Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

First, thanks for all the advice on the last post. I think I have some toe room after a few pairs of socks, but with the boot liner it is a tighter fit on the rest of my foot. Good advice on the socks and loosening the laces when I am in the treestand.

Do you use each set of liners and wool socks one time before washing? I realize you can't put wool socks in the dryer.

Also, what is that mat type of thing that you can get and put on the platform of your treestand to keep your feet warm? My platforms have openings between the 5/4 boards that lets the cold air penetrate the boots.

Thanks to all of you for the great advice!

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

Washing socks after use is always a good idea ,
it reduces the chance of odor getting loose the next time you're out .

The "mat type of thing" you're referring to on most tree stands is normally called "carpet" ... ;)

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

I read the posts for you previous question as well. My experience is like the catskill guy, you're feet are going to get cold if you sit a stand (how's that for an oxymoron) in cold enough weather. I wear polypro liners, wool outers, and 800 thinsulate boots, but at temps under about 15 degrees my feet still get cold.

I bought those funky looking boot blankets out of Cabela's last year, and they do help. I sat two all day stands at subzero temps last fall and survived it. The key with those things is to put them on the second you stop moving, don't wait for your feet to start feeling cold.

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

One word, battery operated socks. Not the 1.5 volt (D battery) but the 9 volt kind (square battery). I have not seen them in years, but I still have 3 pair. I put on the electric socks, then poypro liners, and wear my boots loose. I have hunted with my feet in frozen water and never got more than a chill. My buddy has the cheap 1.5 volt ones, he tells me they help, but dont work as well as my 9 volt ones.

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

I have not had a cold toe since I simply started taping the little heat packs to the top of my toes.:D

Works great for me

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

I agree. If you wait till you start getting cold it will take time for your feet to warm things up. I have them and stash them in my pack all winter unless I know the day will be warm.
I really do not like wearing clumsy insulated boots in a tree stand. Though I will wear them when hunting from the ground. In place of big boots I wear a pair of silk or poly propolene socks first , then a pair of wool ones, followed by a gortex sock. then a boot a half size larger than normal. I own several so I alternate and let them dry daily. If I feel the need I'll toss on the boot blankets once I'm in the tree.

In the fall I usually wear a thin pair of socks, then a pair of gortex socks and a camo set of scentlok sneakers, which I also own several pairs of and change regularly. This way I'm always dry and comfy like lounging out at the pool.:D

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

MD, I always wear my socks before washing them the firsttime, but am not sure if that is what your asking. I also (due to sweating) only wear a pair sock once before washing, any more than that they might just crawl away[:'(]

As to a tight fit on your feet, that is not desired. I would look for thinner socks or bigger boots. The poly sock liners I wear are really thin and then I change the weight of wool sock dependant on weather. I also stretch my woolie's so they don't fit snug.

For your treestand if wind channeling up is causing a problem we not try a rubber mat and hold it on with tie straps. Carpet would work to but it also traps odour, something to consider.

Rackattack brought up a great idea I forgot to mention that is the hot hands in your boots, they do work if you have the room!

Since your stand hunting I good quality sleeping bag might work to rap up in (youth model may work & be less bulky than an adult version). Of course you must be able to shoot from a seated position.

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

I'm not sure I'd advise any kind of mat for use in a tree-stand. In the other thread on this topic I suggested ways to keep your feet off the ground to eliminate the heat-sink issue. In a tree stand anything you add to the standing surface could potentially cause your footing to be less than optimum...Let's face it, when you're up in the air your footing is already subject to second guessing. In a tree stand I usually tough it out...although in the pre-dawn dark, when I can't see anything, I have been known to wrap an extra sweatshirt from my day pack around my booted feet.

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

If you want to put something on the stand under your feet,get a closed-cell foam pad.You can get these at WalMart or any camping supply store.Cut to fit and duct tape it to the platform so it doesn't slide around.

RE: Few more questions on socks, keeping feet warm
 

8mm/06, how can you tell I don't treestand hunt much anymore, never even dawn on me it might reduce stability! Perfect reason why a good quality safety harness is needed everytime you climb in stand, sometimes we don't think or things sound better on paper vs reality;)!

However I did have a few perm. stands few years back made out of wood and flat steel(Duh!), on those I simply made a skateboard type surface, where I used sand and then painted it with a thick exterior dark flat coloured paint, ended any footing worries. One could use the actual skateboard tape on a mat or foam substance at a fairly reasonable cost as I am not sure my method would last very long given the materials suggested, just a thought.