Tuesday I'll be sitting in front of my Mr. Heater Firearms opener

 

My setup ... is a pair of size 13 Solomon Tundra Pro boots, lightweight, warm, waterproof, good support. (my foot is size 10½) A full length Hot Hands insole chemical heater. Cabelas premium knee length heavy socks over a pair of Fry boot socks. Works great down to really cold and really long sits. Then, and I rarely use them since I went the Solomon route ... a pair of IceBreaker Boot Blankets (NOT Artic Sheild, they suck) I bought the largest size boot blanket they sell about 40 years ago and they're STILL doing yeoman duty. Bitter cold I carbineer them to my backpack or stick them in my duffle bag. The great thing about the blankets you can pull them over whatever you're wearing on your feet. Out in your hiking boots and you find out your feet are getting cold unexpectedly? Pull on the lightweight blankets and they save your butt...lol Which brings up another point, many a time I used them to sit on..

Boot blankets 30 years ago.

 

Yes I agree about the artic shields! I put those on also and those are going in the garbage, TODAY!!!

I work in weather colder than 24 all the time, with a light jacket, but today my feet just couldn't take it and I had to call it a day after about 4 hours. My feet have always been the only thing that gets cold over the years, but the first real cold weather this year has been the worst by far, ever!

Time to do some research about electric socks.

I just came in a few minutes ago and the old lady asked if I wanted a cup of coffee. I said YES, I will take two, one to drink and one to soak my toes in......

 

I've struggled with cold feet for years and tried most everything. I found Ororo electric socks a couple years back which now allow me to stay out all day, especially if you then add the Ice Breaker boot blankets. Their batteries last long and I always have a extra pair when they first pair run out.

 

Sweating of the feet, IMO, is the cause of frozen feet. I carry extra dry wool socks to the stand and change after the walk/climb into hunting position. I make sure the boots and socks can breathe so that the moisture from sweating can escape. A size larger boot, loose fitting, and wool socks. I have in very cold conditions used a double layer of wool socks and left the boots off, has to be ideal conditions but it works.
Extra heat can create more sweating and wet socks, a disaster for thermal insulation. I agree, cold feet are the ruin of many hunts.

 

Sweating of the feet, IMO, is the cause of frozen feet. I carry extra dry wool socks to the stand and change after the walk/climb into hunting position. I make sure the boots and socks can breathe so that the moisture from sweating can escape. A size larger boot, loose fitting, and wool socks. I have in very cold conditions used a double layer of wool socks and left the boots off, has to be ideal conditions but it works.
Extra heat can create more sweating and wet socks, a disaster for thermal insulation. I agree, cold feet are the ruin of many hunts.

While that may be the cause of some cold feet issues, it is not always the case. Some people have poor circulation or like me, had mild frostbite many years ago hiking on the Appalachian trail in snow with lousy boots. I used to chuckle when some suggested spraying anti-perspirant on your feet. I have to do all day sits during the rut on my Il trip and others, and those socks with boot blankets get me through comfortably, where before I was done after a few hours.

 

Thermocell heated insoles! Work like a charm...

 

After i got Diabetes, My feet and hands freeze OFF . I agree the Thermacell heated insoles work good enough my feet don't freeze. And a huge plus for me they don't get hot.

I wear good wool socks I found Darn Tough socks to be the real deal. After i walk in my feet are good for awhile. As soon as i feel them starting to get cold i use the remote to turn them on. As soon as there not cold i turn the insoles off.

Sometimes i wear some old Made in the USA Rocky Boots there heavy and only good for setting but warm. And on days it's a little warmer i wear my Mucks. So far i gotta say these insoles work for me. And there probably 4 or 5 years old. This reminds me i better charge the batteries.

 

Felt shoes and wool socks underneath so your toes are not frozen

 

I have that same exact problem. Your feet are sweating Id bet. That is what causes them to get cold at a fast rate. The biggest problem is getting that moisture to evaporate.

 

I thought that to, but I don't have a far walk to stand and today it was brutal! I wear merino wool socks and they are supposed to remedy that issue anyway.

 

Always battled cold feet too. Use to use the full length chemical insoles, don't last long & have to remove boots to replace in the field.

Couple years ago, I went with a thin liner sock to wick away moisture, a thick wool sock & insulated zip up boot covers. Has worked very well for me. Enough room to shove a hand warmer in for near 0° temps.

 

I posted pictures for you of shoes that can survive in Arctic conditions, it's worth a look! they don't get cold and are comfortable on the feet

 

As already stated keeping your feet dry is key. I have a method I use that doesn’t sound like it will work but it does at least for me.
I start out with a thin liner sock I use Under Armour socks. Now here comes the key part I put a plastic shopping bag on each foot next followed by a good pair of wool socks. I like alpaca wool and then my boots.

What you are doing is making a vapor barrier that keeps your wool socks and boots dry. This isn’t new as the military has used vapor barriers for years. Remember the Mickey Mouse boots? They used vapor barriers.
You can go to a hiking supply store such as Rab and order vapor barrier socks but the bags work as well and are a lot cheaper.
My feet would always get cold but this method works well for me but as always ymmv.


