Hello, Hunting in FL is no problem. Moving to VA & I hate cold toes. Any suggestions or tips?
Might be overkill for VA but almost to the last at Battle Creek Hunt in MI riders and staff wear Mountain Horse Winter Riding boots --personally, I wear the cheapest Mountain Horse “Rimfrost” as it has the most room in the foot for a wool sock. Others wear the better fitting, better looking Ice Riders. I think there are others, too. Ariat has a winter riding boot, and there are a few of those. I wear a sock from Farm And Feet made for people who fish in waders --it’s a wool sock that goes up to the knee with a thick sole and toe. Only when the temperature is below 20 degrees do I add toe warmers. I’ve hunted as low as 6 degrees (silly, really since scent doesn’t carry well in that kind of cold). Toes have been warm. Oh, other tricks --doesn’t wear your winter boots to drive in to the hunt as your feet may become overly warm and sweat --then you have a wet sock. Don’t put your boots in the trailer or you’ll have blocks of ice to warm up before they can keep you warm (I put my boots in the truck with me,along with my hunt coat for the same reason. Takes awhile to warm those up if they have been in the trailer at -20 for a week.) --and if you have to walk across the stable lot in your boots, consider YakTrax --slip on, slip off and keep you from falling on ice --but then if it is that icy, maybe you shouldn’t be hunting!!
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Ariat makes some great winter tall boots. They are marvelous, very traditional looking and quite warm. Also very durable for hunting conditions that can be hard on boots. They come in both field boot and dress boot styles.
My other secrets: Wear wool socks, and then on the way to the fixture I drive in my socks and run the truck heater on the setting where it blows on my feet so that when I arrive at the fixture my feet are toasty warm and dry to start with. My hunting boots travel to the meet standing on the floor of the passenger side of the truck so they also are pre-warmed. Also, I do not hunt if the weather is six degrees. That helps a lot right there. (I’m in awe of Foxglove, though.)
Lastly, any kind of winter riding boot is liable to be made using some degree of synthetic or suede material. Whether it is that or some other reason, all 3 pairs of my winter riding boots are sort of “slippery” to ride in compared to normal boots. So, when you purchase your winter riding boots, I also recommend the purchase of some type of wax or spray that adds a little grip.
I have a pair of the Mountain Horse boots that are leather,lined and have a large footbed to allow for a thick sock. I use toe warmers if the temps aren’t going to be above 30 (I’m a reptile, I struggle to make my own heat!). Boots ride in the truck where they can warm up no the way to the meet. I wear a pair of Dubarry knock off river boots to the meet.
I have a friend that will change her socks just before putting her hunt boots on. Dry socks are important.
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I wear my Dehners with high quality snow ski socks- they are tall like a boot sock with some padding. I also wear a neoprene overshoe, a footie, with my boots which adds a layer of protection. I go out in any cold temp unless there is a strong north wind.
I use chemical toe warmers. They last the whole hunt and I can wear them in my dehners.
I have the winter Ariat dress boots, they’re called the Bromont. They look just like regular dress boots but are waterproof and insulated.
One lady in my hunt wears custom Der Daus with sheepskin lining in the leg and foot. :love-struck:
Some popular options I am familiar with from local fox hunters in Virginia are sheepskin insoles (Mattes makes some really plush ones); the Ariat Bromont boots (though some REALLY traditional hunts may frown on them); full-foot chemical warmers, not just the toe ones; some folks swear by the Back on Track socks as thin but warming.
The store I work at also stocks some really cozy polartec hunt shirts with traditional cotton collars and cuffs, as well as tan soft shell fleece breeches, and some really nice (popular, as in sell out fast!) fleece-lined deerskin gloves.
Thank you all for the tips. :yes: Looking forward to my move to Virginia.
Ariat discontinued their dress Bromont. They just have the field boot. 
Before you purchase a new pair of boots, check with the hunt (s) you plan on going with. Some are much more of the “attire Nazi” than other hunts.
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