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      Cold feet ...Help!     

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01/07/2017 12:39PM  
I love to be out in the winter but can't keep my feet warm.

Keeping active works for warming the rest of my body but my feet remain cold!

What's your secret to keeping your feet warm?

 
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OldFingers57
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01/07/2017 12:55PM  
You can try several options:
- Use commercial toe warmer hot packs.
- Try some different brands or thicknesses of merino wool socks. Some people like to use a polypropylene or silk liner sock under their wool socks.
- Get some wool insoles.
- Get some warmer boots look for 400 - 800 gram insulation in them.
- Make sure your current boots are large enough for your feet and toes to have more wiggle room as tight boots decreases the circulation.
- I have found that wearing ski or snowboard socks that come up father on my lower legs adds more warmth to my feet.


TuscaroraBorealis
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01/07/2017 04:15PM  
Good advice from OldFingers57.

I'll add that perhaps new/better boots might be in order???

Might not always be possible but....when you are inactive/sitting keep your feet off the ice - use a foam rubber pad or something similar.
01/07/2017 05:20PM  
I'm sort of repeating a bit of what the other guys said, but will add a bit of a different spin. A lot of boots provide insulation, but I think there are 2 key things:

1 - Get more insulation between you and the ground. Like OF57 said, if they can fit in your boots, add another wool felt insole - in fact - if they fit, add 2, and replace them every year because they do compact down. On winter trips I have two inside my mukluks. I have also seen cut away images of US Army Mickey Mouse boots (cheap and warm, but not very elegant), and they have a full inch of wool felt on the bottom.

2 - Ensure good circulation. Your boots need to be tight enough to move freely and not let snow in, but I think its easy for people to tighten too much above the ankle and limit circulation - it doesn't take too much. Some boots also either pinch, or force people not to flex their feet naturally and freely. I have a pair of LaCross IceKings which are good for some things, but my feet feel like they are in casts. In my mukluks, I feel like i'm walking through sand.

Also as pointed out up front, the fastest and cheapest thing would be chemical warmers.

I'm definitely a fan of my Steger Mukluks and you can read a lot about them on other posts. I haven't tried them, but have noticed several big time mushers wearing Lobbens , either traditional or musher style at the bottom of the page. And a third option might be getting a pair of NEOS, which again a lot of mushers use. The insulated ones add warmth, they are waterproof, and you can slip either a regular felt liner or other pair of boots inside them. I just got a pair of Adventurers (I like the Explorers too) and have some felt liners in them, and am going to plan on trying them over my mukluks in real cold or when their is slush. They are not all that spendy either. I got a great deal on Amazon.

NEOS Unofficial site, I think, but good info.
01/07/2017 06:03PM  
Hot feet

Also as mentioned get that extra sole liner(If you can find them their is some like waffle soles you can put under your regular liner. Baffin boots have the,but tried to buy separate and had no luck.
01/07/2017 09:24PM  
Roomy boots with space to wiggle toes and full liners. Are you talking farm work, machinery, and yard activities??
Not stylish, but warm, waterproof, farm proof??? MickeyMouse Boots

butthead
billconner
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01/08/2017 07:53AM  
Keeping feet - socks - boots very dry is key for me. I put on dry socks when I get up, never wear what I slept in, an rarely wear more than one sock. And I do all I can to keep boots dry.
lundojam
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01/08/2017 08:39AM  
What kind of boots do you have? It matters. Lots of boots only look warm. My wife and girls struggle with the same problem, but for them it is as simple as quality of boot. My feet have not been cold nice getting La Crosse ice kings 20 years ago. Not once.
01/08/2017 09:15AM  
The biggest problem with boots is that they are stiff and don't let your feet move much. That's why many winter travelers prefer traditional mukluks, or winter moccasins. You may find them much warmer because your feet keep bending and moving inside.

They only bad thing is that they are intended for use in cold but dry areas only, like the boreal forests of Canada.
01/08/2017 03:16PM  
I'm experimenting with the boot's I have (Muck, Irish Setters, Cabela's pac, and an old pair of Sorel Dominators) and your suggestions. Thanks!

I've always told my girls "Warm is not cute!" and believe me, none of these boots are cute! Hahahahah!
 
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