need input on a diy overboot project

[Mike M]

I would appreciate some input on a project that I’ve been mulling over for a couple of years now and want to complete.  I want a pair of insulated overboots to use when I’m glassing in the Fall.  I won’t be walking in these, just something to pull over my boots to keep my feet warm.  It’s definitely my weak spot in my clothing system when sitting in the cold for an hour plus.

What I have in mind is an insulated bootie that is relatively lightweight and low volume that I can slip over my boots.

I’m thinking a tougher denier inner fabric to protect it from my boots- 30d, 40d, more??????  Again these will be slipped over my boots sitting, no walking.

Outer fabric- don’t want it too fragile, but can be less robust than the inner.

A removable ccf insole- I’ve got a wide variety of ccf pad thicknesses I can choose from.

Apex insulation- thinking ~ 6-7.5 0z should be warm enough.

Obviously the lighter the better, but I want these to hold up too.  So input on fabrics (and/or insulation) would be appreciated.

Also if anyone is willing to take on this project (I’m not a sewer), I’m definitely interested in hiring it out :)

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Iago Vazquez]

Since you are looking for a sewer, I am wondering if you would be interested in one of these… I had seen them at an surplus store a few years back. I don’t recall if they had insulation or not, to be honest.

https://www.ebay.com/i/203196215638?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=203196215638&targetid=882300791467&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9001911&poi=&campaignid=1669934603&mkgroupid=65058347419&rlsatarget=pla-882300791467&abcId=1123856&merchantid=6411234&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqo3-BRDoARIsAE5vnaKVbD7smRCzWzmnFflmSC–UaYuzlK65KxULmVgj1EhEvtxT6aswz8aArTuEALw_wcB

Obviously, that particular model won’t fit you, but something to look into?

Best,

iago

 

[Mike M]

thanks- I have looked at those, very heavy- iirc over 2 lbs

 

[Josh J]

Mike,
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I’m no expert in fabric and such but I’d think if you went 1000D cordura for inner and a robic fabric likebackpack fabric,  a ccf pad for the bottom and apex for the sides you could get a pretty compactable bootie that wouldn’t weigh a lot.</p>
 

Cordura is water proof and pretty abrasion resistant. Then again so is backpack fabric

 

I’m by no means a great at sewing but its functional and decent.  I made new covers for all of our patio cushions this summer,  so I’d be willing to possibly tackle it.

[Mike M]

Josh- thanks :)

I’m pretty familiar with a 1000 Cordura (and 500) and it’s definitely tough, but might be a little overkill for a bootie.  I want it durable enough to slip my boots on (carefully :)) so ruling out any really light fabrics, but hoping not to use any really heavy fabrics either.

Let me get some more input on fabric (and it’s availability); I probably should run it by ripstopbytheroll and Jan @Nunatak has done several projects for me and might have some insight on fabric.

I never thought about the bottom being uninsulated, but that makes sense and saves some weight (and some Apex).

Also I use a dedicated (albeit not large) ccf pad for my boots in addition.

[Josh J]

Mike,

No problem and probably a good idea.  Ive been looking at ripstop by the roll and hyperd300 could be a great candidate as well.

 

I’d be interested to hear what they say.

 

I’ve been thinking about getting some 10D for ditty bags and the pillow I’ve been playing with.

[Alan W]

Burgess Custom makes more or less what you are looking for use at NOLS.  The only picture I can find is on Instagram.  If you go to Instagram and search for @burgesscustom  you will see them.

I have these and love them.

https://www.shop.cookecustomsewing.com/product.sc?productId=210&categoryId=16

[Mike M]

those look warm :)  Alan- have you weighed yours by chance, they look they are quite reinforced like you could walk in them

I also see the OR has recently reintroduced their X Gaiters, they are about a pound for the pair

[W I S N E R !]

For the sake of sewing and pattern simplicity as well as low cost, why not essentially build a ~10″ deep insulated stuffsack with a boot sole shaped bottom. Single fabric layer on bottom with a CCF insert, double layer on the walls to hold the Apex. Two drawstrings: one at roughly 6″ to cinch it at/around the ankle to snug the fabric to the foot, one at the top to hold it up. Eliminates the need for zippers and/or complicated closures as well as complicated patterning. Since you’re likely not walking in these much beyond a pee break or moving a few feet, I think I’d go with fairly light fabric for everything except the sole and possibly just throw a thin plastic bag over the boot first…Your only concern is not getting hung up on the inside while taking them on and off; I presume a produce bag would prevent this.

At least this is what I’d try with my sewing skills.

LOL, your season just ended, there’s elk in the freezer, and you’re already on to next year’s hunt. Good man ; )

[Alan W]

They are meant for walking which is more than what you are looking for.  I don’t know of anything else which is close to what you are looking for.

