Get cold feet hunting? here's a tip

[wannafish2]

Ok, so sometimes I get cold toes while hunting. The rest of me is ok, but once my toes get cold, it's usually just a matter of time before I convince myself to quit hunting and get warm. Unfortunately, this is usually later in the afternoon, prime hunting as you all know...so, I started looking for a solution, and here's one I came up with for cold toes, and its really easy.

I know there are those big clunky quilted boot covers you can buy if you have the money to spend, and now theres that big sleeping bag with arms thing...but, when I am hunting, I don't want to have to bring everything but the kitchen sink out there, I want my backpack to hold whatever I may need, so, since its only my toes that usually get cold, here's what I did.

I had an extra hand warmer. One of those muffs that go around your waist. I cut it in half, and stiched the end closed like this ___!___ with a little like pinched point in the middle to allow for the toe of my boot.

1 muff will make one for each foot. The elastic that used to go around my wrist now goes right around the boot and holds it in place. Because it is elastic, if it is really cold, you can stick a handwarmer pack on the top of your toe inside the muff, and because it doesn't cover the whole boot, you can still feel your way around the stand well, even climb a ladder etc. Sometimes I even forget to take them off when I get down for a minute or two. They snap together with the strap that used to go around your waist for ease of carrying, or, they are compact enough to fit inside most backpacks. I don't have any pictures right now, but if you want I can take a couple and try to post them here for anyone that is interested.

I'll tell you, they really work in a pinch, and for you guys taking your kids out with you, maybe warm feet will keep them in the stand a little longer.

I know that they've saved me some hunting time. I even can wear lighter, more comfortable boots now because I know I can slip them on in a second and be warm.

Just something I came up with that I thought I would share.

Oh, and I am thinking of getting a patent so any feedback would be great.

[slimngrizzly]

Id have to see pictures. I dont get it? It sounds gawdy and in the way to me. I know the muff I use wouldn't fit over my boots anyway???

If you are indeed going to get a patent on this idea, shouldn't you do that before releasing it on the intrnet?!?!? Just something to consider.

[Jarrid Houston]

I have also done this, and it has helped me! I also like the boot sleeping bag thingies too~!

[mrklean]

gotta see some pics of that

[paceman]

I just simply place the disposable foot warmers in my boot on top of my foot and I am good to go, even below zero.

[TooTallTom]

Sounds like a pretty good idea, even as a "just in case" option.

One of my uncles and my cousin (his son) have lots of trouble with cold feet. For my cousin, at least, the problem was using cotton athletic socks as a base layer, and then too many insulating layers. The cotton was trapping moisture from sweat and making his feet cold. I suggested that on most days he should back off to one pair of wool socks (better moisture transfer, less insulation), and he hasn't had any trouble since.

[TruthWalleyes]

It's this easy.

There are these things, which I have a pair of, but are extremely bulky and once or twice a season they will get used, but rarely... Link

Then there are these things. Much lighter, extremely compact, and do the job fine. Link2

I've got both kinds, I much prefer the 2nd as they are so much smaller and compact. I just didn't feel like returning the larger boots so they're still around for a really cold day.

I only bring them along when i know I have a long walk ahead of me that might get my feet sweaty if i wear my heavily insulated boots. So i'll wear a lighter pair of boots and put these on when at the stand. If you can keep your feet from sweating your much better off.

[Bear55]

Good idea wannafish. I wear my boot plankets once in a while but they are just so bulky and noisy that I don't care for them. Something a little smaller made of quiet material would be great.

[ts_hunter]

I just get the 'toe warmers' from the bin at Gander Mt. right next to the hand warmers. They have two adhesive warmer packs that you stick to the bottom of your socks near your toes. Nice and warm for 4-6 hours.

[cavalierowner]

I used to wear Sorrels and always had trouble with my feet getting cold on the stand. Then one year about 30 years ago I forgot my Sorrels. The only thing I had was a pair of sneakers and a pair of the old fashioned rubber buckle boots. Well I put on a pair of cotton/polyester blend socks, wool socks, the sneakers and finally my rubber buckle boots. Well that was the first year that my feet didn't get cold! I still do that now, except I wear leather hiking boots under the rubber boots. I'll bet I can count on one hand how many times I get cold feet on my stand and I stay on my stand for at least 3 to 4 hours in the morning. My hands? Well that's another story!!

