While I transitioned to Steger Mukluks I'm still looking for a secondary pair of boots and would to hear what people use? So here's your chance to talk about boots and their pluses and minuses.

I just spent 2 days outside with my 800 gram Lacrosse muck boots on. they make 1200 gram and more but I was warm...and dry. It was down in the teens but not all day.
I was so impressed that I "might" try them on a snow camp this year. The only down sides I see is that if the water goes over the top, you will not dry them in the field and it takes a man and a small boy to get them off...and not the one wearing them. Sure, I can do it in the comfort of my garage but wow what a chore in the field.

I bring a second pair of pack boots so that when I am stationary ice fishing my feet stay warm and dry.

I have a pair of Columbia Titanium Bugaboots .

Up until several years ago, I was doing field research, and this included collecting water samples during the winter from some difficult to access sites. I needed boots that were warm in sub-zero temperatures, waterproof, compatible with snowshoes, and comfortable for all day wear.

I ordered the boots on-line, something I don’t ordinarily do with footwear because fit and comfort are everything; but I found a good price and took a chance. When I first got the boots, I thought I had made a big mistake. They were almost as stiff as ski boots and I thought they would not be comfortable for walking long distances. Those fears proved to be unfounded, and I wore them for several winters all day, every day.

This is not the type of boot that will appeal to everybody, but suited my particular needs. The support (stiffness) was perfect for walking across frozen plowed fields and kicking steps into wind-packed snow drifts leading down to stream beds. The nylon and plastic shell is tough enough to stand up to ice-covered corn stubble encountered after ice storms. (This was the most dangerous condition I ever encountered; the fields resembled hundreds of thousands of spear-tips poking straight up. I’m sure a slip/trip and fall would have left me impaled like a bug on a pin.) They were and remain completely waterproof, and I was able to stand in ankle deep water in complete comfort.

I have since been using the boots primarily when I go ice-fishing. It’s not a rigorous test of capability because I’m in a heated portable ice shelter, but the waterproofness is a plus when punching holes with a power auger.

We use our Mukluks for snowshoeing and our Iceman Lacrosse boots for ice fishing and standing still. Love my Mukluks, but for ice fishing, nothing beats the Iceman boots.

quote McVacek: "We use our Mukluks for snowshoeing and our Iceman Lacrosse boots for ice fishing and standing still. Love my Mukluks, but for ice fishing, nothing beats the Iceman boots."

I've begun looking for LaCrosse boots and hope to find a store that carries other brands as well. Any suggestions on a store in the Twin Cities to visit? Thanks.

quote SevenofNine: "

quote McVacek: "We use our Mukluks for snowshoeing and our Iceman Lacrosse boots for ice fishing and standing still. Love my Mukluks, but for ice fishing, nothing beats the Iceman boots."

I've begun looking for LaCrosse boots and hope to find a store that carries other brands as well. Any suggestions on a store in the Twin Cities to visit? Thanks."

Gander Mountain ? Not sure if they have the style you are looking for but they carry Lacrosse as well as other brands of boots.

Schnees

Joes in St Paul would be a good option.

I have a couple of different boots. I have an old pair of "Mickey" military surplus cold weather boots. Good boots, and will keep my feet warm on ice, but they are not good for long days of walking. No way for moisture to escape.

I also run a pair of Steger mukluks with Neo overboots. It's a great set-up, and does well with the breathability. These are my go to boot set-up for cold weather camping.

Several guys I know run Muck Boots, particularly the Arctic Sport. I borrowed a pair on an early season canoe trip last May (it was about 1 week after ice out) and they were lifesavers on that trip. Great for colder weather as well.

Winter boots is an interesting subject. You really need two types of winter foot protection.

Cold and dry.

Cold and wet.

Mukluks are wonderful if its cold and dry, but they aren't designed to be water proof. Often times you will see natives of the north wearing muck boots with liners or "swampers" (waders) in cold wet conditions.

I totally agree, on one March trip we were punching through the snow cover on a lake down into slush. My boots I had on at the time got soaked and then iced up over night as it got cold.

If I could find a pair of boots that are water proof, fit into my snow shoes really well and also have a removable liner I would be in heaven.

quote SevenofNine: "

quote McVacek: "We use our Mukluks for snowshoeing and our Iceman Lacrosse boots for ice fishing and standing still. Love my Mukluks, but for ice fishing, nothing beats the Iceman boots."

I've begun looking for LaCrosse boots and hope to find a store that carries other brands as well. Any suggestions on a store in the Twin Cities to visit? Thanks."

