Wet extended hunt footwear?

[PistolPete]

Sorry, all; apparently I've stepped on some toes (pun not intended!) and derailed this thread.

I wish you all the best this fall, no matter your footwear of choice!

[M60gunner]

I have wet feet, from water or sweat. I would be more concerned about ankle support and how tired my feet are. Staying dry in monsoon conditions and being outdoors will never happen. I would be trying to figure out a way to dry my boots and socks even if that requires sleeping with them.
As for wearing them out in a season or two I look upon that as a cost of the trip.

[calgarychef]

I like my kennetreks in wet conditions and they haven't let me down.  Here's another boot that hasn't let me down, muck boots (Arctic model)  they have more support than one realises and I've used them in mountains and about 14 inches of snow.  They keep me warm and dry.  I have one ankle that bugs me a bit so I've got a very good ankle brace that I can wear inside the boot no problem.  If I wasn't so cheap I'd get two braces and each foot would be stable.  Give the muck boots a try on a short trip and you might be surprised.

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

I love muck bootd for the mountains but most dont have good tread. If i could get some in Air bob soles!

[calgarychef]

I think they've got great treads! Maybe mine are different.  Although a set of crampons would turn anyone into a human ATV.

[Roger Norris]

Best advice I ever got on the subject, from a guide in Newfoundland...."Wear boots that are comfortable wet, because you are gonna get wet"

[akdd]

I do use the Kahtoola MICROspikes (https://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/) paired with the Lacrosse Alpha Burly rubber boots for hunting on Kodiak in November. The spikes are great for the steep slick sidehills. and they are light enough that they are not a issue to have them in your pack.

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

Thats a great idea akdd!

[MnFn]

Really surprised about your experience with the Meindl boots.  I have worn mine elk hunting on three trips, and have been very happy with them. I do treat them with silicon spray and Obendorf treatment.

[KSdan]

One thing not mentioned here is an ol' tip from sled mushers, trappers, etc. . . use those handwarmers that are similar to a large cigarette lighter.  https://www.amazon.com/Zippo-12-Hour-Warmer-Chrome-Silver/dp/B013HLGTL2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472441022&sr=8-1&keywords=zippo+hand+warmers.  

Also they have felt lined aluminum cases that have a small bar of fuel you light with a lighter.  https://www.amazon.com/Celsius-Solid-Fuel-Hand-Warmer/dp/B00305KAUW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1472440850&sr=8-2&keywords=fuel+stick+hand+warmers

Place those warmers in your boots at night and they are dry by the AM.

Dan in KS

[akdd]

I do not think the hand warmer with the solid fuel can legally be carried on an airplane.

[Montanawidower]

I will start by saying, I have the luxury of hunting from a wall tent or Tipi every fall.  I pack a llama string and that affords me comforts some do without.  

With that said, The first thing I do at the end of my day, is disrobe from my hunting clothes and put on my "camp" shoes.  Even on dry days I pull my insoles from my boots to let them breathe.  Most insoles have  a plastic backing that traps sweat.  If my boots are damp, I pull the tongue down to really open them and I lay them on their side in the ring of warmth of the stove.   Note warmth not heat.  

Moist air is more dense than than dry air, so by laying them on their side you are allowing evaporative moist air to flow out of your boot. I rarely have anything but bone dry boots by morning.

I like Dan's Idea of adding warmth inside the boot for drying!  Especially for you guys with out access to a stove.  

Alaska or the pacific northwest may be a different beast... The mountain west is generally arid.  When given a chance things dry very quickly on their own.   Most people I know that hunt the Coastal states or Alaska just resign to being wet at some level.