If you're wondering how to keep feet warm while hunting, then this guide is for you. These 13+ ways are extremely cheap and easy to apply. Check it out:
1. Plan Ahead:
You do not need cold feet to ruin your hunt. Be prepared with the list below:
If you are well-prepared, it gives you a feeling of relaxation and confidence. This gets you off to a good start
2. Foods to Eat Before and During the Hunt:
There are specific foods and their interactions that you need to be aware of to prevent possible problems while hunting. (Find out more 20 best food to take hunting):
a) Avoid spicy foods the night before the big hunt.
Here's why:
They stimulate neurotransmitters that may affect sweat glands. You do not want to sweat on the day before or during a big hunt.
>> Solution: You can replace the spicy foods with bland foods. Eat a broiled roast instead of pizza.
b) Focus on eating foods that help you avoid blood sugar spikes.
Did you know that blood sugar spikes can make you cold?
Eat foods that are classified as complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
c) Let’s not forget about protein.
Eat unprocessed meats and protein rich beans such as black beans or black-eyed peas.
d) Try your best to avoid sweets and foods with empty calories like our beloved potato chips and cookies.
e) Also, remember to drink plenty of water… hydrate and hydrate.
Healthy well-balanced eating and good hydration make you more alert and excited.
Also, your body can adjust to the cold better and keep you warmer all the way down to your feet.
See also: Best Elk Hunting Boots
3. Reduce Perspiration:
This appears to sound like an oxymoron. This article is about staying warm.
You would think that perspiring is the least of your concerns?
Being bundled up while carrying backpacks, walking, climbing trees is strenuous work that causes you to sweat.
You must remember that if you sweat, you will get cold! There are a few things that you can do to alleviate this problem.
a) Rub deodorant on your feet at the night before you go hunting:
It takes about six hours for deodorant to be most effective on sweat glands.
This helps your feet to stay dry. Dry feet tend to be warmer feet.
b) Add or remove layers as needed:
You may not need to wear all of your layers of clothes while you are going to your destination.
On the other hand it helps your backpack to be handy and useful.
c) Start early:
To conserve energy while doing strenuous activities, allow yourself plenty of time.
Leave early and walk slowly. You may have to force yourself to walk slowly, but it is beneficial in the long run.
d) Plan to stop and take short breaks:
A good rule of thumb is to stop every 50 paces, especially if you are going uphill.
e) Change your socks and boots:
When you get to your stand or destination, change your socks and boots if needed.
Even a short walk generates moisture.
4. Use Foot Powder:
One of the main uses of powder through the years is absorbing moisture. It is even an old Army approved a strategy for enduring long hikes.
Here's the deal:
Using powder increases your chances of having warmer feet.
It also improves comfort and eliminates odor. That buck will not smell your feet and leap away.
5. Use Cotton Balls:
Use soft, fluffy cotton balls as additional insulation for your feet.
It is amazing at the items that you locate around your house. They are helpful and have new uses.
6. Wear Layers of Socks:
Anyone who hunts in cold weather knows that just any old sock will not suffice.
Layers of socks are tremendously helpful.
But how to layer socks for cold weather?
On very cold outings, wear at the very least two or three layers of socks.
# Pro tips:
Via Walmart
Use socks with pockets over the toes that hold warming packets.
They work effectively for at least three to four hours. Hand warming packets can also be used.
These packets can be purchased at most sporting goods or discount stores.
>> Caution: you do not want your toes to get too toasty.
If these packets are placed directly against your bare skin, they can blister or burn your feet or toes.
As they generate high temperature from the chemical reaction that occurs in the packets.
Layering your socks is probably the best way to keep feet warm while hunting.
To be most effective, remember that your socks need to be made from specific materials and should range from thin to thick.
7. Take Along Warm Water in a Bottle:
All hunters need to take water with them. Taking warm water has a twofold advantage (warmth and hydration).
Warmth and water are essential to your well-being. Having something that provides both is exactly what you need.
8. Wear Proper Boots:
The type and size of your boots directly affect the warmth of your feet. This is one of the most difficult and important decisions that you make.
Break in with hunting socks
If you consider buying a good pair of hunting boots for cold weather, break in with the socks that you wear while hunting.
Make sure they are sized properly for the number and type of socks you wear.
One size larger
Leave enough room to wiggle your toes. Outdoor experts recommend at least a full size larger.
This accommodates for the layers of socks and leaves a little extra room for you to be able to move your toes.
Choose thick sole
Choose a boot with a thick sole. This prevents coldness from slowly sneaking in from the ground or tree stand.
Look for waterproof boots
If water gets in. it chills your whole body
Use rubber boots
Also, you may consider purchasing a pair of rubber boots to keep your feet dry if you go through mud or mud puddles.
When you get to your stand, just swap off the rubber boots.
