Best winter boots you have found.....

[H.Hughes]

Really would like to get a decent pair of Ice fishing boots this year, sick of the cold wet feet. I usually drill 50+ holes, and of course my feet are soaked. I have the big boots that are awkward, dont fit in the truck or fishouse, and the comfotable "waterproof" Gander Mt boots, they dont work. Dont recall the name but these were abouty $125.

So basically, looking for a non bulky dry, warm boot. Price well whatever......

[LocalGuide]

Check out the "Mickey Mouse" (army issue) style of boots. I dont care what anyone else says but for me they are the warmest boots I have ever found. Just make sure you wear the right kind of socks (cant remember the name but they wick the moisture away from your feet so they dont get wet/cold) and your feet will stay warm all the time.

They maybe a little bulky for what your looking for, but they're worth a look at IMO.

One other thing is if they do ever get cold, like if get poor circulation to your feet, dump some warm water in them, let it sit for a few minutes and then dry it out and your feet will be nice and toasty again. I always think of that as the best option that boot has to offer compared to any other boot.

[Animal]

The best all round pac I've found has been the Lacrosse Iceman. It is fairly light weight and yet provides adequate warmth for temps in the zero to just below zero range which covers most of what we experience in northern MN. I purchase new liners for them about every 4 or 5 years. Along the way I tried a pair of Ice Kings which were way too clunky for my usage. I still use them when I sit in the deer stand. Last year I bought a pair of Rocky Ice Stalkers and found they perform much like the Iceman although they were somewhat clunky when walking around. When I first moved to northern MN about 25 years ago I bought a pair of MM boots and I found them to cause my feet to sweat and I didn't feel they were very comfortable when walking any distance. My feeling on MM boots is that if your stuck on a military mission in the mountains in the dead of winter or you like to ice fish outside all the time then thats the boot you need. If you need an all purpose boot for ice fishing, snowmobiling, walking around the woods, blowing snow, fishing in the spring and late fall, etc. then one of the pac boots is a better choice.

[mnvikingsfreak]

I second and then some about the mickey mouse boots you can get cheap ones on hsolist or sportsman guide make sure they are "bata" brand though there are cheap copies

[shorefisher]

I have the Lacrosse Icemans and have never had wet or cold feet with them. Just water proof them each year and good to go. They have lasted many, many years and are still good to go!

[Ryan_V]

mark another vote for the mickey mouse boots. Warmest boots you will ever find, and very reasonable. I picked up a brand new pair off of hsolist last year for around $50. otherwise there is always a booth or two selling them at the st paul ice fishing show every year

[Dan Thiem]

I will also vote for the Mickey's. The white ones are warmer than the black ones. They are both a very waterproof boot and very comfortable. Unless it gets warm out. Say around 20 degrees. Then they get very uncomfortable. My feet get hot in them boots when it warms up.

I made the mistake of wearing them in the barn and let me tell ya, that rubber doesn't hold up to well from the stuff on the floor the cows leave behind. It just melts the rubber away. It turns soft and sticky.

[KidWalleye]

Blizzard Stalkers from Gander. I've never tried the MIckey Mouse ones, so I can't comment on those. I drill alot of holes also and my feet are never wet. I believe they have 1200 grams of thinsulate. I would check but the wife packed them somewhere for the summer. Good Luck Kid

[bobO]

i had some icemen and they are warm but my buddies have had the ice kings for years and they all swear by them and never have had cold feet.

[Northlander]

I vote for the Icekings as well.My feet are never cold.

[CSP88]

Another vote for the Mickey's. I wear a pair of polypropylene liner socks then a pair of wool socks over the liners. My feet have yet to get cold, and last year up at Devils' Lake I put them to the extreme test.

[jltimm]

Another vote for the Lacrosse Ice Kings.I asked this same ? last year and bought me two seperate Lacrosse boots(a lightweight 600 gram hunting boot and Ice Kings)and I have to give Lacrosse a huge thanks for making such great boots!

[huckleberry]

Ice stalkers from Rocky! Very warm and yet compact and easier to walk around in rather than the sorel style boots. I have been very satisfied with them!

[Walleye Guy]

I use Rocky snow stalkers and haven't had cold feet. Lighter weight and fairly compact. The ice kings and mickey boots are also great but are generally bulkier and warmer than I need. If I fished outside the portable more I would probably buy the Mickey's. For fishing in a portable and doing the run and gun the snow stalkers work great. They have been great cold weather deer hunting boots too. Granted deer hunting in MN & WI is USUALLY warmer than ice fishing.

