Boots for winter and cold night observing?

[OpusElite]

With the ever decreasing night time temperatures I've noticed on observing sessions that most people seem to suffer the same problem of cold feet.

I have double layered socks and thermal socks but they don't work well when standing still, i.e. not walking.

USB heated insoles keep the underside of my feet warm, but not the top.

Can anyone recommend good boots that are proven to work well, especially if they aren't too expensive?

[banjaxed]

Standing on a decent thickness piece of wood or a few layers of cardboard works well for me and I have poor circulation.

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

1 minute ago, banjaxed said:

Standing on a decent thickness piece of wood or a few layers of cardboard works well for me and I have poor circulation.

Cheaper than snow boots!

I can recommend socks. Gelert Heat Wear are thick, soft, comfortable and warm. The insides have a fleece like feel.

https://www.gelert.com/gelert-heat-wear-socks-mens-414332

[wibblefish]

I have a pair of these heat holder ones which go over my normal socks and I added a merino wool insert into my wellies so I am not in direct contact with the sole which helps immeasurably. Still get cold feet eventually but I figure that just means its time to come in 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heat-Holders-Extra-Winter-Thermal/dp/B01M61WFMR/ref=asc_df_B01M61WFMR?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80745460652503&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584345018660083&psc=1

Maybe some sort of hiking boot might be an option? Those are usually insulated to a degree but I can't recommend a particular brand ... maybe Karrimor if you want non-expensive.

Edited November 18, 2021 by wibblefish

[Captain Scarlet]

I use Uggs unless the ground is particularly wet. Anything else, including some sheepskin-lined hiking boots, eventually leave me with cold feet.

Magnus

[Ohgodwherediditgo]

I have a pair of Grubbs Frostline wellies that are very warm in the winter. They are neoprene with a somewhat foamy kind of overcoat to shoe height, which was a bit concerning at first because i normally associate a bit of weight with durability and these are quite light. I can't recommend them for long walks though as the stitching runs  from the top, right down the back of my heel so a thick pair of socks are required.

One thing i learned from riding a motorbike is that it's important not to touch anything cold without gloves on a very cold morning before setting off because you lose heat every time you do and don't get it back. It's easier to stay warm than to get warm.

[Rusted]

Kamik snow boots. Easy to slip on and off thanks to glossy "fur" lining.
Rated at down to -50C and you won't topple even in a 100mph wind.
They can usually be found heavily discounted at online dealers.
Black rubber foot and brown suede above. Cosy! 
 

[Jiggy 67]

I use these heated socks, expensive but very good, even have to turn them down after an hour or so
 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/XBUTY-Rechargeable-4800mAh-Battery-Thermal/dp/B08H1M3L5H/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=heated+socks&qid=1637251529&sr=8-3

Put them together with walking boots and you’re good to go

[old_eyes]

I bought a pair of Seeland hunting boots about 10 years ago and they have served me well. They are designed for people who stand still for hours in the frozen North waiting for a moose or something similar to appear. They have a felted inner boot like a 1cm thick oversock, and are completely waterproof (as far as I can tell).

I have been out in -8C, and it was other parts of my body that gave up before my feet did. 

[SpaceWatcher]

I have Columbia and North Face snow boots, both good down to around -30 and waterproof, my feet never get cold 👍🏻

[PeterStudz]

I have these cheap snow boots for £15. With thick socks they are enough to keep my feet warm. Even in the Alps, walking in the snow at -15 to -18C.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-warm-waterproof-snow-hiking-boots-sh100-x-warm/_/R-p-108105?mc=8344304

[ONIKKINEN]

Sure youre not overstuffing your boots with socks and insoles? For winter use your boots should be very loose with just regular socks, perhaps even unusable. Cutting blood circulation because of too many layers/too thick even in good boots will be ineffective at keeping the warmth in.

Ensuring a good seal between your boots and pants are also as important. Longjohns in the boots (not tightly) and 1 or 2 layers of pants over the boots will work.

Did plenty of stargazing and imaging at -20 or colder last winter. Cold feet and fingers really kill the mood so its an important issue to fix.

[jjohnson3803]

Sorels.  I wore them when snowmobiling when I was a kid in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - lots of snow and quite cold.

 

[Paz]

+1 for Sorel's, I tried all sorts of things before I found these and these do the job.

They are a bit bulky for moving around but they are perfect for keeping warm when you are not moving much.

I have found that it has to be cold enough to wear them or else I cook!

[Stu]

I use Arctic Muckboots after a recommendation from @PeterW. Very pleased with them. I agree about not ‘over socking’, don’t cram everything in. I use a pair of these thermal socks too. Nice and toastie.

https://muckbootcompany.co.uk/collections/men/products/mens-outpost-tall-wellington-black

[OpusElite]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, it's really interesting to see the range of ideas covering socks, boots or even just something to stand on.

Will have to see what Santa brings

[iapa]

21 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

I use Uggs unless the ground is particularly wet. Anything else, including some sheepskin-lined hiking boots, eventually leave me with cold feet.

Magnus

+1

[StuartJPP]

+1 for the Muck Boots, however they are pretty expensive now. Can't believe that I only paid £40 for my pair on sale a few years ago from a gun range.

They also work well on black ice for traction.

The thing to remember is that if you are feeling cold in the extremities it usually means you are losing core body heat. Doesn't mean you can wear a thick parka and flip-flops but you'd survive longer than wearing double fleece-lined snow boots in your birthday suit.

[Stu]

1 hour ago, StuartJPP said:

The thing to remember is that if you are feeling cold in the extremities it usually means you are losing core body heat. Doesn't mean you can wear a thick parka and flip-flops but you'd survive longer than wearing double fleece-lined snow boots in your birthday suit.

Very true that. I’ve also found that keeping my legs warm helps keep the feet warm. Totally obvious when you think about it, but a pair of thermal long johns really does help to keep the feet warm.

[OpusElite]

Very valid point about extremities. I certainly wrap up well with multiple layers.

[Stephenstargazer]

A long Harkila shooting jacket (lots of pockets) with fleece liner, lined walking trousers and English sheepskin boots with thin wool socks.  Plus hat with silly ear flaps and fishing mits. Who cares, it's dark and I am alone ☺️

 

[PeterW]

US milsurplus extreme cold weather trousers are quite fun (no pockets though 😞). The muck arctic sport stop the increasing foot pain that observing on damp grass leads to. Mine are great to just slip on to go round the shops. there are boots that are even better (eg some Baffin models, but we don’t get -100C often in these parts!)
 

The only bit of me that knows the outside temperature is my nose. If I walk about too much I run the risk of overheating…. Not that I’ve been out in anything too seriously cold yet (London isn’t known for ice storms).

Peter

[Captain Scarlet]

29 minutes ago, PeterW said:

... the increasing foot pain that observing on damp grass leads to ...

Yes! At surprisingly not-especially-low temperatures!

[PeterW]

10 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

Yes! At surprisingly not-especially-low temperatures!

It’s the dampness that helps suck the warmth right out… the heated insoles I tried and bits of camping mat foam all failed to halt the pain.

Peter

[newbie alert]

For fishing I used skeetex boots.. so warm that you can use just a normal pair of socks