Winter Boots

[AB13]

I am looking for some new winter boots. My old ones I wore at work, and they were ruined after one day. I did not realize that ice salt for roads was so leathal to boots. I am just wondering if anybody has any good idea's for a good, waterproof and very warm boot. My feet seem to be the only thing on my body that gets cold when im on the lake. Thanks for reading and any info you are able to provide!!

[hartner62]

I wear the Mickey Mouse Military boots and they work great. They are very warm and are waterproof. They are also pretty cheap compared to some of the other cold weather boots you will find out there.

[AB13]

Where do you find boots like that? I've never heard of them.

[Ed Carlson]

I can't tell ya enough how much I love the Cabela's Trans Alaskan III boots I upgraded to this season. Man they are Sweet! Light and no matter how long I sit on the ice, no hint of cold or wet with them on. Not cheap...but man they do the job.

A Big Thumbs up for the Cabela's Trans Alaskan III boots from me, and I wore Mickey boots for 20 plus years....no comparison..they are far warmer and lighter. Worth every penny!

[caseymcq]

If you are looking for boots to keep your feet warm check out Cabela's Predator Extremes. These boots are awesome. They have 1200 grams of Thinsulate and a 9mm Texel liner to keep your feet toasty and a Dry Plus membrane to keep them dry. I bought a pair about a year ago on sale for $120 (I think right now they are $140 but I am pretty sure they go on sale every year). They are more than worth the money. I could be lake trout fishing on Burnside or Snowbank Lake when it was -15 and my feet never got cold. They are pac boots so they have a little weight to them but if you aren't looking to do a lot of walking/hiking with them they are a great boot.

[Sandmannd]

I know the FF in Oakdale has Mickey Mouse boots for around $45. For the money, best boot out there. Thing I have learned is to not put them on till you get to the lake. Your feet will sweat on the way there and then you're wrecked. Put them on before you go on the ice and you are fine.

[Rick G]

Try the Rocky blizard stockers 1200gm insulation Nice lite and very warm. Or the rocky alaskans are also a good boot.

[Steve Foss]

AB, maybe you know all this, but here's a bit more perspective.

Whatever you get, make sure they're big enough to wear a two- or three-sock combo and still have room for your feet to move around a bit.

Two key factors lead to cold feet: Boots too tight and cotton socks. Too tight-boots mean your foot circulation is impeded, and it's blood flowing to your feet that keeps them warm. Cotton socks hold moisture against the skin and that chills the feet. Same for long underwear. I use a thin polypropylene or merino wool liner sock (pulls moisture away from foot), then a slightly heavier wool sock and a thicker wool sock on top of that in my boots, and there's still room for my feet to move.

Lots of great warm boots out there but if they aren't big enough and if you put cotton around your feet, you can spend a lot of money and still get cold feet.

I wear a size 9E. My cold-weather boots are 11E.

Good luck!

[Thunderman]

I have the Irish Setter 1600 gram buck stalkers my first pair lasted 5 yrs and just purchased another pair last year they are a very warm boot.

[Chef]

I have the LaCrosse High-end Extreme boots and they're awesome. I tried to find the Rocky ones a couple of years ago and they had been disco'd.

If you depend on a dry, breathable day long comfort boot, I'd stay clear of the cheap boots personally. They may be waterproof on the outside, but unless they're Gortex (or some form of Gortex) they won't wick moisture away from your foot and you'll end up with frozen feet and cracked skin that could make you unable to work. To me the perceived cost savings with a $50.00 doesn't add up. Pay $150.00 for a boot that performs the way you need them to. You wouldn't tow your boat with a Ford Focus...

[dan z]

I have the new lacrosse alpha icemans ($100) and they are ten times the ice king that a lot of people wear. they are a pac boot with out the heavy feel of a normal pac boot they are rated at -140 degrees so they are very warm I wear a linear sock and a light wool sock and never had ne problems with wet feet(sweat) as the linear sock wicks moisture I have seen recently that the local reatialers are starting to put them on sale 20%-30% all pac boots good luck

[Bigslugger]

If you are looking for boots to keep your feet warm check out Cabela's Predator Extremes. These boots are awesome. They have 1200 grams of Thinsulate and a 9mm Texel liner to keep your feet toasty and a Dry Plus membrane to keep them dry. I bought a pair about a year ago on sale for $120 (I think right now they are $140 but I am pretty sure they go on sale every year). They are more than worth the money. I could be lake trout fishing on Burnside or Snowbank Lake when it was -15 and my feet never got cold. They are pac boots so they have a little weight to them but if you aren't looking to do a lot of walking/hiking with them they are a great boot.

