Cold feet. My nemesis. How to over come it??

[7mm-08]

If going to sit for a long time, arctic shield booties. a hot hand on the outside of the laces/toe of your hiking boots and then arctic boot over your hiking boots with the hot hand.

I went to this in single digit tree stand hunting and was the combo that actually allowed me to stay for hours. The artic shield booty things don’t weigh much and could easily be packed.

THIS is the key right here. Works spectacularly wolf hunting for hours long sits in very cold temperatures.

 

[Odd1out]

Adding a diy insole layer made out of a reflective material helps. You can buy those windshield inserts. They are shiny with a layer of bubble wrap. You just cut your own out of them. Just make sure you have room or get a thinner insole to accommodate the added layer.

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[ODB]

I also suffer from cold feet. I used to think i could 'hold' heat in but you can't get your boots too tight... nowadays I keep the lower half of my boot very loose and only tighten the top half to give my foot plenty of room to make warm air. I only tighten the lower half if I am hiking hard. When sitting, i bought a pair of glassing pants from OR and they have been great to keep my lower legs warm.

 

[huntingdad]

Thanks for all of the replies. I’ve tried almost everything suggested. About the only thing that has worked for me is swapping socks. I stay toasty warm above my feet. Even when we were hunting below 20 degrees I was fine except my feet. I wear wool first lite base and Sitka or kuiu pants that are one step warmer than the light weights made. Anything more and o sweat too much hiking. Up top it’s a midweight over wool and then soft shell. If it’s below 40 and I’m sitting I throw on a puffy jacket and usually my puffy pants. I was surprised how warm I was in third rifle, other than my dang feet.

I bought some larger sock but haven’t been able to try those in butter cold yet. My older pairs always seems tight towards the top of the sock. Enough so that you can see where the sock was on my leg after wearing them all day.

I always have my jetboil and coffee or even hot chocolate (for sure when the wife is with me). If nothing else warm water will help keep the core temp up if there is risk of hypothermia in an emergency situation.

 

[JRay]

I have chronically cold feet as well. I use uninsulated boots and adjust my sock thickness to the temp and activity level. Ive trained myself to tolerate cold and dry feet. Frozen and wet is unbearable.

Packing insulated booties to slip into during your inactive times is worth the tiny weight penalty .

 

[Marble]

Given my experiences with chemotherapy, which has led to nerve and circulation problems, my hands and feet tend to get cold quite easily. I've discovered that finding properly fitting socks is essential for my feet. As I wear a size 15, it can be challenging to find socks that fit well. My wife ordered some socks from Fits, and they have proven to be quite helpful. They are all wool and sized specifically for my feet, which has made a significant difference. I was genuinely surprised by the positive impact. These socks are thick wool and, while not inexpensive, costing around $30 a pair, as I recall, they've been worth it.

I also use insulated Crispi boots, which perform reasonably well. Although my feet still get cold when I'm riding my horse, I'm generally comfortable.

Additionally, I utilize toe warmers, placing them on top of my foot to avoid affecting the sole while hiking.

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[bergie]

If going to sit for a long time, arctic shield booties. a hot hand on the outside of the laces/toe of your hiking boots and then arctic boot over your hiking boots with the hot hand.

I went to this in single digit tree stand hunting and was the combo that actually allowed me to stay for hours. The artic shield booty things don’t weigh much and could easily be packed.

Came here to post exactly this. The booties and a hand warmer in each I can sit all day. Without them I have a hard time lasting an hour. I pack them when I backpack, I know some guys are anal about extra weight but to me they are absolutely worth it.

 

[Elkangle]

Look into the WM epidtition booties...had them in minus 20 deg temps last winter and was impressed

 

[Shoot&miss]

If going to sit for a long time, arctic shield booties. a hot hand on the outside of the laces/toe of your hiking boots and then arctic boot over your hiking boots with the hot hand.

I went to this in single digit tree stand hunting and was the combo that actually allowed me to stay for hours. The artic shield booty things don’t weigh much and could easily be packed.

Do you use the midweight or lightweight socks?

 

[Eleven]

I can’t use a muck/bog/lacrosse style boot at all. If I do my feet are cold while sitting no matter the insulation rating or what I have on for socks or layering. I’ve switched to wool/felt liner type boots and my feet are now roasting. I currently use a Hoffman boot, but I’ve also used inexpensive Kamicks and they were same result: warm feet.

 

[92xj]

Do you use the midweight or lightweight socks?

I always run a light cushion smartwool hiker sock and my normal non insulated hiking boot. Sock on, then boot laced up normal, then hot hands on top of the laces toe area, then slip on the arctic shield booty.

 

[camping1601]

Icebreaker boot blankets are warmer than the Actric Shields. I use both as needed.

 

[rogerdoger]

If your legs aren’t warm the blood can’t warm your feet as well. I’m not talking thin as paper long johns, but serious insulation. You might need puffy pants over fleece or poly pro long John’s BEFORE adding heavily insulated upper layers. I’ve had cold feet my whole life and working outside I will put on bibs before needing a heavy coat.

I agree with this 100%. My feet would freeze on days I was skiing in single digit temps, I started wearing puffy pants and now my feet are good all day.

 

[wytx]

Toasty toes, I put them on top of my socks over the toes.

 

[RockAndSage]

Surprised nobody's mentioned wearing a good, warm hat yet.

Several have mentioned the dangers of over-insulating yourself and getting wet from sweat. Especially if you're bundled up for a hike in, and are then just sitting. And the importance of keeping air-pockets around your feet through not over-tightening boots or wearing loftier socks has been said too.

The hat thing comes into play when you've taken care of these other parts of keeping your feet warm. If all that's in place and your feet are still cold, it may be because your body is intentionally restricting blood flow to your extremities. Which it does when you get cold, feet and hands first. And you lose a huge amount of body-heat through your head. So, "when your feet are cold, put a hat on".

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Stick your foot in a good fitting wool sock, stick Toe Warmers to to top of your toes, stick your foot in the boot, don't lace it crazy tight, and enjoy a nice day of hunting with warm toes/feet.

The key is to put the toe warmers on top of your socked feet so that you can hike uninhibited.

 

[wabowski]

I will echo what others have said in regards to making sure you aren't running your boots too tight. If thats not the case, and your feet are getting sweaty or wet, that will steal all your heat. If its sweat thats the issue, a better breathing boot, while seeming counter intuitive, could fix it. If they are getting wet, you could try waterproof socks. They make them for mountaineering. Ive never tried it but my mountaineering buddy swears by them. Being that they are waterproof, not only will they keep you dry from the outside, but they will insulate inside too

 

[Larry Bartlett]

I wear SIMMS waders with wading boots over stocking foot sleeves. Boil 4 cups water and pour in to the boots, slip in feetsies and warmth shall cometh.

 

[FLswamper]

You might have Raynaud's syndrome if your hands and feet get cold. My wife and brother have it, and my mom had it, God rest her soul. That's a big reason why my parents and my family moved to FL. I can shake hands in an air conditioned room and identify people who have Raynaud's based on the temp of their hands.