....so, my bare-feet days may be over (at least in winter)...

my wife finally decided that she'd rather see me in winter boots than flip-flops, so she is going to gift me with a new pair.

problem is that I don't know anything about boots, as I've spent most of my 'post corporate-life' of last 15 years in sandals and/or flip-flops.

any suggestion on warm boots? kind that you can sit still on ground for extended period of time in wet snow?

thanks in advance!

-ted

Muck

Boots won't keep your ass from getting wet. )

look up Danner boots. all styles and options. good luck in your journey for western foot wear sir.

If you can get to the stores, try on as many as you can and take thick socks with you. I bought a pair of Dunham Clouds in 2017 and they are a good boot, as are many others. In CO they kept my feet warm and dry. Lance

Ted, I've seen you walking in snow & mud while shooting at Jeffs'with something on your feet that looked like they came off a large bullfrog. After all that I would think socks with a breadbag over them would be plenty for you!

I second Arctic Muck boots, one size large to accomodate wool socks.

If you want ultra-warmth, regardless of bulk and less mobility, go with LaCrosse Ice Man boots, just my two cents.

Army surplus Mickey Mouse type Artic boots. Unless you are fashion conscious, then you can go the more expensive but not as good boots.

I have hunted in my LL. Bean Main Hunting Shoes for about 5 years now. I hunt in both extremes here in Texas. The far east edge of flooded thickets and briars, to the West Texas cactus and rocks. Not had any Deep Snow on them yet, but cold is cold and a nice pair of wool socks and my Bean boots has kept me going. They are the only thing that has stood up to multiple seasons and I have tried out LOTS of different brands.

-Bones

First, how much walking do you plan to do? If I'm walking 5-600 yards to sit in a stand/blind I will wear my mucks. If I'm walking hills, trails, sides of hills, I will wear my Danner pronghorns.

iv always wanted a pair schnees

I have tried them all and there is good and bad about every pair of boots made. The closest thing I have found to "the perfect boot" is a Kennetrek Mountain Extreme hunting boot. They don't give them away, but the quality and comfort lasts long after the cost is forgotten. Zero break in time, they are warm and you do not need heavy socks. They do come in wide sizes so if you need a wide make sure you get wide. If you walk in rocky areas or hills and mountains rubber boots or light weight boots are not gonna get it. You need a mountain boot for the ankle support on that rough terrain. Also, while I have never had mine leak or my feet get wet, Kennetrek makes their own waterproofing and it works very well. I put some on my boots two years ago and they still look like the day I put it on. Good luck!!!

thank you for great input everyone. there's lots I didn't know about will be looking into it.

to answer some of the question. I don't plan to walk in them for miles and miles. just in and sit. so no long distance tracking/trekking.

if I was moving around, like huntmaster70 said, "socks with a breadbag over them would be plenty".

....and wet ass is not a problem! the pair on me is always toasty :)

Dry-Shod boots.

The guy who started Muck boots started a new company called DryShod. They are less expensive than Muck Boots, easier to put on and come in a couple different warmth levels. They also are completely waterproof and comfortable. If you can find a dealer and go try them on you won't want any other muck style boot. Good Day

I got some Hoffman's coming in the mail...check them out..

Ok, first off you have bigger problems than cold feet. Tell your wife you are getting boots and while you are at it you are getting a custom bow and she is going to like it.

schnees or kennetrek both made in Bozeman, MT.

Another vote for the Army surplus Mickey Mouse boots if you are not fashion conscious and don't move around a great deal.For sitting, nothing better.Be sure to get the white ones that have an air valve in the side to inflate ..... Excellent !!! If you are moving from place to place then the Arctic Muck Boots are the ones !!

Hoffman pac boots...

For sitting think 'three times as much insulation' as for walking.

I've worn 'pac' bots from cheap to super expensive and they all keep you warm if they're loose enough to accommodate multiple socks - and toe warmers.

