sitting.

 

[eamyrick]

It seems counter intuitive but insulated boots make you colder on active hunts. Did Colorado last year and 8 nights in Alaska in August in Crispi Lapponias. It got down to -9 in CO. Fresh socks and a z rest under the feet makes all the difference.

I think there is a place for pack boots but not on the backcountry type hunts I’ve done.

 

[Mike 338]

I use uninsulated boots. In cold weather, I wear gaiters which seem to help. My feet may still get cold but I either deal with it or get up and move.

 

[arctichunting]

I use 400 g kenetreks year round just adjust socks as needed and never really had much of a problem


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[cmert]

Uninsulated! Even if you switch socks with insulated the inside of the boot is still wet so you're just putting dry socks on a wet boot. Merino liner socks (injinji toe socks are my favorite) and mid weight merino socks over that. If your feet still get cold, I hear that heated insoles are the way to go for stand hunting.

 

[LGND]

Uninsulated with insulation over the top while sitting still. Find this to work best even with whitetails in the midwest.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Personally. Non insulated boots. Switch socks regularly and use boot blankets when sitting.

This has been my strategy as well. Some handwarmers for when it gets COOLLDD

 

[justinspicher]

Non insulated mountaineering boots with thin socks for me. This has kept me from having sweaty feet so they don’t freeze when I’m done moving. I always carry a spare set of socks but rarely use them anymore. If the snow is really deep or it’s really wet, I’ll switch to my plastic boots.

For socks, I’ve been using darn tough ski boot socks as they are pretty thin but seem to still keep my feet warm.

 

[Forestryguy]

This has been my strategy as well. Some handwarmers for when it gets COOLLDD

I have given up on chemical foot warmers. I carry some for just in case, but I am switching to heated socks for sitting a long time.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I have given up on chemical foot warmers. I carry some for just in case, but I am switching to heated socks for sitting a long time.

I'm looking into heated insoles for next year.

The boot blankets/foam pad strategy worked very well in some cold weather this year but much colder and I think I'd have had issues.

 

[Hectocotylus]

Wet feet are cold feet. Last year I brought some puffy booties along and just took my boots off while glassing. I hate to pay the weight penalty but warm feet was glorious.


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[Archer2]

If you are a tree stand hunter get some electric heated socks and don’t turn them on until you get to your tree stand and just wear sock liners underneath them. Otherwise if your walking all day just go uninsulated and swap out your socks when they get wet.

 

[need4sneed]

I HIKE hunt a lot of northern country and found that uninsulated is the way to go until you get to about 19F(daily high) or below). Then I use a 12 year old pair of 800gr danners and keep back up socks (smartwool/darntough) in case I sweat them out (Love those boots).
With my uninsulated, I pair the weight of the sock with the temps outside - always thin sock until highs are sub 30F. I always have a massive pair of arctic wool socks with these for emergency also.
Tree stand/sitting in sub 20F, I found that you just wear hikers in and pack sorrels or something to sit, put em on when you’re setup.
There is no way around sweating your feet off in any weather with any heavy insulated boots. And I spend many nights ice fishing in sub 0 (sometimes -20), still sweat out heavy boots with any activity

 

[dribeerfeht]

Uninsulated mountain extremes...put boot blankets over them if sitting long and I have space for them in my pack

 

[Archer2]

For $35 the Amazon electric socks are worth a try!! I sat in 15 degree weather for 4 hours a couple weeks ago and my feet didn’t get cold wearing Crispi Lapponias (non-insulated). Turned them on medium and they lasted entire time. Just had the thin sock liners underneath.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Im planning on testing out some down booties that go over my boots and are actually filled with enough down to make a difference. My wife is going to sew them up for me.

Plan is to be able to use my Vivo Forest Tracker ESCs year round for all hunts/scouting trips, camping trips, etc.

 

[J.flanagan]

Wet feet are cold feet. Last year I brought some puffy booties along and just took my boots off while glassing. I hate to pay the weight penalty but warm feet was glorious.


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Can you link the puff boots?

 

[Hectocotylus]

Can you link the puff boots?

MEC Get Down Booties - Unisex | MEC

MEC Get Down Booties - Unisex: Lightweight, insulated booties are the perfect reward for hard-working feet.

www.mec.ca

These are out of Canada and are pretty heavy. But the sole lets me walk around while glassing and not have to put my boots on. They dry out quick after they get wet or walk through snow. I think more money would get me lighter results but it sure is comfy.


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