Note:
Your feet could sweat if you use rubber boots and easily get cold. Then use a boot dryers to make it warm whether or not it's wet.
9. Drink Hot Chocolate with Butter:
Keeping the whole body nourished helps the body (even the feet and toes) to stay warm.
Robert Kenefick, Ph.D., a research physiologist, at the Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division of the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Science recommends butter as a quick source of energy.
Butter is earning a better reputation now. The pendulum on butter, whether it is good or evil, is in the process of changing. Butter is now considered to be a fluffy fat that does not clog arteries.
It is a hot fitness craze at this time. Several athletes, especially runners, use butter as a nutritional boost.
We all know that hunting requires energy. If you feel yourself getting sluggish, then try butter in some hot chocolate.
Some people love the taste immediately. Others need to acquire a taste for it. A quick and long-lasting source of energy helps to warm the whole body.
10. Beware of Metal Conductors:
Image source: pinterest.com
Metal conducts the cold to your body.
If you have ever had your hand get stuck on a cold metal object, then you know what I mean.
You need to have an insulator between your body and cold metal.
When you are dealing with the cold, look for metal and eliminate them.
11. Exercise Even in a Tree Stand:
This may seem a little absurd… even dangerous!
Believe it or not, these exercises can be done anywhere. Even when you need to be as still as possible.
Flexing your toes help to provide circulation and keep the blood flowing.
Sitting perfectly still constricts blood flow.
Without proper blood flow, feet and toes get cold. Then it begins to spread and affect other body parts.
Loosen your boots enough to wiggle your toes and rotate your ankles in circles.
Then be sure to tighten your boots. I do not want anyone to trip.
Do isometrical exercises
It sounds difficult, but these exercises are the easiest to do in a small space. They do not expose your location.
Think of these as silent exercises. Do them by simply contracting and releasing your muscles without moving your legs.
This gets your blood circulating better and sends warmth to your legs, feet, and toes.
Next time your feet and toes are cold when you are hunting, give it a try. You may be surprised at the effectiveness of something so simple.
12. Use Extra Insulation for Your Feet:
You want to keep cold out and conserve the heat by using more insulation. Here's how:
a) Add additional thicker insoles to your boots.
b) Use cardboard:
Cardboard is an inexpensive alternative to using as an insole.
On a piece of cardboard, trace the outline of each foot.
Cut them out with an Exacto knife. This gives you an insole that can be placed inside of your boots.
c) Reuse smaller pieces of cardboard:
Do not throw away the leftover cardboard. Cut it into smaller pieces.
The shape does not matter. You just need smaller pieces to fill up any extra spaces on the sides of your boots.
Paper products are good insulator.
d) Boot liners add additional insulation:
Fleece is such a warm material. Fleece liners in your boots provide a cozy feeling.
e) Some hunters wear booties or moccasins while they are on the stand for extra warmth.
f) Even a blanket spread on top of your feet keeps the cold out.
If your boots and socks are not keeping the cold out, then you need to try some additional insulation hacks.
It never hurts to try something new.
13. Keep Your Head Covered and Warm:
My grandmother always makes this statement during cold weather, “Keep your head warm, and you will have warm feet".
Science proves that grandmother is correct. Your head loses forty-five percent of your body heat if it is not covered. Be sure that you have appropriate items to wear that help preserve body heat.
If your head is not properly covered, your body reduces the blood supply to your feet to keep your brain and internal organs warm.
If you reduce heat loss, then you have warmer feet. Just like you layer your socks, you need to layer items that keep your head warm.
14. Use Camp Slipper:
Via Pinterest
If you're still wondering "how to make my hunting boots warmer?", then try this tips:
Note:
Pick one size bigger when choosing a camp slipper. They will ensure blood flow and help you feel comfortable.
The Bottom Line:
Dealing with cold feet when you go hunting is a miserable experience. Sometimes you may force yourself to stay until you cannot bear the cold any longer.
Do not let cold feet ruin a hunting expedition.
There are dozens and dozens of ways to solve the problem of keeping your feet warm. You do not have to go out and buy new expensive items.
There are simple, cheap ways to keep your feet warm in cold weather.
Most of the suggestions of how to keep feet warm while hunting share some common threads: eat healthy, stay hydrated, stay dry, and keep the cold out.
So now, you need to decide which idea you want to try and head to the woods.
Well I’ll be damned. All these years complainin’ to pa about cold feet and all I needed was some damn cardboard or cotton balls.
Yup, Cameron. You could also read this article for reference: https://archerytopic.com/20-best-food-to-take-hunting/. I think it’s helpful for you.
I like that you mention that trying butter in hot chocolate for an energy boost. I’m really looking forward to hunting this season, so these are some fun tricks. Before I go, I do need to make sure that I have the proper supplies and goods to make the most out of the trip.
This is my first time visit at here and i am truly pleassant
to read all at alone place.
Hopefully you get some useful info 🙂