My cold weather boots of choice are Mickey Mouse boots. They are warm enough for my climate and (if I make sure to get the ones made by Bata) are extremely durable. I've flown in them quite a bit. However, due to their heavy nature, I don't have much feeling through my soles. Also, if I keep them laced, my ankles get tired if there is a lot of brake work. I usually keep them unlaced while flying or driving, but that isn't very good as they may come off if I end up in a high acceleration (deceleration?), unintended attitude parking situation. Even when driving, I always try to dress for a crash. One of my uncles died after being ejected through the windshield of his pickup, not because of the injuries he sustained, but because he lay unconscious in a snowbank for several hours and froze to death.

With all that in mind, what kind of boots do you guys recommend for cold weather flying?

I wear these over top of a pair of light, low cut hiking shoes and stow them under my seat for security when flying.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/128942/n ... -overshoes

Last couple winters I've been wearing a heavy, knee high Cabela's model which is good and warm. This is in a Tcraft on skis. I like to wear what I need if I get stuck somewhere or have to exit the plane quick and survive with what I am wearing. As long as I can operate the rudder pedals and brakes (if on wheels) that's good. I've never figured out the special "flying shoes" some people wear. I've flown in hip boots, chest waders, bunny boots, knee high rubber boots, hiking boots, etc and never had a problem with the controls.

Ya the "flying shoes" one has always kind of baffled me was well.

I have been wearing the Muck Artic Pro this winter. Not my favorite boot ever, but not bad, not the warmest, but warm enough. Crappy feel on the rudders, more because they are stiff than feel, but they are waterproof which is great for ski flying. I HATE changing boots during the day. So far these are the best boots I have found that I can put on in the morning, wear all day and cover me for 95% of what the day will bring. Not the best photo(actually took it for the fire extinguisher), but to be honest I was surprised I had one of my feet at all. Only 60 days or so til Chaco weather!

Pete

Quis wrote:I always try to dress for a crash.

That is the answer. Nailed it.

If you're size 14 like me, bunny boots don't work because they're HUGE. I wear heavily insulated leather hunting boots or my Sorel Caribous. I've flown long days in the bush wearing them in -30F or colder and they work great for me.

I see folks flying barefoot in warm weather and it makes me cringe. If SHTF you are instantly a liability and not an asset. Their choice though!

I like flying in Steger mukluks for a few reasons- They're really light for the warmth, they have excellent feel through the soles, and they don't have metal lace hooks to scratch the boot cowl when climbing up to fuel a high-wing cessna. Downside is that they aren't 100% when wet, so gotta take care around overflow, but you can grease them up which helps with that. I've always owned the Yukons, but I see there's a newer option called the CamuksXtreme that might be worth a look.

https://www.mukluks.com/Mens-Mukluks/products/24/

-DP

I have very wide feet....like 4E. It's really hard to find decent footwear that actually fits. The military always stocked ALL sizes, and so Bunny Boots have always been my favorite, because they're available in wide widths. And, by the way, you can lay out in -40 temperatures and your feet wont freeze, at least they won't before you expire.

And, since I did a lot of ski flying, overflow was always an issue. Wearing Bunny Boots, you step into deep overflow and fill a boot, you just pull the boot off, pour the water out, take off the sock quick like, wring out the sock and put the sock and boot back on. Won't be comfy, but your feet wont' freeze.

My other alternative was the old Air Force Muklucks.....the ones that are almost half calf high and use regular felt liners. They are actually REALLY comfortable, they're cheap, and warm. I used spray on water proofing stuff to help with moisture. Those and a really good pair of socks or two, and your feet will be warm and comfortable. BUt, they're really not that good for wet conditions.

They're available on line surplus, again in a variety of sizes. For flying and feel, I much prefer them to Bunny Boots, but when the conditions may get ugly.....Bunny Boots git er done.

MTV

Thanks for that info, Denali and MTV. Mickey Mouse boots are basically just lighter and oil resistant Bunny Boots, and it rarely gets colder than -20°F here, so they are good enough, but those mukluks sound like a really good option. I suspect they'd be better as alternative wear when backcountry ski camping when not wearing the touring boots, as they'd be comfortable in the camp and much lighter.

Absolutely no substitute for the Bata bunny boots for extreme cold. Been wearing them for 30 plus years, will not be without a pair.

However, I purchased a set of the Steger Camuk Extremes 3 years ago and have seldom worn the bunny boots since. They are so much lighter, it feels like wearing slippers compared to bunny boots. Waterproof and warm. I would not normally purchase camo coloured, but it is the only option at this point.

I wear a 12 triple E width in most boots and the Stegers come in double extra wide widths that work fine. I highly recommend them.

UpNorth

It’s all about the socks you wear try Merino wool. If I have merino wool socks and a lose fit leather work boot all day in -40 is not a problem. They also work well when it’s hot.

David K wrote:It’s all about the socks you wear try Merino wool. If I have merino wool socks and a lose fit leather work boot all day in -40 is not a problem. They also work well when it’s hot.

That doesn't work for me. Even with thick socks and a loose boot, my feet will start to get cold at 10°.

I’ve tried Bunny Boots, but didn’t care for them for flying. Although I do wear them for most everything else because they’re amazing. Unfortunately they are almost impossible to find now. Buy them when you can.

I also tried Stegers and wore them for about 5 years. Kinda nice in a Cub for “feeling” brakes and rudders. I wore through the heels on them and then gooped them up but decided to try something else because although I do like them they really are just big slippers with no support.

I’ve settled on Schnees now and really like them. https://schnees.com/schnees-boots/schnees-pac-boots/

They’re really a quality boot in my opinion. Comfortable, super warm, and a great company to work with. Zero complaints from me with Schnees.

For whatever it’s worth, the other fellas I work with on projects seem to fly in the AirForce mukluks, bunny boots, stegers, or the Schnees. Don’t see much else.

Stay warm.

Here are the AF style muklucks:



They're pretty much unbeatable for comfort, warmth, and functionality when flying. Only down side is if you're apt to get your feet really wet.

It's easy though to carry a spare set of liners and socks. And, as I noted above, there are waterproofing sprays that you can apply that really help in that scenario as well.

MTV

Baffin Crossfire Boots. Warm, almost too warm sometimes. Been in some serious overflow and stayed dry. I like them cause they are not that tall. Any taller and it would rest funny in my hydraulic pump in front of my seat (PA-18). Only complaints is they are big. Need huge gaiters to fit boots and snow pants. When I got them last year I sucked it up and got used to flying in them and working the heel brakes with those thick soles. Kinda weird at first but it’s nice to not have to change from the nimble “flying shoes” to the warm boots once at the destination.

mtv wrote:Here are the AF style muklucks:



They're pretty much unbeatable for comfort, warmth, and functionality when flying. Only down side is if you're apt to get your feet really wet.

It's easy though to carry a spare set of liners and socks. And, as I noted above, there are waterproofing sprays that you can apply that really help in that scenario as well.

MTV

Exactly what I normally use. Cheap too (hey it's a pilot thing) plus mine were issue item many years ago. They allow better feel of the rudder pedals than most boots.
As MTV states, if in wet conditions, they can get wet. I spray mine with silicone water repellent.