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As already stated keeping your feet dry is key. I have a method I use that doesn’t sound like it will work but it does at least for me.
I start out with a thin liner sock I use Under Armour socks. Now here comes the key part I put a plastic shopping bag on each foot next followed by a good pair of wool socks. I like alpaca wool and then my boots.

What you are doing is making a vapor barrier that keeps your wool socks and boots dry. This isn’t new as the military has used vapor barriers for years. Remember the Mickey Mouse boots? They used vapor barriers.
You can go to a hiking supply store such as Rab and order vapor barrier socks but the bags work as well and are a lot cheaper.
My feet would always get cold but this method works well for me but as always ymmv.


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I tried your method yesterday and it worked! I was planning on sitting all day with temps starting out in the high 20s but raising to high 40s by mid day so I didn't want to wear my 1600g Alpha Burly pros. Instead I wore my 800g ones using your method and it worked like a charm. Normally my feet would be getting chilled around 32 degrees with the 800s an hour after getting to the stand due to my feet sweating but not this time. Sat all day in cold, then wind, then pouring rain and then what seemed like hurricane wind gusts...weird times when a front rolls in lol. Beautiful out today when we can't hunt! 😡 Anyways...got off track there....thanks for the idea John, I'll be using it again for sure and try some friggid days in late season! 😁

 

I have sat all day with some pretty darn cold temps with a pair of LaCrosse Alpha Burly Pro 1600 grams boots and heavy Merino wool socks. I don't have really long walks to my stands but if I do I keep the boots folded down so they don't retain a lot of heat while walking in.

I have rechargeable insoles and even socks I think but I never use them.

 

I ordered some electric socks see how it goes

 

Woody Max Muck boots and 1 pair of toasty toes does it for me. This is my 2nd pair of Muck Boots because I wore the other pair slap out.

 

I have an old pair Sorel Ice King boots, & my feet seldom get cold in them. I hate walking in them, however. I prefer wearing a lighter 1000 gram hunting boot and using boot blankets when it's really cold. I have the original Icebreaker Boot Blankets. I can't say my feet have even been cold in them, and if my feet start out cold they will still warm up in them. I never used heat packs either. I pack stuff (snacks, drinks) in the boot blankets and carry them out in a camo duffle bag that has a long strap, & it hangs on my back when hiking in & out.

Many years later both of these items are still sold today. I have no experience with them, but the Arctic Shield boot insulators look easier to pack in & out. Not sure how warm they are, however.

 

1 can of sardines in oil can help circulation and help keep you warm. An old timer told me about this trick when I was working as a laborer during an extremely cold Maine winter. I went from being cold all the time to not needing a jacket. No joke. It works🤷‍♂️!
✌DF

 

I have no problem keeping warm and mainly wear just a light jacket down to about 20 when working. My feet don't even get cold in regular work boots and regular socks.

My issue is when sitting still in a stand during cold weather now. Today kicked my A....!

I usually look forward to cold weather hunts, but now I'm wondering if I can handle it anymore. I have to do something drastic to tackle my cold feet issue......

 

I usually dont go hunting when the temps drop into the mid/low 20's. We usually dont get tht cold of weather here but with our humidity that is COLD! Brrrrr....

 

I actually love the cold weather and it's still just 27 right now. I'd much rather be out there during our first cold snap, but whimped out today, I admit it, LOL.

 

Good cognac also helps 😋, but preparing for the cold is "dressing in layers" and is
freezing

no longer a problem!

 

1000gram insulated boots. Bison hair socks. If you got it....Viagra. Originally developed for people with poor circulation to their hand's and feet. Wood was a bonus surprise. Just be careful what your thinking bout while hunting.....c'mon baseball. 😶

 

No viagra in this house, but may be an excuse to get some, LOL. I just ordered a pair of those trekker socks. Thanks, I will give them a try.

 

You'll find something that works I'm sure. There are so many electric socks on the market that they must work. I will say I had tried a dozen pairs of socks, wool, alpaca, you name it. But all i use now is the thin green ones i got from the military surplus store, they work better for me than the thick ones.

It's been stupid warm here in Maine this season I'm ready for some cold feet! Time is winding down on our season and without the cold weather its just like watching paint dry.

Good luck
✌DF

 

min using artic shields. Carry them in and put them over your boots. Seem to be good and about $50 or so.

 

I had those on today also and they didn't work for me at all. Thanks though.

 

Call me cheap but the best I've ever used is an old sleeping bag. You can can have multiple layers around your feet or pull it up.

 

As a diabetic foot circulation is a major concern and sweating or not my feet can get cold in fairly moderate temperatures. The best product I've found is ice breaker boot blankets, been using the same pair since the early 90's. Possibly the best hunting investment I've ever made.

 

Well, I looked at those and out of stock for the season, LOL.

 

These are used by the guerilla forces of the Finnish army....

 

Great. How do you buy them?

 

 

I tried these This year...Grabber disposable warmers, they worked well, nice heat and heat Quickly. But don't last nearly 5+ hours advertised maybe 3hrs. But I will use them again.

 

Can get em in 1200 or 2000 gm