Warmest Hunting Boots for Sitting In A Tree Stand
Sitting in a tree stand in winter can be one of the most grueling hunting activities. Learn what boots are up for the job in this informative post!
The cold can make sitting in a tree stand unbearable during winter for hunters.
Since boots are temperature rated based on high levels of physical activity, hunters cannot trust manufacturer specifications and need to purchase a boot rated for much colder temperatures than they plan to face.
In this post, you’ll learn not only what hunting boots are best for sitting in a tree stand, but also what makes them the best.
I recommend you read this informative post from top-to-bottom. In doing so, you’ll become an educated consumer and be able to purchase the best hunting boots for your unique needs with confidence!
Best Extreme Cold Weather Boots
Below you’ll find my recommendations for the best boots for extreme cold weather hunting.
The recommendations are sorted by price from low to high.
Best Extreme Cold Weather Boots for Hunting:
Budget: Kamik Greenbay 4
Value: Bogs Bozeman Tall
Best: Baffin Impact Boots
Best Extreme Cold Weather Boots for Hunting
With most hunters spending a lot of time sitting in a tree stand or moving slowly and silently through the forest, their heart rates will be lower than hikers and will need a much warmer boot than the temperatures they plan to face.
Cold weather boots are temperature rated based on high levels of activity, when the user’s heart rate will be elevated.
The best extreme cold weather boots for hunting have extremely low temperature ratings, and are soft and comfortable to wear for long periods.
Below you’ll find my top recommendations for sub zero hunting boots ranked by price.
Best Budget Hunting (-40°F)
The Kamik Greenbay 4 is an affordable winter boot built to withstand extremely cold environments.
Though rated for temperatures down -40°F, stationary hunters will find them warm down to -10°F.
With a flexible upper, velcro lacing system, and cinching collar to prevent snow from entering the boot, the Greenbay 4s are fast and easy to take off and on with gloved hands. Mittens can be more challenging since there are no handhold cutouts or tabs at the top of the boot, and the dexterity required to operate the cinching collar.
While the rubber outsole and 600 denier upper are both waterproof, the seam between them is not. Feel free to stand in water 3” deep for as long as you need to, but deeper than that, and after about 30 seconds, your feet will get wet.
These boots have a roomy fit, so you can go with your normal shoe size and still have room to accommodate multiple sock layers.
The inner liner is removable, moisture wicking, and dries very quickly.
Bottom Line: The Kamik Greenbay 4 boots are roomy, decently lightweight, and easy to use with gloved hands. Though not ideal for temperatures well below 0°F, they’ll get the job done for hunters in most winter environments.
| Warmth | Weight (pair) | Height | Weather Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| -40°F | 4.1 lbs | 14.25 in | Windproof, Waterproof to 3" |
Pros
- Affordable
- Best down to -10°F
- Velcro lacing system
- Removable liner
Cons
- Not 100% waterproof
- Roomy fit can cause foot movement
Best Value Hunting (-72°F)
The Bogs Bozeman Tall winter boot is a great value pick for hunters in the extreme cold.
Comfort rated at -72°F, stationary hunters will find them warm down to -10°F. This dramatic difference is due to the neoprene insulation, the same material used in wetsuits. Though providing warmth even when wet, neoprene isn’t as warm as other insulations and really relies on movement to help heat your feet.
Perhaps the best feature of the Bozeman Tall is that it’s 100% waterproof. This makes them an ideal choice for hunting wetlands, where stepping through ice and into frigid water is likely.
With a wide toe box, large handhold cutouts, and pull-on design, the Bozeman Tall is very easy to take off and on with gloves or mittens.
Bottom Line: The Bogs Bozeman Tall winter boots are a great and affordable option for hunters around frozen water. 100% waterproof up to 11.5”, they’ll keep you dry and warm should you step through the ice. Without a cinching cuff, they are not for deep snow.
| Warmth | Weight (pair) | Height | Weather Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| -72°F | 5.42 lbs | 15 in | 100% Wind & Waterproof |
Pros
- 100% waterproof
- Extremely durable
- Wide toe box
- Pull-on
Cons
- Neoprene insulation
- Non-removable liner
*The Bogs Bozeman Tall is only available in men’s sizes. To convert your women’s shoe size to men’s, subtract 1.5 from your shoe size. A women’s size 8 is a men’s size 6.5. Widths are the same, hopefully shoe sizes will be standardized soon.