[Moose]

Got to have the Blizzard Stalkers from Rocky 1200 gram thinsulate. I flood skating rinks for a living and Ice fish the rest of the winter I have never been wet or cold in them. They run about $100.00 on Bargin Outfitters.com Just buy them big enough for some air space and wicking socks.Much lighter and easier to walk in than the pac boot. Dry faster than the pac boot Taller than the pac boot and no more wet felt liners!!!!

[Guest]

I purchased a pair of Hodgeman boots about 12 years ago for ice fishing and they still look like new.They are rated for -80 and do keep your feet warm,never had cold feet with them.Only problem is if I wear them deer hunting and walk alot they get heavy and my feet do some sweating.But for ice fishing they are great and sitting on a stand hunting.

[Bob_D]

Another vote for the Mickey's. I've used them for 15 years and they are great. I have the black ones and they work well. If you want something even warmer, get the white ones.

Leave the valves closed. Some people say to blow air into the valves, but that just adds moisture to the insulation and decreases it's insulating properties. The valves are there for use in non-pressurized airplanes.

[Walterwontfalter]

I wear icemen and have never had cold feet in them. I used to have a white pair of MM boots but spent more time on my butt than on my boots because they were so slippery. A friend of mine has a pair of Rocky boots that come with spikes or "caulks" in the soles and they are extremely stable on the ice and he says they are very warm.

[wallywalleye]

I think your problem with cold feet isn't because of your boots. Sounds to me if you drill 50 holes your doing alot of walking and that will make your feet sweat. That will in turn make your feet very cold once you stop moving around. No different than pouring cold water on you feet. I know of other people who complain about the same thing. Some people's feet just don't sweat as much and their feet stay warmer. I'll tell you what to do. Go find a pair of good comfortable shoes. (Running shoes or cross trainers work well because they breathe well)and go get youself a pair of 5 buckle overboots. Now put on a pair of regular cotton socks, then your shoes and then your 5 buckle boots. The shoes should let your feet breathe and the boots will keep water out. You will be very suprised how warm this combo really is. My feet don't sweat as much and they stay warmer alot longer. If your like me, the warmest boots money can buy may just cause your feet to sweat more and in turn make your feet colder faster. If you still get cold feet after you drill your holes bring along an extra pair of socks and change them before you feet get too cold. If after you drilled your holes and changed socks and you feet don't get cold you know it's because of the sweat.

[Dan_L]

i cant remember the name but they are the cheap sorel brand at fleet farm. i do a paper route at night and have to run through deep snow often. without socks my feet do sweat but the liner obsorbes it qiute well. and my feet stay very warm. only paid like $30 - $40. ran all winter and icefishing, i should get one more season on these liners. at $30 a new pair is just fine by me.

[Bob Horn]

Mickey`s got my vote. I have had my feet get wet from snow getting in (my fault) and just poured out the water and wrung out my socks and my feet were warm again in about 10 minutes. They are bulky but if a guy my size can wear them and not get tired then anyone can if in some sort of shape.

[Bob_D]

Quote:

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Mickey`s got my vote. I have had my feet get wet from snow getting in (my fault) and just poured out the water and wrung out my socks and my feet were warm again in about 10 minutes. They are bulky but if a guy my size can wear them and not get tired then anyone can if in some sort of shape.

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I had the same situation except I stepped in an old hole. Feet stayed toasty warm all day and it was around zero with a strong wind.

It's hard to beat the Mickey's at any price.

[LMITOUT]

Rocky Snow Stalkers. They are a bit bulky and almost impossible to drive a vehicle while wearing (size 12 here), but when sitting on the ice they do very well. I usually wear two pair of socks (wool over athletic cotton) and it seems to do the trick. They also have a good, agressive tread to help walk through the snow.

[fisherdog19]

I vote for Ice Stalkers. Very warm and they have retractable Ice cleats built into the sole of the boots. The liners keep you very warm and the come out easily to dry(your feet sweat they keep you so warm) between uses

[Northlander]

In any boot in winter dont wear cotton under your wool socks. Cotton holds onto the moisture and this is what leads to cold feet. Get a good pair of wicker socks and some smart wool socks and your feet will stay much dryer and of course warmer.

Friend had Ice Stalkers but the cleats on the bottom broke off. He did get a new pair and I guess they beefed up the cleats now. He really likes them.