BPL’s Winter “School” has Vapor Barrier Layer (VBL) topics for hands and body EXCEPT for feet. So I’m wondering why that is. For years I have extolled the virtues and critical need for VBL socks (over thin synthetic liner socks) when wearing winter boots. My best recommendation is 3 mm closed cell neoprene divers booties and the best brand I’ve found is US Divers with factory seam sealing and left and right shaped socks to prevent bunching of material at the toes.
Unless you are wearing “Mickey Mouse” military boots that have built in VBL protection for their felt insulation you absolutely must have a VBL for your insulated winter boots, whether or not they hav removable liners. Once boot insulation gets “sweat wet” boots become very cold.
And IF your winter boots do have removable liners all the better so the liners can be stored in the foot of your sleeping bag overnight to stay warm. (You do have a size Long sleeping bag for storage of items like this and water containers, right?)
On bitter cold mornings there are few things more uncomfortable than painfully cold toes while breaking camp. Those who have experienced this can relate. KEEP YOUT BOOTS/LINERS WARM OVERNIGHT.
