302 – Adult Insulated Booties Pattern for Camping!

by Esi Hutchinson

My family and I go camping by the Tuckasegee River in North Carolina at least twice a year. Every time we're there, I find myself thinking, “Gosh, wouldn’t it be nice to have some boots to wear in the morning, so my feet aren’t freezing and soaked from the dew?”

I tend to wake up early (mostly because I never sleep that well in a tent). I have been too lazy to shop for a pair of waterproof shoes, and nice muck boots are bulky (too bulky for camping) and expensive.  So, before our latest trip, I decided it was time to do something about my cold, wet feet. I made a pair of insulated booties using the 302 – Adult's Insulated Booties Pattern. This pattern is super beginner-friendly and doesn’t require much fabric, which is always a win. Plus, the booties pack up small, which is perfect for camping.

For my booties, I used a 3-ply Gore-Tex ripstop outer and lined them with cozy polar fleece. I skipped the insulation this time—it’s only early September, and the chill hasn’t really set in yet. I also skipped using the Cordura for the sole; however, I wish I had used it because it gives a little more waterproofing and stability to the sole.  

Here at The Green Pepper, we carry waterproof and water-repellent fabrics, fleece, Cordura, and insulation fabric -- all of which are great for this pattern. We also carry all the notions you need: 3/8" and 3/4" wide elastic for the instep and the ankle, and shock cord to tie your booties at the ankle. For my project, I used a 1/4" nylon round cord instead of the shock cord because I preferred a lightweight lace like a shoe lace. The benefit of the shock cord is that it stretches over all the layers of these insulated boots to keep them more secure.

One thing I really love about this pattern is the elastic that goes across the instep. It helps the booties stay snug on your feet, rather than just feeling like floppy bags on your feet. 

This is the inside of the booties when I was making them, and you can see the elastic strip over the top of the instep.

Honestly, these booties turned out great—and best of all, my feet were warm and dry during those early, misty mornings camping this past weekend.