What 1600/1800gr Insulated Rubber Boot?
Equipment
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I am looking at the Lacrosse Alpha Burly Pro 1600 gr insulated rubber boots for late season. I have 1000gr insulated rubber boots but feet get a little cold when it gets in the low teens. I want something that will go Zero or below without using boot blankets.
It's been that cold in northern IL the past weeks. Single digits with well below 0 wind chill. I have aeroheads in 3.5 two sizes two big. I wear a ankle athletic sock base then stick a toe warmer on top of my toes and put a thick insulated sock over top and then slide into boot. The non rubber material of the aerohead doesn't conduct the cold like normal rubber boots and I consider them one of the best purchases I have ever made. They make them in 7mm too if you are worried about getting cold.
Thanks Dave- I was wondering how the 3.5mm and 7mm compared to the 1000 or 1600 gr insulation........................
I've got the alphaburly 1600s that i use on what i consider "cold" sits here in Illinois; that would be a day that doesn't get above 25 degrees as the high (give or take). They are nice but they are heavy/bulky. I'd honestly look into a pack boot if you don't necessarily need rubber boots (i have a large creek to cross to access 90% of my stands). I use muck boots most of the season but turn to the alphaburly 1600 for those very cold days.
1600 gram boots would inadvertently make my feet colder due to sweating while walking in. Does that not affect you guys?
I just bought a pair of non-insulated hiking boots so I could once again use my artic shield boot blankets. IS a heavy super insulated boot a better compromise? Being serious too.
I have the 1600 lacrosse, I wear a light wool sock and a heavy wool sock over that a couple weeks ago it was zero and my feet were fine
Bumpin- I have a pair of old(15+ y/o) LaCrosse 1800gr pack boots. Only wore them for ice-fishing and near zero hunts. But they finally wore out.
Was never big on (all)rubber boots but 2 yrs ago got the 1000gr knee high rubber boots. Was really impressed. And so much easier on and off than my lace up pac boots.
WV- I don’t have a long walk in to my late season archery stands, so heating up is not an issue.
I just bought a pair of alphaburlys off of Amazon today on sale for 150.00
They will work great. Love these boots
Have had a pair of the 1600. Don’t think you will like them at zero Above 20 fine. My experience. I went to a rubber boot with a pack liner or wear a pack boot.
I know they are warmer but walking in them is clumsy and sweaty. What works best for me is a 400 gram boot with pull over boot covers. Can be tricky putting them on in a tree stand and they are another layer between your soles and a likely metal stand platform.
They work great at zero. Just get them big and wear a thin and thick wool sock. Once you get to the stand, take the boot off and the thick outer sock. Put a toe warmer on the bottom and top of your toes, sticking to the inner thin sock. Put the outer sock back on and the boot and your feet will be warm and sweat-free all day.
And don't forget the old adage about putting on enough hat. If my head, neck, ears or hands are cold, it's almost a given my feet will be cold too. Making sure the rest of my body is adequately warm is key to warm feet. Wear those bibs and enough insulation.
Feet...so many strategies. I wear 1200 gm boots down to the upper teens. They are one size bigger than my normal shoe. I wear a medium wool crew sock, followed by a mega-thick Wigwam wool sock (think ice fishing socks). Toe warmers top and bottom unless temp is above 25.
For zero or below I prefer my moccasins, coffee and a fire. BUT...the real strategy for me in temps like that doesn't involve pull-on rubber boots. I'll either be in very thick felt pacs or my white bunny boots. And did I mention toe warmers?.....Always when it's supremely cold.
A tip I've noticed: Good warm socks aren't necessarily good and warm for years. They compress and offer less loft/insulation value as they age and get washed. My 3-5 year old hunting socks don't have nearly the warmth of an identical new pair. Because I don't want to buy new hunting socks every year, I'm careful to wear enough total thickness (in 2 sock layers) to get the job done.
Thanks for the responses, guys! I'm gonna go to the sport shop this week and check them out. Sounds like they will be plenty warm for what I need.
I've had 1200 Alpha Burleys for a while. They are my 'goto' boot down to the lower 30's. But - if I'm going to sit for any length of time my feet will get cold (starting in the lower 30's) in them so I either use pack boots, drop in a hand-warmer in each boot or once in a while I'll even bring a towel and put it on the bottom of my tree-stand then drape the other half over my boot/foot. If I were going to buy a new pair today, I would get the 1600's.
No rubber boot will keep your feet truly warm at those temps. Pack boots are barely acceptable. That said, the Alpha Burlys are great boots that are comfortable and warm. If you’re just sitting though, only good to 20 or so.
What pack boots are you all using?
1st year with 1600 Alpha Burley Pro, better than my Lacrosse iceman. Cold enough up here next to Lk Superior to give them a good test, will even use them still hunting during rifle season. Love them!!
Good to hear! Gonna stop after work tomorrow and try them on.
Three choices - 1) Lacrosse; 2) Lacrosse and 3) Lacrosse! I like the Alpha Burly's with the air bob sole. The absolute best traction I've used. They have Thinsulate versions like 1200 gram, 1600 gram. They also have polymeric foam which is what I like; although I haven't had Thinsulate versions in years. Maybe I'd like them now...
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