Let's talk insulated boots

[Jon_G]

Just got some insulated boots and I have some concerns. My feet run cold but I have always been under the assumption that if my feet hot because of the insulation, that my feet will actually become even more cold because of the sweat. Am I completely lost and wrong on the subject? Haha

Do you guys usually just buy thicker socks or is that even worse? I will only use them when it's cold out so maybe I don't even have to worry. What are your thoughts? Have you had issues with insulated boots that you didn't see coming?

For reference, I got some Crispi Guides with their 200g of insulation.

 

[Schmoops]

My feet sweat no matter what I’m wearing, so to me the moisture management is kind of a lost cause. Wool socks are the move, of course, and I’m very happy with my Darn Tough boot socks. I’ve had folks recommend a liner sock under the regular one, I haven’t given it a whirl yet though. I digress.

I find my insulated boots much more comfortable than my non-insulated. Blisters have always been an issue for me, and I don’t get them nearly as bad when I’m wearing the warm boots. Keep in mind, sitting and glassing/not moving in general, your feet will get cold, that’s just a given. But moving, and it’s much much more comfortable with insulated boots.

I don’t know if that directly answered your question, and I hope some of it is helpful!

 

[MTtrout]

My feet run cold too. I still use uninsulated boots with normal hiking socks in fridged temps. If I’m more stationary like ice fishing or sitting in a blind is when I go with the insulated pack boots. Check out the insulated Kenetrek mountain extremes, they had my eye for years. I think they would be a good compromise.

 

[ianpadron]

I made a drastic change to my footwear approach this season after reading up a bunch on the subject, and have definitely seen the light.

I see no reason to ever change from the following setup:

Uninsulated, non membrane leather boots.

Yak, camel, or bison wool socks.

Gaiters.

Your choice of puffy/insulated boot covers for glassing intensive hunts. I use Icebreakers; they are comically gigantic, but I hunt late into November, often from one glassing perch all day with minimal movement after hiking in, and they are worth it.

 

[livingandlearning]

I made a drastic change to my footwear approach this season after reading up a bunch on the subject, and have definitely seen the light.

I see no reason to ever change from the following setup:

Uninsulated, non membrane leather boots.

Yak, camel, or bison wool socks.

Gaiters.

Your choice of puffy/insulated boot covers for glassing intensive hunts. I use Icebreakers; they are comically gigantic, but I hunt late into November, often from one glassing perch all day with minimal movement after hiking in, and they are worth it.

I’ve been considering the same. Specifically, which boots are you using?

 

[chancey]

Sweat Block wipes work great for managing sweaty feet. I use them even if it’s not cold to keep feet dry. Wet feet when it’s cold sucks because your feet get cold. Wet feet when it’s hot sucks because it’s easier to get a blister.

 

[ianpadron]

I’ve been considering the same. Specifically, which boots are you using?

Vivobarefoot Forest Trackers, love em.

 

[NMNomad]

I picked up a pair of Crispi Shimek. They are still in the box, waiting to be tested when the cold weather sets in. I am going to run the Lapponia Lites until its frigid. We will see how she goes. I don't run anything heavier than a midweight sock because I like my boots to be fitted and not too big.

 

[Choupique]

Uninsulated boots, wool socks, good core temp management have served me well on cold hunts. Insulated boots are for short walks and long sits IMO.

As long as you core temp and circulation are good, your feet not exposed, they shouldnt get very cold

 

[Jon_G]

My feet sweat no matter what I’m wearing, so to me the moisture management is kind of a lost cause. Wool socks are the move, of course, and I’m very happy with my Darn Tough boot socks. I’ve had folks recommend a liner sock under the regular one, I haven’t given it a whirl yet though. I digress.

I find my insulated boots much more comfortable than my non-insulated. Blisters have always been an issue for me, and I don’t get them nearly as bad when I’m wearing the warm boots. Keep in mind, sitting and glassing/not moving in general, your feet will get cold, that’s just a given. But moving, and it’s much much more comfortable with insulated boots.

I don’t know if that directly answered your question, and I hope some of it is helpful!

I feel like I'm the one the typed this up I too get sweaty feet as well as blisters. I wear those sticky blister pads on the back of my heel on my right foot, and two under my feet on my left foot lol. That's where I get blisters on each foot for some odd reason. I've tried different boots and they all give me a blister in the same places. I almost think it has to do with the way I walk lol.

