I've been reading through the archives here and elsewhere trying to resolve a footwear problem and still have questions. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! I just moved back north (NE Wisconsin) from the south after being away for many years. So, now that I'm back in the Northwoods, and seeing as I love the cold weather, I went winter camping with some friends a few times this past winter and really enjoyed myself. It's a totally different experience than fair-weather hiking and one that I instantly fell in love with. But ... I had foot problems both times. the rest of my gear worked out great, but my feet were consistently uncomfortable.

First trip: Had insulated hiking boots (North Face something or others... crap). Worked fine during the day, hiking on packed show, etc, but at night around camp (temps between -10F and +10F) my feet froze. I also made the rookie mistake of taking boots off at night and not having removable liners (which the boots didn't even have) in my bag such that the boots were blocks of ice come morning.

Second trip: Sold off the NF boots on Ebay... and dug out my 15+yo Sorel's with felt liners. This solved the problem of cold feet in the morning (also with temps around 0*F), but even they were a little chilly at night. Could probably solve this with neoprene socks and/or another sock layer, but the real problem is that I was too HOT in them during the day hiking/showshoeing about in +10-20 temps.

It seems I can't win. But I'm not yet defeated... Some things I'm considering. Pros and cons from what I've read so far. If anyone has further pros/cons, I'm all ears!

Option 1: Cheap water-proof insulated boots, such as found at Cabelas, etc (for colder days) or trail runners (for warmer days) during the day and then NEOS overboots over them at night. Pros: adjustable warmth, relatively cheap. Cons: stability in overboots, no removable liner for warmth come morning.

Option 2: Steger Mukluks. nuff said. Too warm, maybe, for during the day? Though, it seems everyone wants them, but no one posts reviews after owning them. Anyone here own them? Can you speak to how they work when active during the day and inactive at night? Would you go for the Arctic or Yukon lacing systems? etc. Con: PRICE

Option 3: Two pairs of shoes?? Something lighter for the day and something moon-boot like for night/morning, I guess.

I'm not a ultra-running hard-cardio kinda guy. I just enjoy being outside, so when I say active, that's light hiking, showshoeing, etc. Not out to get a real workout, just covering some ground and enjoying being outdoors. But still, maybe I'm asking the impossible: a totally flexible, -30 to +30 winter footwear system that works whether I'm hiking or sitting around camp. oh and it has to weigh next to nothing ... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

TIA

-Ken