I wore my leather Irish setters with rubber toe yesterday in 30 degree weather and my feet froze. I also had to cross a creek and my feet got soaked. I am looking at muck artic pro, wetland and lacross alpha pro insulated. Will a rubber insulated rubber boot conduct cold?
Insulated rubber boots?
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Armored farmer
Member
I really like my muck arctic boots.
After several seasons, (like 6 or 7) the sole is beginning to loosen, and it looks like I'm going to throw a tread.
I asked Mrs Claus to bring me a new pair of muck arctic.
After several seasons, (like 6 or 7) the sole is beginning to loosen, and it looks like I'm going to throw a tread.
I asked Mrs Claus to bring me a new pair of muck arctic.
earlthegoat2
Member
Love the LaCrosse AlphaBurly. 1600g. Probably the warmest boot I have ever used.
I don’t need anything but am I insulated boot where I live now.
I don’t need anything but am I insulated boot where I live now.
I've been wearing insulated rubber boots as my primary hunting boot for the last 10 years (at least). Main reason is that I frequently have to cross creeks. I think they work very well in general and extremely well if you do the following:
1. Buy an insulated insole. The warmest winter boots, "pack" boots, have insulation under your foot. Rubber insulated boots, like the LaCrosse AlphaBurly 800 I wear, don't. I bought cut-to-fit insulated insoles (YakTrax, I think) and put them in with the LaCrosse insole on top. They really seem to help.
2. Use electric socks instead of chemical toe warmers. On the coldest days your feet will still get cold if you sit all day. This is true for most people regardless of boot type. You have to wear wool socks so that your sweaty feet don't get cold (just like other boots). The difference is that rubber boots don't "breathe" at all, so all that moisture stays inside the boot and will often halt the chemical reaction in the toe warmers. Electric socks don't have that problem. I use Thunderbolt electric socks. Big lithium-ion battery pack that can last all day. My feet are warm enough from walking to my stand and my LaCrosse boots (with after-market insulated soles) are warm enough that I typically don't have to turn on the socks until at least 3-4 hours after sitting in my stand on very cold days. On cold days I might not turn on the socks until the last hour or two of the day.
1. Buy an insulated insole. The warmest winter boots, "pack" boots, have insulation under your foot. Rubber insulated boots, like the LaCrosse AlphaBurly 800 I wear, don't. I bought cut-to-fit insulated insoles (YakTrax, I think) and put them in with the LaCrosse insole on top. They really seem to help.
2. Use electric socks instead of chemical toe warmers. On the coldest days your feet will still get cold if you sit all day. This is true for most people regardless of boot type. You have to wear wool socks so that your sweaty feet don't get cold (just like other boots). The difference is that rubber boots don't "breathe" at all, so all that moisture stays inside the boot and will often halt the chemical reaction in the toe warmers. Electric socks don't have that problem. I use Thunderbolt electric socks. Big lithium-ion battery pack that can last all day. My feet are warm enough from walking to my stand and my LaCrosse boots (with after-market insulated soles) are warm enough that I typically don't have to turn on the socks until at least 3-4 hours after sitting in my stand on very cold days. On cold days I might not turn on the socks until the last hour or two of the day.
whughett
Member
For decades I wore boots made by LLBean. Mid shank high green rubber boot with a thinsulate removable bootie. The boots had an inner nylon lining the extend above the boot with a draw string for drawing it tight around the shin to prevent snow entry.
They were roomy enough for small hand warmer packets placed above the toe area. I’d remove the bootie at night to aid drying.
They were roomy enough for small hand warmer packets placed above the toe area. I’d remove the bootie at night to aid drying.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I have worn Muck Boots (Woody Max) for many years. In fact I gave my pack boots away because I like the Muck boots so much.
When I need to replace them I will probably go with the Acrtic like @Armored farmer .
I have a light weight pair of Mucks for SC, the Woody Max are for WI and the colder climates .
When I need to replace them I will probably go with the Acrtic like @Armored farmer .
I have a light weight pair of Mucks for SC, the Woody Max are for WI and the colder climates .
entropy
Member
Skellerup Quattro or LaCrosse AlphaBurly.
https://danshuntinggear.com/category-boots.html
I have the insulated Quattro, my son wears the uninsulated Quattro for work, and he hunts in AlphaBurlys.
https://danshuntinggear.com/category-boots.html
I have the insulated Quattro, my son wears the uninsulated Quattro for work, and he hunts in AlphaBurlys.
I had the arctic mucks and they were warm but didn't hold up very well. I'm wearing dryshod nosho ultra hunters now and they are on their 2nd winter and doing well so far. If I was going to buy a again I'd get the NOSHO gusset instead of the regular as it can be difficult to get your jeans tucked down into the fixed calf boots.
gotboostvr
Member
I used some Cabelas brand ones that worked great. Kept me nice and toasty plus they let me wade the ankle deep crick all the way out to my stand, didn't make any noise as compared to tromping through the leaves brush and twigs.
daniel craig
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I have a set of Lacrosse 2000g thinsulate insulation. They’re great....unless I have to hike in and then they’re TOO warm. Great sitting still boots so I often carry them out with me.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
They sound like ice fishing boots
daniel craig
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They’d be good for that! I honestly want to get a pair of Mickey Mouse boots for my winter hike hunts.They sound like ice fishing boots
WisBorn
Contributing Member
The hardest part of winter hiking boots is finding something warm that you won't sweat in.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
Like Armoredfarmer said"Muck Artic Pro"is the way to go
Howland937
Member
Cold feet are about the most miserable thing a person can deal with hunting. Cold and wet feet are THE worst. 30 degree temps don't seem that low for some of us though, but even good boots with poor insoles or the wrong socks can make for a rough day. I have an older pair of Rocky 1000gr thinsulate with gore-tex that lasted years, and always worn the highest percentage merino wool socks I could get. Breathable even in 60degree weather and warm down into the teens. Anything colder than that, I ain't trying to sit still anyway.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Same.
