Down booties for keeping feet warm mid-climb? (muti-pitch climbing)

So, in a few weeks I'm taking my first winter climbing trip. We are going out to Devil's lake Wisconsin. Being as far north as Devil's lake is we should prepare for potential below zero temps.

My question is, has anyone ever brought up down booties or some other shoe to put over their climbing shoes to warm their feet mid-climb? or do feet stay warm from the work of climbing? I figured if my feet got cold I could bring up some down booties and throw them over my climbing shoes with a one of those warming packs. 

Any other winter climbing advice would be helpful too

winter climbing advice: Find something else to do

As someone who usually gets out in MN before its warm enough I can say that your hands on the rock will get way too cold well before you'd need to switch to down booties at a belay

Jake wander wrote:

As someone who usually gets out in MN before its warm enough I can say that your hands on the rock will get way too cold well before you'd need to switch to down booties at a belay

Agreed. My hands get numb cold really fast on cold rock and I can't climb very much, or at least very hard. Winter climbing in MN sounds...not fun.  Suggestion, switch to ice climbing and go to MI instead :) 

Here is a good post about cold weather climbing tips...

http://www.seekingexposure.com/9-tips-for-cold-weather-rock-climbing/

I throw on a pair of crappy boooties invetween bouldering burns or at belay stations if i dint want to take my climbing shoes off. Boukdering is a little better in cold weather because u can hit it hard and then huddle up again in ur puffy but love cold weather climbing... keeps the crowds away and u have the crag to ursef  

I have a friend that uses a pair of thick wool socks over his shoes and he's cut out the toes and heel.

Boreal has the Fire Invernal which are waterproof and insulated ankle high shoes, they even have a gaitered version!

I don't like to be negative but sub zero degrees F might be a bit too cold. Rock climbing in temps down to the low 20s can be totally doable if it's sunny and there's no wind, but I don't even like to ice climb when it's below 0, honestly.

Start ice climbing ;) Ice climbing boots > rock climbing shoes when below 0

oh course we ice climb too. Just about have to living up here in the winter months.

Those Boreals are interesting... I might get some of those

thank for the help everyone!

Jordan- just swap your boots back on between belays :) the title of your thread reads multi pitch and maybe you are looking for an answer for that situation as well, but there really is no true multipitch climbing at devils lake.  Thus just keep the boots handy and put your shoes in your coat while not climbing.  Also, I really doubt we'll hit sub zero F in the coming weeks.  Usually takes til jan/feb to get temps that good! Welcome to DL and have fun! 

Thanks AngieL,

Yeah, I saw there were no true multis, but since that's the goal I threw that in the title. I plan on trying the connecting climbs though.

The "multipitch" route at devils lake is super fun, easy and sometimes feels like a waste of time roping up but fun, short pitches. Endless possibilities for altering the route. I'm currently up north WI deer hunting where it's significantly colder and it's like 30 degrees, the dense rock at devils lake will certainly suck the cold out of your hands but due to the short pitches I think you'll be fine. Down booties are probably not worth the hassle, just cram some socks under your climbing shoes and wear like 2 pairs of pants you'll be fine. Maybe brings some thinner gloves to belay in but I doubt your feet will be that bad if you have socks.

cool! There are many fun contrivances to be had, for sure. Have fun, stay warm!