Best Overall Hunting (-148°F)
The Baffin Impact boot is the premier option for hunting in extreme cold weather, even when sitting in a tree stand with temperatures well below 0°F.
Boasting a temperature rating of -148°F, the Baffin Impact is the warmest boot in the world, and will keep stationary hunters anywhere.
Tested at both the North and South Poles, the Impact is built to keep you warm under the most demanding conditions.
Features:
Arctic Rubber Shell - lightweight flexibility, cold-resistance and resilience.
Vaporized Aluminum - energy reflection and heat regulation.
Thermaplush Liner - soft, removable, moisture wicking liner.
Diamond Net Insulation - windproof protection and lightweight.
Double Buckle - fast, secure fit with gloves or mittens.
Bottom Line: The Baffin Impact boots are the absolute best choice for hunting in extreme cold. They’re designed to keep you warm in the most brutal environments on Earth, are extremely comfortable, and built to last. Their only downsides are their weight and only waterproof to 3” deep, due to the seam between the outsole and upper.
| Warmth | Weight (pair) | Height | Weather Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| -148°F | 7.42 lbs | 15 in | Windproof, Waterproof to 3" |
Pros
- Build quality
- -148°F temperature rating
- Very comfortable
- Buckle system
- Snow camo
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Not 100% waterproof
*The “snow camo” version of the Impact is only available in men’s sizes. For women wanting the snow camo look, check out the Baffin Iceline. It has the same temperature rating as the Impact.
Why You Should Trust Us
My name is Jared Blake. I’m a nature sound recording artist who often backpacks deep into remote wilderness regions to capture pure nature sounds, void of noise pollution.
When I’m not recording, I work in a freezer warehouse where the temperature is -20°F.
I’ve been recording sounds since 2019 and backpacking since 2015 and have learned a lot about hiking gear for all the seasons.
As a consumer, I don’t like to waste money on inferior products and am usually willing to splurge for “the best”. Having said that, I weigh cost against features and am always looking for products that outperform their price tag.
In this post, you’ll find my top picks for extreme cold weather boots.
Important Features To Consider
Whether you need boots that will keep your feet warm in frigid temperatures outdoors, or in a freezer warehouse environment, some boot features are of equal importance.
Before purchasing your pair of boots, it’s important that you understand the following features so you can select and purchase the best one for your unique needs with confidence:
Without further ado, let’s start learning!
Temperature Rating
Temperature rating is the most important factor to consider when shopping for a pair of extreme cold weather boots.
If your boots aren’t rated for at least the temperatures you plan to face, you will get cold!
The temperature rating can be found in the “specifications” or “technical details” for any high quality winter boot.
*If you cannot find the temperature rating, there’s a good chance that those boots aren’t built to withstand sub zero temperatures.
It’s important to note that most temperature ratings for winter boots are based on moderate to high levels of activity.
This means that, in order to be comfortably warm while wearing them, you must be active with your heart rate between 60-80% of your max heart rate.
To calculate your max heart rate, subtract your age from 220 beats per minute.
So, for a 35-year-old, their max heart rate would be 185 beats per minute (bpm). If their heart rate averages between 110-150 bpm while wearing their boots, they can trust the boot’s temperature rating.
However, for hunters, you’ll want to select a boot with a higher temperature rating than you “need” because you’ll likely be spending a lot of time stationary or moving slowly, and your heart rate will be substantially lower than your max.
Hunters spend a lot of time watching and waiting, and need to select a pair of boots rated for colder temperatures than they plan to face in order to stay warm.
Weatherproof
No matter what you use your extreme cold weather boots for, they need to be weatherproof.
Boots for this purpose need to withstand wind, snow, ice, and possibly rain on rare occurrences.
Even in sub zero temperatures, ice and snow can melt when close to your body, and you don’t want your boots (and feet) to be vulnerable.
Wet feet can spell disaster under extreme cold conditions, whether it just ruins your trip or causes frostbite.
Nowadays, most winter boots are water and wind resistant, but always double check.
GoreTex, rubberized coatings, and leather are all good options.
Weatherproof boots are a must for any type of hunting.
For hunting around wetlands and other frozen bodies of water, 100% waterproof boots can be a life saver, should you step through the ice.
Fit
Getting the right fit is critical for your boots to perform properly.
Although this varies by brand, you’ll want to go a half-size or a full-size up from your normal shoe size.
