Esav, you're my only hope. (and any other diabetics out there)

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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While I get the ol' pancreas ready for Christmas gorging, I have been running the roads, getting stuff for the holiday meal. Every time I get out of that toasty warm truck, my feet feel like giant ice cubes. Not good at all, I know. I have been doubling up on diabetic socks, gotten at Walmart. I have access to a Bass Pro Shops, a Gander Mountain, and numerous Dicks Sporting Goods. I haven't found any at Walmart, has anyone found any thick socks for diabetics out there? Thank God I don't have problems with my feet, but those thick woolen socks in the sporting goods dept at Wally World don't cut it anymore. Freudian slip, one of the things I'm afraid of.

Anyone know if they make thick diabetic socks for outdoors use?
 
My Wife works in a pharmacy and she said the only thing she knows of that is a thick diabetic sock is made by Jobst. Most of the others are really thin, as you probably already know.
 
try a thin polypro liner sock first then a wool sock. If you can stand the heat add a thin hand warmer pak on top of the foot. Or get a size up in boots and use the sock combo with felt pack inserts.
 
I'd like to offer up an addition/alternative...I bought a pair of Rocky 10" Jasper Trac boots at Dick's Sporting goods for only $50. I needed extra warm boots quickly, and these were rated to -40 F. It turned out to be one of the best purchases for winter boots i ever made. They are light and flexible, but offer a huge amount of room inside, and my feet will sweat if I am not careful even in below freezing temps; The liners themselves are so warm, I will often wear them in the house as slippers/booties. I highly recommend them as nice lightweight yet robust cold-weather footwear. I got mine at Dick's Sporting Goods. Here's a link to the manufacturer website:

http://www.rockyboots.com/Products/...roductId=1600FQ0007908&CatId=124&subCatId=128
 
The other thing is, these boots are so comfortable that I often just put them on to keep my feet cozy even if not going outside! Combined with polypro sock liners and thick fleece stockings, these boots are the shiznit. After reading this thread, I just put them on again, just "because."
 
You might try a pair of compression stockings under the diabetic socks. I often wear them in the winter.
 
+ 1 for toe warmers/heat packs. You can get ones that are specific to feet. Wal-mart is one place I know that carries them.They are thin, have adhesive on them and last 6+ hours. At about a 1.50 (Canadian anyway) they are an economic solution. I used some last week both snowshoeing and ice fishing with temps in the -25 to -35 range. Failing that, what about battery powered hunting socks? I know some guys who swear by them. Sounds to me like you might need some type of external heat source if layers of socks are not working for you. Also be sure that your boots have enough room. Too many socks and tight boots is no good either:thumbdn:
 
I have been happy with my wool socks from Eddie Bauer. My feet are usually cold no matter the season, but they were nice and toasty today shoveling the driveway.
 
LLBean used to have a Hollowfill Boot Sock which was hollowfill insulation + wool. I don't think you could find a warmer one .I was outside all day yesterday and they kept my feet toasty warm ! But like all good things they no longer exist - but I stocked up !!
 
I don't recomend the compression sock idea. The last thing you want to do as a diabetic is to decrease already poor circulation. I'd look to better boots such as the ones sugested by Brian. Make sure they good and roomy.
 
Make sure your socks aren't too tight. Compression is deadly. Polypro liners and wool, like the smartwool I wear, works fine. Warm boots are a good idea, but even shoes or sneakers work but they need thick soles, and deep lugs are even better.

Don't fake yourself out with heating pads. They might make you feel better in th cold, but mask the underlying problem. What you really need is reasonable insulation around your feet and good circulation in your feet. Do you have any numbness or swelling? You may need to massage feet and especially ankles to free up that circulation.
 
SurviveAl said:
I don't recomend the compression sock idea. The last thing you want to do as a diabetic is to decrease already poor circulation. I'd look to better boots such as the ones sugested by Brian. Make sure they good and roomy.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Roomy shoes will encourage and enable you to wear thicker, softer socks which insulate better, and are more comfortable, too.
 
My doctor has me wear the compression socks to increase the circulation. I have used them for several years now. But by all means check with your doctor.I have never had much trouble keeping my feet warm but my hand are another story.
 
Compression socks are generally, but not always, used to drive fluid out of the feet. They have compression stockings that go all the way up to your bullz. Wifey said Jobst makes compression stockings and socks and also diabetic socks. The other diabetic socks she deals with are incredibly thin and not really suited for hiking, etc.

All of that having been said, I don't think you can go wrong with what Esav said. Excellent boots that fit well enough that you can use good wool socks, adjusted per your own comfort requirements.
 
See a podiatrist.
If you're getting numbness, have a blood test done to check your A1C levels, you may be diabetic. Catch it early.

Since getting diagnosed with diabetes, I bought boots/sneakers 1/2 size bigger than normal and do like Esav said: wear polypro liner socks under smartwool socks. I tie the boots snug (not tight) at the top, and looser than normal (not so much that my foot floats around, causing blisters, just not as tight as I used to). I've come to appreciate the cushioning so much, I wear the two pair of socks all the time, not just hiking, even when temperature isn't a concern.
 
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