Cold Feet In The Stand

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hgeo33

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I am not much of a stand hunter and prefer to stalk. The place I usually go has a few thousand acres to move about. I could not go this year due to work commitments and had to hit a later season at a different spot.

A lot of deer at my second option but not much space so its all stand hunting. One thing I have always had an issue with is cold feet while sitting for hours. I have tried all the different socks and heat packs but nothing has ever really kept my feet warm when sitting.

This year i bought a pair of Baffin Titans. They are supposed to be good down to 100C. Not exactly the coldest hunting season but let me tell you no cold feet! I would not recommend these for a lot of walking around as they are massive but for sitting they are fantastic. I find i am so much less figity with warm feet.

They are a little pricey for rubber boots but well worth it in my opinion. I thought i would share in case anyone else has the same issue.

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If you are going to be in a stand/blind and don't mind carrying it, take a piece of rigid styrofoam insulation to put under your feet. Even keeps your feet warm when wearing steel toes, learned it from my father-in-law who spent time waaay up north wrenching on diesels.
 
When its cold I use my Acton Explorer boots that I use ice fishing. 2 pairs of socks with the inside sock thin and wicking material.
 
Sometimes you have to state the obvious - I learned this a number of years ago myself from an old timer who could sit for hours while on his watch. If I'm on a stand, it is my Sorel pacs. Not only are my feet warm, they're very comfortable because of the amount of 'soft' space inside the boot.
 
I used to hunt deer in a spot that was ALOT of work to get into. I learned to change out of my damp clothes @ my stand & re-dress in DRY thermal underwear & socks. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes to get into your stand DRY & with proper layers of clothing.

Cheers
Jay
 
I think the biggest thing you did was spend money on quality gear. Not saying that just because its expensive its good (you bought something that was worth the money...) but way too many guys buy cheap boots and complain they are uncomfortable and cold.
 
proper footwear is a must in any situation.
I used to buy the cheapo winter pack type boots thinking they were all the same.
One set of Sorrel Extremes changed that.

Warm feet for me in a tree stand is a set of sheepskin mukluks...they are light and incredibly warm with room to wiggle yer toes.Warmer than the Sorrels even...no rubber etc to draw the cold I think...
 
Good boots are the key for enjoyable hunting, period. Comfort is vastly underrated. Warm and dry helps you perform your best, and you gotta spend to get there! Try out some ColdGear base layer stuff from Under Armor. Fantastic. Thin tee and pant over top, then outerwear. You'll be roasty warm and it's all super lightweight and flexible. I honestly can't believe how much better the athletic clothing has gotten over the years, when I started hunting not even 20 years ago it was layers upon layers of thick, heavy clothing and multiple socks and you STILL got cold. Now it's a fitted wicking membrane under a thin insulating layer under a ski pant and adjustable jacket with comfort vents. You can go stand hunting all day provided you've got a full belly and plenty of fluids in extremely low temps. I've been using Danner Pronghorns with 1600g Thinsulate, brilliant boot. It's never been "too cold" for them, and Winnipeg winters get plenty cold.
 
Jay said:
I used to hunt deer in a spot that was ALOT of work to get into. I learned to change out of my damp clothes @ my stand & re-dress in DRY thermal underwear & socks. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes to get into your stand DRY & with proper layers of clothing.

Cheers
Jay
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I used to do this, too. You'd think that stripping down to bare feet would be brutal and that you'd never get warm again. Not so. Changing into a pair of socks that you've carried in your inside pocket is heaven.
 
looch said:
I used to do this, too. You'd think that stripping down to bare feet would be brutal and that you'd never get warm again. Not so. Changing into a pair of socks that you've carried in your inside pocket is heaven.
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I kind of wish I thought of that this fall when I landed up to my balls in icy cold water and muck while carrying my rifle and my pack (nice directions buddy). I did the next day, but then I was looking at the ground a lot more carefully as well and didn't need them...thankfully.

I wrung out the socks and put them back on and froze my ass off. To make it even worse my buddy bagged a huge 10 pointer about 20 minutes later. I was less than happy for him for a while but got over it eventually. :)
 
Try out some ColdGear base layer stuff from Under Armor. Fantastic.
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I have used this stuff for the last few years as well. The redhead version from Basspro is decent as well and a bit cheaper. You just have to make sure you find the cold weather version. In the stand this stuff is good but it really shines when you are walking around all day. I always have to mind my pace when moving to avoid sweating. This stuff seems to reduce sweating and also dryes up so quickly that if you get a bit of a sweat on you don't freeze when you stop for a few min in a good spot.

I have been a grappler for the last 20 years and have used the warm weather version to protect my skin for years now.
 
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