Keeping your feet warm in winter?

[MikeyJ]

I've always used a good wool sock. I have lightweight, midweight, etc. and will combine with a liner sock if needed. Two biggest things for me is to keep them dry (as much as humanly possible), and make sure my boots aren't too tight. Poor circulation = cold feet.

I am kinda surprised that your wool/polypro combo isn't working well for you. Are you stationary or moving around?

 

[C_Tanner]

Both.

I just made my insoles. All I did was take a dollar store windshield heat/sun shield, traced my feet, and cut them out. Its just a thin piece of foam with a layer of foil. Will try tommorrow. (watch it not be cold). I also thought wrapping an existing insole in mylar might work. Also pulled an extra anti-perspirant stick out of the closet, and might hit my feet with it...not sure. That might be a good idea just in the fact that you can get those small travel sticks at the drug store. Again, this is little things that take up no space that you could use to give your feet an extra edge in cold climate in a survival/outdoors scenario. Don't get hung up on the example I gave (cold feet at work)...that was just what got me thinking about it.

The good thing is, if this windshield reflector trick helps, you can make a whole lot of pairs of insoles for a dollar from one of those car shields.

After that I'll try the mylar since that is something most people have in their pack. If not you should....check ebay. You can get them from medical suppliers...about 12 of them for $8 shipped. The more you order, the bigger the discount. Way cheaper than the camping aisle.


Edit to add: With the money you save, you can buy a new Becker.

 

[Bladite]

some references i've seen talk about putting plastic bags over your feet...

so, a thin liner, a plastic bag, and a warm sock.

MMM

#

 

[bluefivespot]

I have worn boots every day to work for the last 7 years. Granted, I live in TN so not that cold. But having hunted/fished in Pennsylvania, Ontario, and a few other cold places in winter I can recommend Bass Pro Shops Lifetime Wool socks without any reservations. I wear them hot or cold and they treat my feet great. In really cold weather I can see adding other pieces to your foot arsenal to help, but these socks have been great for me in many situations - I had a few foot issues due to work, and after switching to Rocky boots with these socks all went away. My feet are happy campers so to speak. Not to mention they have a lifetime warranty - a few weeks ago I returned 4 pair of lifetime socks to bass pro after 3 years of wear - finally wore a hole in the heal. Replaced at no charge with no hassle. At $10 per pair they are a steal. Just my $0.02. BFS

 

[Jonny1280]

I've had good luck with Gortex lined workboots. Georgia,Danner,etc...Never needed special socks.

 

[C_Tanner]

Its only 35 degrees out, so not a hardcore test, BUT...I'm only wearing one pair of wool socks and these insoles I made appear to be helping tremendously. Feet not overly warm, but I swear I can feel the heat return.

 

[C_Tanner]

Got some input from Dave Canterbury that will make this even better... Stay tuned....

 

[Moosez45]

Need to put some BKT in this thread, or it going elsewhere.

Moose

 

[C_Tanner]

Need to put some BKT in this thread, or it going elsewhere.

Moose

Well, the idea was, since there has been so many one-liner pointless threads, threads with one line statements like "I can't wait for the Machax......end", One liner inside joke threads, etc...I figure people were running out of legitimate topics. So I thought I'd ask a serious question to the Becker community, since most are outdoorsman (last line in first post). Trying to keep conversation fresh. We have a community of like minded people, but we can only talk about one thing.

If its not allowed, so be it. Not trying to change the world.

 

[thatotherguy]

I always put a pinch of cayenne powder in each sock before a cold day.
I found it works, but chili powder won't. Don't get confused, chili powder left my feet freezing.
YMMV
Edit- Don't put it in your Becker grivory though, it turns them radioactive!

 

[Captain Airyca]

Its only 35 degrees out, so not a hardcore test, BUT...I'm only wearing one pair of wool socks and these insoles I made appear to be helping tremendously. Feet not overly warm, but I swear I can feel the heat return.

I'd like to hear more about your experience. My feet get cold really easy.

 

[TwinStick]

This is what works for me. NOTE: I am someone who had borderline frostbite when i was in the US Army on guard duty. I swore from that day forward to learn as much as possible about staying warm. This is what i have learned.

Underliner socks that wick moisture are good.
A good Merino wool sock on top.
Boots that are NOT TOO TIGHT.
Boots that are NOT TOO SMALL.
Polypropylene/felt/wool insoles.
Carry a fresh pair of Merino wool socks & rotate them with the ones you are wearing. Especially when transitioning from walking to being sedentary. Same with the insoles.
Foot sweat is your enemy.
Gore-Tex is good.
The farther away from the ground/the more insulation between your feet & the ground, the better.

Micky Mouse boots are excellent when walking for warmth, but feet will still freeze when you stop because the sweat stays inside the boot & will soak into fresh socks.
The warmest boots that i own, are ones i modified. I bought the largest size avail (13) & still put 2 pairs of polypropylene/felt/wool insoles in them. My feet have NEVER gotten cold with them, even when sitting in -10* weather. The Cabela's Saskatchewan Gore-Tex Camo ones. Only needed them 2x so far, but they are worth thier weight in gold when you need them. Would'nt want to walk more than a mile or 2 in them though. But the same goes for the Micky Mouse boots.

 

[C_Tanner]

You could always take a Becker BK9 and baton some wood for a fire to warm your feet too....

 

[GingivitisKahn]

You could always take a Becker BK9 and baton some wood for a fire to warm your feet too....

Why yes you can...

Good call!


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Beckerhead #42