Originally Posted By: AWSI'd go with a good brace and something like a sorel. Tight tall boots usually don't go with warm.
Winter before last I crushed my heal/ankle on the MC and finished the season hunting with a brace, wool socks and a sandal, temps weren't that bad upper 20's to start. I tried tennies but the mesquite thorns went through the sole.
rule #1 for winter fishing - if your wading boots are too tight, you restrict circulation and your feet *WILL* be cold.
i wear a size 10½ hiker... but i buy my wading boots in size 12 to allow for the neoprene booties on the waders + a good pair of wool socks. so make sure you size your winter boot fit to accomidate your insulating layers. Snug is ok, tight is bad! Tight restricts blood flow. restricted blood flow = cold feet. If you're allergic to wool, get a pair of silk socks for liner socks. NO COTTON SOCKS!
rule #2 for winter activities - if your core is not properly protected, your extremities WILL get cold quicker as your body will restrict blood flow to protect your core temp.
Layering is key!
start with proper moisture wicking base layer.
synthetic (think fleece, sweatpants, etc) or wool insulating layer over that - NO COTTON! (seeing a theme here about cotton?
)
wind break outer layer . a gore-tek or similar fabric rain gear can work for this too if you dont already have specific winter outerwear, or its just not in the budget.
wear a good hat! head = lots of blood flow = lots of heat loss potential. again none of that knit stuff. synthetic insulating layer (fleece and/or thinsulate) with a synthetic wind break layer on the outside.
make sure your under layers are breathable and moisture wicking and it'll do amazing things toward keeping your extremities warm.
this the same formula i used to use for snowboarding, and currently as noted above use for salmon/steelhead fishing when water temps are barely above freezing and outside temps are often blow freezing. If you think 15-20*F air temp is cold, go stand belly button deep 38*F water for 4-6 hours at a time.
HTH