Overboots, Overshoes for extra warmth?

[MAT]

I'm going to be chasing Coues deer in southern AZ in January. Despite the warm daytime temps it can get quite cold in the morning especially when not moving (I do a lot of stand hunting since I shoot a trad bow). The problem is it gets warm pretty quick, too warm for insulated boots later in the day, plus I don't have much room to pack any so I wear regular hiking boots with good wool socks but my feet still get cold. I came across the idea of overboots, not just the cheap boot blankets but some have soles and are made for walking. Anyone have experience with these? Wiggys makes a nice looking pair but kinda spendy. Neos overshoes seems to be highly regarded and there are the climbing models.

This also got me thinking. I love my new Kenetrek packs, much better for walking than heavier LaCrosse Iceman but not as warm when sitting, maybe the solution are these too? How warm are these really?

Overboots

NEOS Villager Overshoe - VIS1

40 Below Camp Booties - 40 Below

 

[mtwarden]

I have the 40 Below Light Energy overshoes- they are made to go over trail runners for snowshoes- they work great for that in cold temps- these aren't made for walking on their own (short distances probably OK)

I started a thread on over booties for glassing in cold temps- my thought was some relatively durable rips stop (so they can go over boots with harming the bootie), Climashield Apex insulation and a ccf insole- not made for walking, but something that is relatively light, warm and low volume- easy on/off- still think this would be well received by the hunting community

I emailed Enlightened Equipment as they already make a camp bootie, wouldn't be much of a stretch to get some sturdier material and oversize them to get over a boot. If more folks emailed them, they would be more likely to investigate this

 

[LBFowler]

The 40 below camp booties are not overshoes and certainly not made for walking. They are actually made by Wiggies and are the same as his booties just with the added webbing and insole (I added similar to my Wiggies booties, and it is a huge improvement). They are great for what they are but I don't think they will work for what you want.

the overboots and NEOs you linked should both work fairly well for what you want, but just remember how much thermal mass a boot has, sticking a cold boot into an overboot will take a long time to make any difference, but if you can start with warm feet and warm boots the overshoes should go a long ways toward keeping them that way.

40 below does have several overboot options, but I don't think many are really made for just static use. Also keep in mind that if you have insulated pack boots you might need to size up for overshoes, as they are probably sized for ordinary hiking boots and shoes.

I recently picked up a pair of surplus New Balance overshoes, they are pretty lightly insulated but they do make a noticeable difference in snow, having a whole extra layer underfoot makes a big difference, and just trapping more air around the boot certainly helps:

 

[MAT]

The Wiggys overboot in the first link I posted look like they are made for walking. But me thinks you only need an overboot when you are not walking, as that's when the feet get cold. These are the cheaper option.

So no one has seen the Wiggys overboot? There are no reviews either.

 

[LBFowler]

Correct, the first overboot you linked would likely work pretty well. I can't tell what sole it has on it, but the Wiggy's insulation is tough and low maintenance, which is what the doctor ordered as far as feet are concerned.

 

[aaron600rr]

I'm pretty new to the concept of an over boot. When is an over boot really needed? Sitting and gassing, hanging around camp?

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[mtwarden]

I've used them for winter camping around camp (down bootie in a light shell); for hunting- glassing in cold weather they would be very welcome

some of them are actually made for walking (over your existing boot)- I haven't used these, but have used a somewhat similar one that goes over trail runners in cold weather for snowshoeing

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I've only used them when I'm running crampons, but outdoor research and 40 below both make nice ones.

 

[akrdkill]

Amazon.com : Onyx-Arctic Shield-X-System Men's Arcticshield Boot Insulators (Real Tree) : Camouflage Hunting Apparel : Sports & Outdoors

you might look into the arctic shield insulators

 

[tttoadman]

This may be too late for you, but I used the NEOS overboots for elk hunting 2 years ago with my non-insulated boots. I thought we would be making a few stream crossings, and I didn't have the money for a new pair of insulated boots, so it seemed like a win win. They made the difference for me. I was able to hunt in some pretty nasty weather that would have froze my feet normally. I wore them all day hunting a few times.

 

[Dameon]

I just got myself DayOne Creepers insulated over boots for Christmas. I wanted to try them in a treestand, but it is way to warm here in MO for that. I think these will be the ticket for still hunting though since they come with wool soles for quiet stalking.

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[mtwarden]

any idea what the Day One's are insulated with? those look close to what I was looking for- didn't see what they were insulated with on their site

 

[Dameon]

I think it is 200 grams of thinsulate like their hand-warming muff. I wear a size 10.5 and the large is a tight squeeze with just enough room up front for a toe warmer. I don't wear PAC boots, but if you do, order a size up. Also, the sole cushion is literally berber carpet sewn in to the bottom. It looks kind of cheap at first until you try it on. It really adds cushioning to the bottom of your feet for sneaking up on game like a ninja and it should be really durable, but it makes slipping them on slower than what I wanted since the berber really grabs onto the tread of my boots. I wanted them for keeping my feet warm in stand and for stalking game and they will serve those purposes well.


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[Aries_Ranger]

+1 for the New Balance (Got off of Ebay)

4 Days in temperature between 5 and 15 F. A lot of static sitting, and some walking.

First year my feet have been warm with no complaints.

Asolo Uninsulated Hiking Boots worn inside.