Homemade Insulated Gaiters Or Overboots

[DayTrip]

I've been looking around for awhile now for an overboot type product for Winter/cold weather when I make extended stops for photography. I don't need a full on overboot for hiking. It is just for standing around to go over existing boots. I figured an insulated gaiter might work and OR makes (or made) one that looks to have gone away unless you're in the market for an XS size. Was thinking about just adding insulation of some sort to my normal gaiters but wasn't really sure how I'd go about attaching it so it stayed in place. Anothere thought was a slip on tube of some sort that I could slide on before putting my boots on. Not entirely sure how to go about it.

Anybody who knows of a product or has done something similar? Appreciate any thoughts on the subject. Thanks in advance.

 

[KRooney]

Here's a Wikipedia link to Frostline kits. I bought a couple of kits from them back in my early days of winter hiking. I don't remember them ever selling gaiter kits.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frostline_Kits

 

[skiguy]

What kind of boot do you plan to use?

 

[NH2112]

Find a cheap pair of insulated snow pants and cut the legs off just below the knee. Hem the tops and sew on cinches, sew in zippers on the outside seams, and rivet fixed biothane foot straps at the bottom if necessary.

 

[NHChris]

When you have some $$ to burn you might want to take a look at this product.

Back in the day it was difficult to keep the toes of super gators glued to boots when crampons were used.

 

[JoshandBaron]

https://www.wiggys.com/footwear/gaiters/

 

[DayTrip]

When you have some $$ to burn you might want to take a look at this product.

Back in the day it was difficult to keep the toes of super gators glued to boots when crampons were used.

I discovered these many years ago when I started Winter hiking. Still have them bookmarked but they are overkill (in price at least) for what I am doing. The big thing that kept me from ever buying some was that they get made to an exact boot style and I have a horrible time finding shoes that fit me well. Some day maybe. In the interim I was looking for a cheap work around.

 

[DayTrip]

https://www.wiggys.com/footwear/gaiters/

That is basically what I was looking for, although I wish they were a bit more affordable. I see in the description that the insulation snaps to the inside of the gaiter. I suppose that is how I should proceed for a home made model. Thanks for the link.

 

[skiguy]

When you have some $$ to burn you might want to take a look at this product.

Back in the day it was difficult to keep the toes of super gators glued to boots when crampons were used.

This is an excellent product but not for the Whites. This is an over boot for full on glaciated or total snow covered situations mainly for high altitude situations. The reason being it adds another layer between the bottom of your foot and your crampons. Very cold and very high leads to conductive heat loss via the metals in crampons. Also the northeast is basically too rocky for over boots and retaining an open sole is necessary. If you are going to spend the big bucks you want these for the NE. https://www.mtntools.com/cat/techwear/Gaiters/mountaintoolssupergaiters.htm
They also work best with a Mountaineering boot. Gluing is not an issue anymore as most of the mountaineering boots have a rubber rand of their own that creates friction between it and the rand on the gator itself.

 

[sierra]

Your feet get cold just standing around? I'm curious what boots you use? I do have a suggestion, how about hand warmers tucked into the side of your boot? Granted, I never have used them, but in the 4k groups they seem popular. Back when I was an Ice Climber, I wore overboots, they really added a lot of warmth and protection.

 

[DayTrip]

Your feet get cold just standing around? I'm curious what boots you use? I do have a suggestion, how about hand warmers tucked into the side of your boot? Granted, I never have used them, but in the 4k groups they seem popular. Back when I was an Ice Climber, I wore overboots, they really added a lot of warmth and protection.

Yes, if I stand around for awhile. And as you may recall my feet get cold easy and I have a very hard time finding boots that fit properly.

When I do sunset/night/sunrise photography it is not unusual for me to basically be in the same place for 1-2 hours, maybe more. Most times of the year it is no big deal but in Winter when it might be 0-10 deg F it becomes a big deal. I have boots that are warm in this weather that are horrible to hike in and I have boots that are comfortable to hike in that are not warm in this weather. Still haven't found the warm AND comfortable boot yet. So I'm looking for a workaround that won't break the bank. I have an extremely hard core puffy, synthetic pants and good glove options I wear for extended stops. My feet are the weak link. That is why I am trying to convince myself that Winter camping alone in the dark for 14 hours when it's 0 deg F would be fun. (I'm not afraid of being alone or the dark but 14 hours is a long night alone).

To your original comment on handwarmers I tried them in my gloves briefly when I first started Winter hiking and didn't like them. They add a lot of weight, if you use enough the cost adds up and I found they were unreliable without special handling. Too annoying for me versus the benefits. With all the problems I have getting a properly fitted boot I don't imagine adding packets and pouches will help the matter.

