Hunting Boot Advice

[JKinds]

My dilemma is that my feet sweat, then my feet get cold. Wondering if I should opt for non-insulated boots in hopes of allowing my feet not to sweat. Anyone else run into something similar? Any advice on types of socks, liners, etc would be much appreciated.
Thanks,

 

[Deleted member 16014]

I wear uninsulated boots down to zero, even a little under, without issues. I also use the same light to mid weight wool socks year round, no liner. It's not a problem as long as I manage my metabolism and foot moisture. I use disposable toe warmers in the mornings and I'm good all day in those conditions. I wear the same hiking shoe from Sept-November and May-June for spring bear, including some sheepy terrain like so that's hard on feet and footwear.



My solution is somewhat unorthodox in the hunting community, but not really overall. I haven't had a blister in many years and feel better after 110-115# loads than I did in mountaineering boots. My feet are pretty screwed up, so I need a softer midsole to cover lots of miles; just the way it is. There is a lot of trial and error (and personal preference) associated with finding the right foot gear in my experience; more than about any other gear I can think of. The best advice I have is just try different combos until something works for you.

 

[JKinds]

Appreciate the info Snowy. Thanks for your input.

 

[blueridge]

My favorite hunting socks are "Realtree Heavyweight Merino Wool Tall All Season Boot Sock". I wear them for every kind of hunting. If stand hunting I wear a 600g insulated boots and an additional thin sock; if doing a lot of walking I wear the one pair of thick wool socks and an uninsulated boots. They dry out easily and don't stink (at least mine).

 

[Pucky Freak]

I have very sweaty feet. I'll run no insulation down to 0, and insulated below that. Dress socks plus smart wools. If it's above freezing I use just the dress socks. If I sit for a while my feet get chilly and I just wiggle my toes to keep up the circulation. I prefer that over wet feet.

 

[MT_Chad]

My feet sweat terribly as well, I have good boots, lowas and meindls, but until I upgraded to a high quality sock the boot was irrelevant. My lowa tibets are uninsulated and the meindls are the perfect hunters and are 400 gram, I switch to the meindls at about 15-20 degrees and depending on activity level and general conditions. I would go uninsulated first with a high quality boot and make sure not to skimp on socks. I like farm to feet but lots of good socks out there. A couple pairs will last a long time.

 

[pabearhunter]

You may want to try an antiperspirant aerosol spray, then a good wick sock. I put on a militery green wool sock with N/I Kenetrek boot. If you have to walk any distance to where you are going carry extra pairs of socks and change when you get to where you are going.