I'm looking at getting a good pair of hunting boots. Eyeing the Irish Setter Elk Trackers right now. At what point temp wise should I consider the Thinsulate options? The Elk trackers come un-insulated and then with 200, 600 & 1000gm of Thinsulate.
Thinsulate/insulation in boots?
- Thread starter 41 Colt
- Start date
I currently also have a pair with 1000 gm. insulation. I find them way to hot on all but the coldest of days. They have been comfortable from day one, 10 years of wear only during hunting season, and only recently need to be waterproofed. Without a doubt I would purchase a pair again, and will, with only 200 grams thinsulate.
They are very well made rugged boots. I bought two pair of the 1000 gram thinsulate and alternate wearing them every second day. Gives the boot time to dry out any humidity/moisture between wearing. I use these boots hard about 60 days a year and I am on year 6. The 12" boot height allows wet ground and shallow stream traversal with ease. I went with the heavier insulation as I would rather my feet be too warm than too cold as the boots are used for stalk and walk moose/bear hunting as well as stand hunting for late season deer at the end of December (-15C). Excellent boots and I would not hesitate to purchase another pair.
I have two pairs of Thinsulated boots [Danners] The 600 gm ones are 9" top, the 800 gm have 12" tops.
I use the 600 gm ones mostly, unless it is very cold outside, then I change to the 12" boots.
The 9" ones are 8 years old now, and they have been flawless. If the newer 12" boots last as well, I will be happy.
Regards, Dave.
I use the 600 gm ones mostly, unless it is very cold outside, then I change to the 12" boots.
The 9" ones are 8 years old now, and they have been flawless. If the newer 12" boots last as well, I will be happy.
Regards, Dave.
RiverCitySlicker
Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg, MB
the issue I have with well insulated boots is that they are actually colder for my feet. Too warm and your feet sweat, wet feet = friggin cold feet. As a construction worker who works 12 months a year outdoors, I find its best to find a boot that will be comfortably cold, i.e. not warm. Same goes for all clothing, a mild cool is easy to maintain and keeps you dry. Staying dry is the most important part of winter activities. I'd recommend the 200g ones, 400-600 if youre in the praries like I am.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
A week sitting around a campfire wishing you could dry out your boots makes insulation sewn into the boots quite undesirable. I prefer uninsulated boots, then I can adjust socks and insoles to suit conditions. It is difficult to dry insulated boots once they become soaked with sweat or precipitation, and dry boots are critical to comfort. Fresh dry socks, swap insoles and Voila! Comfort. IMHO insulated boots are for folks who don't usually spend more than a day or two away from the house.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
My experience...
200 gram is good for late spring, summer, early fall.
600 gram is good for around +5 to about -10, as long as you're not just sitting there.
1000 gram is basically for about - 5 to -20, again, as long as you're not just sitting there.
I found the 600 gram to be by far the most versatile, particularly during fall hunting weather.
200 gram is good for late spring, summer, early fall.
600 gram is good for around +5 to about -10, as long as you're not just sitting there.
1000 gram is basically for about - 5 to -20, again, as long as you're not just sitting there.
I found the 600 gram to be by far the most versatile, particularly during fall hunting weather.
I was helping out on a barn renovation a few years ago and when I went to Mark's Work Wearhouse for construction boots, found out they only sell thinsulate boots no matter what time of year! I reluctantly bought a pair because I wanted the CSA rating and didn't find them too bad for what I was doing, which was in the summer. But in the days when I had summer jobs in very hot factories (textile mills), you couldn't have got me to buy those things if you gave me twice the cost. And now that I've said that, I guess the answer is that Marks can do what they do because we don't have too many factories left in Canada. Anyway, thinsulate is very good in cold weather boots, a huge advance rating right up along with goretex.
