Mid Michigan Whitetail Boots (Raynauds)

[Dshall]

Hi All,

I am in the market for new boot(s) (possibly more than one pair to stretch the season) as I made some poor uneducated choices last year saddle hunting for the first time.

I have a disorder called Raynauds and I thought I needed 2000gr insulated boots so I bought them. I freaking froze everyday and had to leave after a few hours to reset my feet which sucks because I prefer to sit out all day. I even had some mid day action I missed which was a bummer. What also sucked was climbing up the tree with bricks on my feet and felt like my foot was gonna slip off the stick.

That being said I am doing some research and it appears that I need the opposite, people are saying to get LESS insulation and a more breathable boot.

Now the big question is what does everyone recommend for insulation, brand, etc. for saddle hunting? I am in northern lower peninsula so I have absolutely no clue what to buy or go. I have seen the comments on crispis, kenetrek, zamberlan, etc. and while I am sure they are great boots, I think I'd rather spend my money on two pairs for early and late season with flexibility than one boot.

The other thing is that I am not sure what insulation I should get for ME... with Raynauds I feel I need *some* form insulation and I am absolutely mind blown that people go past Mid November with uninsulated boots for stand hunting.

Maybe a 400gr boot with a light or mid merino sock for october to mid november (with some external heat) should be good with looking at a 1000gr insulated (MAX) boot for mid november to january should be good?

I have no clue without spending a bazillion dollars on boots to find what could work.

Looking for help! Thank you!

 

[LongWayAround]

I'm thinking you should get some heated socks.

My only insulated boot is the 400gr Lowa Tibet. They're very warm and very comfortable for me, might be worth a look.

 

[Brewski]

I get cold feet and heated socks and vest are a game changer. The Costco 32 degrees heated socks have lasted me 2 seasons so far.

 

[Bugger]

Raynauds is the bane of late season stand hunting. It takes a ton of insulation to keep it at bay so for saddle hunting you’re kind of limited. Your best bet is some mid-weight hiking boots with heated socks and then cover them up with arctic shield boot covers up in the tree.
What are you using for your hands?

 

[Dshall]

Raynauds is the bane of late season stand hunting. It takes a ton of insulation to keep it at bay so for saddle hunting you’re kind of limited. Your best bet is some mid-weight hiking boots with heated socks and then cover them up with arctic shield boot covers up in the tree.
What are you using for your hands?

I pretty much try to not touch my phone and keep my hands in my marsupial pouch with a 2-3 hand warmers. I only will take out my hands if a deer I want to take is walking to be within range.

Feet and hands are my weakest link, but its my feet that the worst. I found and am interested in the Kenetrek elevated extremes but they are 1000g, but I am not sure if that is too much. People on FB are still telling me to get uninsulated which I just can't justify because I don't think they understand what it is and how it affects my hands/feet.

 

[isItFallYet]

The new Sitka goretex boots are great! They’re not too big to use in a tree. I used them last fall in Wisconsin and my feet never got cold.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

If you go the heated sock route, don't buy the el-cheapos from Costco. They plain sucked.

 

[Dshall]

I have tried heated socks before but my biggest issue is they don't fit. I'm a bodybuilder but I have naturally large calves in general.

One pair I tried ripped so I couldn't return them and the other pairs barely fit so I returned them in fear of ripping them.

Plus the heated cables put a lot of constriction on my calves and I was worried about longevity of the wires.

My walk is also 600yds to the stand if that helps on insulation selection.

 

[Speaks]

I have raynauds though really more of a hand issue than foot for me, but can do both.

Vivo tundras are what I used last deer season in WI and then ice fishing in MN as well as most other winter activities that were not super active. It was the most comfortable I have been in years.

 

[Dshall]

I have raynauds though really more of a hand issue than foot for me, but can do both.

Vivo tundras are what I used last deer season in WI and then ice fishing in MN as well as most other winter activities that were not super active. It was the most comfortable I have been in years.

Oh don't get me wrong its a hand issue, but its "manageable" as long as I don't touch my phone or have my hands out in the open when its below freezing.

My feet get bad when they are numb from cold sweat and can't feel them. Eventually when I meander my way back to the truck and my hands/feet feel like someone is pouring boiling water on them is the worst feeling.

I absolutely hate it but I'll never give up that feeling of chasing bucks.

 

[Bugger]

Oh don't get me wrong its a hand issue, but its "manageable" as long as I don't touch my phone or have my hands out in the open when its below freezing.

My feet get bad when they are numb from cold sweat and can't feel them. Eventually when I meander my way back to the truck and my hands/feet feel like someone is pouring boiling water on them is the worst feeling.

I absolutely hate it but I'll never give up that feeling of chasing bucks.

Same.
I haven’t found any good electric hand warmers that produce enough heat to be worth a crap. I bring in boiled water in a hydroflask and pour it into a thick plastic bottle to put in the hand muff. Cover the bottle in a sock so it doesn’t burn ya. It stays summer-time warm in there for hours and then you can refill the water after it cools off. That amount of heat lets you actually use your hands exposed and completely rewarm them in a couple minutes.

 

[KenLee]

Raynauds is the bane of late season stand hunting. It takes a ton of insulation to keep it at bay so for saddle hunting you’re kind of limited. Your best bet is some mid-weight hiking boots with heated socks and then cover them up with arctic shield boot covers up in the tree.
What are you using for your hands?

Came here to say same. Try dealing with gout and Raynauds at the same time. Damn a saddle. I build boxes. Not being completely miserable for a dern deer anymore. Killed over a thousand already.
Warm up, cover up, block the wind and carry a buddy heater if you need it.