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Posts: 8778
| I've tried every combination of boots and socks. #*^@ if my feet don't get cold no matter what I do. Best so far for late fall fishing is a pair of Danner Pronghorns, 1000 gram thinsulate, with heavy wool socks. The problem is that my feet get so hot in them before I get to the water that they are wet by the time I get outside, which inevitably leads to cold toes. I tried thinner socks. That was worse. I tried different boots with less insulation, down to no insulation at all. After a few hours? Cold feet no matter what I try.
What am I doing wrong? |
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Posts: 262
| Have you tried not putting on your heavy boots until you are at the lake? |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Polypro liner socks (very thin, but wick moisture away), then your wool socks.
Also...if your toes don't have much room, and things are tight, you might be cutting off circulation as well.
Also could try to find the socks that have little pockets for foot warmers...
Steve |
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Posts: 8778
| esoxfever - 10/21/2013 8:25 PM
Have you tried not putting on your heavy boots until you are at the lake?
That would make too much sense! 
I did try changing my socks halfway through the day. Aside from the few minutes being barefoot on the boat in the snow where I swore my feet were going to fall off right then and there, that did help some.
There's a balance between too warm and too cold. I've gotten pretty good at taking off outer layers so you don't get sweaty on those days where it starts out in the 20's, warms up to 50 and is back in the 20's by sunset. But I haven't figured out a way to keep my feet comfortable that doesn't involve a TV and a fireplace. Not that those are bad things, mind you... |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Alpaca socks and 2000 gram thinsulate boots. No other socks are needed.
Never cold feet, ice fishing in the worst. |
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Posts: 8778
| Maybe I should just get an alpaca. Do they poop a lot? |
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| if your boots are too tight, you'll get cold. if you sweat a lot, make sure to get socks that wick it off your skin.
27* today when we left the dock...fished 9am - 7pm warm and toasty the whole time.
Cabela's polypro sock liners
Wigwam wool heavyweight socks
Cabela's inferno pac boots (2000g thinsulate)
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | 2000g pack boots. I have been out in -10F hunting for a few hours and my feet were the only things not cold.
James |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I work outside all winter and wear Patigonia socks and Columbia Bugaboo's or Merrill pacs ( as well as cold weather boat fishing and ice fishing) As someone who has had frostbitten feet this combo keeps me toasty... I also rarely run the heater in the truck when heading out to work or cold weather fishing... |
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Posts: 283
| When I go ice fishing I will have all of my gear in the back seat ready to put on when I get there. I drive to my spot in sweatpants, a t-shirt, and sneakers. I will control the temp so that I am comfortable up until a few minutes before I arrive at the lake and then cool it off a little. That way when I hop out and get dressed I am not warm or sweaty (which is usually an issue I have). It starts me off dry and keeps me as warm as my low budget gear will allow me to be.
On a side note, I've been contemplating trying the Mickey Mouse boots, bulky but supposed to keep you super warm, I don't get out enough as of now to justify new boots but maybe someday. |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have used the military issue MM boots. The Alpaca socks and 2000 gram boots are warmer for me. The socks wick moisture like crazy, and are super warm. Not a bit itchy, either. I also have alpaca long johns, light, thin, and super warm. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | You have two issues sounds like. One the other guys have touched on, that is your feet sweating. Use the thin polypropylene socks that have great wicking capability, then a pair of wool socks. Another thing you can do is get yourself some spray antiperspirant and spray your feet. If you can't find any us your underarm a-p stick and apply to as much of your foot as possible. A-P, not just deodorant.
It also sounds like you may have poor circulation. Use a pair of boots that is big enough to accommodate both pairs of socks and still leave you room for movement. If you address both those issues you should be way ahead of where you are now. If all else fails use the disposable heated insoles made by Heat Factory, Hot Hands, or Grabber. They'll keep you warm even when your feet are damp. Good luck in your quest for warm feet! |
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | Has anybody tried the Thermacell heated insoles yet? Kind of pricey, but seem like they could be worth their weight in gold. 130 clams is too much for me to experiment with. |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I wear lacrosse ice kings and Carhardt Marino wool socks. They are thin and wick moisture better than anything I've tried. Weather it's trolling the bay, ice fishing, or sitting in the woods, I have yet to be disappointed with this combo. |
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| Good liner socks beneath good wool socks. Wear 800+ gram rubber boots. Late December bow hunting in northern ND and no cold feet. Doesn't get much colder. Same set up run and gun ice fishing all day in northern ND/MN and no cold feet. If this doesn't keep your feet warm then you need to invest in heated insoles/socks/boots.
