Insulated vs Un-insulated boots?

[123efd2]

Hey y'all,

Doing my first elk hunt in Idaho in the late october rifle season. Looking at getting the Zamberlan 1014 Lynx or the 1017 Smilodon. I would prefer to get the uninsulated 1014 so I can use it as my all around all season hunting boot but I am curious if you guys think it will be good enough to handle the late season temps. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated! Thanks.

Remington

 

[Brittereiser]

I hunted late September in ID last year. We were at about 7000ft and in some snow. For that hunt I was wearing un-insulated boots.
Unless you are walking most/all day, I'd probably error on side of insulated in late Oct in ID.

Less than 35-40 degrees, I am usually in 200-400 gram boots.

 

[JP100]

Do you normally have cold feet? feel the cold?

All depends, some guys dont ever wear insulated boots and some of us feel the cold alot.

 

[KurtR]

I use un insulated boots till about 10 I don’t get cold. Getting to hot is a bigger problem. 3 years of rifle hunting Idaho and I have never had cold feet

 

[Cat99899]

I prefer un-insulated boots, current ones are Danner Vitals. I hunt deer in MN in NOV, not sure how comparable it is to ID but it's usually below freezing, probably somewhere in the 20s on average. I invested in some good socks and bring an extra layer just in case my feet do start to get cold.

 

[Mike 338]

It's the fit and comfort that counts as well as the water resistance. I have a friend that uses his insulated boots in warmer weather just because his feet don't hurt in them. I'm using uninsulated during deer and elk. My feet are intermittently cold and not cold depending on what I'm doing at the time. I suspect with insulated boots it'll be the same. I've worn pac boots and my feet may be cold or not cold depending on whether I'm sitting or moving. Sopping wet feet are no bueno in which case an insulated boot may be an advantage.

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

I hunt in BC right up to Dec 20 in uninsulated boots. I just wear good wool socks. Typically as low as 14-15F with no issues. My feet run hot, so moisture management is my issue. If you're moving shouldn't be a big issue. If you're sitting around a lot, then yeah, maybe insulated is the way to go.

 

[mtwarden]

late November I’d say insulated, late October uninsulated

I generally hunt at least half of November in uninsulated boots; if the snow really piles up or the temps are below zero- then I break out the pacs

good, tall wool socks and gaiters combined with a quality uninsulated boot should get you by with no problem

 

[Hhardrockminer]

Just my .02, if you go with uninsulated boots just bring a couple of the hand warmer packets with you and slip them in the boots if your feet get cold,we do that when ice fishing at times or even hunting SD and Mont.