Under those trying conditions when the balance of personal commitment is weighed against the limitless bounds of unfettered folly afield, and one's own state of mental stability is often brought to question (most often by hunting buddies), having cold feet is an understandable anomaly. Other than that occasional situation, which can be easily averted, cold feet should be non-issue.

I've heard it said that you don't appreciate history until you've got some of it, and since I now have achieved that dubious distinction I can look back on hunting in the days before modern technology and marvel at the wonders we have access to today. It occurred to me that my sons, who have well insulated boots, have never had the benefit of comparison, since they have never had to walk on half frozen toes trying wiggle them enough to gain life-giving circulation. On the other hand, I have personal knowledge of the philosophical merits of Rene Descartes who postulated, "Without pain you can not appreciate pleasure." Dry-Plus and Thinsulate are two inventions that give me a great deal of pleasure.

On a recent trip to Canada's Northwest Territories I was confronted with the challenge of selecting the right pair of boots for a trip that would hold the potential for weather from both extreme ends of the spectrum. As it turned out, I experienced a wide variety and all of it was dipped in water. Rubber boots were recommended by my guide, but I opted to take a pair of waders for a fly-fishing adventure that was in addition to my main mission of caribou, and reasoned that a pair of waterproof boots were a better choice for the hunting segment of this trip. One factor in my decision was the amount of walking that was required. The terrain in this part of the globe is rock strewn and I wanted good traction and the ankle support that a tall pair of lace up boots provides.

Caribou hunting in the Northwest Territories is most often accomplished by boat, running the limitless miles of shoreline and stalking likely bulls that present themselves. Once a worthy bull is spotted, the boat is brought to shore among large rocks and the bowman must get out and find a safe nook to nestle the boat. Naturally, this is a wet process but only the beginning. Water is a prevalent as moss on the tundra and marshy bogs have to be traversed as a matter of routine. The first time I started across the spongy tundra and saw all of the water that lay before me, I thought that my boot selection might have been short sighted, but time bore out my choice.

After a week of stalking and slopping my way across the countryside I was very impressed with the comfort, warmth and watertight integrity of Cabela's Master Guide hunting boot. These boots are built to last with fully weather-proof construction that combines 100% waterproof protection in a Dry-Plus® lining with the warmth-trapping power of 600-Grams of Thinsulate-Ultra®. Inside, a soft, moisture-wicking lining pulls perspiration away from your feet so you don't have to deal with the accumulation of sweat generated by hours of pushing up one hill after the next.

No matter how much the wind blows, water rises or snow piles up, you'll be warm and dry with Master Guide boots and looking good at the same time. A blend of 1,000-denier Cordura nylon and full-grained waterproof leather makes this footwear a real standout. The upper portions of these boots are rugged yet lightweight so long days in the field won't wear you out.

It took five days of serious pursuit to get into a position to take a nice bull, and there's no question in my mind that those days would have been a much greater challenge had it not been for my Master Guide boots.

There have been times in the past when I would have hocked my truck for anything that would keep my feet warm. If someone asks if you want warm feet for many seasons to come, stand up and say, "I do." It's the one time when that phrase won't get you into real trouble! Cabela's Master Guide boots will be a long-term companion that sticks with you no matter what, and will never argue about another day in the woods.

To learn more about, or purchase a pair of Master Guide boots, click here.

Frank Ross grew up on a lake in Florida, where fishing and hunting were second nature. He has pursued his passion from the jungles of South America to the northern reaches of the Arctic Circle and most points in between. With a background in newspapers, the wire services and magazines that began in 1970, Frank brings a unique perspective to his work with Cabela's. He is an award-winning photographer with a flair for getting to the bottom line of every story.

— Your complete source for more Cabela's News, and updated hunting and fishing articles.