Keeping your feet warm

[JohnMickish]

How many guys out there still use cotton socks and wonder why their feet are cold? If that is you, try some of the new merino wool socks with a pair of sock liners. The reason your feet get cold is that they sweat and your feet are wet without you knowing it.

The sock liners will wick the moisture away from your feet and the merino wool will absorb the moisture yet still keep your feet warm. Merino wool is a pretty cool blend, and if you haven't tried it yet in either socks or long johns you owe yourself to try it. It's not cheap but well worth the money, and the sock/liner combo is cheaper than a new pair of boots by a long ways!

I use the Clam socks, they have a nice padded heel and some space age stuff that keeps them from stinking up your boots. Your buddies will appreciate that.

[Brad B]

I will be trying the liner socks and the merino wool socks this year along with the sub zero boots. hope they work how I hope they will.

[JohnMickish]

I keep a pair of merino socks that I only use for ice fishing that way they don't get prematurely worn out. You will like them for sure! Another way to help keep your feet dry and warm is to dry your boots when you are done using them. I have been using a Peet boot drier for years now and it has turned out to be priceless.

I really hate being cold and will do what it takes to stay warm. Thankfully it's allot easier to do today than it was 20 years ago.

[amateurfishing]

totally agree, I have 2 pair of each, strictly for clearing driveway snow or ice fishing, when extra cold (below 10 degrees) I just throw a hand warmer down there also and im good to go, and I wear a very cheap pair of 8 year old snow boots

[Savage Brewer]

I got turned on to SmartWool socks about 4 years ago while hiking up in Montana. I have not turned back since, whether I am hiking in the summer, or in the coldest of winter, wool is where it is at!

[Striper66]

Wool socks and liners inside a pair of Mickey Boots. Very warm feet.

[Northlander]

I am a huge fan of smart wool and a good liner wicking sock. Also along with keeping boots dry is making sure they are not too tight. Stay away from booze and caffeine on the ice and eat a good meal before you head out. Drink plenty of water too. Also get a good hat and gloves and keep your core warm with a good wind breaking vest and layer with wicking clothing. Cotton is your enemy on the ice.

[OnAFly]

I use a liner sock and Cabela's heavy wader socks. They go all the way up past your knee and stay up, but don't restrict blood flow at all. I had that problem with the Smartwool version of these socks, they're a little tight on my knee and wind up restricting blood flow a bit.

This along with my 1000g boots I keep plenty warm

BTW, the best part of those Cabela's socks, they cost about $10 less than the Smartwool version

[monstermoose78]

Thanks for the info guys.

[low277]

I tried the merino / smart wool socks a few years ago, I was surprised at how comfortable they are. Years earlier I had tried to wear wool but hated the ichy / scratchy feel.This new stuff is great.

I have a few pair now!

[pushbutton]

Don't know what we are up to on pluses, but will + the merino as well. Am way too cheap to drop the coin on "brand name" ....you can go to the evil bay and find a three pack for about 10 bucks.....think the name is carolina mill outlet something or other. No fancy colors, or design, but my feet do not seem to care.

[bak2MN]

The smart wool for me as well. Plus my Schnee boots feet never get cold!!

[20lbSloughShark]

I didn't realize wool socks were a secret. One thing I have found is pac boots. Even if your boots feel dry, they may not be. Take the inserts out and put them over your heater. Instantly warmer for 2 reasons.

[Fred_Bear]

Smartwool socks and Mickey boots... haven't had cold or wet feet in years.

Smartwool are worth the money to me. I used to wear cabelas or army surplus wool socks and they would have holes after a year or two. When I got my first pair of Smartwool, they were the only socks I wore fishing/hunting for 5 years and they still look like new.

One thing overlooked in keeping hands/feet warm is keeping your core temp up. If your body is losing heat, the first places you will notice it is in your extremities. Weird how putting a coat on can warm your hands up, but it's definitely true.

[Rick G]

You can be cheep about most of your outdoor clothing and still be comfortable, but if your hands or feet get cold it sucks. I always buy the best boots I can afford, don't skimp on the socks either. I have been wearing the Wigwam merino wool for years with zero complaints. Last year I bought a couple pair of the Icearmor socks, and have to say they are right there as far as quality with the Wigwam's.

But in the end it's all about keeping your feet dry, because even the best boot/sock combo won't do much good if your feet are wet.

[Dylan8351]

I fish four consecutive days all winter and socks/boots are one of the biggest issue I have had in the past. Nothing beats a quality boot dryer but at times I don't have access to it. My go to boots are the Mickey boots because they are warm even if my feet are wet. Being that my feet sweat a lot, I will wear just about any medium weight sock and keep an extra pair of boots and socks in the car.

[Neiko]

I am hunting a swamp this year so ended up going with Merino Socks and Muck boots that are suppose to be good to -40. My feet get cold from having a slight case of frost bite in the army. Hopefully this will do the trick this year and want to try it for ice fishing.

[cam white]

We have a saying up here...." Cotton can kill." Never wear it in the cold, on your feet or as an undergarment.

[Northlander]

I ran into a guy at the Duluth Boat show last year who had fox river/ smartwool and other good socks of all weights for $4 a pair or 3 for $10 if I remember right.

He went by Mr. Socko. Great socks at a awesome price.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

My go to boots are the Mickey boots because they are warm even if my feet are wet. Being that my feet sweat a lot, I will wear just about any medium weight sock and keep an extra pair of boots and socks in the car.

My feet sweat a lot. My feet also get cold easily. One trick I learned is to use spray-on antiperspirant on my feet. It does help to keep them dry.

I wear Bunny Boots (white Mickeys). My feet have never become cold. I also received a pair of Wigwam 40 Below socks last year at Christmas. I wore them with a light hunting boot and my feet stayed very warm. Those socks work!

[corncob]

I am diabetic and have a very hard time keeping my feet warm....Any suggestions for diabetics?

[motley man]

What are the liners?

[dfeste]

I'm in the same boat. Diabetic with cold feet. I always buy my pac boots one to one and a half sizes bigger than my feet. The extra room around your feet really helps. The sock info above is all good. A liner with as high a concentration of merino wool over that works great. I don't wear thick socks. The merino wool ones that I've been using are only slightly thicker than a tube sock.

Another tip that has not been brought up here is to keep something between your feet and the ground while sitting on the ice. Even when I'm in my portable I have a piece of carpet or foam rubber under my feet.

As mentioned above boot technology has also improved. I personally wear the big clunky ones from Cabelas. They're not great for driving or mobility but they do a nice job of keeping my feet warm while I'm on the ice. That is more important than anything to me.

[g_anoka]

Has anyone tried those Thermocell insoles?? I know there is quite the sticker shock with the price, but after talking with a salesperson it was pointed out that with an estimated 500 charges to the battery they should last a few years. He also said he has tested them and was impressed. But,I would like to hear from others who have used them and their thoughts.

[OnAFly]

motley man - The liners are just a very thin sock that goes under your thicker main sock. They are only designed to pull moisture away from your skin. This helps keep your feet warmer even if you sweat a little.

I started using them two years ago, they work.