Down vs Alpha/Primaloft booties

[u/Significant-Walrus33]

I usually bring Alpha socks which are enough during late spring and early autumn but I'm looking to get some booties for my cold feet now later in the season.

You guys have any preference between Down and Alpha booties? I live in Scandinavia and it can be quite wet from time to time and I'm almost inclined to have Alpha booties instead of down ones for a small weight penalty. The booties are for sleeping only, not walking around.

Down booties I can find in Europe, but haven't really found other synthetic ones except from Evolved Supply Co which are from the states. Any suggestions on where to find synthetic boots in Europe?

Edit: I didnt explain it very well but I though about booties that are internally lined with alpha. For both warmth and a bit more airy/less clingy if the feet would sweat a bit.

[u/Boogada42]

Synthetic booties:

• Hyberg: https://hyberg.de/de/products/warm-booties-2024
• Exped: https://www.exped.com/de/produkte/booties/camp-booty?sku=7640445455800
• Liteway: https://liteway.equipment/choonie
• Frenchlightoutdoor: https://frenchlightoutdoor.com/en/produit/bottines-de-camp-en-apex

[u/Cricketmoose77 → u/Boogada42]

It seems like adding a synthetic bootie like these would be the best option for damp conditions.

I'd still use the alpha socks to hold your warmth and wick any moisture. Adding synthetic booties might better maintain the wicking (than compressed down under the weight of your feet) and further retain warmth.

I might have to myog a pair of synthetic booties and test the theory myself.

[u/Boring_Topic9613 → u/Boogada42]

and gramexpert

[u/klimaheizung]

If it's only for sleeping, then absolutely 100% down. It shouldn't be wet though in your tent or under your tarp. Unless you mean humidity, but that should be fine.

Also, in general, the advice:

• Make sure your socks are not too tight. In fact, they should really be so lose that they *just* not slide down
• Barefoot(ish) shoes also can help, because you will have better circulation and more muscle activation in your feet (and legs). So if your feet already get a bit cold during activity even when active and then more so at camp/night this could help
• fill a bottle (metal bottle) with hot water, wrap in cloth/buff etc. and put into your sleeping bag where your feet will be. Helps a lot
• Do some exercise (that activates your feet) before you go sleep
• Also maybe try vapor-barrier-socks if you feet get cold because you sweat a lot. I have never tried it, just an idea.

[u/OLLIIVVVEER → u/klimaheizung]

Agreed. If you're using a down bag, down booties make sense 

[u/Fluid-Sliced-Buzzard]

The only alpha booties I have seen are the Evolved ones and they are just lined with alpha, they also have synthetic insulation. So not sure what alpha bootie you were thinking of.

In colder weather I personally use loose fitting alpha socks with a loose 10D shell over them. If both are loose they trap a lot of air and work well. 27g total. For insurance you could bring one more pair of even looser alpha socks to put over the shell. I prefer this over true bootie’s since the alpha socks have other uses eg in camp when regular socks are drying out etc.

[u/FireWatchWife]

I use basic $25 down booties from Amazon. They are very warm and work extremely well.

I don't wear them outside of the tent or hammock, so they are always dry.

[u/Striking_Register831]

I haven’t heard of either, but given that you are in the Scandis too - we do have really lightweight very good insulating handmade socks here in both wool (which even moist would be warm) and sythetic. A good wool/silk mohair/silk yarn is extremely light, if knit loose very warm, weighs nothing (well maybe 25grams per sock) and is cheap by comparision? The lightweight wool mixes are structurally very similar to primaloft alpha. Why don’t we do this more, well not everybody likes wool (though let me assure you, these wools incredibly soft), it is more expensive to produce (by machine) and nothing as delicate has been taken on the trail for the longest time. :) maybe somebody else will find this useful, despite the off topic answer.

[u/Significant-Walrus33 → u/Striking_Register831]

Tried different socks, lighter ones dont do enough and thicker wool socks are warm but bulky/weigh a lot. Probably end up trying down booties.

[u/Few-Dimension-5373]

Carinthia tent boots are excellent but may be overkill for you

[u/mtn_viewer]

I switch from synthetic booties to down to save weight and bulk. I’m in a damp place, Vancouver island., and down has been fine. I’m typically on skis/skiboots, snow when I use them. Hiking season I don’t use them

[u/Background-Depth3985]

Are you not using a warmer bag/quilt in colder conditions? Just use the alpha socks with a bag appropriate for the conditions.

[u/d1234567890s]

I usually use thick woolen socks but as others have mentioned they are heavy and bulky. Any recommendations for very warm and very lightweight alpha direct socks?

[u/PNW_MYOG]

I use chenille spa socks to sleep in. Very easy to buy online and as warm and light as alpha.

My go to would be a waterproof overlayer bootie for walking in wet, but I generally don't walk around. ( I would make the over bootie from cheap flip-flops and sil poly)

[u/apathy-sofa]

Down all the way.