Warming Uninsulated Boots

[Rucker61]

My only pair of boots right now are a pair of Kenetrek Hardscrabbles, and I'm concerned that I may get cold toes during first rifle season in Colorado. What are some precautions or methods to use to prevent cold toes? I'll be hiking in three or four miles, so new boots at this juncture aren't the primary solution.

 

[bowinhand]

A good wool sock like darn tough mid weight sock should be ok, if your stopping and glassing for extended periods you can loosen the boots up. Have a 2nd pair of socks so you can change into a dry pair, also look into a pair of low gaiters.

 

[Ruskin]

I was given a pair of the feet warmers. They didn't add a lot of heat, but they kept the chill off my toes and I didn't have a problem hiking.

 

[Brent1321]

My feet would likely freeze in uninsulated boots during the CO rifle season! Hell, my feet got cold this past weekend while closing out the archery season. Temps were upper teens, cold as crap on the feet for last weekend in September. Good luck with yours boots, but think your answer is insulated boots.

Brent

 

[huntography]

Walking you should be fine with sine good wool socks.

Sitting, take a look at the arctic shield boot covers.

Those have worked for me for years in zero degree temps.

I'll be bring them with he as I film done Kate season Colorado rifle elk hunters.

Good luck.

Rudy

 

[larryschwartz]

The key to keeping away the cold is to keep your feet dry and keep the blood flowing.

Keeping them dry can be done by changing into a dry pair of socks when you get to where you are going (as long as your boots stay dry), putting anti-perspirant (not deodorant) on the soles of your feet to keep them from sweating, or using a sock liner to wick away moisture to an outer sock.

Keeping the blood flowing (good circulation) will keep warm blood moving to all parts of your feet which will help keep them warm. While walking it won't be a problem, but once you stop you can flex your feet, wiggle your toes, or do knee bends to keep the blood moving in your lower extremities.

Standing on a piece of closed cell foam, like from a sleeping pad, will also help insulate your feet from the ground. The boot shields mentioned above will also help, as will putting your feet into a sleeping bag or wrapping them in a poncho liner, all of which will add a layer of thermal insulation around your tootsies.

 

[JNDEER]

The key to keeping away the cold is to keep your feet dry and keep the blood flowing.

x2.

 

[Wrongside]

Larry is so right. Along those same lines, I've found that adding a extra pair of socks, in some boots, can actually make them colder. Just by limiting circulation.

Personally, if it's cold but I'm still moving, I like the insulated gaiters from Wildlines. If not mobile, then there are a few decent options for over-boots.

 

[larryschwartz]

Larry is so right. Along those same lines, I've found that adding a extra pair of socks, in some boots, can actually make them colder. Just by limiting circulation.

Personally, if it's cold but I'm still moving, I like the insulated gaiters from Wildlines. If not mobile, then there are a few decent options for over-boots.

Wrongside, great point, I forgot that having your boots too tight, for whatever reason, can cut down on your circulation. I normally buy winter gloves a size larger than expected for the very same reason, a Large fits fine but the XL is much warmer due to the extra air being warmed and the improved circulation.

 

[Rucker61]

Thanks for all of the input. My current plan, without trying to get into new boots a week before heading out, is: Smartwool merino liners under Darn Tough boot socks, Hardscrabbles, Sitka Stormfront gaiters, and wrapping a Kifaru Woobie around my legs/feet once I stop to glass. I also have some Grabber toe warmers to toss in the toe box if my feet still get cold.

Does anyone have any experience with the Cabelas 6 Point 600 gram boots? I managed to catch some on closeout for $9.88 yesterday, but they won't be here until I'm gone. Seems like a good boot just for banging around locally, birding and late season antelope hunting in Wyoming.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Grabber toe warmers work great, I use em when I go to bed. Great for those rare times when the tootsies get numb.