Overboots and/or VBL socks?

“In Illinois, I could use my leather GTX boots for winter hiking just by adding warmer socks. I don't want to try that in the deep snow of the Rockies, but I have a nightmare of a time trying to find boots that fit my funky feet. I'd prefer to modify my current boots for winter, either by adding an overboot like the ones by Outdoor Research and La Sportiva or by using a VBL sock.

I've read warnings about VBL socks if a hiker's feet sweat a lot (mine do), but I'm intrigued by the idea of keeping the boot dry and avoiding the overnight boot-freeze.

I think my crampons and snowshoes would work with overboots, so I should have traction if I go that route.

Anyone have experience with either idea? I'm off to work (bah, can't post from work!), but I'll check again tonight.”

“bump

I'm interested in the responses you get.
I'd like to replace my heavy Sorels with my trail runners and those overboots.
I'd like those VBL socks while sleeping.”

“That site looks a little flaky to me.”

“I have used the thin plastic bags you get at the grocery in the veggie section. They are just the right size for your feet to fit in the bottom and they’re FREE! Now I don’t use them while on the trail but when I’m in camp and in the fart sack at night. I put them on BEFORE the socks go on. The principles of the VB is that when it reaches a certain temp you stop sweating. Your feet will be moist but not sweaty. Maybe give this a try before dropping any money on good ones? I have also used tall kitchen garbage bags as a VB vest worn next to the skin and it works great as do the disposable medical gloves.

Good to see ya btw Tmac.”

“Back at ya, Nigal. Sometime you need to come out to the Rockies!

Great idea on the vegetable bags - much better than dropping 30 bucks on a pair. Wal-Mart, here I come! :)
last edited: 12/07/05 2:38:28 PM”

“I use both VB socks and OR Research insulated, super gaiters over mid weight, GTX hiking boots if it's cold enough and had good results. Sometimes I just use the VB socks and it's warm enough without using the insulated gaiters. I also use the VB socks for cold weather cycling and they work for that too.”

“I meant to bump this back up but forgot. Oh, well - better late than never.

A couple of weekends ago, I tried Nigal's idea of WalMart produce bags. I wore thin liner socks, the bags, then wool socks in my midweight boots. I did about a 6 hour hike toward Mt Lady Washington in Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. The first three or four hours my feet were fine. I'm not quite as positive about the last couple of hours/miles. My feet were starting to bother me, but it might have just been the downhill.

My boots stayed dry and my feet were slightly warmer, though they still chilled when I'd stop. The bags held up fine. I'll probably try it again on my next solo hike, but I'm not ready to use them for a long group hike until I know better if they're for me.

I also bought a pair of the OR gaiters RichB describes. Can't wait to try them out.”

“I have used this method biking at 20 degrees average speed (read windchill) of 18 mph.


thin polypro sock, toe warmer, veggie bag, thicker smartwool sock, riding shoe.

it worked reasonably well.

And, as you can imagine. It is the windchill that gets you. Your foot is ancor tothe pedal and just getting blasted by the 18 mph wind.”

“Did you get the X-gaiters from OR?

I always found it hard to keep my feet warm cycling in cold weather even with VB socks and overboots. I just don't get enough blood flow down there spinning the pedals. The only thing that eventually works to warm them up is getting off the bike and pushing up a hill to get the feet moving a bit. I think that's why cyclocross was invented.”

“Richb: I bought the X-gaiters used on Ebay from coloradomountainsports. He even exchanged them for a larger size, when I needed an XL instead of a L. I was impressed.

Oh, wait, maybe you mean are they OR, not did I buy them direct from OR. Yes, they are.”

“It has been so warm and so little snow this year so I haven't used mine at all this season.”

“I tried a VBL on my last trip, just for kicks. The temps were in the teens. It had been ages since I had used one. It was an awful night, sticky and clammy. I resolved that unless I really, really needed to use one I wouldn't. Funny experiment.

I have NEVER used one inside my boots but I know a person that does. Their VBL is something like a grocery bag over their foot. I don't know if anything more technical is called for or not but that's what they do. To date I have never had the need nor desire to try it.”