I am reviewing my last season and thinking of improvements for the next. One problem: coldness. I am not a " thick" guy and the cold gets through me easily. I froze on the stand last year. When moving around I was OK, but sitting still was a killer. Especially my feet.

So, new boots this year. Regular hiking boots aren' t cutting it.

Here are the parameters I have to work with:
1) I am 6' 2" , 185 lbs. Not stringy, but not huge either.
2) I usually hunt public land, so a 1-2 mile hike in up 800-1000 feet of altitude it not unheard of.
3) It is often around freezing, sometimes as cold as 15 degrees when hunting, espcially early and late.
4) I will prob. be carrying a 25 lb stand in with me. Plus the usual water, snacks, rifle, cleaning gear, etc.
5) I have a budget of under $100, but cheaper is better, I have a kid on the way.

The question really comes down to:
1) Mickey Mouse boots, like these:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/index...Fad_id%3D69157

OR
2) More general boots like these:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/pro...?base_no=61532
with more insulation:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/index...Fad_id%3D72219

Those Mickey boots are heavy! If it was not for the hike in, then I would consider them. Can you really hike a mile up a hill in them or would it turn into the Bataan death march?

Please let me know your experiences and pros/cons.

Chubber

I use a pair of Herman Survivors 1000gr insul. I bought at wally world for $60-70.They are nice and comfortable and walk good.I also use La Crosse in non-insulated and 800 and 1200gr insul.They last good and keep my feet warm where it can get pretty cold during deer season.Boot blankets can also add warmth to your feet for extended periods on stand in the cold.Tried Cabelas and Red Head insulated rubber boots but both type failed in our conditions up here so I stick with La Crosse now.

woods

Good advice from woodseye! I used to be a " Rocky" fan, but made the switch to LaCrosse a few years ago and haven' t regretted it one bit! I use the Burly 1200 for those cool days down to 32 degrees, and from 20 degrees to freezing I use the LaCrosse Buckmasters with 1200 grams of insulation. And if it' s going to be below 20 degrees, I carry the boot blankets along for the stand hunting.

Well footwear IMO is not a place to skimp, when hunting. Clothing you can get away with layers. I have had Rocky, Danner, Browning, Sorels, Columbia & last fall bought some Irish Setters. The Irish Setters Stalkers (i believe)should be close to your budget. they are very light, great tread, 800 Grams thinsulate and Goretex bootie. Where I hunt it is always below freezing and my feet were toasty warm all hunting and even ice fishing with these boots. I also wear a pair of polypropelene sock liners and good pair of wooly' s when she cold.

cabellas and bass pro shops sell a kind of a boot blanket that uses velcro closures. they go over your boots. I put mine on after I get up in my tree stand. BEFORE your feet start getting cold. They work great and only cost about 30 dollars. a great investment . and they fit in your pack or in back of your coat.

Good advice from everyone so far. I had not thought of the boot blankets. I did not use a treestand or anything like that last year, so I never thought of something like that. I might give that a try.

Does anyone have experience with the Mickey boots?

i bought a pair of 1000 gr thinsulate rubber boots from dick' s down in fredericksburg. not sure of the brand but only paid $60 for them. i bought a couple pair of polypro liners and this helps as well. my feet were even sweating when it never got above freezing this december in virginia.

over the years i have tried just about every boot there is,all of them failed misserably for keeping my feet warm on stand becouse my feet swet somthing fearse.the mickey boots you refered to will keep your feet real warm if you put them on after your in the stand.this means you will have to carry those and wear somthing lighter while walking in.those boots are big and heavy to carry ontop of all your other gear,not an option in my book.the boot blanket is about the cheapest way of going about it.wear a pair of light weight 800 + gram thinsulate-gortex boots(these work great for walking)with a good pair of wool blend socks(no cotton).after your on stand(be it in a tree or on the ground)put the boot blankets on and your feet will stay warmer for many more hours then they would with out them.

i think you should check out the schnee hunters

i used these last season found them pretty good i got them after my $160 rocky' s fell apart in their second season


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ype=index&rid=