Hunting & Fishing Wise ones...I need your help

[pepper 2111]

I’ve got bitch feet! I’m talking the absolute fucking worst. I get cold now matter what I’ve tried and unfortunately this is not idea for someone who loves tree stand hunting whitetails in central Illinois where it can get into the single digits.
Ive got the merino wool liner socks and a heavier pair to go over them. I’ve tried the heated insoles (they were dead out of the box) adhesive toe warmers are usually my saving grace.

I currently have a giant pair of baffins that I would turn to as they’re at least the best I have. But circumstances have changed and I now have to hoof it in and use a climber so the baffins are too bulky to walk in and too big for the stirrups.

I just had a pair of danner vital 1200g, they sucked.

im now looking at lacrosse alpha burly 1600g, kenetrek northerns, or perhaps a 1000g alpha burly with boot blankets. I have a creek I have to cross currently.

thoughts? Options? Opinions? I’m notopposed to spending $ for something quality that will last.
Thanks for your time

 

[Olen_4504]

I have the same problem. tagging in for responses.

it is my experience that preventing your feet from sweating is super important. two layers of socks = bad for me. feet sweat on the walk in - then as you sit there your feet begin to freeze.

same thing with those toe warmer things. if they make your feet sweat then go cold, then feet get colder.

I also put anti-perspirant on my feet to try to mitigate the sweating.

 

[Habituallinestepper]

Echo the above. I have 1800g waders for duck hunting that I realized were too warm, causing perspiration. I've used the arctic shield boot covers with decent luck, although not real conducive to moving around in them. At all. But sitting in a stand last weekend they worked well at 35 degrees with uninsulated Garmonts and wool socks.

 

[diverdon]

See your doctor! Poor circulation in feet can have many causes, most of which can be treated. But if left untreated can kill you.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

Ditch the extra pair of socks, you are making it worse by restricting blood flow. Wear a lighter more breathable pair of boots to walk in and then put these over once you are set in the stand:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/arcticshield-insulating-boot-covers-for-men?affcode_c=&msclkid=333a86d26310174091b7d973e1a42e6d&gclid=333a86d26310174091b7d973e1a42e6d&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[RETE8]

For late season sits, I use a light polypro liner sock, then a wool sock and Alphaburly 1600’s with Ugg inserts. Make sure you size the boots correctly so there is a little room between the top of your foot and top of the boot since air is the best insulator.

 

[natdscott]

The boots aren’t as much the problem. It’s your core temperature falling that causes vasoconstriction in your extremities, thereby freezing fuck outta your piggies.

—Put on a hat. Put on two. Longest standing rule in wilderness medical: “If your feet are cold, put on a hat.”
—Cover your neck and wrists.
—Getcha some ECWCS puff gear, and DON’T constrict it. But don’t expect it to cut wind or rain either. Parka.
—Good 800+ gram boots are good, but untie and loosen them if you’re gonna be sitting awhile.
—For really cold weather, wear a pair of boots a size larger, but DON’T cram that space all full of superdooper sock.
—Consider the original weak-ass-bitch boots: Mickey Mouse .mil boots.
—Wear suspenders and loose socks, and avoid elastic cuffs on gloves and sleeves.
—Wear wind-proof barrier over your layers. Camo rain coats actually work well over ECWCS...they are water and wind proof, but not so heavy that they mash the down.
—Same point: take an insulated cushion to sit on. Your ass mashes nearly any insulation except foam.
—Take soup.
—Don’t smoke.
—Cut back on the coffee.

 

[davsco]

don't remember the brands, but a buddy was telling me about electric sox, a few hundred dollars a pair, not the cheap ones. thinking bicycling was one of the uses.

 

[candyx]

As you get older you realize that hunting from the truck with climate control is best, worst part is trying not falling asleep in the reclining heated seat sipping JD from the flask.

 

[acudaowner]

plan ahead have you ever tried heated socks ?

Lenz 4 SET Lithium pack rcB 1200+heat sock 5.0

DESCRIPTION:The Lenz 4 SET Lithium pack rcB 1200+heat sock 5.0 is ready for the cold temps. FEATURES:2 lithium pack rcB 1200 (rechargeable)1 global USB-charger 100-240 VAC1 USB charging cable with charging indicator

www.saintbernard.com

could be your cold feet problem no more idea then again you might burst into flames using the product but its an idea that could work .
or you could have fat injected into your legs if blubber helps keep seals war in cold water it should do about the same thing for you or have your doctor look at them you could have blood flow issues mine are dead numb all year long and its a circulation issue I am guessing its from the blood thinners I take I think statins do the same thing make your blood really thin .

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I’ve used the artic shield boot blankets with decent success but only if I loosened my laces so open that my boots would almost fall off.
one thing that worked for my son was I brought a kid sized camo sleeping bag along. After we got in the stand he pulled that up over his feet and all the way to his waist. It kept him nice and warm.

 

[natdscott]

I’ve used the artic shield boot blankets with decent success but only if I loosened my laces so open that my boots would almost fall off.
one thing that worked for my son was I brought a kid sized camo sleeping bag along. After we got in the stand he pulled that up over his feet and all the way to his waist. It kept him nice and warm.

Bingo. The ECWCS set is a wearable sleeping bag.

One of the best pieces of gear the US MIC has ever produced.

 

[OREGUN]

If it is perspiration causing the trouble, consider vapor barrier liners. They are strange to wear but work....use plastic grocery sacks to try the concept out. I also really like the idea of insulated boot covers for once the sit commences...or once in the stand, take your boots off and put on thick, dry socks and down booties. Definitely loosen the boot once the walk is over and don’t rely on big socks...just like with ski boots, a good boot will do the insulating and stuffing it tight with socks just limits blood flow. Basically all the stuff natdscott said.

 

[ma smith]

Have been thinking about this general topic as well..

My $0.02

+1 Keep dry feet...sweat is moisture...so...thin liner sock+mid-weight wool sock...not too tight...is better
+1 Boot/Shoes need to be oversized for colder...better ventilation...more circulation...more layers, etc
+2 Insulated your under-foot...upgrade insoles too eg wool lined this needs more room...seea above
+3 Use electronic heat elements underfoot when there is inadequate volume for appropriate insulation (skiers do this)
+4 Butt-pad...The R-value of what you are sitting on (should be 5++)...this is a core-temp issue+circulation also...

 

[EN2722]

I have a similar issue.

What’s worked for me in the past is switching to Darn Tough light or mid-weight hiking socks. With that, I also have an extra pair on me because when you walk to your stand no matter what happens your feet are going to sweat. So when I get in and settled I quickly change my socks and my give a fuck factor goes way up.

Second, anything you sit on is transferring heat from you to it. Once I started using those foam pads, I instantly felt warmer.

I’ve also changed what I wear. Everything is merino wool, light weight or 2.0 level base layers. They are one size larger than I typically wear and nothing has an elastic band. I do not walk in with anything besides the outer layer. Then strip down and add layers before sitting.

Last, kind of weird, but stretching every day has helped with circulation and I’ve noticed I could drop some of my extra comfort items.

 

[264win]

Pretty well covered already but,
The biggest thing I have found is to carry either a half sleeping bag or boot insulators and put a few hand warmers in them.
put on dry socks ( wool )
stay hydrated
don’t do anything to restrict blood flow
use a foam pad under your butt and feet
wear a good hat and neck gaiter