I have problems with my feet freezing when the temp drops.
I bought a pair of Muck Arctic Pro boots at the beginning of last season. They are great.
They're made for a lot colder temperatures than I hunt in, and I don't have any problems. Just a pair of wool socks with the boots and I'm golden.
My feet sweat terribly even when I am not hiking into my stand. I now spray my feet with a powder antiperspirant before donning silk socks and then a pair of alpaca wool socks. I can't seem to walk in rubber boots as they don't provide enough support for me, and i don't have to cross any creeks where I hunt. I wear LaCross pack boots with removable liners, and bring a pair of boot blankets for long cold sits in a stand. I always have a square of 3/4" foam insulation to put my feet on when in a tree stand. Learned that years ago as a field surveyor and had to stand for long hours behind the survey instrument on cold pavement.
Speedo66
Member
I do the same, a pair of silk or very thin synthetic socks to wick the moisture away to thick wool socks.
An inexpensive set of Canadian Kamik rubber boots with removable liners works for me. If I’m sitting for hours I’ll put some disposable heat packs in. The model of boots I have has a draw string top to keep snow out.
An inexpensive set of Canadian Kamik rubber boots with removable liners works for me. If I’m sitting for hours I’ll put some disposable heat packs in. The model of boots I have has a draw string top to keep snow out.
Steve51
Member
I have had a pair of Lacrosse Alpha Burly 1200 grain thinsulate boots for several years. Always kept my feet warm and dry. Use for hunting from a stand and long days of plowing snow with a 4-wheeler.
I've been very tempted in the past to buy a pair, but have never pulled the trigger so to speak. The closest thing I've ever done is wear rubber hip boots when waterfowl hunting. I used to have a honey hole of a beaver pond where I killed a bunch of ducks years ago but I no longer have access to that spot. I had to park and walk almost a mile on public land to get to it and the hip boots weren't too bad. Chest waders were just too much and not needed for the depth of water.
I just don't have issues with keeping my feet warm. I understand that it doesn't get as cold here in GA as other places, but temps in the 20's are common and teens or even single digits aren't that unusual in the northern part of the state where I hunt. And I've hunted other places too. This photo was in Colorado in November 2018. It was 11 degrees when I got out of the truck and I'm wearing uninsulated hiking boots with good wool socks. My feet never got cold on this trip, or others. I suppose if I had to deal with near, or below zero temps for extended periods I'd feel different.
They don't show up well in the photo but I also have on leg gaiters to keep my pant's dry from melting snow. They come up almost to my knees and I've crossed creeks that would have been deeper than my boots and stayed dry. As long as you keep moving and only have to take 2-3 steps to get across water doesn't have time to get in. I couldn't stand in water a foot deep wearing these and keep my feet dry for long.
I've found that too much insulation just means sweaty, wet, cold feet. I keep a spare pair of good wool socks in my pack and will change socks if my feet start sweating. Keeping the socks and feet dry helps. And I've found it easier to keep my feet warm if I keep everything else warm.
I just don't have issues with keeping my feet warm. I understand that it doesn't get as cold here in GA as other places, but temps in the 20's are common and teens or even single digits aren't that unusual in the northern part of the state where I hunt. And I've hunted other places too. This photo was in Colorado in November 2018. It was 11 degrees when I got out of the truck and I'm wearing uninsulated hiking boots with good wool socks. My feet never got cold on this trip, or others. I suppose if I had to deal with near, or below zero temps for extended periods I'd feel different.
They don't show up well in the photo but I also have on leg gaiters to keep my pant's dry from melting snow. They come up almost to my knees and I've crossed creeks that would have been deeper than my boots and stayed dry. As long as you keep moving and only have to take 2-3 steps to get across water doesn't have time to get in. I couldn't stand in water a foot deep wearing these and keep my feet dry for long.
I've found that too much insulation just means sweaty, wet, cold feet. I keep a spare pair of good wool socks in my pack and will change socks if my feet start sweating. Keeping the socks and feet dry helps. And I've found it easier to keep my feet warm if I keep everything else warm.
DocRock
member
Hunter wellies, Balmoral model. 3mm neoprene inner with embedded bamboo charcoal anti-stink. I've had a pair for 10 years and they remain excellent.
Patocazador
Member
This is my choice. I have hunted in swamps for 40 years and have worn LaCrosse Burly boots. No leakage, warmth if you wear polypro and wool socks. You will be happy. I have broken through ice an walked through freezing water and my feet have stayed dry and warm.
What silk and wool socks are you guys wearing? Seems like all these “wool” socks at cabelas aren’t all that warm.
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