I might have to try those. My feet get cold easy. I have gotten "Mr Deeds feet" a couple times over the years (mostly as a kid)
You install them under your insoles above the liner. My liners come out every evening and dry in the stove room. Dry liners/clothing is as important, maybe more important, than the insulation. But yes I have a few different molded insoles(Regular Tele,Race Tele,Alpine,CC) and each pair has its own heat plates, I only have 2 sets of batteries though. On the lowest setting they last for 8hrs and that seems to be just about right. I usually dont have them turned on all the time either, so batteries usually last a full day.
When I'm spending a lot of time outside not moving (like stand hunting or skiing) I use those HotHands heaters for feet. I'll put on a thin pair of merino wool socks, stick those guys to the bottom of my foot, and then put on a thicker pair of wool socks. They seem to last about 4 hours for me, and then I might need to take my boots off to get them a little air and they start warming again for a few more hours. Buy in bulk and they come to a little under $1 a pair which is fine for the 15 or so times a year I need them. For those of you wearing cotton socks in the winter....STOP! Cotton absorbs moisture and will make you colder as you sweat. If you don't like the feel of wool against your skin, try merino wool which is softer, or silk sock liners, or at the very least polypropylene liners. There's an old saying "cotton kills"!
Nothing beats wool for still hunting and wet conditions (not sustained rain). I wear wool pants and a wool jacket when I hunt Maine. Very quiet, sheds water, stays warm. Not good for warmer conditions though. Don't leave home without them.
I have to use these alot. I have found fantastic discounts on them via the internet in late November when Christmas sales start up and when I used to shop, I scored a case or two in stores during after christmas sales (I buy by the case). I can't say if I prefer one brand over the other, they all have kept me warm. Just be aware you can get bad ones that get too hot. If you have lost any sensation from the mr deeds feet it can do far worse damage. I also bought some very thin heat reflecting liners that went under the insole. They were trim to fit and large enough for my husbands boots, so he ended up hunting with them so I can't say if the worked but they were economical!
I took my over sized wool pants to the cleaners yesterday for alterations (been putting it off) and the lady was like holy crap this is going to be a project lol. $50 for alteration but I still saved $100+ vs buying brand new pants. They'll be ready next week and I'll be field testing them Dec 1st on opening day.
We should have traded....I have a pair of undersized wool hunting pants, but I don't think they can add 4" to the waist!!!
It looks like I'll be hunting in some light snow next week! I've never worn wool before. The pants are really thick and I plan on wearing a pair of thermals under the wool pants. Will that be enough to keep me warm and dry? Highs are supposed to be in the low 30s with .30" of snow coming down.
Sitting. I have a lighter bibb I could throw over everything. Thanks. The past years I just threw on thermals, carhartts and my heavy coverall.