I know I got mine at Gander Mountain. They are terrible snowshoeing boots but perfect for ice fishing and sliding back into them at night to go out to the bathroom.

quote thebotanyguy: "I have a pair of Columbia Titanium Bugaboots .


"

I have a pair of these, too, and have been wearing them a lot lately during the recent cold snap.

I'd say they're sort of in between a pac-boot and an insulated hunting boot, more towards the pac-boot side of things. Definitely warm, and fairly comfortable for hiking. The amount of ankle support is much more than I need, and at times this can be a little annoying because like you said it makes the boot feel "stiff".

I did wear them pheasant hunting the weekend before Thanksgiving, doing some moderately strenuous walking & running after a birdy flushing dog. At that point I was wishing they were a little more flexible with a more streamlined sole.

Good boots though, especially for the price you can usually find them at.

I've used sorels in the past for secondary boots - bought some tingley rubber over boots at fleet farm in the same size as my mukluks to try out this year. My extra mukluk liners fit nicely should be a good balance of comfort and waterproofing for ice fishing and around camp (or slushwalking if the conditions aren't great

Ice fishing,slush etc. I still prefer something with a rubber bottom and leather top like a sorel boot or something similar rated in the -165 degree F. range(that rating is so bogus,but it is in the warmest boot possible range).
You don't want wet feet in the winter. Used this type of boot in -40 degrees different times.
Much of the cold comes from the bottom up so get a good insulated bottom boot.

For the warm boots (ice fishing or deer stand) I switched from the Lacrosse Icemans to Cabelas Inferno. I have only used them a half dozen times so far so can't yet comment on durability, but for warmth and comfort I like them a LOT better.

They have a better arch and it feels like you are in regular hunting boots. They are still bulky for walking.

So for you old timers,anyone have those big old white Bunny Boots from the military? They were one of the first warm boots around. I remember the few people who had a pair of them thought they were somebody special.
No I wasn't special enough and never owned a pair.

I have 4 sets of boots that I use for various purposes:

1. for sitting around camp I used to use these: they are rated to -148F and are very warm but they are like wearing giant marshmallows on your feet. Great for sitting around but not great for hiking etc.
Baffin Impact

2. I picked these up last year for using when active (snowshoeing, hiking etc). They work well but my feet do get a bit cold once they start getting damp:
Merrell Noreshund

3. I scored a pair of these babies each year for 8 years at work :) They run about $390 a pair so they were a good score! They work great and are very waterproof....not the warmest though:
Ecco Track Elite

4. My favorite winter camping gear purchase last year was these. They are by far the warmest things I've ever had on my feet. Great for hanging around camp. You can walk in deep snow in them but the support and traction is not the best. But for camp time...by far the best I've ever experienced:
MEC Expedition Booties

Pretty much for every trip now I wear my Merrels for the active day and then switch to the MEC booties back at camp. Seems to work well for my style of winter camping (hot tenting).

I've had good luck with the old black Military bunny boots. I've sat many a very cold mornings in a deer stand with the temps well below freezing and my feet were fine for hours. They've been ok to walk through the woods with also, they are water proof but a bit heavy I'm sure compared to some higher end boots. I haven't had issues with my feet sweating and getting the boot wet inside if I've been doing a lot of walking in them.
I don't have another boot to compare them to besides my bugaboots, but for the $50 you can get them for, hard to pass up.

quote dontgoenuf: "I've had good luck with the old black Military bunny boots. I've sat many a very cold mornings in a deer stand with the temps well below freezing and my feet were fine for hours. They've been ok to walk through the woods with also, they are water proof but a bit heavy I'm sure compared to some higher end boots. I haven't had issues with my feet sweating and getting the boot wet inside if I've been doing a lot of walking in them.
I don't have another boot to compare them to besides my bugaboots, but for the $50 you can get them for, hard to pass up."

I have a pair I've used for over 15 years. Great boots, and the problems you list are the reason why I don't use them for camping. Great for fishing/hunting. Sweaty feet on trail is the downfall.

quote dontgoenuf: "I've had good luck with the old black Military bunny boots. I've sat many a very cold mornings in a deer stand with the temps well below freezing and my feet were fine for hours. They've been ok to walk through the woods with also, they are water proof but a bit heavy I'm sure compared to some higher end boots. I haven't had issues with my feet sweating and getting the boot wet inside if I've been doing a lot of walking in them.
I don't have another boot to compare them to besides my bugaboots, but for the $50 you can get them for, hard to pass up."

There are two different types of Mickey Mouse military boots. Black and White.

The black were standard issue cold weather boots rated for -10 deb. F and the white were arctic issue, rated down to -60 deg. F.

Physically, they look similar, but the white ones are a bit wider, designed to be used with liners.