Help with boot selection, PLEASE

I'm looking for a cold weather boot for long distance snowshoeing hunts in extreme temps and very deep snow.  I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and plan on doing long snowshoe tracking hunts that will last several days.  Snow is measured in feet and temps can get as low as -20F.  I need something lightweight that will keep my feet dry and warm given that I will be moving several miles at a time followed by being stationary for 1-2 hours.

I'm an experienced hiker and have loads of experience with hiking boots but not with mountaineering boots.  I'm wondering if a mountaineering boot will work better than the hiking boots I'm using now (Asolo Power Matic).  I like the idea of a built-in gaiter, potentially warmer boot, etc etc but maybe it's over-kill?  Mountaineering boots aren't sold around here so it's not like I can try them on...

Boots I've been looking at online include Scarpa Phantom Tech, La Sportiva Trango Ice Cube GTX, Arc'teryx Acrux AR

Thanks in advance for all your help, I mean it!
Mike

For -20F, you need a double like the Scarpa Phantom 6000.  But mountaineering boots are very stiff and suck to hike in so I am not sure they would work well for long distance tracking.

For hiking in Michigan I would consider mukluks or something similar. You don't need heavy mountain boots. They'll be painful for what you're trying to do.

Thanks for the feedback!  You guys confirmed my fears, thanks again....

Schnees Hunter Pac boots. I've worn them down to -30 active, and they're great. Even good to -10 if you're sitting still. As warm as most double boots, but much more flexible if you're going to be hiking in them for a long time.

Yeah, I'd 86 mountaineering boots for hunting/hiking purposes.  Just because they're "mountaineering boots" doesn't necessarily mean they're the warmest options, unless you choose a 6000M or above double boot.  I guarantee you'll regret dropping $1K on 8000M doubles for use in the woods.  Most, if not all the boots you listed are designed for technical climbing where crampon compatibility, sole rigidity (stiffness) and lastly warmth, in some cases, are priority.

Why not something from a luxury boot company designed for winter hunting like Crispi, Danner, Zamberlan or Lowa?

Ultimately I'm looking for something that is light weight, feels solid and sure footed and warm.  I hate bulky footwear!  The pac boots look comfy but heavy and not something I want to break trail / brush in for miles.  I'm familiar with Danner, Lowa and Zamberlan but not Crispi, I'll check them out.

I love my Asolos and I see they came out with a new boot this year called the ARCTIC GV (which may be more in line with my needs) but I can not find any reviews online. I wish I lived somewhere I could see all these in person...

Check out Kuiu - SCARPA makes some boots for them, built in gaiter and such

Creds: 50 years winter climbing, altitude up to 20,000+ (Denali), 35 years professional boot/shoe fitter.  Suggest mukluk type, mountaineering boot a lot stiffer than what you need. Fit is CRiTICAL, for warmth your fit should be comfortable to a little loose/sloppy, with your heaviest sock combo (ideal: synthetic liner sock, vbl sock, heavy wool/synthetic blend). I cannot emphasize too much-snug/tight is COLD. Suggest lightest sorel/pac boots you can find-true mukluc would be ideal (crappy support. but great warmth). Good luck.

Fine tune how you crank your snowshoe straps. Too tight. and you will have cold toes/feet. Strap as loose as will let you have decent control.

http://www.michiganicefest.com/

try on the g5 and g2sm

Based on what you are telling us, I would approach this completely differently than what others have already mentioned:

1. Get a light to mid-weight insulated hiking boot--check out the Roclite G335 from Inov-8. It has primaloft gold insulation. Size up so you can wear two pairs of socks, REI wool liners socks and Darn Tough Mountaineering socks.

2. Get a pair of Rab Vapor barrier socks. Wear these on over your liner socks in combination with the Darn Tough socks.

3. Call up Joel at 40Below and tell him what you are planning to do. He's a great resource and great to talk with. He'll give you the best option for an overboot, which will complete your footwear system for the temps you are talking about.

