I'm curious to hear from the crowd whether you carry them and if so, what are your favorites. My wife gets cold feet, and I want her to be comfortable on our upcoming winter trip.

When it gets REALLY cold I bring mine since I suffer from foot neuropathy and eventually the cold gets to them. I have the Feathered Friends Down Booties (4.4 oz/pair) and sometimes bring the soled exteriors so that I can walk outside with them.

Edited by Quoddy on 12/06/2008 07:20:25 MST.

I bring Feathered Friends down booties (with the removable WPB shell and sole).

They're not ideal - the sole is super-slippery on ice - but I like that the shell is removable so that the down socks can be used with a sleeping system, and the socks + shell can be used around camp.

I've recently started combining them with Croc-style shoes, sized up to accommodate the puffy down socks, and I like the combo (but not the extra weight).

My two cents....I have been snow camping once, this past Feb.

I took some 40 Below Booties, which are synthic and a pair is about 9 oz.

They do have a nice feature in that there is a foam foot bed that you can leave in or remove, depending on how cold it is.

Their website says that they have been used in the Artic.

They were very warm and walking around in the snow was easy, but the sole does not look any better than the FF.

-Tony

I have Sierra Designs down socks. They are for wearing in the sleeping bag. Keeps my toes nice and toasty.
Just put them on my postal scale - they weigh in right at 3 ounces for the pair.

"the sole is super-slippery on ice"

Try running a few lines of Seam Grip on the bottom of the sole - it gives you much more traction.

Another vote for FF with the outer shell. Mine weigh 10.75 oz and I'd love to leave them at home, but they are so warm and toasty. It's nice to dry the boots out at the end of the day and let the feet breath. I sleep with them too.

Kristin,

Are you referring to these?
http://www.prolitegear.com/cgi-bin/prolitegear/sierra_designs_womens_down_sleepies_sp_07

How cold does it have to be for you guys (and gals) to bring down booties? I'm looking for something pretty light, around 3-4 oz. I'm not doing any snow camping thus far--just camping in cold weather were there is little if any snow. I also don't plan on using them to walk around outside the tent.

The FF model looks to be 9 oz.

Has anyone tried these?
http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/booties/teanaway.htm

They weigh around 2.5-3.0 oz. Not sure if they are better than the Sierra Designs, but they are expensive at $115.

Edited by dgposton on 12/05/2008 21:50:38 MST.

Another vote for Feathered Friends because of the versatility.

The down inner boots weigh 4.4 oz. for the pair (size L.) and are really warm. When I add the outer boot they weigh 9.6 oz for the pair.

I take the down inner and leave the outer boot behind if I'm just planning on using them for a cold night sleep. If there is snow around I take the outer boot as well as they make a great snow boot for around camp (I've not tried them on ice).

I've also taken the outer boot and left the down liner behind. The outer boot is relatively light and made a pretty decent high top boot for wandering around camp in the late season slop.... kept my feet and the bottom of my pants nice and dry.

"How cold does it have to be for you guys"

I don't bring mine until it's snowshoe season...I'm guessing a solid -5*C or so. If there is even a chance of it being above 0*C I would think they would not be required, but that just my opinion. Also, if you don't plan on walking around in snow, I wouldn't bother with the FF ones, unless you leave the shells at home and keep them for when you do decide to do snow trips.
The teanaway slippers are awesome, but just a bit too fragile and low for my needs. When I get to camp and finish the chores, the boots come off and the down booties go on.

Yes. The down socks I have are the sleepies. Got them on sale at REI last year or the year before. Think they were $10 on sale, maybe $20 full price.

I only bring them when I know its going to be below freezing.

JRB makes down sleeves, 5 oz/ pair, turn any vest into a jacket...multi purpose... they serve as sleep booties/socks also....pull over the foot to the ankle, leggins....when ready to get in the bag/quilt fold down the upper portion over the foot....Enjoy the night too.

Remember I'm biased.

Pan

Jack, That's a good idea! What kind of loft and fill do these sleeves have?

I know TNF makes some in their Nuptse line that have a pretty durrable sole. I might have to get some if I can find a size 14 on sale and see if I can put my Kathoola Microspikes on them. They might end up being pretty good winter hiking boots for short jaunts. It would be cool to try them with Sierra Designs new booties also but they don't make a size big enough.

Anyone see anything in a size 15 beyond Nunatak as I just can't afford those?

Edited by bpeugh on 12/06/2008 10:03:09 MST.

Oh yeahhhhh. Down booties'll put a smile on just about anyone's face on a winter trip. My ex used to steal mine all the time, even at home, so I finally had to get her a pair. Part physiological, part psychological. Bottom line, when it's cold outside, it's really nice to know your feet'll be warm n' toasty. Makes going to bed or wearing wet, cold boots much easier to take sometimes. I've been using SD booties, but like the FF and Nunatak; probably prefer FF for versatility.

I like your croc shoes idea for an "around camp" shell. Easily slips in and out without requiring you to bend over. Great suggestion.

For a while I saw the croc-style brand "Nothings" everywhere. I think even Walmart was carrying them. They were wildly inexpensive, and were a light weight foam. Much lighter than croc's rubber.

"My wife gets cold feet, and I want her to be comfortable on our upcoming winter trip."
I understand. I have poor circulation and my feet tend to cold faster than anyone elses. Yes, I wear down booties, around camp and in the tent. In my sleeping bag I just wear wool socks.

"I like your croc shoes idea for an "around camp" shell. I think even Walmart was carrying them. They were wildly inexpensive, and were a light weight foam. Much lighter than croc's rubber."
I bought the knock-offs at WalMart and my pair weighs 4 oz. I'm on my second year and they're still going strong.

Another vote for the Feathered Friends. The shell-inner system is great.

I was highly skeptical of the FF down booties until my first visit to their retail store. Simply put, get them without hesitation. There are cheaper ones on the market, but they just don't compare to these; they are the best.

My household has since become loyal to Feathered Friends -- two bags, booties, vest and a jacket. Everything is made in their factory in Seattle.

Edited by demo on 03/12/2009 00:37:19 MDT.

Brian,

Missed your earlier question.

JRB Down Sleeves use 800pf down.... and loft to 1.5 inches.

Pan