Is there such thing as a good/inexpensive pac boot?

[Megastink]

My Muck Woodymax aren’t cutting it for sub freezing temps in the stand. Even with foot warmers, they just aren’t enough. I started looking at pac boots from Schnee, but $400 is a LOT of money. Then I started seeing all the Amazon boots.

I got a pair of cheap Hi Tech uninsulated hiking boots off Amazon that I wear early season. They were about $60 and on their fifth season. Very good for the money. Does such a pac boots exist? I’d like to find something lightweight, heavy insulated, at least 10” high, maybe 13”. For under $200 if possible.

I’d love to hear from you all. Thank you!

 

[Steve300xcw]

End of the year clearance sales are when you buy boots IMO. Amazing how much they knock off of them

 

[Megastink]

End of the year clearance sales are when you buy boots IMO. Amazing how much they knock off of them

Let me know if you see any good sales, please.

 

[Stumpy208]

If you're able to up your budget some you can get some hoffman pacs. I'm impressed with mine and I'm pretty sure they're a sponsor here too so might be able to get a discount code.

 

[esorekim05]

Bunny boots are some of the warmest most bomb proof boots there are.

I personally (bowhunt eastern ND through January) wear sorels which can often be found
Someday I dream of owning a pair of steger mukluks.

But often cold feet isn’t due to your boots.

Other pro tips:
1.) dry feet - I put antiperspirant on my feet (degree 24hr). Depending on length of walk into the stand, you may need to hike in your uninsulateds but usually I’m OK with just putting boots on at truck.
2.) large enough for air space, beware wearing two socks often hurts more than helps. One medium to heavy weight sock with adequate toe room is the best in my experience.
3.) double down on core / body warmth as it helps your circulation and thus feet warmth. Vest and bibs are key. Also something on your neck. Be sure one layer cuts wind.
4.) if you’re hunting from the ground try to get feet off the ground (think sleeping pad). Pine bows, mat, etc. similarly many swear by adding wool or other insoles (depending on your boot) but I haven’t tried this.
5.) boot blankets: I have a cheap pair that are warm but bulky. Put them on in the stand and they make a big difference. I usually only use these when temp (not wc) is sub zero F and sitting more than a few hours.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I got a couple of pairs of military surplus boots for under a $100. I used the more expensive pair for all my late season still hunting this year. With a pair of milsurp gortex pants over them, they performed very well in snow. They are heavy, but very comfortable and warm. I normally wear a 12.5. These worked great with a compression sock underneath a heavy wool sock. I haven’t tried the other pair out yet, but even adding a couple of extra pairs of removable liners kept them in a very affordable price range (added $13.98!).

As with most things in the hunting world, you make tradeoffs in weight and effectiveness. If you want lightweight and highly effective, it costs a lot more. But, when it comes to comparing these with any sort of pac boot, which are generally pretty heavy, I’ll take these boots.

 

[BluMtn]

About 10 years ago I was in Bozeman and the family was going through these "second hand" stores and I was wondering around in the back of the store where they had alot of older western saddles, bridles, bits and stuff. There was also a rack of used cowboy boots and hiking boots. On the end of one of the racks was a brand new pair of White's pac's that was in my size (14) for $25.00. I about tore the pocket off my pants getting my wallet out.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I'm fascinated by how cheap you folks are. By the best, pay the money and know they will be with for a long time. I have a pair of whites pacs that I have had for nearly 30 years (felt liners). The weakness is on the rubber just below the laces on the outside. I put a 1x2" patch in that area with barge cement to restrict the bending/folding. It has extended the life to nearly forever. I have them in corks and have a pair of hoffmans with corks in the arch. The corks limit the potential for a ride down the hill on a lodgepole.

 

[Megastink]

I'm fascinated by how cheap you folks are.

If I had any feelings left, they’d be hurt.

 

[Shraggs]

My Muck Woodymax aren’t cutting it for sub freezing temps in the stand. Even with foot warmers, they just aren’t enough. I started looking at pac boots from Schnee, but $400 is a LOT of money. Then I started seeing all the Amazon boots.

I got a pair of cheap Hi Tech uninsulated hiking boots off Amazon that I wear early season. They were about $60 and on their fifth season. Very good for the money. Does such a pac boots exist? I’d like to find something lightweight, heavy insulated, at least 10” high, maybe 13”. For under $200 if possible.

