I recently read about one major factor in Vilhjalmur Stefansson's pre-requisites for an expedition leader in the far north: "must have good circulation".
I don't know if my physiology would fit the bill; within 20 minutes hiking in -15 to -30 degree weather, my toes and fingers start to freeze under layers of socks and gloves and liners.
Even placing heavy, waterproof mittens on top of a light glove couldn’t help my fingers make their own warmth. Pockets and buttcrack use is essential to regain feeling.
I at least solved the foot issue. When I arrived in Fairabanks in a few months ago in December, the weather was holding out at minimum -10 degrees, many times cracking 0 by mid-day.
During that period of relative "warmth", my work boots—the fire-focused Lowa Baffin Pros—would start to freeze over in 30-40 minutes, which worked fine between buildings and vehicles but a total no-go for outdoor work. After working out on the trails for hours at a time, my toes got painfully cold to the point of cutting short a lot of recreational excursions outside.
The utilitarian, unfashionable crowds of Alaska appear to have concluded on two types of boots for weather below -10: Mukluks and Mickey Mouse boots.
Mukluks appear to be a favorite for women seeking a mix of Ugg aesthetics and high insulation against negative temperatures.
The Mickey Mouse boots, or Bunny boots, appear to be a staple among men that know they'll be in the cold for long periods of time. I've seen them on mechanics and dog racers and Wal-Mart shoppers.
These boots are airforce-jumper-style insulated boots. The Bunny Boots are a beige color, and are rated down to maybe -40 or -60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Mickey Mouse boots are called as such because they are black. These ones are rated down to maybe -20 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them a bit lighter and more comfortable.
Both are called these diminutive names because they are both comically rounded, huge-looking for the wearer.
The more authentic variants of bunny boots will have some airborne-optimized nozzle for air on the outer side of each boot.
The Bunny boots were lent by a friend, and they were a lifesaver. I have never gotten cold feed with bunny boots. At worst, the lack of breathability for the boot can cause foot sweat to cool a bit, leaving lightly damp feet. At -33, I was still able to do a bit of work outside for two hours.
My hands and face still got cold, but feet were unaffected. Another huge plus is that as a wide-footed person, I have troubles with foot cramps due to narrow constructions.
Their rounded features help make the boot feel comfortable in any circumstance; I double-sock, so that might help fill out the excess room that comes with wider
When I get back down to CONUS, I'll surely keep an eye out on a pair of bunny boots. They're probably the cheapest way to feel comfortable in sub-zero temperatures. This is why I’ve seen hints of them in Montana, and wouldn’t be surprised if some Midwestern ice fishers use them as well.
I've seen them in military surplus shops, but be sure to see if they are authentic so you know you’re going to stay warm in these cartoon shoes.
2025 Follow-Up
How does the Bunny Boot’s military connection influence their function and durability?
You’d think that military gear should be bullet proof, whether literally or durability-wise. But when you have a government contract awarded to the lowest bidder, you know that you’re not purchasing quality but quantity.
I have a pair of Bunny Boots and Micky Mouse Boots. I’ve worn the Bunnies nearly to death; the plastic and rubber are now starting to separate and the eyelets are pulled out, forcing me to use it as an awkward slip-on.
They aren’t repairable. Using adhesive to keep the boot together, I guess only shoe glue is going to be the temporary method to hold off on throwing the pair out.
Despite the breakdowns, I still love them. I can just sit out in the middle of the blizzard and feel cozy. So I’ll continue to slip them on in the coldest of days to hang outside. And if I need to take walks, I can put on the Mickey Mouse Boots, which have a narrower and smaller fit compared to the Bunnies, but overall the same concept, just with a lesser extreme temperature rating.
Did you find any good gloves in Alaska?
My host took me on a trip to the local ranching supply shop (it looked like a slightly nicer Tractor Supply) where I ran into a great pair of gloves that I used through -30 degrees F. They were so great that I continue to make sure I remember the model and manufacturer so I can buy them again when my dogs eat through a couple pairs.