What am I doing wrong? Cold feet issues.

[lispeej]

So, I have a 2 year old pair of 2000 gram thinsulate Irish Settler boot that I primarly use for ice fishing. They work great in the winter when I'm walking and such. They keep my feet warm when I'm on the move, but when I'm sitting in the cold, they are not as effective as I would like them to be.

Needless to say, I have worn them for deer hunting too, and need to find a way to make them warmer. What am I doing wrong here? When deer hunting, I usaully am in my stand for 12-14 hours straight and would like to not have to climb down and go for a walk to warm up my feet.

I usually wear a two layers of socks. The most inner being a moisture wicker sock, and then a wool sock of some sort. Should I be wearing a cotton in there as well? What types/combo of socks are folks wearing? Or is it time to switch to a new pair of boots?

Thanks.

[Whoaru99]

I dunno that you're doing anything wrong. That's a long time to keep warm feet without any walking.

They're not too tight with extra socks, are they?

[lispeej]

I dunno that you're doing anything wrong. That's a long time to keep warm feet without any walking.

They're not too tight with extra socks, are they?

No, they are not too tight. They are snug, but not loose neither. If that makes any sense.

[CAMAN]

If you're sitting that long I'd suggest getting some of the disposable foot warmers.

I've got some heavy 2000 gram boots myself, I'm perfect for about 3 hours of standing on the ice with minimal movement. 6 hours of constant running and gunning, but the moment I slow down I can feel it. If I know I'll be on the ice for an extended time I will throw a set of foot warmers in and be warm the whole time.

[shizzy]

Do your feet sweat a lot?

I always bring a fresh pair of socks to change in to once i'm all settled. I have swamp feet and any amount of walking produces wet socks. wool is claimed to be warm when wet, but I find my feet are warmer with fresh dry socks.

foot warmers can be a god send as well. cheap and take up no space in your pockets.

[upnorth]

Couple thoughts. 1st space between your feet and the cold, I have 3 pairs of winter boots, active/not so cold, active/cold, and sitting on my butt/really cold. The sitting on my butt cold are big, heavy, thick, loose fitting boots. The other two not so much. I also put an extra layer of felt in the soles of the boots to put more distance/insulation between my feet and the cold. Snug is fine for traipsing through the woods, not for sitting in the cold.

[FishinFools]

Shizzy is, in my experience, on to something...feet getting wet on the way in.

If you are going to sit that long you have to have dry feet. I wear cotton socks and bread bags for my walk in. Then I sit on my climber platform at grade, get to bare feet and air dry. Then put on your polypro and wools socks and your large insulated boots with plenty of air space. I put the cotton socks in the bread bags and bury them in leaves/dirt until I leave.

Seems to work very well for long, all day sits.

[mnguy152]

the only other thing you can try is putting a hand warmer in the toe area before you leave camp it seams to do the trick for me on thoose all day sits.

[Kyhl]

My experience has always been that the bottom of the boot needs extra insulation so I buy them to fit loose then add an extra layer on the bottom like a thick Dr Shoels or something.

I ice fish in my Irish Setters this way.

Learned this from a friend. When we were kids they would go to watch snowmobile races and stand in the snow all day. Their trick was to bring along a square of thick white foam insulation to stand on. Kept the kids cozy all day.

[Fishinguy40]

I can relate to what you are saying. I also think that many of the responses are correct.

I used to wear pac boots when I deer hunted. I don't remember how much insulation they have but they are quite large but warm. My feet never got cold sitting on thye stand all day. Several years ago I switched to a climbing tree stand and found that my pac boots were too large and would not fit into the "stirrups" on the platform. I had to switch to a hunting boot. Like you, 2000 grams of insulation with wool socks and my feet get cold after standing in one spot for several hours.

I do believe that blood flow is an issue. The pac boots were large and loose. Plenty of dead air space to hold the heat. A hunting boot is meant more for hiking and such in rough terrain and tend to fit more snug. This means less dead air space to hold the heat and I think the "snug fit" tends to reduce blood flow.

I wish I could find a way to use my pac boots with my climber.

[Tom7227]

Wear a better hat.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I have a pair of Cabela's Predators. I normally wear a size 11'ish, but I got these in size 13. I have never had cold feet in these, even ice fishing on a bucket in Canada in -35(f). I've never worn more than a liner sock, and a pair of medium weight wool socks.

I spent 13 hours in my deer stand on Saturday, and I didn't have cold feet, but they were 'cool' for the first time ever. I attribute it to three things. 1) I was in a cheap ladder stand instead of my usual comfy climber. I think I had some loss of circulation in my feet. 2) My feet got extremely sweated up on the walk in. 3) My hands got cold (gloves got sweated up on the walk in).

