Minimalist winter footwear for backcountry hunting in low temps

[AlbertaFisher]

Hey all,

Been wearing barefoot shoes for a decade, but I’ve been having trouble finding an option for winter hunting. I live in Alberta where it can get down to -30C (-20F?) in November.
I’m trying to find a solution for good hunting footwear that will accommodate spot and stalk as well as sitting during glassing/stand hunting. I know there is no “ring to rule them all” but I’ve been toying with a few ideas after coming back from a back country spot and stalk whitetail hunt this last weekend…
I wear magnas (I don’t like ankle support even with heavy loads) and found my feet got quite cold while glassing. Little heat packs on my toes kinda helped but I still got cold toes (-5°C). I have a pair of neos navigator over boots and will be demoing those next hunt. But have any of you found a good solution, other than wearing heavy pack boots or similar?
Also just packing a pair of down booties for glassing and putting my shoes back on when I’m ready to move again.
Would appreciate any feedback.
Cheers

 

[yfarm]

Camuks Xtreme

Camuks were designed by Sportsmen. These are the first boots you‘ll brag about and the last kind you’ll ever need! We make the best hunting & ice-fishing boots in the world! Lightweight, Rubberized Foot, Superbly Warm, Shhh! Quiet!, MossyOak *Height from floor: Men's -17", Ladies-16" Materials...

mukluks.com

About as minimalist as you can get, if its really dry at your temps go with their moosehide model as it breathes better.

Arctic

Arctic Style Mukluks are designed for major expeditions. These and the Yukon Style are the two favorites of many world-class cold weather explorers. They have our signature aggressively treaded sole. Height From Floor: Men's - 17", Ladies' - 16" Canvas Color: Natural Leather Color: Maple -...

mukluks.com

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Vivo barefoot just came out with a winter boot. I think it looks interesting.

 

[Wrench]

Some overboots for your favorite shoes will do wonders when you need it and come off when you don't.

 

[Formidilosus]

Hey all,

Been wearing barefoot shoes for a decade, but I’ve been having trouble finding an option for winter hunting. I live in Alberta where it can get down to -30C (-20F?) in November.
I’m trying to find a solution for good hunting footwear that will accommodate spot and stalk as well as sitting during glassing/stand hunting. I know there is no “ring to rule them all” but I’ve been toying with a few ideas after coming back from a back country spot and stalk whitetail hunt this last weekend…
I wear magnas (I don’t like ankle support even with heavy loads) and found my feet got quite cold while glassing. Little heat packs on my toes kinda helped but I still got cold toes (-5°C). I have a pair of neos navigator over boots and will be demoing those next hunt. But have any of you found a good solution, other than wearing heavy pack boots or similar?
Also just packing a pair of down booties for glassing and putting my shoes back on when I’m ready to move again.
Would appreciate any feedback.
Cheers

The answer is the new Vivo Barefoot Tracker winter/arctic shoe.

 

[Luke S]

I like mukluks in Alaska but not for mountain hiking. I know a musher who really likes Neos overboots. Over barefoot shoes they might work.
But I still like normal shoes/boots if I can get away with them. So those Vivo Barefoot shoes look intriguing.

 

[carsonkeys]

A friend of mine that predator hunts all winter in interior Alaska swears by these goofy bastards

N-1B Snow/Extreme Cold Weather Mukluk Boots

The Extreme Cold Weather N-1B Mukluk Boots are made of a water and weather resistant cotton duck upper and a rubber sole with a cleated tread. They fasten up with both regular boot laces and a zipper running along the front of each boot.

www.mcguirearmynavy.com

 

[Dobermann]

The answer is the new Vivo Barefoot Tracker winter/arctic shoe.

For those who missed it earlier, Form means these ones:

Tundra ESC Mens

. Find out more.

www.vivobarefoot.com

 

[AlbertaFisher]

Thank you all for the fantastic information! I wasn’t aware that vivo addressed my needs. I will probably give a review on them after a season of use.

 

[ThunderJack49]

A friend of mine that predator hunts all winter in interior Alaska swears by these goofy bastards

N-1B Snow/Extreme Cold Weather Mukluk Boots

The Extreme Cold Weather N-1B Mukluk Boots are made of a water and weather resistant cotton duck upper and a rubber sole with a cleated tread. They fasten up with both regular boot laces and a zipper running along the front of each boot.

www.mcguirearmynavy.com

I have these. They don't suck and are fairly light.

 

[Luke S]

ThunderJack, are those boots zero drop style or do they have a tall heal (something I don't care for). They would appear to be a bit of a compromise between true mukluks and a boot. For the price they look cool.

 

[ThunderJack49]

ThunderJack, are those boots zero drop style or do they have a tall heal (something I don't care for). They would appear to be a bit of a compromise between true mukluks and a boot. For the price they look cool.

No, they have a raised heel and the toebox will feel compressed if you are used to wearing vivos. I wish it wasn't that way but when it's that cold, I guess you have to make compromises.