Best boots for hard water

[MNCPRGUY]

On the top of my list of "must haves" for the upcoming season are new boots. I'm looking for something that will keep my feet warm while resting on the ice in my porty, but not be overly big and bulky. I would like to get something that I could run errands around town in and then spend a couple hours sitting on a pail without changing.

Thanks in advance for your input!

P.S. Planning to attend the porty mod event tomorrow. Can't wait to get the season started!!!

[titelines]

I picked up a pair of Cabela's Inferno boots a couple years ago and love 'em. My feet haven't been cold since I got them and I don't need to change when I get back to town. Depending on what you drive they could be a bit on the big side when driving.

[thatoneguy]

I need a new pair also. My white "Bunny Boots" that an uncle in the Air Force gave me 24 years ago are finally showing some wear, and need replacing.

[cps420us]

I bought the C store Predator Extremes. They look big and heavy, but they're pretty light and very warm. Are kind of hard to drive in though as stated above.

[Lawrence Luoma]

I currently run Lacrosse Alpha Burly 1000 rubber boots. Yes they are actually warm and I have worn them past -30 below. There is a trick to wearing them though and staying warm. 1. is to make sure you only wear one pair of merino wool socks. (That goes for any boot you wear. Never wear two pairs of socks) 2. I dry them after every use with boot dryers. 3. leave them on and don't take off until your home and allow the heat to stay in.

The best part about them is when you have slushy conditions my feet are never wet no matter what.

[ozzie]

muck boots

[BoxMN]

Ditto to lawrence and ozzie. I have Lacrosse Alpha and used them all last season. Warm and dry, and comfy, and not bulky.

[Eric_Kruger]

Im planning on picking up a pair of klim arctic gtx's, a little spendy but im on the ten year mark with my old ones.

[lundguy]

I use Cabalas 6 point with no insulation, unlike others I will then wear one pair on dry wicks topped with a pair of wool socks. I have hunted and fished in all conditions for many hours over the last 10 years and have been very happy with how this works for me. I do think that it is a good idea to have a set of slip on ice cleats, I had a bad fall last year that ended the year early for me. Good luck with your hunt for the right boot.

[choppermn27]

I currently run Lacrosse Alpha Burly 1000 rubber boots. Yes they are actually warm and I have worn them past -30 below. There is a trick to wearing them though and staying warm. 1. is to make sure you only wear one pair of merino wool socks. (That goes for any boot you wear. Never wear two pairs of socks) 2. I dry them after every use with boot dryers. 3. leave them on and don't take off until your home and allow the heat to stay in.

The best part about them is when you have slushy conditions my feet are never wet no matter what.

I bought the Cabela's white tail gore tex boots, and they are a bit bulky, but super warm. I always use ice cleats on them to avoid falling down on the ice.

I've found putting the boots on in van before heading out into the cold is the best way to go. I put the socks in the boots, and that way I know they are not wet. I also have had a lot better luck with 1 pair of fox river synthetic wool sock over all the rest i've tried. Someone also recommended spraying your feet with spray on anti perspirant to keep them from sweating.

[PurpleFloyd]

I bought the arctic whatever muck boots. The warmest ones they offer and they are great boots. They keep your feet warm, dry and are comfortable enough to wear just about anywhere.

[MNCPRGUY]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I hadn't given much thought to the socks but this seems to be a key component as well. I'm curious why nobody has mentioned any of the ice Armor etc boots. Anyone have experience with them?

[fisherman-andy]

I've had several expensive pac boots and the Ice Armor onyx boots too.

LOL... But its these that I will be wearing this winter. I paid $19 clearance at Wally World Ozark Trail Ultimate boots that im willing to bet will give any big name brand out there a run for their money:

[Esox_Magnum]

Been wearing Columbia Titanium Bugaboo's for the last several years and extremely happy with them, if they ever wear out I'll get another pair...I do wear Patigonia sockes with them every day at work or on the ice and yet to have cold feet and my feet have been frostbit years ago and always had a hard time keeping them warm...

[jb426]

Second the Columbia titanium boots. Warm, small enough to drive with only boot I'll ever buy

[c0untryf1sh3r]

I go with a reasonably cheap but decent boot with foam liners and ditch the foam liners and put in my LaCrossse felt liners. Felt liners combined witha good sock are IMO the way to go.

[speedbump]

I picked up a pair of Baffin boots last winter. They are by far the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. Sounds funny but when wearing them it is like you are walking on pillows. Because last winter was so warm, I really haven't tested them out in the extreme cold yet.

[Mike Walerak]

I have some Irish Setter Ice Claws and my feet have never been cold. The have extra thick insulated soles. Otherwise I wore white bunnies for quite a few years and never had cold feet. I would not ever hesitate to go back to the bunnies if my Ice Claws were wet or not available.

mw

[nige]

Have the Irish Setter Snow claw xt boots. Great boot but I cant drive very far in them.

[Hawg]

Muck Boots-they work for everything.

[fishwacker1]

I want to throw in my two cents. currently I work up by Prudhoe bay Alaska doing inspections for the pipeline. They issue everyone a pair of insulated "NEOS OVERSHOES" for the arctic weather. Specifically the Explorer STABILicers Mid, Black They go on and off fast and easy. Warm as hell over your normal insulated work or hunting boot, and have screw in stabilizers for the ice. I have a pair of Cabela's Saskatchewan Pac Boots that stay in the closet now because they are difficult to drive in and switching boots to drive stinks cause after a day on the hard water who wants to put on cold driving shoes. Check it out, and hope this info helps at least one person...

[TruthWalleyes]

What's the waterproofing like on those fishwacker?

Stand in water? How high?

[ChuckN]

After years of getting sick of cold feet and wearing big boots that wore me out; with advice from a friend I purchased the Camuk Extremes. The best hunting and ice fishing boot I've ever worn. It's so incredibly lightweight and warm you wouldn't believe it until you tried it.

[BradHawthorne]

I currently run Lacrosse Alpha Burly 1000 rubber boots. Yes they are actually warm and I have worn them past -30 below. There is a trick to wearing them though and staying warm. 1. is to make sure you only wear one pair of merino wool socks. (That goes for any boot you wear. Never wear two pairs of socks) 2. I dry them after every use with boot dryers. 3. leave them on and don't take off until your home and allow the heat to stay in.

The best part about them is when you have slushy conditions my feet are never wet no matter what.

I must have the worst luck with boots, I was only able to get 10 months out of my set Alpha Burly 1000 before the sun got to them and cracked, I just siliconed them up and I only got two years out of the Irish Setter Snow Claw XT Boots before they started leaking from the soul. I will admit, I like the rubber style over the traditional pack boot style. They are lighter, dryer boot.

I'm going to give the new Kamik IceTrekker Boots a run this season, I'll let you guys know how they hold up. The specs are promising and price is pretty good at $85~

Removable 15mm Zylex® 2F liners and 11mm Zylex insoles are comfort-rated for -75ºF! Lightweight rubber uppers are waterproof, as are the 1,000-denier adjustable nylon collars, keeping the elements from sneaking over the tops. Moisture-wicking linings keep feet dry, while Loyalty Rubber outsoles with self-cleaning lugs keep muck outside. Imported.

Height: 16".

Average weight: 5.7 lbs./pair.

Men’s whole sizes: 7-13.

Color: Dark Green.

[bfisher]

All I can say is whatever boots you have, remember to bring them . Last winter when I was going out I forgot to pack them (I cant wear them to drive) and had to wear my adidas sala's on the ice. Not fun