I almost never stand still I walk a lot so hopefully these boots don't work out for me. I won't know until I try lol

 

[Ranger619]

I have the same problem with my feet sweating and getting cold. I now I only use an uninsulated hiking boot like Scarpa Kinesis Pro instead of a taller boot to keep from sweating as much. I feel the shorter boot is a little quicker to dry at night. I pull the insole at night too. I also use Certain Dri roll on deodorant at the beginning of the hunt. It needs to be the one with aluminum chloride in it. This helps stop some of the sweating. I will use gators some depending on conditions. I carry Arctic Shield boot insulators when sitting. The Arctic Shield also double as a handy angled spotting scope cover. This system along with good wool socks has worked as well as anything for me.

 

[RockAndSage]

The two things I can add are to make sure your boots aren't laced too tight, and to wear a warm hat (especially when still).

The lacing thing is about not collapsing the miniature air pockets in warm socks and insulation that are what are actually trapping the heat, and to ensure your circulation is good. Depending on the hunt, I might have to tighten things down to prevent blisters, but I'll loosen the laces during glassing to get that loft and circulation back up.

The thing about the hat, is we lose a ton of heat from our heads - if our body senses we're losing too much heat, it starts pulling back blood from feet and hands first. So, "If your feet are cold, put a hat on."

Also, you probably don't need to hear it, but make sure you're layering and to do whatever you can not to break a sweat on the way into wherever you're going to be stationary next - just remove and add multiple lighter or midweight layers as needed. It's the sweat that'll cause chills, and get your feet and hands cold quickly.

 

[Jon_G]

The two things I can add are to make sure your boots aren't laced too tight, and to wear a warm hat (especially when still).

The lacing thing is about not collapsing the miniature air pockets in warm socks and insulation that are what are actually trapping the heat, and to ensure your circulation is good. Depending on the hunt, I might have to tighten things down to prevent blisters, but I'll loosen the laces during glassing to get that loft and circulation back up.

The thing about the hat, is we lose a ton of heat from our heads - if our body senses we're losing too much heat, it starts pulling back blood from feet and hands first. So, "If your feet are cold, put a hat on."

Also, you probably don't need to hear it, but make sure you're layering and to do whatever you can not to break a sweat on the way into wherever you're going to be stationary next - just remove and add multiple lighter or midweight layers as needed. It's the sweat that'll cause chills, and get your feet and hands cold quickly.

Great read here.

I don't usually do enough to keep my head warm to be honest, and I had read that your feet and hands get cold for the reasons you specified. My hands and feet are always freezing. I hate beanies lol but it's going to have to be incorporated into an essential part of my gear.

I can sometimes swear I hear a branch break somewhere and I take off my beanie or hoody off my head make sure I'm not hearing things and that's why I can't wear one lol
But that has to be something that I get used to not doing.

 

[moewells100]

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole and experimented a bit. I actually prefer uninsulated, with wool socks. Then add gaiters, heated socks, or over boots as needed. If stationary with over boots, throw in some hand warmers for ultimate comfort

Also, ensure you don’t lace up too tight as that will cut off blood flow to feet and make you colder.

 

[Jon_G]

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole and experimented a bit. I actually prefer uninsulated, with wool socks. Then add gaiters, heated socks, or over boots as needed. If stationary with over boots, throw in some hand warmers for ultimate comfort

Also, ensure you don’t lace up too tight as that will cut off blood flow to feet and make you colder.

You're not the first to tell me about the lacing thing and Idk why I never thought about that. I do lace up pretty tight because in my head, it prevents rolling my ankles lol.

I have tried wool socks and I do better but not by much really. Another thing that I need to get are some gaiters. I'm only in my second season of hunting, and the couple places we've been to don't have super high grass that can get my feet wet but there are a few spots where I can see my benefiting from some gaiters. But I do think the gaiters will keep my legs warmer from the cold air, and therefore my feet may feel the difference. We'll see.

I may not use the boots until I try other methods, that way I can sell the boots if I don't end up needing them. I can't return them because I bought them from someone. At the price I got them I couldn't pass them up lol. But I do lean towards doing other things to keep my feet warm with uninsulated boots.

 

[minas stiris]

Muck Woody Max