Post by: aorams on December 29, 2015, 02:32:26 PM
I'm trying to figure out how to dry my boots when they get wet in the backcountry. I have goretex boots, wear wool socks and use gaiters but inevitably my boots get wet if it is raining hard or there is snow on the ground. We sleep in a Seek Outside LBO and am considering getting a stove for it but I'm not sure if this is a good way to get it done. Any input?
Thanks!
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 29, 2015, 02:41:16 PM
I've always found that if I can dry my socks out and sleep with dry feet...it's fine. Not necessarily recommending it, just saying what I've done for 2-5 day stretches.
I am curious to see what others say.
Post by: EmeraldBullet on December 29, 2015, 02:46:28 PM
Heh, this is an outside the box idea but what about putting your footwear in a concealed bag. Then also place in that bag 'one of those devices' (sorry can't remember what they are called) that is meant to prevent condensation inside a boat cabin. These portable devices are very small and light weight, they have little white balls (silica maybe) that absorb moisture from the air and might in a concealed environment with your footwear take the moisture right out of the shoes.
Post by: EmeraldBullet on December 29, 2015, 02:50:19 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 29, 2015, 02:51:34 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 29, 2015, 02:53:43 PM
Post by: EmeraldBullet on December 29, 2015, 02:55:21 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 29, 2015, 03:03:13 PM
I am having trouble finding the ones I think would work online but I am sure you could find one in a boating store. They have really cheap disposable ones that are very small and light weight and could be easily added into a backpack. If it can work on the open ocean I think it could work in the back country. You just would need to really make sure the bag was sealed properly. It would really help if I could find a link to the specific device I have in mind. I'll keep looking.
Cool :tup: I look forward to hearing more about it.
Post by: fair-chase on December 29, 2015, 03:57:46 PM
Step #2 - Enjoy dry boots.
:chuckle:
In all seriousness, if you can get by with non-insulated boots, you will be much better off. Non-insulated boots will not hold moisture as long and will also be less likely to foster bacteria.
For backcountry hunts, substitute the contents of Windicator (liquid smoke) with unscented baby powder. This serves multiple purposes as it works well as a wind indicator, can be used to control chaffing, and will also absorb moisture from boots. Allow the boots to dry as much as possible before application. Adding powder to drenched boots will just result in the powder becoming saturated before all of the moisture is drawn out.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 29, 2015, 04:32:57 PM
B) Use the best boots you can find
c) Change socks mid-day.
d) put boots in the bottom of my sleeping bag at night.
dry by campfire if thats an option of course.
Post by: whacker1 on December 29, 2015, 04:56:16 PM
Post by: crabcreekhunter on December 29, 2015, 05:05:29 PM
Post by: Alpine Mojo on December 29, 2015, 07:43:01 PM
Get rid of GoreTex.
+1
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on December 29, 2015, 08:06:02 PM
Post by: kentrek on December 29, 2015, 08:25:19 PM
A forgetfull memory of having damp feet helps too
Post by: Limhangerslayer on December 29, 2015, 08:36:35 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 29, 2015, 08:50:14 PM
I feel like I didn't describe this well enough. It's desiccant in a container that drains down to a lower chamber (the desiccant absorbs the moisture out of the atmosphere and it drains into a dish you can just empty the next day).
http://www.drizair.com/index.html
Post by: Todd_ID on December 29, 2015, 09:05:00 PM
Post by: pd on December 29, 2015, 09:29:15 PM
I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.
I also do this. Carry a newspaper in a gallon Ziplock bag, throw it into my back pack. Firestarter of course. Reusable boot drier as well. Newspaper can be reused several times.
If you wear your boots for a long time (18 hours in a day, for example), they will get wet from the inside, even with moisture wicking socks. This can't be helped. If you don't have access to a fire at nighttime (most of us don't burn a fire on a backcountry hunt), your only choice is to let the boots air dry over night in the wind, with newspaper inside.
Post by: 7mag. on December 29, 2015, 10:07:20 PM
I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.
I also do this. Carry a newspaper in a gallon Ziplock bag, throw it into my back pack. Firestarter of course. Reusable boot drier as well. Newspaper can be reused several times.
If you wear your boots for a long time (18 hours in a day, for example), they will get wet from the inside, even with moisture wicking socks. This can't be helped. If you don't have access to a fire at nighttime (most of us don't burn a fire on a backcountry hunt), your only choice is to let the boots air dry over night in the wind, with newspaper inside.
This is what I was going to suggest as well. I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.