[wannafish2]

this is just what I found works for me. I am glad to see all the other suggestions also. I tried those foot warmers, didn't work for me. I also tried those battery operated electric socks...nope, too much of a hassle and I didn't like walking on wires.

This works for me, and I like that most of my boot isn't covered so I can still "feel" my way around and I don't get snow and mud and leaves all inside of it. I took some pics so I hope this helps explain it easier to those of you who want to try it. Hope this upload works....sewing it in this particular shape makes the end of it more rounded so the boot fits all the way to the end and the boot isn't pulling on the seam when you have it on. Real easy to slip a handwarmer inside on top too. I only put them on once I am in the stand.

And, yes, I probably shouldn't have put it on here if I want to patent it, but this has a date and time stamp on it, besides, no FM'rs would steal my idea....lol

[deerminator]

Looks like a good idea. I just pull my boot blankets over my boots with a handwarmer thrown into each. I don't think they're very bulky or loud. In fact, I've worn them on short walks to stand before with no issues and it silences my boots more so than if I hadn't had them on.

[HOBBSTER]

I used to get cold toes and it sucks after a while. A tip I learned when I as a kid from the "Elder" in our hunting party was to apply a light coat of odorless deodorant/ anti-persperent on your feet before you put your sock on, then Roll back your sock on over your foot. Sounds goofy but you'd be surprised how well it works.

Another tip is you can purchase thermal socks that have a pocket sewn above the toes for you to slip a toe warmer/ hand warmer. The pocket keeps the toe warmer in place when you slide your boot on. Also, I use hand warmers instead of the toe warmers to slip in the pocket on the sock. I'm not totally sure, but it seems the hand warmers are more Warm and last longer than the toe warmers. You can buy these socks at the store for $13.00 or you can buy a better quality thermal sock and take a piece of thin cloth and sew your own pocket it on for much cheaper.

With the deodorant/ anti-persperent applied and the hand warmers in the sock my feet haven't been cold since.

[john skarie]

The key to keeping feet warm is flexibility and keeping them dry.

Wearing boots that don't allow your feet to flex normally, pretty much anything with a hard rubber sole, steel shank sole etc. will prevent your feet from keeping warm.

Hard rubber also is a good conductor of heat, which robs your feet of heat, or lets the cold ground in however you want to look at it.

Keeping feet dry is also very important. No cotton whatsover should be in your socks. Merino wool is the best insulator/sweat transporter out there, bar none.

If you want to have warm, comfortable feet with a very lightweight boot that you can walk in all day, Steger Mukluks with Merino wool socks can't be beat. They aren't a good choice for warmer weather, or wet conditions, but can't be beat when it's cold and snow on the ground.

JS

[Gordie]

The key to keeping feet warm is flexibility and keeping them dry.

Wearing boots that don't allow your feet to flex normally, pretty much anything with a hard rubber sole, steel shank sole etc. will prevent your feet from keeping warm.

Hard rubber also is a good conductor of heat, which robs your feet of heat, or lets the cold ground in however you want to look at it.

Keeping feet dry is also very important. No cotton whatsover should be in your socks. Merino wool is the best insulator/sweat transporter out there, bar none.

If you want to have warm, comfortable feet with a very lightweight boot that you can walk in all day, Steger Mukluks with Merino wool socks can't be beat. They aren't a good choice for warmer weather, or wet conditions, but can't be beat when it's cold and snow on the ground.

JS

+1 wool only for me

Boots that are two tight are not going to help at all as stated your feet need room to breath it pays to have your foot measured for a boot so you find out the right size you should wear. I know this sounds like a little to know value but I did just this and my feet are the much warmer for having done it. I purchased a non-insulated pair hunting boots and wear only wool socks and my feet have been some much warmer the past couple of hunting seasons.

