Hey everyone,
Trying to keep it brief, I am a broke college student who needs a new winter boot or two. I am basically looking for input and suggestions for a camp boot. I am leaning towards getting a winter hiking boot for moving, and a non- active boot for in camp and ice fishing. Pac boots and mukluks would get used once a year in the bwca, while a more "athletic" winter hiking boot would get used much more often on short winter backpacking trips. Given the use and the cost (plus extra liners for both and overboots for muks), it seems like a winter hiking boot and a boot for in camp/ice fishing/not active would be the better option for me in terms of practicality in the bwca (ice fishing and deep cold), on other winter backpacking trips with a lot more movement, and on the wallet.

I was looking at two different routes for the inactive boot, a pair of synthetic or down "camp booties" and an insulated rubber boot. The synthetic booties I was looking at were those made by 40 below here: https://40below.com/product/40-below-camp-booties-synthetic-insulated/

And I would need an overboot for them as well.
The insulated rubber boots I was looking at were made by baffin here: https://www.baffin.com/products/85620000

I was wondering whether any of you had experience with either model or a comparable model, as well as input on whether or not you think these would work as a winter camp boot in the bwca. Ideally I would go with a winter hiking boot or mukluk for moving and a pac boot for in camp, but that would be an irresponsible purchase for me at the moment. However, it would be a more irresponsible decision to bring improper footwear on a winter trip, so I am open to any critiques or suggestions.
Thank you

As a former broke college student who also decided to get into the expensive hobby of winter camping, I can sympathize.

Craigslist, SteepAndCheap, and a plethora of online sites are a goldmine for good deals, which I suspect you know already.

When I started out, I was in the same boat for footwear. I needed something, wanted it to last a couple years at least, keep me warm but not be specialized just for winter camping so I could get more use out of it.
So I went with a waterproof, calf high Muckboot. The pair I got was a discontinued item that was being unloaded on the Muckboot site and I have had to repair it once in the 5 years I have had it, but it still works and it was under $100. (Hey, found it though only in size 8: Muck Boot Men's Artic Lace Up ) I think your instincts to get a waterproof boot is the best. When buying one, be mindful of the sizing and try to get one that is at least a 1/2 size bigger, that way you can wear wool thick socks. And wool socks are a lot cheaper and easier to pack for a winter trip. Also, with a bigger size, your toes will have room to move around which is the number one thing you want for a winter boot. Tight toes cut off circulation, which increases the chance for colder toes.

And I should add, now that it has been a couple of years since I started winter camping, I have added some muckluks and I am so glad I did. But, they are specialized for winter and winter camping specifically and to only be used in 15 degree F or colder weather. It was a splurg to purchase, but no regrets.

I am not familiar with either of the boots you listed above, but I have one idea for you to consider that might fit your criteria of not that expensive and good for standing around in wet places - the US Military surplus white Bunny Boots (aka Mickey Mouse boots). There were designed for soldiers to use in extreme cold. They are rubber inside and out, with the wool felt insulation sealed inside to ensure it stays dry. The only downside is foot perspiration, but extra socks are not hard to pack. On the upside, if you step in deep water and get soaked, you just wipe them out, put on dry socks, and you are good to go. I see them listed online sometimes in the $100-150 range, but I think they can be found cheaper. I think a local mil-surplus store had them last year for about $80 - maybe used, not sure. Its one of the 3-4 most common boots I see on dog mushers in the Beargrease or Iditarod, which I think says a lot.

Jaywalker: "I am not familiar with either of the boots you listed above, but I have one idea for you to consider that might fit your criteria of not that expensive and good for standing around in wet places - the US Military surplus white Bunny Boots (aka Mickey Mouse boots). There were designed for soldiers to use in extreme cold. They are rubber inside and out, with the wool felt insulation sealed inside to ensure it stays dry. The only downside is foot perspiration, but extra socks are not hard to pack. On the upside, if you step in deep water and get soaked, you just wipe them out, put on dry socks, and you are good to go. I see them listed online sometimes in the $100-150 range, but I think they can be found cheaper. I think a local mil-surplus store had them last year for about $80 - maybe used, not sure. Its one of the 3-4 most common boots I see on dog mushers in the Beargrease or Iditarod, which I think says a lot. "

When I was a winter instructor at Voyageur Outward Bound School, the majority of staff wore Mouse boots on our dogsledding and skiing courses, myself included. They were low maintenance and great in slush. Certainly your feet sweat, but a dry pair of socks and a pair of down or synthetic booties in camp make you forget that as you eat supper.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions and time you took to help me. I appreciate the help for a more informed decision.

I’m no expert on winter camping but do know a bit about winter footwear. Growing up on a old school farm in NE iowa and do a lot of ice fishing.
The cheapest way to keep your feet warm is insulated hiking boots with good wool socks and heavy rubber boots over top of them. Make sure your hiking boots have room in them. Too tight of boots mean cold or frozen feet. I find this out the hard way more than once.
That being said I try winter camping last year. I used insulated hiking boots for dragging my sled to the to the camp site and -40 below mucks for fishing and day use. Both with wool socks and my feet were warm the whole trip.
Also take feet warmers especially if you don’t have a heated tent. If your feet get cold that is the fastest way to warm them.
For tent use I took lined moccasins with wool socks.