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | esoxaddict - 10/21/2013 8:37 PM
Maybe I should just get an alpaca. Do they poop a lot?
You got to get two one for each foot. Who cares how much they poop, you'll be riding high on them. 
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Location: Eau Claire,WI | What TrophySeeker said... Marino socks and IceMan boots. My feet get cold fast,this combo works. Try it,you won't be disappointed!!! |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | Like others said, are your boots too tight? I used to have the same problem until I bought bigger boots. You need alot more room than normal shoes. Might feel clunky at 1st, but your feet will stay warm and mostly dry. |
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Posts: 44
| I have circulation problems ( frost bite) in my feet. Thinsulate works at its optimum when you are active. In a warm room it will make my feet sweat, making me have cold feet outdoors. Wool liner boots (Sorel) work the best. Just make sure you dry them out after use. Wool socks, merino wool and or alpaca foot pads also work great. NO COTTON!!!!!!!
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | Try some electric socks if you are not walking around a lot they are great and not a ton of money feet get cold turn them on when they get warm turn them off. I've spent many hrs in the deer stand in sask.at -20 and never a problem not a lot of money give them a try. |
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Posts: 8778
| Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm going to try the polypro liners with my wool socks and see what happens. Maybe the 1000g thinsulate boots aren't enough. And it's worth re-mentioning to anyone having issues with being cold - cotton is worthless. |
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| A regular cardio workout does wonders as well, the better the blood flow, the better the feet:) |
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Posts: 10
| Sworral,
I am thinking of picking up some alpacas. Any brand/style that you recommend?
Do you wear liner socks, or just directly on on skin?
Any specific washing care needed other than not throwing them in the dryer?
Thanks |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | I ended up with frostbite on my feet while winter camping in the military. My feet always get cold. I did some winter camping back here and learned a neat trick which I still use today. Oversized boots. They can be somewhat of a pain because you have to get used to the size but the extra room allows air to relieve moisture and hold heat. If your boots are snug you are depending on good circulation alone to keep them piggies warm. |
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Tigerhunter - 10/21/2013 10:23 PM
On a side note, I've been contemplating trying the Mickey Mouse boots, bulky but supposed to keep you super warm, I don't get out enough as of now to justify new boots but maybe someday.
Mickeys are the cheapest boot that will keep your feet warm! I work concrete construction all winter long, and used to spend the $300 on Red Wings. I spent $40 for a new pair of MM on Ebay, and have never been happier! |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | sled has a source for good Aplpaca socks, and Sabamba also builds great cold weather wear.
sled?
Where I bought mine:
http://www.sabambaalpaca.com/store/productDetail.php?id=36
No liner necessary, extreme comfort and warmth, am still using my first pair bought two years ago. I will never wear wool socks again. I just hand wash them and let them air dry. They never smell at all, which is....interesting.
7 hours yesterday in 32 degrees and colder, snow, and sideways 20 MPH winds, not moving in the boat other than reeling in walleyes, and my feet were warm when we left wearing these boots with the Alpaca socks:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-9-1-2-waterproof-2...
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Posts: 8778
| You say they don't smell? That in itself is worth the investment. I gotta tell 'ya, I've taken off my boots at the end of the day and thought "holy crap, what the %&^*% IS THAT??!" We're talking about a funk that will crawl up your neck and strangle you. And that's with new boots, clean socks, and a shower in the morning. Alpaca... Hmph. |
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Posts: 311
Location: Lake St.Clair | This is a thread I needed!! My danm feet get cold as ice with my turd winchester boots, that was probably my first mistake.
Going to have toc chump up some change and cancel out my thoughts on artic mucks. |
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