This coming weekend I'm going to do the cotton socks for the walk in (to absorb moisture), and switch to my usual wool socks when I get out there. I'm also going to skip the warm gloves for the walk in, and put hand warmers in my gloves before we head out in the morning so I have warm gloves to swap into. Once one part of you gets cold, it's a problem for the rest of your body.

[titelines]

I tossed a pair of Thinsulate insoles in my Cabela's Inferno's, just for an extra layer. I can't say that they make it better or not, but I've never had cold feet, and they are very comfortable..cushy padding for your feet.

[hawgchaser]

I sweat...a lot. My daughter's elementary school report about something unusual was about her dad who sweats year-around. When walking to a hunting spot for field hunting, I'd walk in tennis shoes. When I got to my "post" I'd change into dry socks and heavy boots. Solved the problem of cold feet for me. Just a thought.

[amateurfishing]

i have cheapo older boots. first i always use insoles no matter what the shoe/boot is and wear liner socks inside covered with wool socks. rarely feet get cold but if they do when its really cold out i always have some handwarmers on hand and throw 1 or 2 in depending on situation. a cheap way that works really well for me

[Northlander]

1st off Im like you and my feet sweet a lot. I have found that a good wicker sock, some smart wool socks and a good thick soled pac boot keep me the warmest. it would be great if i could wear 1 pair of lighter boots while pulling my otter out to my spots and then change socks and boots but thats not realistic in my mind. Therefore I put on my Ice Kings and wear good sock combos and if needed warm the toes by the Buddy Heater and hang the wet socks above it.

I have never found the cure all combo of liners, socks and boots.

[kerryd15]

If they are 2 yrs old and have an insole, try replacing it. I had a pair of rockys- 20 yrs ago, that were very warm then got cold after a couple years changed the insoles helped a lot. When you walk or stand the insole gets compressed and after a while doesn't rebound. The fastest way to lose heat is direct contact. I read where some people were using reflectex insulation in the bottom of their boots to reflect the heat back in. When I go fishing i always leave my boots untied- so they don't sweat, until I have to get out or to pull the sled. Last winter I tried a small sheet of reflectix just under my feet in the fish house- thought it seemed to help. If anything is restricting or pressing on your legs while on the stand may be restricting blood flow also.

[Big-Al]

I think that feet sweating is the number one cause of cold feet and a couple of suggestions would be: 1. If you are a coffee drinker either eliminate it or cut back greatly. It is a diuretic and will cause increased perspiration. 2. Use a dry powder spray on anti-antiperspirant on your feet. Don't knock it till you try it.

I am not a fan of "boot warmers". These things produce H20 as a byproduct and where is that going to go inside a boot?

[Tom7227]

Agree on the antiperspirant deodorant. I would do it on limited occasions where I know there is going to be a problem.

[delcecchi]

...

I am not a fan of "boot warmers". These things produce H20 as a byproduct and where is that going to go inside a boot?

Just a minor correction. Those pouch things don't produce water as a byproduct. The heat comes from the oxidation of iron powder.

The Jonee type that burn lighter fluid do produce water, but would be hard to fit in a boot.

[Big-Al]

Quote:

Those pouch things don't produce water as a byproduct.

If my memory serves me correctly (and granted that was a long time ago) my chemistry class taught me that a byproduct of oxidation is water.

[Big-Al]

I think the pouch is suppose to "contain" the moisture but at least some, maybe all, don't. The next time you use some, throw them in a small jar in the fridge and see how much condensation develops. This will also stop the oxidation process and you may get a few more hours out of them.

[Walleyehooker]

Most of the time its a sock issue. Everyone is different but if your feet sweat and your socks and boots get wet inside you are going to have cold feet if you arent moveing. Just have to find a combo that works for you.

[delcecchi]

If my memory serves me correctly (and granted that was a long time ago) my chemistry class taught me that a byproduct of oxidation is water.

Oxidation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing compounds (gas, oil, wood) produce water. Oxidation of carbon makes Carbon Dioxide which makes drinks fizzy and the globe warmer. Oxidation of iron makes rust or Iron Oxide.

Those packs use powdered iron which gives off heat as it rusts. No hydrogen, no water.

[Hoey]

As previously stated, moisture is the cause of cold feet. When it is cold out, the air is nearly always saturated and will not adequately absorb excess moisture. Boot/sock combinations make a big difference. When sitting in an ice house for the day, I usually open my bib leg zippers, roll my pant legs up above the tops of my boots, loosen the tops of my boots to allow the moisture to escape. All the wicking materials need to be allowed to wick somewhere. Just my thoughts. Stay dry, stay warm.

[Big-Al]

Quote:

No hydrogen, no water.

Try the jar in the fridge if you think that there is no H2O produced.