Post by: EmeraldBullet on December 29, 2015, 10:25:40 PM
I feel like I didn't describe this well enough. It's desiccant in a container that drains down to a lower chamber (the desiccant absorbs the moisture out of the atmosphere and it drains into a dish you can just empty the next day).
http://www.drizair.com/index.html
Yes! That classic design is the one I had in mind. I might get one and do a test run just to see if it works or not and post the results (don't want anyone to find out the hard way when it's not necessary to do it that way)
Post by: aorams on December 29, 2015, 10:52:18 PM
I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.
[/quote]
Tell me more! How did it improve your experience. Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent? I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.
Post by: 7mmfan on December 30, 2015, 09:36:35 AM
Post by: PacificNWhunter on December 30, 2015, 12:06:01 PM
Post by: 7mag. on December 30, 2015, 07:23:45 PM
I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.
Tell me more! How did it improve your experience. Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent? I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.
[/quote]
Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.
Post by: actionshooter on December 30, 2015, 09:24:40 PM
It won't dry them completely but I've placed hand warmers in each boot then stacked them together (slide one boot opening inside the other so the soles are facing opposite directions) also keeps the bugs out.
wow, can't believe someone else uses this one. I but a hand warmer in each boot and then lay the socks on top, works pretty darn good.
Post by: PacificNWhunter on December 30, 2015, 09:48:14 PM
It won't dry them completely but I've placed hand warmers in each boot then stacked them together (slide one boot opening inside the other so the soles are facing opposite directions) also keeps the bugs out.
wow, can't believe someone else uses this one. I but a hand warmer in each boot and then lay the socks on top, works pretty darn good.
Nice!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 30, 2015, 10:24:55 PM
Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.
:tup: :tup: :tup:
Post by: mtn muley madness on December 31, 2015, 12:42:48 AM
Post by: coachcw on December 31, 2015, 04:57:38 AM
Post by: aorams on December 31, 2015, 02:18:56 PM
Get rid of GoreTex.
+1
What do you use as an alternative?
Post by: aorams on December 31, 2015, 02:19:33 PM
I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.
Tell me more! How did it improve your experience. Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent? I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.
Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.
[/quote]
I think that's gonna be my next purchase!
Post by: Utah on December 31, 2015, 09:26:56 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on January 01, 2016, 12:16:47 PM
for me, its an ounce of prevention. i wear gaiters, always. too many times, ive waited too long to put them on. dealing with sweaty damp boots isnt too bad. put my daily damp socks in my pockets while i sleep in the dry socks to keep my feet from getting soft. take insoles out. if glassing, lay boots into the wind and socks and insoles in the sun.
now sometimes its inevitable and boots get wet. if it looks like this will be the case before leaving, ill bring a 3rd pair of socks and run a 3pr rotation, keeping one dry, drying one, and the other pair helps to dry the boots.
i like some of these ideas with the handwarmers though, and will probably give that a try.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on January 01, 2016, 12:24:41 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 02, 2016, 01:11:42 PM
Post by: passing-thru on January 02, 2016, 01:48:07 PM
I just use newspaper stuffed in them. Let the newspaper dry through the day and use again the next night.
Yeah that :yeah:
My grandma taught me that many moons ago..have done my whole life
Post by: mazama on January 10, 2016, 10:30:33 AM
Post by: swisski on January 27, 2016, 03:05:40 PM
I will add that this past year, I started using a cylinder stove on backpack hunts, and it is a game changer.
Tell me more! How did it improve your experience. Can you dry out your stuff and keep the condensation down in the tent? I'm very intrigued by the concept but want to know if I should moderate my expectations.
Yes, and yes. It's a huge help with condensation in a single wall, floorless shelter. It also is great for drying gear. The morale boost you get coming back to camp after a long, cold, and or wet day of hunting, just by starting a fire in the stove and warming up your shelter, is huge. Knowing that you don't have to put wet clothes back on in the morning is pretty awesome too. I love waking up in the morning, reaching out of my bag and starting a fire. I stay in my warm bag for 15-20 minutes until the tent heats up, then get dressed, eat some breakfast, and get ready to head out without freezing.
I think that's gonna be my next purchase!
[/quote]
I think you will be happy with the stove setup! Since you already have the LBO, get one of their stoves as well. I use their 8 man tipi with the XL stove. You would probably be fine with their medium or large, depending on how often you want to stoke the stove. As one person suggested, planting 2 sticks in the ground and using them to dry your boots upside down (like a boot dryer) in conjunction with the stove does wonders. Worked well in the torrential couple days we hunted over on the peninsula.
Post by: aorams on January 27, 2016, 11:11:40 PM
Post by: dreamingbig on February 10, 2016, 11:13:53 PM
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