The Secret Combination for Warm Feet in Extreme Cold

Hunting in the extreme cold brings on a magnitude of challenges, and keeping your feet warm and dry is right at the top of the list. I have spent a small fortune trying a variety of boots over the years. Nothing has come close to the system I use now. Let me tell you, this review does not come without vigorous testing. For 3 years, my husband and I both have been testing them in frigid temperatures in our Northern Ontario climate. They are far superior all around than anything else we have tried for the purpose we need them for. Here’s why.

How to Keep Your Feet Warm in the Extreme Cold

The Cabela’s Trans-Alaska Pac Boots, at first glance, look like moon boots, big and bulky. When we sing their praises to friends, that is always their first comment. Yet knowing how much time we spend in them in the cold, they know that there must be some value to our word. And like I tell them, don’t let the look deceive you. They are surprisingly light as well as very flexible, allowing you to actually walk in them. Compared to other winter boots I have tried, the comfort and mobility far surpass anything else.

Grab a pair of Cabela’s Trans-Alaska Pac Boots today!

They usually run somewhere between $130 and $180, depending on the size and where you catch them on sale, and they’re rated for temperatures well below zero, which is the range my husband and I are actually out in. If you’re hunting somewhere that only dips into the 20s and 30s, you don’t need this much boot, and honestly, you’d cook your feet in them.

One thing nobody told me before my first pair. Size up. These are built to fit a liner and a thick sock underneath, so your regular boot size will feel cramped and cut off circulation, which is the exact opposite of what you want in the cold. I go a full size up from my normal shoe, and it’s made all the difference.

I am sitting in a stand, riding on a sled, or trudging through the deep snow, and these have kept my toes warm every time. They are crafted with 3 inches of insulation between your foot and the frozen ground. This gives them the moon boot appearance, but I believe this is a pivotal reason why they work so well. The boot also focuses on wicking away moisture in addition to the advanced solar core barriers underfoot and in the toes. For those extra cold days, you can also insert a heat pack into the toe warmer. These boots also come equipped with a cinch at the top to deny snow from entering your boot. Trust me when I say, this is a great feature when you’re walking in waist deep snow.

The Secret Combination

Now, to go an extra step further, wear Bama socks. They look like hospital booties. For someone who has an issue keeping their feet dry due to sweat, these are a game changer. For less than 20 dollars, these literally are the line between wet socks and dry ones. For a lot of people, even if their feet are absolutely warm and toasty, their socks still get drenched from sweat. This might not raise concern after a few hours outdoors, but if your plan is to be outside for days on end, keeping your feet dry is essential.

Read More: Best Heated Socks for Hunting – Warmth for Your Adventures

These will do the trick. It’s incredible: after a day outdoors, when my husband takes off his boots, the outer side of the sock will be completely soaked, but the socks inside are absolutely dry. All the moisture is pulled from your regular socks into the outer layer of the Bama. Something so simple yet crucial to keeping warm.

If this is your first cold season out, one mistake I see a lot is piling on extra pairs of socks thinking more layers means warmer feet. It usually just means tighter boots and less blood flow to your toes, which makes the cold worse, not better. And skip cotton against your skin if you can. It holds onto sweat instead of moving it away, which defeats the whole point of this system. One good wool sock under the Bama does more than three thick cotton ones ever will.

There you have it. Pac boots plus Bama socks are our secret combination to keeping our feet warm in our cold winters. I would highly recommend these boots for just about every winter activity including ice fishing, snowshoeing, hunting, snowmobiling, and much more.