Thinsulate input

[Abe89]

Planning to pick up some irish setters soon. Looking for something my feet are going to be cozy in; dry and warm.
I’ve got 4 seasons of winter backcountry camping under my belt and somehow made it through with 3 season full grain leathers from Asolo (cheap poor college student) and yes I suffered! Many a morning of frozen solid boots with 2” ***** frost on them.

My feet generally sweat on the hike in, even when cold they still feel like they sweat. Once I’ve lost my toes thats it for the day, change of socks doesn’t do it. So, try glassing or sitting for hunting......you get the picture.

So based on personal experience what are recommendations? 200gr or 600gr thinsulate? 1000 seems like overkill. I am a hiker and mover, but after that 3-5 mile hike in I sit....
Thoughts?



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[3blade]

Same re:cold feet, plus way to many days of ice fishing where they went numb. Took me a long time to figure out the whole "if you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough" saying didn't mean I had to be tough.

Anyway, 6-800 g. for hiking. 1000 for still hunting. Cabelas Trans Alaskas for stand hunting or ice fishing, but I carry these in to prevent sweat.

tips: Spray on unscented anti-perspirant for your feet before you go, and give it time to dry before putting your socks on.

Icebreaker socks. Worth it. Best out there, and I've used them all.

Carry two pairs of socks. As soon as you stop hiking, sit still for 5 minutes then change socks, using the old ones to dry your feet before putting the new ones on.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I have the 600gr, and am pretty happy with them. I use them in the late season and do a combination of hiking (especially in 936) and stand hunting.

On the occasion when my feet get cold, I shake up some hand warmers and tuck them in alongside the insides of my ankles.

And x2 on the antiperspirant thing that 3Blade mentioned.

[The moose]

I wear my 600's until about -5 stand hunting. walking hiking i can wear them as cold as it gets. My feet sweat if they get hot. get cold. ya they just sweat all the time

I wear Sorrels in the stand below that and feet never get cold. Also bought some new Cabelas inferno's pac boots but have yet to get them out.

[Smokinyotes]

My irish setters are a 1000gr and i wear ice breaker socks and my feet still freeze. I bought some cabelas boots with 2000gr but they are so heavy you wouldnt want to walk very far. My next boots are going to be bought big so i can put electric insoles in them.

[YYC338]

Do some research on what winter hiker/climbers use. I've seen a lot of discussion on people using a thin 100% polypropylene inner sock under a 3mm neoprene diver/water sport sock and that's it. Many claim it'll keep your feet warmer than the best wool blend sock you can find.
I've just started to use that system and so far so good but it hasn't been really cold yet.
The antiperspirant sounds like a good idea because your feet will sweat in the neoprene but won't get cold. Best part is your boots will stay dry as moisture won't pass outside the neoprene. It's certainly a lot less bulky.
Poly socks dry very quickly (or take multiple pairs) and the neoprene dries overnight.

[pikergolf]

One of the best tricks I ever figured out is to not wear the boots I am going to wear on an outing in the vehicle. I wear lighter shoes driving and then put on my gear when I arrive at my destination. All in the name of keeping foot perspiration to a minimum. Even in the summer I will wear my boots in the vehicle but not lace them up, it helps immensely.

[charves]

I have the 200gr for my winter boots. I seem to get by with them but I put in the -25 felt insoles with the reflective bottom underneath the factory insole, and then wear 2 pairs of thick ski socks. That works for me, but when I sit still I can feel my toes cool down.

I wear other lighter footwear for bow season.