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

[35WhelenAI]

I'll second the good pair of Merino or alpaca socks. Most folks go with thick socks that make it really snug in the boot. You want a pair of socks that are not too snug. Otherwise, there isn't insulating effect with everything tight in the boot. Think of sleeping bags with loft versus no loft. You need some air space for the heat to get trapped in for lack of a different way to describe it.

 

[S-3 ranch]

I'll second the good pair of Merino or alpaca socks. Most folks go with thick socks that make it really snug in the boot. You want a pair of socks that ar not too snug. Otherwise, there isn't insulating effect with everything tight in the boot. Think of sleeping bags with loft versus no loft. You need some air space for the heat to get trapped in for lack of a different way to describe it.

My best friend has a sock problem, he wears cheap cotton socks 365 days a year , and suffers terribly, I bought him some nice alpaca socks for every day use, but he doesn’t even try them , and doesn’t understand why I have comfortable feet in both summer and winter,
Yes good socks are a good idea, even DARNTough are better then cotton

 

[Grassymike]

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.

Sorel are no longer what they were because they got bought out. Used to be made /designed in Canada now they are from overseas somewhere. I have one good pair left.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Just go to the farm store and buy a set of the rubber over boots and put them over the boots you have

 

[35WhelenAI]

Rubber over boots don't breathe, that traps moisture and defeats the purpose of a warm pair of boots, IMO.

 

[bigsky_hunter]

Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Mukluks

Hero Outdoors is your one-stop army surplus online store in Canada. We offer one of the largest selections of military surplus products, gear and equipment.

www.herooutdoors.com

I’ve worn these in Saskatchewan hunting/ice fishing the last 20 years. Room for feet to breathe, can adjust laces for tightness, not as heavy as alternatives, removable wool liner, water resistant, but breathable fabric, flexible upper for easier hiking.

Downside is they don’t have great traction and minimal ankle support. Can buy them new for a couple hundred or surplus for under 100

 

[BRTreedogs]

Rubber over boots don't breathe, that traps moisture and defeats the purpose of a warm pair of boots, IMO.

Yeah
But he wants them to be cheap,
Something has to give.
He wants, cheap, lightweight and super warm.

That’s an imaginary fairy tail.

 

[Pony Soldier]

In addition to warmth, an important consideration is lateral strength. In the latter 70s, I changed from rubber boots to sorels. They were warm but on 30-40 degree slopes, I was walking on the side of my boots - not the bottoms. Shortly there after I got pacs with felt liners. That gave me warmth and enough rigitity to sidehill. After that came caulked boots that all my logging hunting partners wore. All of a sudden I wasn't falling all day long. Beargrass was a slip and slide event with a few inches of wet snow.

The next choices were insulation levels and snow type. Airbobs are largely wet snow. Leathers are dry ground. Thinsolite is early season with snow or rain. Felt liners and insoles are later in the season with cold temps and deep snow. Extra liners are handy if your feet sweat and you need to dry them out.

Just a few thoughts from a career western steep ground hunter in snowbelts.

 

[Marbles]

Consider 40 Below over boots.

Overboots | Forty Below® Ltd

Forty Below® Overboots™ are insulated boot covers trusted for decades to help keep your feet warm—perfect for snowshoeing, mountain climbing, and skiing in the coldest places around the world.

www.40below.com

Still not cheap, but more flexibility and less than $400.

But, keep the rest of you warm and your feet will be warmer. Also, insulate your legs well.

Don't have your buts fitting tight, adding too many layers of socks will decrease circulation and make the problem worse.