Best shoes / boots for cold wet conditions

[flyingfish]

What's your experience with keeping your toes nice and comfy,warm and dry when weather conditions are tough while fishing? Best shoes or boots? And how about socks? I was curious, considering the current weather in the Detroit River area today.
Thanks for any advice.

[swede]

I've had a lot of different shoes and boots on these tired old feet, and it is my personal opinion that the best of the bunch for fishing in the spring and early summer is the Main hunting boot sold by LL Bean. They are comfortable, water proff, and you can get them with or without gortex liners for added warmth and water resistance. The soles are rubber so they work great in boats and around slipery docks. Cabelas makes a boot similer, but I have found them to be less comfortable than the original Bean boot.

[Chad]

Gotta have gore-tex.
Depending on the temp will help you decide if you want insulated or not and if so how much you want. 1000 grams of ins is about tops and will be great for ice fishing.

[mac]

Depends on several things.

1. are you moving about(stimulating circulation) or stationery?
2. feet in water or air?
3. How warm are your legs?

Worst case would be sitting in boat with legs bent to slow circulation to feet, cold boat seat, no insulation of legs, no wind protection etc.

This is almost worse than ice fishing outside at 10 above and you need to dress the same with long johns, insulated bibs and felt lined boots. Keep the socks loose fitting boots so you don't impair circulation. Every thing should be done to keep the blood from your body core from losing heat on the round trip to your feet.

[Al]

For moving around in the boat with warmth and waterproof, some boot like Irish setters or Rocky's with gortex thinsulate would be my choice. For stationary fishing and extreme warmth in extreme conditions.....you won't beat Mickey Mouse boots. Old Ice fishermen will attest to this.

[W1]

I have a pair of the Rocky Snow Stalker Extreme's, 1000gr Thinsulate, more of a winter pak type boot, very light, very warm. I wear the wick away thin sock and a good pair of wool socks.

[BlackSilver]

Seems no matter how good my boots are, somehow I always seem to get water in over the top, even with rain gear on. With that in mind, you'll suffer in even the best boots if you don't have good THICK wool socks.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

PS: It's been snowing for two days here in Minnesota.

[BIG AL]

Fishing on the Detroit River can get VERY nasty at times....Try wearing a good goretex rain poncho and neoprene waders with the boot foot. (not stocking foot type) Works well and the neoprene are not very bulky.Hope this helps. good luck to you guys and gals fishing the tourney this week! ><> ><> ><> AL

[KevinA]

I started using what I do years ago as it was what I had around the house. I still use it as it works. Almost too low tech these days but a simple pair of comfortable shoes (running shoes, walking shoes..) a thin pair of wool socks, and a rubber boot to go over the shoe..the taller black/orange boots like you'll see in farm supply stores. The boots are nice this time of year as launches can get rather ugly. No problem wading through mud, easy to wash off, water proof..when the day's done slip them off & drive home without dragging mud into your vehicle.

Works for me, keeps my feet warm & dry.

[RickK]

Ok, When I was home from college I had a job inspecting the loading of ships,..it was in a port but there is nothing warm on a windy winter shipsdeck standing around,..this may sound wacky,...but here is what I did,..I got those battery heated sox,..I found the ones that had a large pad in the bottom of the sock and wires that would go up your pants to a belt in which you were supposed to have a latern battry attached,..well they worked OK but you would go broke buying those dry cells,...no gel batteries in those days or Nickle hydrides,..so I got a small motor cycle battery and made a box for it and (the important part) had a "connector" that wouldn't connect,in the morning I would leave w/a lunch box in one hand and batty box in the other...you had to hold the connectors together and it would disconnect if you let go,..I would look at my watch while holding it togeter,...don't remember how long now ,but I remember experimenting and going very slow in increments to how long I should hold the connector together,..(it WASN'T long!) before it would get hot,..doing it a few times with a little time in between worked best,..(one time I did hold it too long and the ships crew thought they were witnessing a new crazy American dance) ,..If your feet are really cold,..its amazing how much heat it takes to warm them up again, and as it was said sitting down in a cold rain w/your legs bent can turn your feet into ice even with some pretty good boots,..THIS way WILL warm them up!..prob can just use your trolling motor etc. Once you get them warm,..they will stay that way for a while if the boots are insulated and you open up your blood vessels that were shut down in vasospasm. I suppose you could do the same with the ones that just have the toe strips,..might have to do a little soldering etc,..just make sure the connectors don't really connect and you TIME it,..(I think I remember 12 seconds,..but that for the socks that have a pad not the little strips,)..BTW you can't electrocute yourself with 12vs if your feet are wet,..but you CAN burn yourself,..stay warm!

[The Great Guide]

I live in northern MN and we fish in some really rough weather conditions. This is the waterproof footware that I use.

Spring Temps 25 to 55 - Bone Dry from Bass Pro - GoreTex liner, 200 Grams of Thinsulate, bush boot which means shin high. Sock weight that meets temp range that I anticipate for the day. $150

Summer Temps 55 plus - Timberline Chuka Boot. GoreTex Liner, no insulation, ankle high, light sock. $100.

25 to -20 - Lacross Iceman - $100

-20 and below I'm not that mad at the fish.

TGG

[Dan(MI)]

rocky's and wool socks. You need wool for all boots to wick the moisture away on the inside. If its below 30, my rule is go to a pac boot, but above that I use the rocky stalker type boot.
Just fished this morning on Detroit River in pouring rain. I came home the boots were soaked on outside, but feet stayed dry.
Go get em
Dan
Did I mention wool socks.