I second the Predator Extremes. Hands down best winter boot out there

Never once have my feet been cold even when they are drenched in water from the auger

[brianh]

Bought a pair of the VB boots in early 80's, think I had them 'til 2001. Next pair was Rocky Blizzard; won't buy them again. Currently have Irish Setter w/ 1400 grams, warm but not real water-proof. When I need boots again it will be the VB boots again. Although they are not a fashion statement, they are the best boot I've worn. Uncle Sam issued them for a reason.

[team wild]

I bought cabelas inferno 2000 and love them.They are warm and easy to walk in almost no break in period waterproof and lightweight wore them deer hunting last year and did alot of still hunting and never got tired.I also agree in making sure you get the right size I wear size 11 and bought size 13 also get a good pair of wicking socks.

[Bigslugger]

I bought cabelas inferno 2000 and love them.They are warm and easy to walk in almost no break in period waterproof and lightweight wore them deer hunting last year and did alot of still hunting and never got tired.I also agree in making sure you get the right size I wear size 11 and bought size 13 also get a good pair of wicking socks.

I had the Infernos but returned them. I dont know if it was a defect or anything but there was NO insulation in the top of the toe. It would get ice cold and my toes would get numb

[WalleyesWest]

Go with MUCK boots they are H2o proof, light, and very warm. Sock are key, I put on 2 different socks to stay warm. First some sort of moisture absorbing sock then just a plain old wool sock. Size is very inportant buy them big.

[lovebigbluegills]

I agree Walleyes, I wear Muck boots for those same reasons. Basically just insulated knee boots is what they are.

I've also worn Mickey Mouse boots in the past (years ago in the service). As mentioned, they are a very warm boot, and shouldn't be put on until you need them to be on.

Also, my feet tend to be the first part of my body to get cold. The remedy I've found for that is to keep my feet off of the ice once I've got my house set up on the fish. Just a scrap piece of styrofoam (about a foot square) seems to do an excellent job.

There's my two cents about boots.

[mnfishman]

I have had the Cabela's Inferno boots for a few years now. I have had good luck with them both bow hunting and ice fishing. My feet were always getting cold in my old Sorel's and I don't have this problem anymore with these boots.

[Jari Razskazoff]

When I went to Joe's i asked the guy there about boots, because i had some pretty durable boots, but my feet still kept getting cold. I told him that mostly I use boots for ice fishing, and I wouldn't be moving around a lot. He suggested the Baffin Technology boots. How they differ from Thinsulate is that Thinsulate is dependent on movement to keep you warm, and the Baffin tech boots will keep heat in, even when sitting still.

I guess that makes sense because the Thinsulate thickness is what keeps them warm. The baffin boot liners have a metalic silver lining on them which supposedly keeps the heat in, and you don't have to move around to keep warm. If i am moving around, my feet might sweat, but it will always be warm. If i am not moving around, my boots keep in the heat my body produces, or if i stick in one of those foot warmers, it will keep in that heat.

Thinsulate from what he said, needs movement to keep you warm... i'm sure the 2000 gram thinsulate would keep in warmth too, but i'm very happy with my Baffin technology boots.

[iceman1005]

Cabela's Predator Extremes are the best boot i have ever owned. For being a Pac boot they are really not that heavy. Got mine on a sweet sale at Cabela's. The best boot you can by in my eyes.

[ducker]

My vote is the Kamik Goliath 1. Rubber bood with removeable liners. Rated to -75 or -100. Has gaiter type tie top. Light and warm. Good for ice fishing. Don't seem to sweat to bad in them either.

[catfishkid]

I have owned my mickey mouse boots for 10 years. 3 of those years doing concrete.they have held up very well. one thing about them if you do happen to fall through or just get water in them they will still keep you warm. this is because the insulation never gets wet. after i put a wheeler through a few years back i had to walk about a mile to the truck. my feet never got cold. the water that was dumped out was fairly warm. my .02

[Beege]

Rocky Snow stalker extreme's. Best boot i have ever owned. They are expensive but well worth the money IMO.

[AB13]

Hey thanks alot guy's for all the great advice. I did not realize there were that many different kinds of boots out there. I also didn't realize that cotton socks are bad news. That explains why my feet get so cold when I have my so called< warm winter socks on!! And I will definetly be buying my boots a little larger this time!!

[Northlander]

As stated a boot is just the begining. A good wicking sock and good wool blend sock like a smartwool is key. I have Ice Kings and my feet are toasty like this. My feet sweet a lot so I need a good wicking sock.

Another key is to dry your boats out after every use. I use a peet boot dryer. I do the liners 1st then put just the boots on. I also seal them every year with Snow Seal. The mesh tops get a good spray of a good sealent. I think its Camp Seal or something I use. Can be used on tents, canvas tarps etc. as well.