Or you can pair lighter boots with boot 'blankets' for sitting and have better walking comfort.

I will *not* recommend specific brands because comfortable fit is subjective. Boots that some folks love, I wouldn't use for urinals. Try them on first!

Stay traditional , get some lined moccasins and rub them with deer tallow to waterproof them.

Triple on the Mucks... Wetlands. I don't personally need the Arctic, my feet satay plenty warm in the ones I got. Do get one size bigger, for wool socks. Get socks that don't fall down though, they bunch up at your toes otherwise.

I think that pacs are great for sitting but I like to do a lot of walking so I've put a lot of miles on my old Danner leather boots. My wife is giving me a new pair of Elk Hunters for my Xmas/birthday/anniversity etc gift. They are on sale recently so she saved enought to maybe acquire an old recurve I've been thinking about.

You didn't specify your intentions so we can't mind read well some of us can't. LOL

Danners seem to fit me well. Timberlines too. If you can only have one pair of boots don't know. I have several from mucks to upland field to waders.

My be get some waders because when your deep in crap and up to alligators and arm its then waders will save the day .

Just saying since your in flip flops.

I have 3 sets of Danners myself and its a well constructed product with a fair price.

You may want to consider some innersoles for them also for additional padding but I guess those flip flops have hardened your feet pretty well over the ages.

Checkout Jason Samkowiak's podcast at tbwpodcast.com. He did an article on rubber deer hunting boots back in March that was amazing. All the info you could ever wish for and links to other articles on boots for all kinds of situations.

thank you all! I am always amazed and thankful for the wisdom and knowledge you are willing to share.

my intention is to use the boots in snow/wet snow condition in low to no activity. staying away from wetlands or something similar. but keeping feet dry is pretty important when it is covered, so all the suggestions I got up to now is wonderful.

For very cold weather I use a set of Kamik Muk's with removable liners. EXCELLENT cold weather boots. For milder times I use a set of UGG boots that are similar to Bean boots but lined with sheep skin, and unfortunately they don't make this pattern anymore but you might find them on the internet, like ebay or etsy on occassion. keepem sharp

depending on temps i use bean boots and schnees packs. schnees are the best best packs for walking ive ever used. for really really cold you need heavier. i use the schnees for pretty much everything under 35 degrees incuding upland bird hunting. i have a couple of backpacking boots too light and heavy and really heavy depending of where in hunting, but those types of boots and beyond a simple suggestion.

Fit is the most important. One universal truth is that your toes get cold before the rest of your foot, so you should have boots with enough room around your toes to allow your socks' insulation to actually work; I buy cold weather boots where I can wiggle my toes in the toe box with my thick socks on. At the same time, if the entire boot is extra wide, it may be to sloppy in the heel, which can chafe when walking a lot and will pull your socks down even walking a little, and bunched up socks lose thermal efficiency. Good boot socks are built around this reality.

I have boots galore so I have never ordered these but what about Steger mukluks out of Ely,MN.They make great claims about the comfort and warmth of their product.Has anyone tried them and would you recommend them to Dao?

LaCrosse Ice Kings. They will keep you super warm when sitting in very cold conditions for long periods of time. They are also fine for walking in.

LaCrosse insulated boots

Kenetrek

Columbia Bugaboot

Muck boots work. Cabelas insulated rubber boots work. In moderate temperatures (20f-40f) combat boots with wool and goretex socks work.

Muck

Whatever you get, be sure the boot insulation cannot get wet from perspiration. If it does it will no longer keep your feet warm and it will be hard to dry out.

The breadbag over socks used to be used in the old days for just that purpose.

had my foot measured and found that they are 7.5 (yup, small/short) ....but 4E wide!

not having worn shoes in 15 years, well, they did spread out.

so looking at boots that offer "wide size", which limits the selection.

some of the manufacturer had great customer service, told me the internal dimension of the boots so that there'll be less guess works.

will be visiting couple local dealers too.

this is really starting to be fun.

thanks again guys!

