Cold Weather Footwear

Hit the water today to fish the FreshKats Port O Sac tourney. Temps were near 30 this morning. I dressed warm and I was very comfortable except for my feet. I wore dive boots and my feet felt like Popsicles. I am coming to the conclusion that neoprene does not work well when wet and exposed to cold air. I have searched the topic and came up with two choices. Chota Mukluks and Kokatat Nomad Paddling Boots. I want something that will keep my feet dry when launching my kayak. I assume they should work with a nice thick pair of socks but not needed if they do the job without socks. I want something that will keep my feet warm during the cold season sturgeon fishing. Any advantages or disadvantages choosing between these two? Thanks ken

What did you wear on your bottom half? Pants i mean. I just wear waders. When it is cold I wear my neoprene hunting waders. When a little cold I wear my breathable ones. Both work fine in cold weather. You could get the Kokotat tempest pants with attached socks. Wear wool socks under and I wear my larger Crocs to walk from car  to boat etc. when I wear those or my breathable. Or wear wader shoes. The Nomads are nice from what I hear. Ask Ravensblack. I wore my neoprene yesterday for sturgeon, and today at the port. Only thing that got cold were my finger tips because I forgot my waterproof gloves. I layered under the waders. Long johns and sweat pants.

You could get the Kokotat tempest pants with attached socks.

+1 Worth their weight in Gold!

I had synthetic long underwear, synthetic pants and waterproof pants. I suppose there are different kinds of neoprene, but what I have seems to make me colder when it gets wet.

Neoprene does not insulate out of the water. That is why I wear splash pants over my wetsuit in the ocean. To keep the wind off.

Wool socks, some good fleece pants (I wear REI's Polartec fleece pants) as mid layer then Kokotat tempest pants, some regular socks over that and some 6.5-7 mm boots ( I wear size 9 1/2" but I bought size 11").  If that's not enough put some foot warmers inside your boots (make sure you wear socks for foot warmers).  Also to think about is the blistering chill wind when sturgeon fishing.  There are days you'll be needing a snow jacket.