A few simple things to do is make sure NOTHING cotton is touching your skin. Start with your feet, thermax or similar wicking "liner socks" are THE best thing I can recommend. ESPECIALLY if you wear rubber or neoprene boots. Secondly a good warm pair of socks over those like wool or smartwool. All of my heavily insulated boots are a 1/2 or full size larger than non-insulated ones just to fit me properly with the two pairs of socks. You DONT want tight boots that cut off circulation.

Another trick that I see MANY hunters failing to use is carrying something to put between their feet and a metal or wood floor of a stand. It is a law of physics that a cold, inanimate object like metal or wood will suck heat from an object (in this case your boots/feet). So take a simple piece of carpet, foam or even a bath towel and place it between your boots and the stands floor. You would be AMAZED at the difference. The same holds true for ice/snow. Put something between your feet and the frozen surface.

Another thing I like is a product I have called the "Blanket bag". It is basically a GoreTex "half" sleeping bag. Man that thing keeps you TOASTY. I used it last week while in MO when the weather was in the 30s which isn't cold BUT the wind was out of the northwest at 20+ mph. Everyone was MISERABLE and came out early because that wind was like a razorblade (and the fact that it was 70 the day before!) but I was like a bug ina rug with my Blanket Bag. I also didn't even have to wear anything other than my boots and pants. No bibs, the bag was that warm! Combined with bibs and everything else you would be fine on stand in subzero temps.

The majority of heatloss is around the neck and head. Proper gear is paramount in these regions as well. NOTHING cotton, use wicking materials like Thermax and even good ol wool. And speaking of wool, THE warmest gloves I have found are actually ragwool with a built Thinsulate liner. They are to warm for use over 30 degrees (I have unlined wool gloves for warmer temps) but are not nearly as bulky as Gates goretex type gloves and I think they are MUCH warmer than those over glorified skigloves. You get MUCH better feel with them as well. They are less than half the bulk of the larger gloves. They aren't water proof but wool keeps its warmth when wet and I am talking about sub freezing temps anyway so the water dealt with will be hard!

Take several of the disposable handwarmers as well. One of the larger "pocket sized" warmers placed on the back of your neck, under your collar will do WONDERS as well. Also, check out the new heat packs that stick too your back. Get the unmedicted ones (scentless) and place them on your back after you get in the stand. Keeping your kidneys warm will keep your blood warm which will warm other parts of the body. Another trick is staying dry in the first place. DONT put all this stuff on and then hike 1/2 a mile into your stand. Wear only a layer or two, I like to stay cool while walking in. Carry all your equipment in a sqarebottom decoy bag (like from Avery). That way it is not in your arms, the bag is large enough to carry EVERYTHING in including your normal backpack, all the clothes, seat pads, carpet pieces and even your rifle or bow if you choose.

Hope that helps,
RA