[NoWiser]

JS,

Do you have the regular Mukluks or the Camuks?

I bought a pair of the Camuks before deer season this year. They are very light and comfortable, which is nice. But, I was not entirely impressed with them. After the second day, walking to and from my stand, with a little still hunting, my feet got sweated up and moisture built up in the moosehide. For the next 7 days of hunting my feet were clammy, and did not stay entirely warm. I even swapped out felt liners and insoles each day. There was no way to dry out the moosehide until I got home. It was very disappointing. Also, do you put in the contoured insoles that came with the mukluks? I left them out, and just added an extra felt insole. One of the last days I spent the entire day still hunting/scouting, as I'd already gotten my buck. By the end of the day, my feet were so sore I could hardly stand it. I needed some arch support. Maybe it's just something a person needs to get used to?

Anyways, I like the theory behind the mukluks, but for me, they just didn't work out. If I could find a way to dry out the inside of them at night, I would say they would be the perfect deer hunting boot for stand hunting, with a little still-hunting mixed in. Any ideas?

[john skarie]

I have the arctic weathermates. For the exact reasons you have stated.

To me the best thing about the mukluks is that they breathe so well.

The untreated moosehide and canvas work very well at keeping your feet dry and warm in cold temps. They are not waterproof however and are made to be worn in sub-freezing temps. I wear them winter camping in the BWCA on lake trout trips and during deer hunting when it's cold enough.

I do wear an insole in them.

I don't think I'd be happy with the camuks.

JS

[Boar]

Very cool Idea, nice job. Rubber is one of the best insulators around, I remeber when my day first took me hunting an thats wat were used was rubber pull overs that zip up or buckle. One thing i always bring with is the Themacare heat wraps, I get a box of 2 for about ten bucks an fist into a back pac nicley, I wrap one around my lower back an it keeps my extremities warm, kindneys liver an lower back stays nice an loose, dosent stiffen up. But us older guys have to be carefull, loose mucles in a lower back can easily slip a disc if your not carefull. These things stay wrm for many hours. I dont hunt with out them unless we have years like we had lately. Boar

[surewood]

A pair of boots with a little wiggle room, light pair of synthetic socks, adhesive foot warmer on the top of my light socks as close to my toes as possible, and a thick pair of wool socks over them. Keeps my feet warm all day. I also like to put the adhesive body warmer on my chest over my under armor cold gear shirt, and put a couple hand warmers in my pockets.

[Gordie]

JS,

Do you have the regular Mukluks or the Camuks?

I bought a pair of the Camuks before deer season this year. They are very light and comfortable, which is nice. But, I was not entirely impressed with them. After the second day, walking to and from my stand, with a little still hunting, my feet got sweated up and moisture built up in the moosehide. For the next 7 days of hunting my feet were clammy, and did not stay entirely warm. I even swapped out felt liners and insoles each day. There was no way to dry out the moosehide until I got home. It was very disappointing. Also, do you put in the contoured insoles that came with the mukluks? I left them out, and just added an extra felt insole. One of the last days I spent the entire day still hunting/scouting, as I'd already gotten my buck. By the end of the day, my feet were so sore I could hardly stand it. I needed some arch support. Maybe it's just something a person needs to get used to?

Anyways, I like the theory behind the mukluks, but for me, they just didn't work out. If I could find a way to dry out the inside of them at night, I would say they would be the perfect deer hunting boot for stand hunting, with a little still-hunting mixed in. Any ideas?

NW use one of those peet boot dryers they have them that run on 1lb propane bottles I know you pack in but this would be the way to dry your boots w/o that much excess gear along.

I was also told by someone that wears mukluks that the best sock for them is no sock in them my nephew wears them that way and his feet stay warm and dry at least thats what he told me. Not sure about the camuks though.

[john skarie]

Gordie;

You may be thinking of the Ugg/sheepskin type boots. Those are very comfortable without socks. The Steger type boots have a wool/felt liner like the older Sorels had. They wouldn't be comfortable without socks.

JS

[Gordie]

Yep John thats what he has thanks for the clarification.