I’d love to hear from you all. Thank you!

Less money but still not cheap are Baffin. A lot of styles but pretty darn good packs. Also the cabelas trans Alaskan is a very warm pack.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Speaking from a Colorado perspective where it can be sub zero degrees starting out in the morning, not just sub freezing, a pair of Sorel's with toe warmers are the bomb.

When talking about hunting in the stand, I assume you're talking tree stand and no movement? How far are you walking to the stand? Weight shouldn't be an issue. If it is wear a lighter pair to hike in and put the heavier ones on while you sit.

 

[Terrapin]

My grandma bought me Sorel’s in 1988 for $89… that’s about 30 years of N Idaho hunting and several years of Northern Minnesota ice fishing & flooding rinks.

They’ve had a tough life & the seams are starting to rip & the rubber is deteriorating.

Last year I bought a new pair for $84.99, we’ll see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BRTreedogs]

How can something be heavily insulated and light weight?
A lot of insulation weighs more.

 

[Mberline]

Another vote for Hoffman pacs out of Idaho. Great selection of different soles. Plus they just rebuilt a pair of Whites pac boots for me as well. Dropped them off in the morning and they were ready to pickup the next afternoon. I believe Hoffmans has a discount code in the sponsor discount thread.

 

[Megastink]

Speaking from a Colorado perspective where it can be sub zero degrees starting out in the morning, not just sub freezing, a pair of Sorel's with toe warmers are the bomb.

When talking about hunting in the stand, I assume you're talking tree stand and no movement? How far are you walking to the stand? Weight shouldn't be an issue. If it is wear a lighter pair to hike in and put the heavier ones on while you sit.

Which model do you recommend?

 

[35WhelenAI]

I have an older Caribou model. They keep my feet warm in any weather I have hunted or needed to stay warm in. Especially good for sedentary or low activity. With that said I've hiked miles and miles in snow when it's cold and deep and it's just part of what I have to do to be out there and keep the feet warm.

They gone up in price so they don't quite fit under your $200 threshold.

There is a really good Hoffman boot following here in this thread. I would take a look at those as well, I just know the Sorels keep me warm no matter what. If the Hoffman's are capable of that they are a good option from what I'm seeing.

 

[Legend]

My Muck Woodymax aren’t cutting it for sub freezing temps in the stand. Even with foot warmers, they just aren’t enough. I started looking at pac boots from Schnee, but $400 is a LOT of money. Then I started seeing all the Amazon boots.

I got a pair of cheap Hi Tech uninsulated hiking boots off Amazon that I wear early season. They were about $60 and on their fifth season. Very good for the money. Does such a pac boots exist? I’d like to find something lightweight, heavy insulated, at least 10” high, maybe 13”. For under $200 if possible.

I’d love to hear from you all. Thank you!

Most "pac" boots by design are not very warm. Any boot that uses a thicker dense rubber on the lower half will be cold. Dense rubber is a terrible insulator. I have had a pair of schnees pac boots for almost 30 years. Great boot but they are not warm.

 

[Seeknelk]

If it's cold and dry, even insanely cold. Mukluks can't be beat for warmth and lightweight. The traction does suck tho. Not for use in real mountains.
Heavy and cheaper is bunny boots. The white ones if you can find em

 

[S-3 ranch]

Lots of sub $130 PAC boots are on the internet that work great in a hunting blind situation, even though I’m in Texas and don’t use them often I still have a pair of SOREL PAC because brand loyalty ( I used them in Alaska when up there)
SOREL are expensive and heavy but nice and comfortable when worn with good alpaca socks to wick away sweat ( a good idea for any kind of winter boots)

 

[Predator_SD]

My grandma bought me Sorel’s in 1988 for $89… that’s about 30 years of N Idaho hunting and several years of Northern Minnesota ice fishing & flooding rinks.

They’ve had a tough life & the seams are starting to rip & the rubber is deteriorating.

Last year I bought a new pair for $84.99, we’ll see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sadly, Sorels aren’t what they used to be. The new ones aren’t nearly as well built as those ones from the 80s.

I see gucci women walking around Chicago in them now. So why worry about durability when fashion is more important.