I can't comment on the steel toed brands, my feet are so wide I can't find a pair of steel toed boots (even in wide widths when I can find them) that don't cut off my circulation with thick wool socks. I still normally wear steel toes when using the chain saw, and while my boots are not insulated, a pair of thin wool socks and a hot hands foot warmer typically keeps me going. I've found that even with my heavy leather hunting boots, which are Rocky's with like 1500g of insulation, most of the cold gets through the sole, so heavy insulation on the leather parts does little.
Well I must be a real hick from the sticks. I have tried several types of insulated boots over the years and the good old 2 buckles and a decent pair of work boots and dry socks o f any kind keep my feet warmest.
I've always admired folks who don't have cold feet. Shoot, I don't even go barefoot in the summertime because my feet are cold. Most seem to rely on thinsulate but I've found that thinsulate is mostly marketing baloney. For example, I have 2 different boots I wear when cutting wood in winter. One is an older pair of Red Wing with 800 grams of Thinsulate. I also have a pair of decent boots that are a bit higher and have 2000 grams of Thinsulate. I can't tell much difference if any between the two. I do wear smartwool socks. This year I bought some Fox River socks and like them. However, when I bought the first couple pair to try out I bought the ones labeled "Hiking." Got those because they were heavier. When I went back I could not find the same ones but the fellow told me he too was ticked and questioned his supplier. Seems they have all gone to the hiking style so I bought some and they are the same. So far, so good.
