hunting/ice fishing boots

I’m going to hijack my thread from another site, and see what info I get here. Thanks in advance….

Was wondering if I could get some info on Thinsulate levels in boots.

Basically, trying to figure out what level is applicable for a mix of walking/sitting in cold weather, and what would be accceptable for a ice fishing boot.

The several people I’ve talked to recently indicated that 60-800g. is a good walking boot. How would a 800g. boot hold up to sitting while ice fishing?

Also, I was told that once you start to exceed around 1200g of Thinsulate, that it is a waste of $$. I know of several brands that now have 2000g in them. Is this just hype?

ALso, what brands do you recommend?

PS – does anyone wear knee boots while Ice fishing? The newer lines have over 1000g of thinsulate, and fit like a glove, too. That ankle fit technology really changes the way they feel. Since rubber doesn’t breath, would these be ideal cold weather boots?

If your icefishing run do not walk to army surplus and get bata aviation boots also known as mickeys. around $50. Just the word thinsulate will cost you $100 and you get to still have cold feet.

nubbin, i have LaCrosse 1200 gram boots. They are 2 piece, with a quilted bootie, you slip into the boot. Are good for sitting in a tree, or on the ice. Don’t walk a mile in em though, unless you have a good wicking layer next to your skin. For all around fall deer hunting, with sitting and making drives, i find 600 grams perfect. I have Rocky’s that work great, to sit for up to 4 hours in 30 degree weather and you can walk miles without getting too hot.
Good luck !!

g

Good socks make all the difference. I wear Setter 800’s often and haven’t gotten cold feet if I wear a good pair of Merino wool socks, the few times I have had cheap socks on they get cold! I also have Lacrosse 1000’s they’re pretty darn warm with good socks. Like I said, good socks make all the difference. My 800’s are perfect for walking this time of year while my 1000’s are little to warm causing my feet to sweat a little. If you haven’t jumped on the Merino wool bandwagon yet, do it! Your feet will thank you.

BIRDDOG

i have a pair of mickey mouse boots. got em about 10 years ago, after wearing em in the army at camp ripley in the middle of winter, they are warm, but i find them too cumbersome. especially when playing tackle tip-ups, you gotta be quick and agile !!!

g

Nubby, Are your feet generally warm or cold? Do you do alot of walking? Are you standing on the ice or in a shack? These are a few things to consider. If you have active feet(pheasant hunting, deer drives, hiking, etc.) you require less insulation as your foot is constently generating heat. A 200-600 gram boot is plenty! If you are on a deer stand, ice fishing(on the ice), or your foot is inactive, you will need to up the insulation. Thinsulate will NOT generate heat! It will hold the heat your foot has already generated. I have warm feet and I will wear a pair of Danner Osprey in 400 gram for almost all of my pheasant hunting, hiking, fall fishing, and etc.. I have a pair of Lacrosse Burly boots for my archery hunting and I don’t recommend these for ice fishing as rubber gets cold fast. I wear an Irish Setter 1200 gram boot for deer stand hunting later in the year and ice fishing. I cannot STRESS the importance of good socks. No cotton!!!! Wear a thermax liner sock with a wool or synthetic blend sock. If it is really cold I will wear a light wool with a heavy wool sock. I hope this helps and good luck with your purchase. 690reece

I tend to think the rating is over-rated but everyones feet are different. My feet sweat like crazy causing them to freeze very fast. I wasted alot of money on boots over the years and found the Lacrosse Ice Kings to be best. 400g, one pair of regular socks and my feet are dry and toasty in anything below zero. However these are pac boots and arent very good for walking. I have a pair of 1200g Cornstalkers for walking but not as warm as the Ice kings.

I had frostbite a few years back that was pretty bad, so now my feet get cold when it is 45 degrees out But, what I have found to help, not cure, just help is to wear a bigger boot for sitting. Actually all this advice will be for sitting/ice fishing. Also do not tighten the boots up very tight. You want some circulation in your legs and feet. Also wear a moisture wicking sock as a base layer and then wear a heavy wool sock over that. That is the best advice I can give you. I use a 2000 gram Thinsulate boot for sitting. Is it overkill? Not sure, but they sure are warm
As far as walking, I can get by with 600-800 Thinsulate, which is what I wear while coyote hunting.

Actually you can go pretty far with a piece of pink or blue foam insulation to keep under your feet on the ice. My flip over has 2 in pink on floor under rug.

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i have a pair of mickey mouse boots. got em about 10 years ago, after wearing em in the army at camp ripley in the middle of winter, they are warm, but i find them too cumbersome. especially when playing tackle tip-ups, you gotta be quick and agile !!!

g

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You and I definitely got to go fishing this winter. If you are half the size of D, I guess I’m up for a challenge! Tackle tip-ups, haven’t played that in a few years.

The wick away liners (with some type of sock over it) are the key to keeping the feet dry and remaining warm. Once your feet get wet it’s hard to keep them warm.

Ive got a couple of pairs of socks from Cabela’s, they are calle Xstatic InGenius, these socks are not very thick, but make all the difference, they wick away moisture very fast, and are designed for use with gore tex. In the same boots I can be comfortable about 15 degrees colder with the socks on as opposed to regular socks or light wool socks. If you buy Gore-tex boots they are worth checking out. Everyones feet are different though and what works for one may not work for another, but looks like you have plenty of ideas to try!!!!!!

Thanks for the info, guys.

Regarding my last question, is anyone wearing rubber knee boots w/ Thinsulate on a regular basis? I have a pair of 800g Cabelas, and they have been warmer than some of the cheap pac boots I’ve owned in the past. They fit so well, and are so light, I am thinking of upgrading to the 1200g for Ice Fishing this winter…

Your thoughts?

I have been wearing Northerners since 1959. Just bought the 5th pair this fall. I buy a size larger than shoe size. I put white socks on and then a pair of wool boot socks. Never get cold feet,pheasant hunting or ice fishing. These are 13 in. tall with 2 eyelets at top of boot. The are very comfortable. These are insulated and have padding. I paid $70 for them.

I wear the black Sorel Glaciers they are at Cabelas and Sheels for like 99bucks, good down to -100 and they ROCK!! They go about up to your knees but dont impead movement, waterproof rubber bottoms and water resistant/proof the rest of the way up.