RE: Boots & cold feet
I have a set of cabelas Iron ridge boots that i use, they have some thinsulate in and keep my feet feeling good all through the season from snow, rain, cold, warm temps, they work for everything.
Split-hoof: I have as et of those Ice Kings too!!! I use those for the deep freeze years during buck/doe season here in PA. I have used then in temps going on single digit days here in PA and they are always great. But I agree, they are bulky to walk in.
**Sidenote**: I do a little more to keep my feet warm that just wearing boots. I always work my toes, I keep them constantly moving when I am standing or sitting while I am hunting, I always keep them moving any way I can, but just my toes, not my whole foot. The reason I do this can be related to my dad. He grew up not ever hunting with much other than what was handed down or you had and made last. So when I started hunting, he got me a set of regular rubber boots, no insulation, just big high rubber boots, since that is what he had always used. Well I got a rude awakeneing to them and their ability to let your feet freeze solid, and more than one day I left the stand while I was hunting with him when my feet felt like giant blocks of ice, and hurt so bad it almost made me cry. He never had a problem because he always kept his toes moving, and his feet would get cold, but only on those really bad days. Finally I got the hang of doing it without even thinking and now, anytime I am in the woods I start doing it, no matter if it is 70 or 7 degrees outside.