If you don't have experience with vapor barrier socks, I suggest you start here and do some experimenting:

https://andrewskurka.com/vapor-barrier-liners-theory-application/

I have used them with great success.

You can also look into the NRS .5mm neoprene socks, which could also be used as a vapor barrier, but are more bulky.

If you walk for miles and have sweaty feet, then have to allow for several hours of sitting still. You insulating socks will wet through and your feet will freeze. The vapor barrier will prevent that.

A caveat about the above, for the temps you are talking about those particular boots may not be warm enough. This is where the challenge lies for you in my estimation. You need boots that are comfortable, light, and very warm. It might take a bit of work to find something that works and is warm enough. Look for Primaloft insulation. Silver will work, but Gold would be best. This is why talking with Joel before you get a boot will be helpful, since the type of overboot you choose and size will depend on your boot type and shape. 

Finally, I would get a piece of Reflectex insulation or cut up an old Thermarest Z-lite pad to use under your feet while you are sitting.

The last time I talked with Joel, he told me that he was getting a lot of orders from winter ultra runners doing the Arrowhead 135 up in Minnesota. (Look it up, temps are in the range you are going to encounter)They're application is similar to your's, so I'm sure he will have some additional insights on how those folks manage their feet.

I may be late to this, but here’s my two cents.  Jeremy has some good info above and I don’t disagree, although I typically skip the vapor barrier.  I hike, hunt, or ski and climb (or sometimes all 4 at once) in Northern Minnesota just outside and inside the boundary waters throughout the winter.When hunting it’s long walks in rough terrain filled by sitting quietly.  There’s no one boot that does it all.  I picked the best most comfortable (emphasis on waterproof and warmth) hiking boot, and the use overbooties when stationary.  Any boot warm enough to sit for an hour or two is gonna suck for hiking.  
I have two “go to” boots that can comfortably hike 10 + miles and keep you warm and dry.  The Meindl’s on the left (more hiking hunting focused) were from Cabela’s and the Lowa’s  (Silberhorn GTX mountaineering boot) can order anywhere. 
I have most of the other boots listed, but these are the two specifically chosen for what I think the exact application of what you are looking for....can’t remember where I got those overbooties.  Warm AF.  It was a long time ago in the Army for long range recon in the alps.  Essentially the same application...

Thanks again for the feedback everyone.  Jeremy and Mark, your advice was more in line with what I'm looking for.  I'm still deciding on a boot but the idea of a vapor barrier and an overboot while stationary are both suggestions I'd not considered.

I'll check back in when I make a final decision and assemble a system with results...

Get a pair of Mickey Mouse boots.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_boots

Mike you are kidding yourself if you think you can get lightweight, and non bulky footwear for those conditions. But you might want to experiment with what a lot of the top Alpinist are starting to do of utilizing heated socks to get away with a lighter boot. But your several days need of warmth might be hard depending on your weather/ sun. Not like when you can choose your summit day and just burn a battery for that.

Re Jeremy's advice of vapor barrier socks. If your feet are decently sweaty like mine you'll just make your feet colder.

And Allan's suggestion of the Bunny Boots is good. Those bad boys actually work real well. 

Mike Serman wrote: Thanks again for the feedback everyone.  Jeremy and Mark, your advice was more in line with what I'm looking for.  I'm still deciding on a boot but the idea of a vapor barrier and an overboot while stationary are both suggestions I'd not considered.

I'll check back in when I make a final decision and assemble a system with results...

Also, you should add in anti-perspirant to your footwear system. This is an old mountaineering trick. Best to apply generously for a few days before your trip. Do this at night. Give another treatment in the morning before you head out and each night while on your trip. I like to coat the tops and bottoms of my feet up to my ankles, the entire foot. Gel type works best. I've used Degree with great results.

Bunny boots aren’t a horrible option and could be considered if your sitting significantly outweighs your movement, or you are manning a foxhole, but there’s a reason anyone who needed to bust brush for extended periods in rough terrain used a different solution.