 

[sierra]

Yes, if I stand around for awhile. And as you may recall my feet get cold easy and I have a very hard time finding boots that fit properly.

When I do sunset/night/sunrise photography it is not unusual for me to basically be in the same place for 1-2 hours, maybe more. Most times of the year it is no big deal but in Winter when it might be 0-10 deg F it becomes a big deal. I have boots that are warm in this weather that are horrible to hike in and I have boots that are comfortable to hike in that are not warm in this weather. Still haven't found the warm AND comfortable boot yet. So I'm looking for a workaround that won't break the bank. I have an extremely hard core puffy, synthetic pants and good glove options I wear for extended stops. My feet are the weak link. That is why I am trying to convince myself that Winter camping alone in the dark for 14 hours when it's 0 deg F would be fun. (I'm not afraid of being alone or the dark but 14 hours is a long night alone).

To your original comment on handwarmers I tried them in my gloves briefly when I first started Winter hiking and didn't like them. They add a lot of weight, if you use enough the cost adds up and I found they were unreliable without special handling. Too annoying for me versus the benefits. With all the problems I have getting a properly fitted boot I don't imagine adding packets and pouches will help the matter.

I see, not finding the right all around boots must be a pita. They do make heated socks as well.

 

[DayTrip]

I see, not finding the right all around boots must be a pita. They do make heated socks as well.

Indeed. Trail runners have solved the problem for most of the year. Can be comfortable as low as the 20's if there is no snow. The rest of the year is a challenge. I just ordered a pair of $16 rubber rain over boots in an XXL that have a wide top opening and a zipper (which could be an issue but it has a sewn flap inside so even if I left the zipper open my gaiters should hold them closed for what I'll be doing). They should slip over my boots easy enough. If the fit is OK I'll mess around with them to see how they work and how I might be able to modify them. Would be a cheap solution if it works.

 

[NH2112]

Maybe bring down booties to change into while standing around? I have a pair of Western Mountaineering Flash booties that are more like insulated slippers, with only 1/4” of foam in the sole, but my feet are toasty warm at 10F standing or sitting outside in them even with a couple inches of snow on the ground. (I haven’t camped in colder temps since buying them.) Feathered Friends makes a pair with a waterproof outer shell that are about 8-10” high, and at $120 not too crazy expensive.

 

[DayTrip]

Maybe bring down booties to change into while standing around? I have a pair of Western Mountaineering Flash booties that are more like insulated slippers, with only 1/4” of foam in the sole, but my feet are toasty warm at 10F standing or sitting outside in them even with a couple inches of snow on the ground. (I haven’t camped in colder temps since buying them.) Feathered Friends makes a pair with a waterproof outer shell that are about 8-10” high, and at $120 not too crazy expensive.

I'm trying to avoid changing shoes and having the issue of putting cold or possibly frozen boots back on after. I think I'd give this option more thought if I was camping out but I typically don't take pictures where I camp (above tree line). I have some older Baffin down booties I got on clearance years ago but I've kinda worn them out converting them into my "all season slippers" around the house and yard in the Winter.

When I get the rain over boots I ordered I plan to add some sort of foam liner. My original thought years back was to bring a mat of that sort to stand on but I figured I'm almost in some sort of traction in Winter so I'd probably destroy it pretty fast.

 

[dclynch]

I've been looking around for awhile now for an overboot type product for Winter/cold weather when I make extended stops for photography. I don't need a full on overboot for hiking. It is just for standing around to go over existing boots. I figured an insulated gaiter might work and OR makes (or made) one that looks to have gone away unless you're in the market for an XS size. Was thinking about just adding insulation of some sort to my normal gaiters but wasn't really sure how I'd go about attaching it so it stayed in place. Anothere thought was a slip on tube of some sort that I could slide on before putting my boots on. Not entirely sure how to go about it.

Anybody who knows of a product or has done something similar? Appreciate any thoughts on the subject. Thanks in advance.

I don't know about the gaiter, but you might try a small piece of closed cell foam to stand on - something like a foot square of half inch foam. (It doesn't work if you're using traction.) I have problems with cold feet and this has helped.

 

[DayTrip]

I don't know about the gaiter, but you might try a small piece of closed cell foam to stand on - something like a foot square of half inch foam. (It doesn't work if you're using traction.) I have problems with cold feet and this has helped.

I have thought to try this but as you mentioned traction would trash the foam and I'm almost always wearing at least spikes in Winter. The cheap rubber rain overboots I ordered fit my Winter boots pretty well so I'm going to try a foam insole in them and see what happens.