boots: insulated or not?

[hl_tree]

I need to get myself a new pair of logger boots. Since Redwings are now made in China I am looking heavily at the Wesco's. The problem I have is that stock they are uninsulated, and if I'm not mistaken adding insulation makes it a custom job, increases the cost even more, and takes 3 months +/- to have built.

So... what do you guys do when it comes to boot insulation?

 

[BostonBull]

I own 3 pair of Wesco highliner. 1 is stock, one is built identical to the Firestormer specs, and one is a custom made Highliner with Cambrelle lining. Cambrelle is nice, but too cold for those cold New England days. Once leather is cold, it warms slowly, IMO.

Cant beat Wesco quality though!

 

[Erlend]

I prefer uninsulated boots. Makes drying them up a lot easier if the become wet or damp. And one gets the opportunity to use wool as an insulating layer, instead of some cold synthetic stuff.

For winter time I just buy the boots one size larger. Add a nice thick woolen insole (perhaps two). On my feet I'll be wearing a thin pair of woolen socks, and then a pair (perhaps two, depending on the size of the boot) of thick woolen socks on the outside (often knitted by my mom )

All though this winter, with temperatures down to -25 C I did buy a pair of battery heated insoles. (http://www.thermic.com) Worked fine for long days in the tree, just wrapped the battery pack tight to my leg inside a gaiter.

 

[Toparboring]

I just ordered a pair of WESCOs stock lace to toe. In the winter I am in the mountaineering boots for weight and insulating. Bull is right leather does not like to thaw out fast. For logging boots WESCOs all the way they last.

 

[John_Paul_Sanborn]

Except for the coldest days I prefer uninsulated boots, I wear 2-3 pair of socks so insulation is redundant.

I have a pair of insulated pack boots for the extreme cold weather ground work, after ice/snow storms. They are OK in the bucket, but take up a little too much room. Which I do not ever have enough of.