As both an outdoor enthusiast and someone who spends a fair amount of time working outside I can tell you that there are few things worse than having cold feet. If your feet don't stay warm you not only compromise your level of comfort but also your ability to "stick it out". The last thing you want to have happen after hiking 45 minutes in to your favorite spot is for numb, aching toes to drive you out of your tree stand and back to your truck before you even see a shot.

Fortunately, modern innovations in boot construction and sock materials make suffering with cold, wet feet a thing of the past, at least for those of us willing to carefully consider our options.

Sure, there was a time when I wouldn't have been caught dead wearing anything that wasn't leather on my feet. Of course back then I also wore cotton tube socks year-round, and as any novice outdoorsman will tell you cotton is a very poor choice of fabric, especially in cold weather or survival situations.

Smartwool Men's Adrenaline Light Micro Socks At 69% wool and just enough Nylon to keep these socks running smoothly all day long, the Adrenaline Light Micro Sock from Smartwool will keep you upright during your forays into the great outdoors. A beautifully crafted sock, Smartwools reputation is pro

Nowadays, my sock of choice for winter wear is made of smart wool. This synthetic composite fabric has the warmth and insulating characteristics of wool and the moisture wicking properties of polypropylene. I actually have several different thicknesses/weights of these socks and have learned to gauge which ones work best for different temperatures and levels of activity. Any of the major outfitters like Cabela's, L.L.Bean, and Carhart make these socks or something similar and I have tried many of them with equal success.

As for boots my choice has evolved with the years as well. Although leather is a very durable material I have found it to be inferior in performance compared to the newer man-made materials. Once again wet, cold weather applications seem to underscore this. Almost all boot manufacturers now offer boots made of waterproof, breathable materials like gore-tex. Most are available with varying levels of Thinsulate insulation ranging from as little as 400 grams to as much as 1000 or even 1200 grams depending on your anticipated activity level and the temperature range you will be wearing them in. Many are also available with a moisture wicking bootie inside to further enhance the performance of your socks.

Smartwool Women's Saturn Socks More colorful than the rings of Saturn, the Smartwool Women's Saturn sock is as comfortable as it is bright. Smooth toe seams eliminate a common cause of irritation and a supportive arch brace along with the socks stretch characteristics hold the sock in place. And like their skiing, hiking, and running brethren, the Smartwool Women's Saturn socks feature the performance wicking ability of the Smartwool fiber that effectively maintains a comfortable environment inside your shoes over a wide temperature range. The Smartwool Women's Saturn sock is cushioned for greater comfort when you find yourself on your feet all day, spreading the cheer generated by a truly fun sock.

Any of the above mentioned outfitters offer a wide range of quality boots, some of which can be quite pricey, but you do not have to spend a lot of money to be comfortable. I actually have a pair of Herman Survivors which I purchased at Wal-Mart that I wear almost daily. They are waterproof and breathable, have a moisture wicking liner and removable insoles and are some of the lightest boots I have ever owned. They came in mossy oak pattern and have a scent-lock coating. At a mere $65 they seemed like they would be great everyday work boots and they are. I have not yet worn them while stalking the woods but I would not hesitate to.

So the next time you head out looking for that 10-pointer or that 40 lb. Tom take a minute to think about what you're putting on your feet. Will they still be warm 90 minutes from now? There's no reason they shouldn't be!

By Scott Peters

Scott Peters is an outdoor enthusiast and sportsman. Please see Leupold CQ/T for details on some of his favorite hunting and shooting equipment.

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