[Ristorapper]

I live in ND and work outside and play outside(ice fish). These boots are very heavy, 53 ounces to be exact. Not a bad boot for sitting/fishing in. Socks; don't worry about it just put on a thick pair, your feet will sweat but this is not a bad thing unless you rip the boot open. The boots I am talking about are military issue cold weather boots; often times referred to as Mickey Mouse boots.

When I am out in the cold and there is a chance of cold feet I will put these boots on and not fret about my feet for the rest of the day. I usually wear two pair of socks because your feet will sweat in these boots. They are heavy indeed and if walking is involved consider another boot. BUT I deliver mail and warmth is a priority so weight does not matter to me.

I do remember out hunting on a very cold day many years ago and had a little problem with climbing a barb-wire fence. If it would happen that one would tear a hole in this boot one would freeze your feet. We were many miles from the vehicle so had to be careful. Anyway....

Source of where to get them: Army surplus stores. Another source is the Sportsmans Guide out of Minnetonka MN. They sometimes get their hands on some and this outfit has also gone into manufacturing their own. Basically they are a boot, rubber on the inside and outside with a felt pad in between. They work great. Think I have three pair, one in every vehicle in case of getting stranded in the winter up here. I have also pulled them out of the trunk on a cold day, put them on and within 5-10 minutes they have become near the temperature of my body. Great boot to have in case of emergency.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/
under search type in mickey mouse boots. several listed. black w/valve and new white with valve.

This valve in the side of the boot has no real purpose for keeping feet warm. I think they were used in paratrooper use by inflating the boot with air to support ankles of the paratroopers???? anyway I do inflate mine on occasion to help support ankles or for a tighter fit and with the air in there makes for a better insulator?? I am a firm believer in these boots ever since I put a pair on back in my old army days. They will save your feet in an emergency. Everyone should have these on hand in case of getting stranded in the winter. Like I say you can put these on your feet when the boots are stored in the trunk, put them on cold and they will take only a short time to obtain the body temperature. I love em. Me and another co-worker wouldn't go with out them. Come to think of it though, it never got cold enough up here this winter to wear them(for work). Stay warm

BW(ND)

PS. water over the top of the boot and into your boot. BRRR at first but keep the boot on and eventually your body heat will warm up the icy water that came over the top of the boot and no problem.

Also Be very careful when you wear these driving a vehicle. They are big and clumsy, but you will get used to them. ufda got a little long winded sorry

[GR8WTHUNTER]

Theese are all good sugestions, but if it is going to be wet put 2nd pair of shoes/boots and dry socks in dry storage, and a complete change of clothes in the truck. If you do get soaked to the bone it will be alot nicer driving home dry.

[REW]

Actually, one of the most low tech - yet effective thing that you can wear:
1. A nice pair of fox river wool socks.
2. A pair of nice comfortable running shoes. - for those times
that it isn't wet - not too cold and or raining.
3. A pair of old fashioned zip up over shoes. Keep the overshoes in your dry bag. If it looks like you are going to be encountering wet or heavy weather - slip on and zip up the overshoes, and put your rain suit over the tops. Totally water proof, and about the right amount of warmth to keep your feet cozy.

Then, when the sun comes out - if it does - slip off the rubbers, and you are back in your nice light running shoes, that aren't too hot.

Same principle as - with coats -- layering. It works, is inexpensive, and you already have them on hand.

Take care
REW
One of the nicest things about this - is that the running shoes, and the rubbers are very light.

p.s.
Another alternative - to keep your feet warm - is to get one of the old style "Moon" boots. A pair of water proof "moon" boots are great - to keep your feet warm - particularly when you are sitting still in a boat.

Take care
REW

[Ronnie]

I use a few simple rules:

For boots:
1. Gortex = dry
2. Thinsulate = warm

For socks:
1. Wool, then cotton (cotton next to the skin will retain moisture and make you cold).
-or-
2. Polyester (some type of poly or silk sock liner), then wool

[JiM]

LaCrosse Burly 800's are cheap and super warm, 16 inch boots, waterproof. Definately low tech but 10,000 coonhunters can't be wrong.

[Tom Moe]

My advice: be sure you don't have tight fitting shoes, socks, or clothes on. I knew of a guy one time, during the Wisconsin Firearms Deer Season that had really, really cold feet. He had on SEVEN pairs of socks to keep his feet warm. Obviously, there was no air space left to insulate his feet. Tight clothes and shoes can do the same thing.
Regards,
Tom Moe

[IaCraig]

Well BlackSilver, may I suggest you fix that leak in your boat so the water is not so deep it goes over your boots? ;)

[Reels]

Cabela's has some decent boots. THe have a little guide as for what the boot is for. I got a pair for about $80 four years ago, and the are warm and dry. Goretex and Thinsulate.

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[Bob2]

RickK you told your method about the electric socks last year, and as a former long term smoker I guess my blood vessels are not great,no matter which insulated boots and sock combo I tried always left my feet cold after sitting in a boat for a while. So I read your post last year and spent an afternoon doing it and what a lifesaver! toasty feet in any weather,..yea guys look at me funny when I plug in,.but I only need to do it every little while....thank you!

[Jay]

Use what the mushers use, Steger Mukluks made in Ely Minnesota.
Warmest things I ever wore and lightweight as well.
Socks consist of silk on under, and wool or wool/nylon for over.

Jay