New Lesson on COLD feet. Thoughts?

[KSdan]

OK. HUGE lesson this year that I need to resolve.

52 years old and spent most of my lifetime falls/winters hanging out in the woods (Yup- remember my first trips with dad and grandpa at 4 yrs old!)

Learned A LOT this year about foot perspiration.

First, I have always struggled with keeping my size 15 feet warm.  Best boots I have had for cold were LaCrosse Rubber insulated pack boots.  Pretty good- BUT. . .

Wore some newer Lacrosse boots this year in that early-just-shy-of-freezing fall weather.  I was amazed that a simple 400 yd walk in- on stand for a few hours- then 400 out would absolutely SOAK the liners.  Like- SOAKING wet!  

This got me thinking of how many years I have wore rubber boots and even wool liners with socks all day! Though I put my boots on a dryer most nights, just the walk in and my feet must have been wet ALL DAY! Certainly the wool worked well over the years, but still wet.  No wonder I get such cold feet- especially after an all day sit.

So- the rest of fall and winter I am on a new mission to resolve this dilemma.  Any input would be great. . .

My plan:  1) Spray antiperspirant on feet 2) Change socks out after I get to the stand.  3) Going to make my own boot blankets for on stand- then I will wear lighter boots with a change of socks.

Thoughts???
Thanks

[Rob W.]

Just a liner type sock to the stand might help.

I wear a pair of Muck wetlands all year round. They are a little big in summer/ early fall but I can get 2 pair of wool socks in them when needed.

If it is REAL cold I put the chemical hand warmers under my toes in between sock layers.

[Greg Clark]

I do the same as Rob W.  The Muck Wetland is a very versatile boot.  I wear it during warm weather pig chasing in GA and can also wear the same boot when I hunt IL in November by throwing a hand warmer in the toe of the boot.  I wear a liner sock with wool over that most of the year with the boots.

[KSdan]

I have similar boots too.  All these years my feet were damp all day but did not realize it.  BTW- most guys I know don't wash out there rubber boots! Ever wash yours?  Try some hot soapy water and watch the muddy/sweat/skin cells pour out!    

Also- not sure 2 wool socks and boots like the mucks would work for me on a 12 hour sit in 20-40 degrees.  I get cold even in packs.

[eflanders]

The anti-perspirant helped my son a lot.  He then wears a thin nylon liner sock with a thick 85% wool sock over the liner.  Rubber boots are the worse thing for feet that perspire.  Leather boots breathe much better.

[Onions]

Been struggling with cold feet for many years myself. In the past I would wear "pack" style boots with heavy socks in cold weather. My feet still got cold. I think it was from the sweat/moisture build up in my hikes into the stand.
Two years ago, I decided to try thin socks (i like the cabelas duramax lightweight or 200gr Woolpower) with 400gram thinsulate boots, and Artic Shield boot covers. WOW! Much better! My feet nolonger over heat when hiking into my stands. Plus, my hiking boots are more comfortable then hiking with pack boots.
In really cold weather (15 degrees and down) I will put a chemical heat pack inside the boot cover. My feet now are toasty!!

chris <><

[SELFBOW19953]

I use the polypropolene sock liners under wool and maybe fleece.  I've tried the foot warmers, they get wet and become a lump under my toes!!

[SELFBOW19953]

"I hate computers!!!!"

[The Night Stalker]

I just use a regular pair of gold toe socks and bunny boots. Feet never get cold. It has not been cold enough for the bunny boots this year, Still wearing my regular lacrosse. It has to get down under 20 degrees before I break out the bunny boots.

[LC]

I FEEL your pain. Everyone is different in the ammount of cold they can indure. With that said when my feet get cold Im done. I've tried all the liner socks, wool sock, pac boot etc. My best and only recourse is a chemical sticky heaters on toe and then once on stand boot blankets! I've not froze out from cold feet since using them but it does reduce the size of your tree stand if thats what you are using. They are bulkly but the better than the alternative

[stykbow67]

I've never tried boot blankets myself but I definitely think your on the right track with the antiperspirant and sock change out plan, it made a huge difference for me. keep us posted on your results!

Steve

[Jake LaBauve]

If you are going to make your own boot blankets you could just over make them with extra insulation and take your boots off when you get to stand and put the blankets on with a fresh pair of socks.  Alternatively you could hike in with a light hiking boot/running shoe if not too wet and put the heavy boys on at the stand with fresh socks

[Mark Baker]

Polypro sock liners with heavy wool over them.  Also, I use the anti-perspirant as well....and this year I tried the toe warmers placed on top of my toes over the socks.  Just enough heat to make a diff, I think.  

I use Muck boots mostly (a size big to accomodat the extra sock), and when really cold, you can't beat the mickey mouse boots.

[Rick Richard]

I hunt the midwest and late season it can be very cold.  I use the anti-persperant and one layer of wool socks with my Lacrosse rubber boots that are about a size too large.  Feet can get a little cold, but never intolerable.  The anti-persperant and loose boots are the key.

[Tree Rat]

My feet were frost bitten a couple times as a kid (Chuck Taylors don't keep your feet warm...)so I have dealt with cold feet all my life.

I wear 1000 gram rubber boots (Bass pro) and two pairs of 88% or higher wool socks. The thing that has helped me the most is making sure my boots have room to breathe. Pack all that in too tight and you will get cold.

[Tajue17]

when its really bad do what we do and tape a handwarmer right on the outside of the boot where your toes are,, works in a pinch and your toes will love you, not sure about sweat though.  

also they make boots the dog sled and snowmobile folks use called BAFFINs, mine are rated to 100 below and for stand hunting in one spot in 2ft of snow for hours with the coldest I used them was 14 below and they are like having your feet in two warm pillows where there is not a hint of a chill anywhere on your feet yet my feet don't sweat..  BUT for walking or hiking they almost feel like they are falling off the heel of your feet because of the insulation theres almost no tight on your foot feeling but you can get in and out to your stands and climb into portables with no problems.

[Flingblade]

I'm going to try the new remote controlled heated insoles made by thermacell in my boots.  They are pricey at $130 but they look promising.  I've not been too naughty so I hope santa is generous this year.  They are new so I'm hoping to see some reviews on them soon.
Oops, just saw the other thread on them and not good reviews.  Tradgang just saved me some money.  Guess I'll keep trudging around in my mickeys.

[YORNOC]

You are right about changing your socks. I keep a big ziplock bag and two extra pairs of wool socks, a thin merino liner and a heavy wool outer sock. I put the wet socks in the bag and seal it, put it in my pack.
Then stick a toe warmer to the top and bottom of my socked toes and slip into my boots.
Make sure your boots are not tight, that will crush you pretty quick.

[Hopewell Tom]

Poly liners, wool sox and Schnees insulated RBLT's for me. Felt liners with insulation in the rubber bottom. My go to for the cold, but after about 3-4 hours on stand... feet getting cold.
The boot blanket or toe warmers are my next experiment.

[gringol]

The anti-perpspirent sprays can give some people an allergic reaction when used on the feet, so watch out for that.  If your feet/ankles get super itchy after a long day in the boots, you might want to stop using that stuff.

I've noticed that too much sock can make your feet as cold as too little.  Make sure your toes have plenty of room to wiggle or you'll feel the chill real quick no matter how much insolation your feet have.