O.K., what's the deal with cold feet?!

S

So. Dak.

New member
I am in search of a pair of boots that will keep your feet warm when you're sitting still. I'm not sure anyone makes them. I can wear my upland boots that are 200 grams of thinsulate when it's minus 10 out as long as I'm walking. I have a pair of boots that are 2000 gram thinsulate and put me out by a hay bale waiting for a deer (like I was yesterday) with the temp at zero, and they are like blocks of ice within an hour or so. I had on a nice pair of Filson wool socks.

I'm not sure they make them but if you guys have discovered some kind of secret please let me in on it.

I think I got the glove thing figured out. Need a pair of those mittens where the mitten part pulls away and velcros back to your wrist, then you take one of those hand warmer deals and put it in the mitten part and close it back up.

Can't figure the feet thing out though. I've done the hand warmer thing in the boot and it just makes the feet sweat and then it's worse.
 
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I went with a larger boot with insulation and wear 2-3 pairs of Smartwool socks. When I wear something like the Sorels my feet sweat so much then they get cold.
If all else fails get some of the 'foot warmers' and put one in you boot, then you don't need big heavy boots.
I usually don't sit real long for coyote hunting so I don't have a problem with cold feet.
 
When it is 0 degrees and below, and I am sitting on a stand, it is in front of our wood stove watching a hunting video and the temperature is close to 90. My feet never get cold there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Seriously, thats a good question. I wear insulated snow packs and when its sub-zero I have the same trouble. I have thought about getting some of those military surplus air packs, but they appear to be cumbersome for walking quietly in. Here in thick cover, that is a very big issue.
 
So. Dak.,

do your feet sweat on the way in to your stand? if so that could be your problem. Feet tend to sweat in wool socks. Get yourself some liner or wicking socks such as a polypropalene sock. They are designed to be worn under a pair of heavier socks such as wool socks. They pull the moisture away from your feet when they sweat. This might help keep your feet warmer with your current boots.

good luck
 
Have you tried the battery operated warm socks? Just a thought. I have the fortune of having "warm-bloodied" feet. I use Sorrels alot, but they are not very comfortible for long walks. I also use a pair of lacrosses. I find my feet stay much warmer with the high topped boots than with the shorter styles. They are harder to get on and off when they lace almost to your knee. Th biggest problem I run into is my boots do not breath enough thus I get sweaty feet often.

Good Luck.
 
wildbill, I did have a pair of wicking socks on under the wool ones. And I didn't walk to the stand I was dropped off about 10 feet from the bale before sun up.
 
I have to check when I get home but I went out and bought some major cold weather boots a couple of years ago. I can wear them with regular socks on while I'm sitting and NEVER get cold feet anymore. I got so sick of cold feet I decided that I was going to spend the money and get the best I could.

I'll report back on what they are.
 
I want a pair of those!
I've tried battery powered socks, they suck.
I've tried the footwarmers. They do ok until they run down and they can get too hot and they aren't exactly comfortable.
I've tried multiple socks, doesn't work.
This weekend, I'll be wearing 600 gram thinsulate boots (my feet freeze in 1000 gram too), sock liners and Woolrich socks. I'll probably have to stuff footwarmers in my boots...while I'm in my treestand. I hope I don't drop a boot.

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I have to check when I get home but I went out and bought some major cold weather boots a couple of years ago. I can wear them with regular socks on while I'm sitting and NEVER get cold feet anymore. I got so sick of cold feet I decided that I was going to spend the money and get the best I could.

I'll report back on what they are.

 
My money's on the sweaty foot.
Your feet sweat in the truck and their gonna sweat when your walking.
Wicking socks are good but the moisture is still there, it's just not against your foot. Which means your foot's in a cooler instead of an ice pak. As soon as you start walking your feet warm up again.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I saw Rocky came out with battery powered boots now. Might be worth looking into. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
One of the reasons that people have different experiences with boots is the difference in blood circulation. Also, your circulation can change over time due to a variety of factors. I have pretty good circulation, I think, but I've found that I need good air space around my foot. Sort of like the insulation in the ceiling. If it's compressed it doesn't do much good. The trick is finding a boot with enough space without being sloppy when you walk.
 
Columbia makes a nice boot called the Buggaboo. I wear these boots all day long at work in weather between 0-30 degrees and in my deer stand in the same temperature. Normally with only a regular cotten sock. Also in my experience the best cold weather socks are those made for skiers. Acorn makes a fleece sock that works wonders in the cold. I'm actually pulling out the Columbias now for the stand tommorrow. They are a mix between Sorels and work boots. I love them and have converted my old-school father and my mother.
 
I am lucky and seldom get cold in any weather but you might take a lesson from the Northwest loggers. Never wear your boots in the truck, put them on when you are ready to leave the truck. No sweat that way and slippers are comfy for driving too. I wear Romeos in the truck.
Like lots of other folks said already, make sure your boots are big and you leave air space, tight boots equal cold feet.
Carl
 
The only thing that I have seen that works is the big insulated things that you carry to the stand and then put on over your boots while you are sitting. They are a good inch thick insulation and higher than boots. They come in camo.
I think they might have come from Cabela's but am not sure.

Jack
 
So. Dak.

I have been able to try several boots and there is one that I would highly recommend looking at. I don't know what you are looking to spend, but I would highly recommend looking into the Cabelas Outfitter Boots .

You talk to most people that work there and that is what a majority of them use and highly recommend. That would be myself included. I have the 1000 gram boots in these and stay plenty warm for a day of calling. I have used them for a couple of years in some pretty cold weather and have never been cold. I am sure the 2000 would get you taken care of. If you don't like them all you will be out is shipping.
 
I'll just chime in here because I may have a different angle. When you're sitting on your frozen hay bale, are you using some sort of "heat seat" or cushion? I am thinking of the "feet falling asleep when you spend too much time reading the Cabellas catalogue on the toilet" scenario. You may be limiting circulation to your legs by your seating position. If this could be a factor, try something to change your position. Just a thought.

WNYS
 
Jack does have the answer with the 'boot blankets'. When I'm deer hunting and sitting all day I will use them. That way you can wear boots for walking/hiking and you don't have to wear some big monster boots. I just hang them one inside the other,on a belt.
I got mine at Gander Mt years ago.
 
I have the problem of getting cold feet as well.The boots i use for ice fishing are the rubber boots you get at crappy tire with the liner in them.Get them a size bigger and get another liner to put in them.They are bulky and you do not want to do a lot of walking in them but i sit in one spot all day long ice fishing and dont get cold feet.
 
I use Whites pac boots, they work great. Just go to www.Whitesboots.com i think that is the web address, look for their Pac boot. You might also want to try and increase the amount of blood flow to you toes. Example, didn't over tighten your boots.
 
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