You want a slightly larger boot size for two reasons:
Accommodate multiple sock layers/thick socks
Create trapped air layers
Socks
For extreme cold temperatures, wearing two layers of socks is recommended.
The first pair should be thin and moisture wicking.
Over the first pair, pull on a pair of thick thermal socks.
To accommodate both these sock layers, go up at least one half-size from your normal shoe size.
Trapped Air
Winter boots work by trapping air between the layers of the boot. These air layers are then warmed by the heat of your feet and the insulative layers of the boot’s construction keeps the warmth locked in.
If your boots are too tight, you’ll lose this layer of trapped air and your feet will get cold.
To get the perfect fit, wear the socks that you plan to wear with the boots, push your toes all the way forward into the toebox, and try to fit your index finger behind your heel. If your finger fits, that’s the perfect fit to maximize warmth!
To maximize the performance and warmth of your boots, go up one half or full size from your normal shoe size. You should be able to fit your index finger behind your heel with your toe pushed all the way forward into the boot.
The extra room accommodates for thick socks and creates a layer of trapped air around your foot that will help keep you warm.
Lacing System
Boots designed for extreme cold weather have various lacing systems:
Traditional Shoelaces - standard shoe strings.
Pull-On - holds foot in place with snug boot construction.
Buckles - buckles with cinching straps.
BOA lacing system - twist knob with stainless steel wires
All options are serviceable for sub zero boots, and each has pros and cons. After understanding each option, you can choose which one is best for your purposes.
Traditional Laces:
Traditional laces have the advantage of being familiar. We all know how to lace them up and can do so blindfolded.
However, they’re not the most durable and may not be the best choice for extreme cold.
If you’ve ever tried to lace up a pair of boots outside in winter, you know how difficult it can be.
The thin laces require ungloved hands to manipulate, and your fingers quickly become frigid and stiff. I’ve been in situations where I had to partially lace my boots and stuff my hands in my pockets to warm up before finishing the job.
Besides that, laces are subject to fraying and breaking, which can really cause problems if you’re far away from a warm place and without an extra set to replace them.
However, some laces are more durable than others, and if you’re a daytrip hunter, you can simply put your boots on before leaving the comforts of home.
On the other hand, for multiday hunting/camping trips, putting on and taking off your boots in extreme cold before entering your tent can be a real drag. Totally doable, but not enjoyable for most.
Pull-On:
Pull-on boots are extremely straightforward.
Instead of laces or other mechanical method of securing your foot in the boot, a secure fit is provided by the snug construction of the boot itself.
Pull-on boots usually have handholds or cutouts at the top of the boot, which give you a leverage point to help pull the boots on.
With no way to loosen them, pull-on boots can be difficult to get on and frustrating to take off, as any sweat or moisture will make the boots even tighter.
Buckles:
Buckle lacing systems are easy to operate and tighten with gloves or mittens on.
They use a plastic buckle and cinching straps to secure your foot in the boot.
For optimal use, keep the buckles connected at all times and tighten or loosen the straps by pulling on the end of the buckle or the strap itself. This is most efficient since it can be difficult to depress the release tabs on the buckle with gloved hands.
Because your foot is only secured where the strap is, some users feel like their foot isn’t fully secured in the boot. However, though the fit may feel strange at first, give them a solid try and I’m optimistic that you’ll change your mind.
BOA System:
The BOA lacing system was originally designed for snowboard bindings. It is an innovation that uses a twist knob to tighten down a web of stainless steel wires, locking your foot in place with evenly dispersed pressure.
The knob allows for easy, micro-adjustments in tightness so you can get the perfect amount of hold.
The knob is easy to turn with gloves on but can be difficult with mittens.
When you need to take the boots off, simply press the button and the pressure will be released.
One of the only downsides to the BOA system is the amount of time it takes to tighten.
Although easy to spin, it can take 10-12 twists of the knob to tighten a pair of size 10 boots.
Traction
Depending on your use, your sub zero boots will have to provide sufficient traction on ice, snow, and rock.
The best soles for the job have a high rubber count with deep lugs for superior grip and traction.
Weight
The weight of your boots is also an important factor to consider before purchasing.
With every step you take, your body will be carrying the weight of your boots and heavy ones will slowly drain your energy during prolonged use.
For hunters, weight is less of a concern, as you will spend most of your time observing the landscape and wildlife.
In any case, all users of extreme cold boots will benefit from a lighter pair, and I recommend you purchase the lightest pair that meets your temperature requirements.
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Thanks for reading,
-Jared
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