If you are hunting for the perfect boot insulators for late-season hunting, you might have come across a Boot blanket and Artic Shield insulators. Both insulators are effective in what they promise to do.
The big difference between the two is that Boot blankets feel warmer but are bulkier than Artic Shield.
The two boot insulators have other distinctive differences that will be discussed in this comparison below. Let’s get started:
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specification | Boot Blankets | Arctic Shield |
| Material | Nylon | 100% polyester |
| Warmth | Very warm | Slightly warm |
| Weight | Bulkier | Less Bulky |
| Efficiency | Makes no noise | Makes more noise |
| Portability | Bulkier, therefore less portable | Easily packaged |
| Adjustability | It comes in only one size but has a zipper and a drawstring for adjustments. | It has a zipper and drawstring for easy adjustments. |
| Price | Relatively cheaper | A bit expensive |
Key Differences Between Boot Blankets And Arctic Shield Boot Insulators
- Material
All boot insulators are not meant for walking but rather for providing you with extra warmth when you are hunting.
The material of the insulator affects the efficiency of the boots.
The boot blanket is nylon and has a polyester lining in the interior.
The nylon ensures that you do not lose any warmth to the environment, while the polyester material ensures that your feet feel warm.
The Arctic Shield is made of 100 % polyester fabric, which is good at keeping your feet warm but cannot protect warmth from escaping your feet.
Also Read: Differences Between WillowAce And Darn Tough Hiking Socks.
- Warmth
Although Arctic shield has a retain technology made by a thin aluminized polyester core that promises to retain 90% of the body heat, they are not as warm as the Boot blankets.
If you want to feel the warmth when wearing this insulator, you should wear them before your feet get cold. This way, the heat in your body will be retained.
Boot blankets, on the other hand, feel so warm. This is because of the material used on the boot insulators.
- Weight
Due to the material and the size of boot blankets, they are quite bulkier than their counterpart. If your stand has a small platform, you might need help standing while hunting.
The bulkiness of the boots makes it a struggle to pack the boots. You might be forced to carry them separately as they might not fit on your hunting backpack.
On the other hand, Arctic shield insulators are lightweight and can be folded into sizes for easy packaging. Due to their lightweight make, you can fit even on a tiny platform.
- Efficiency
Noise cancellation is one feature any gear used for hunting should possess. Although Arctic Shield insulator feels less bulky, they make much noise which might feel uncomfortable anytime you stand up to keep watch. The noise is distinct so that even the dear nearby can hear it.
Boot blanket, however, is very quiet, making them ideal for hunting compared to their competitors.
- Size
The size of the boot insulator is much larger than what you would expect them to be. They are very bulky and can make storage hard. They occupy a lot of space and make packing a problem.
The Arctic shield is more compact, allowing you to fold them easily for easy storage.
- Ease Of Use
Boot blankets are very difficult to wear. Arctic Shield, however, is easy to put on as they fit like clothes.
These insulators feel like socks as they are thin and comfortable. This makes them easy to put on and take off.
- Adjustability
When looking for boot insulators, you need insulators that can be worn with different pairs of shoes without struggle. Arctic Shield boot insulators come in different sizes and provide a chart for assistance when choosing your perfect size.
To ensure that you enjoy the insulator for years, ensure you pick insulators two sizes up from your normal size.
The insulator comes with a zipper for easy wear and removal.
They also come with drawstrings for adjusting the size and providing maximum support.
One huge downside of owning a pair of boot blankets is that the boot insulator comes in one size.
Standard sizing can pose a problem for people with small or huge shoe sizes.
Boot blanket insulators also come with a zipper for easy wearing and a drawstring for adjustments. They also have a belt at the bottom to adjust the tightness.
- Price
The boot blankets are relatively cheap. When you buy them, you will get the insulator and a bag for the insulators. However, if the bag gets damaged, you might need to buy another one for these insulators, as there are no replacement bags.
There have been a few complaints of expired Arctic shield heated insulators from these companies’ customers. This should be fine if you buy from a reliable seller.
- Warranty
Boot blankets are only sold by a few sellers and are challenging to find. The warranty period is also meant for shorter durations.
If you buy from a reliable seller, you can get an extended warranty for the insulators, but this will cost you more money.
On the other hand, when buying Arctic Shield heated boot insulators, many stores sell them. You can also get an extended warranty on them, but this will also cost you extra money.
Which Boot Insulator Is Better?
When choosing the best insulator for your boots, you need to consider which is more efficient. The Arctic Shield is a more compact insulator and can easily pack.
The insulation used in the Arctic shield makes it difficult to wear them during hunting trips, as noise from them might be distracting from your intended mission. This is not a problem when you are wearing the boot blankets, as they are very quiet.
If you are going for extra warmth without worrying about the cost, you should go for boot blankets. Boot blankets are very efficient regarding noise cancellation, warmth and price. However, they get many negative reviews for being bulky and uncomfortable.
Also Read: Kenetrek Or Crispi Hunting Boot?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The boot insulators are not meant for walking around. They are worn on top of your hunting shoes for warmth while on the stand.
Arctic Shield boot insulators have a retention technology inside the core layer that is made of thin aluminized polypropylene. This technology enables the insulators to retain 90% of your body heat.
It keeps the cold from getting to your feet but does not warm up your fit. If you want to enjoy the efficiency, wear the insulators before your feet get cold.
There are quite a several effective boot insulators in the market. Several factors will determine whether the insulators are good or not. However, to prevent future frustrations, ensure you read the reviews of the insulators you intend to buy.
Arctic shield boot insulators come in different sizes. You can choose your ideal perfect size from the size chart provided. However, to avoid frustrations while hunting, ensure you go two sizes up from your normal size.
Conclusion
A pair of boot insulators can save you many discomforts if you are an all-season hunter. The insulators ensure that your feet keep warm during the cold season when hunting.
The only downside to owning insulators is that they are not meant for walking but rather for when you are waiting on a stand.
The comparison of the Boot blanket and Arctic shield presented above is an in-depth comparison between the two most common insulators in the market.