My winter footwear, skin out, is merino liner sock, RAB VBL sock, FITS merino sock, Oboz shoe, nylon stuffsack, then the CCS mukluk.  The stuffsack simply makes it easier to slide in and out of the mukluk.  When in camp I ditch the OBOZ shoe and substitute some old REI insulated booties.

For point of reference, I use these in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

[Alan W]

My pair weighs 2 pounds, 2 ounces in size large.

[Mike M]

Alan- yeah I just need them for sitting, so a little more than I need- but they do like very nice! :)

Craig- the definitely don’t have to be a fancy design; in regards to the inner fabric doesn’t have to be crazy robust, but I think I’d be a little nervous with 7d or 10d (maybe even 20d????)- maybe I don’t.

you need to come out one of these years for a hunt! :)

[Alan W]

Years ago Dan used to make more of a camp footware style which look like this.  I don’t think he’s made these in some years now.  Basically a lighter, less robust sit around camp overboot.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303782598705

 

[W I S N E R !]

^ Those are essentially what I’m imagining Alan, just not sure what advantage the slightly fitted toe confers beyond making patterning and fitting more finicky. For a sit around overboot, why not just a tube?

Yeah, Mike, definitely not imagining anything that light. Frankly if I were building these I’d start with standard 1.1 silpoly and a robic/cordura sole but I am neither a fabric guru or a big spender.

One of these years we’ll hunt!

[Michael B]

I think maybe 210 or 420 Robic at RBTR would make a decent inner material. I have some extra 420 Robic (in Foliage grey) and apex leftovers (3.6 and 5.0) here at the house, but nothing that might work for outer  fabric – As was suggested, some HyperD 300 might be a good option – you’ll definitely want something abrasion resistant for the inside, as the rubber soles will grab the material as you are sliding them on. If you’d like me to mock something up, I’m in California, and thinking about making a couple extra apex quilts to offer up for sale to pay for some extra gear (darn furloughs), so I’d be happy to sew up something for you if you need, hit me up if you’d like. Michael

[Mike M]

Alan- those would be much more in line in what I had in mind.

Craig- I’ll keep you to that! :)

Michael- sent a pm

[Tom M]

electric socks duh! your welcome my friend :)

[BlackHatGuy]

Have you thought about Toasty Toes or whatever those heat packets are called?

[Mike M]

they still make those? :)

toasty toes- I have, but I think they would work better inside an overboot- not a ton of room in any of my boots.

[Dave @ Oware]

When benighted on a climb, we would stick our feet in our packs and tie knots in our t shirt sleeves and pull our arms inside. Sooo-

Why not an insulated stuff sack for both feet. I used a half bag once while waiting for Turkeys, really nice. Good for midday naps too.

I would used 30d or lighter sil inside and out if you are not walking at all. The boots would slide in and out easily on the slick inner and the waterproofness would keep the insulation dryer both from the ground and the wet boots. Closed cell foam for the bottom and back of heel. If walking, I would make the sole a textured fabric like Cordura for traction.

I also like the idea of a heat pack.

or go old school and build a little fire.

[Mike M]

I keep a lightweight Apex quilt in my pack and this year instead of draping it over me (it has a “poncho” hole), I carefully put my boots in the footbox and put it on like I was using it to sleep in, but sitting. It definitely helped my feet (as well as my legs and core). But I would eventually still freeze out my feet.  I could use a heavier Apex quilt, but the weight (and volume) starts climbing significantly. Also I’m a little afraid of tearing the inner fabric, a stouter inner fabric could solve that, but also adds more weight.

Two different evenings I was sitting on a pretty active meadow and got so cold, I did start a small fire :)

 

[Eugene Hollingsworth]

If you go the mukluk route, these are cheap ($39 NIB?) and you could cut off much of the sole to save weight. Not much financial risk, but being canvas might be heavier or less water resistant than you wish. Also you still have the issue of insulating them I think.

https://colemans.com/u-s-g-extreme-cold-weather-n-1b-mukluk-boots

If I didn’t have just purchased my Steger mukluks I’d get these.

[Mike M]

we were issued a very similar boot when I was in the Air Force- they had removable felt liners, actually pretty darn warm, but if there was there was much moisture in the snow- they really sucked  :)

yeah you’d have to add insulation to those for my intended use- most likely pushing them over what I’m looking for

[Dave @ Oware]

Here is the felt liners for the Mil-Muks

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/us-military-surplus-wool-boot-liners-new?a=2228441

Might be useful for some project.

[Mike M]

OK after closer looking, those are exactly what we were issued- surprisingly warm in dry, cold conditions; surprisingly crappy in wet, cold conditions :)

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