Boot size based on insulation?

[dogz]

When you're sitting so for a while you can losen up the boots and stick some hand warmers down in the boots on top on your toes

 

[dogz]

oops

 

[Argon Glen]

I only wear Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hunting Sock (#2013). I usually don't wear liners but have them with me. My boots are 200g; I don't size up.

Do you wear gaiters?

 

[Rick Richard]

Darn Tough brand for me too…..and gaiters.

 

[Pacecount]

Most of the quality boots out there I like run a little large (Crisp & Kenetrex) and I don't have to size up for thick socks. I do try them on and break them in with the sock I am going to wear when I hunt. Also, I highly recommend an all wool sock.

I don't like any more than 200 grams of insulation. I move a lot when I am elk hunting and any more creates issues with sweat.

I have two boots that I use…. A early season boot that breathes and a 200 gram that is all leather (so probably closer to 400 gram with the leather).

I carry 4 pair of socks to make sure I always have a dry pair but some people get away with 2 or 3 pair of socks.

I do take the foot warmers in my bag just in case but I haven't had to use them… Nothing worse than having to cut a hunt short.

 

[M77Fan]

Thanks! We will be moving a lot and then sitting for various amounts.

So many different feet; every foot has a different opinion. Chranah you didn't describe the area you hunt or the conditions when you had cold feet.

Early season when it is freezing in the morning but then warms up, even I can get away with a lightly insulated hiking boot and a couple pairs of merino socks. I get cold toes at times but can get them warmed up. The thing here is that I have Raynaud's syndrome, which is a condition that makes the circulation to your extremities shut off with certain cold triggers - just what you need in freezing conditions. This has not been mentioned so far in this discussion, and maybe is not an issue for you and your daughter. But I provide input from this background. Therefore my other boots are pac boots like the Sorel Caribou, Schnee (my old LL Bean boots have given up and now leak). These have removable felt liners that can be swapped out daily if you get spares. In colder weather and where I am constantly walking in snow, these are my only answer for not only not-cold feet, but for avoiding frostbite. Believe me you don't want frostbite ever; the damage stays with you the rest of your life.

So I say it is a two part answer. 2 pair of good wool socks in a good pair of medium insulated boots in milder weather, switching to 2 pair of wool socks and felt lined pac boots when the weather is colder. And get a couple pair of extra liners so you can have dry liners daily. (I swear by the old wool liners because I am me, so I use those.)

Sizing is a thing that has become very unreliable in recent years. There is no consistency between makers and sometimes year to year with the same maker. You gotta try them on. With 2 socks you may have to go up a half size from your street shoe size as a starting guess.

That said, be aware that for women's boots, your daughter will have very limited choices for adequate boots. Very often the women's models are made to lower standards, and concentrate more on "style" than utility. If she can move into small men's sizes she may have a better chance of getting an equal product. Hers will be more of a challenge to find than yours.

Good luck! If you mail order, be prepared to send several back to try again for fit.