Army surplus artic mickey moose and Bunny boots (white) come in very wide.

Since you have always been a bare foot guy for so long I would highly recommend a softer sole boot that's not stuff. Something like a pack boot or a LL Bean boot. Pack boots can be heavy in weight. But they are warm.

Muck

I never buy foot ware from a catalog or over the internet. Just yesterday I bought a new pair of running shows. Tried on two pair, the same size, different model and one fit different than the other.

Your case is much different because of not wearing shoes for a long time. It would seem to me to be even more important for you to try on your next pair of hunting boots before you buy.

Personally I'd buy a pari of the L.L. Bean Maine Hunting shoes with the amount of insulation that I thought I needed.

Mickey Mouse boots are terrible if you are walking any distance at all.

" my intention is to use the boots in snow/wet snow condition in low to no activity. staying away from wetlands or something similar. but keeping feet dry is pretty important when it is covered..."

Pac boots. If price is no object look at Baffin boots or similar.

I have Steger Mukluks and have worn them from snowshoeing to ice fishing out in the open when it was sub zero. They have a thick felt liner which is replaceable. They have worked well for me as have Muck boots.

Rubber bottom boots will freeze your dang feet, and in our hills here in southcentral Pa., those Bean boots are like skis...even in the leaves. I have a pair and they are flat land, wet morning boots. I wear mostly hiking boots, waterproof and not insulated for still hunting. Don't need much insulation if you're moving periodically and they are light enough to walk all day. If I were to sit tree stands again, I would get a pair of Sorels with felt liners.

George, for early to mid season I recently picked up a pair of these boots from 'Propet. They're a bit like the Beans but with a shallow lug sole. Cost me $103. Bought them big enough for extra socks and upgraded the insoles (which I almost always do anyway.)

I like the 'duck' boot style because hikers usually end up getting me wet. These have enough ankle support to make me happy.

https://www.propetusa.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=4E934AEBE0BD4BDFBF399DFCFC863068

I bought a pair of muck boots in 2008 and still going strong. They are comfortable, both to walk in and sit in. 100% waterproof to the top of the boot, and plenty warm with wool socks. I’ve hunted from 0 degrees and up. Biggest draw back is if you wear them when it’s warm they don’t breath well so they can get too warm, and your feet will sweat. Sounds like you wear Sandler’s then anyway.

Skeets - maybe you measured your hand instead of feet?

I have a pair right here that are size 9 XW. That stands for 9 EXTRA WIDE.

BTW. These are the black ones. They kind of look like "Herman Munster" boots. I have walked a lot of miles in these boots and for some reason they seem more comfortable than "ankle fit " boots. The sole is thick and it makes it hard to feel sticks under foot though.

Kenetrec. Expensive but worth every penny and will take a beating and last. I wear them every day and hunting.

Skeets, I agree with you. Warmest boot going and for the price you can't beat them. A lot of people don't like them because they aren't sexy to the eye and aren't camo however for stand hunting they are far superior to my lacrosse.

BPS has a big sale going on Muck boots.

Muck.

Boggs , Schnees , Mucks all good but put a felt innersole in and they become much warmer. Schnees would be the best to walk in and the Boggs are better for walking and easier to put on then t he mucks .

Boggs , Schnees , Mucks all good but put a felt innersole in and they become much warmer. Schnees would be the best to walk in and the Boggs are better for walking and easier to put on then t he mucks .

I went to a shoe store that specializes in wide shoes. I wear an 8-4E.

I have a pair of insulated Irish Setters that have 15 years on them and are still doing great. I cross a creek coming and going and usually can't avoid 4" immersion of both feet, and they show no sign of leaking.

Warm enough for sitting in the snow and yet still "hikeable" for grouse hunting in January & February.

first of all where and when are you hunting and what do you need the boot for

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