cold feet

[dibbles]

Need help. No matter what i do I get cold feet. I've tried different combination of sock no help. Has anyone tried the battery operated socks?

[irvingdog]

Electric socks = Garbage!

Grabber MyCoal chemical boot heaters are awesome. Under $1.50 a pair.

However, any waterproof boot with 1000g Thinsulate, a thin pair of Polypropolene socks and a pair of Smartwool socks over them should be good enough for just about any situation. You do need room for your toes to wiggle in the boot in order for this configuration to work, however.

[Northlander]

Get some Lacrosse Ice Kings, Some thin wicking socks and a pair of good wool blend socks. If that dont cut it you have a circulation problem in your legs and you should see your doctor! Seriously there are people that have this problem. A couple diabetics I know have this. They use Mukluks from Ely with those sock combos. Also if your house doesnt have a floor where you put your feet get a old piece of carpet, rubber or wood to place your feet on. Hope this helps.

[Poutmaster]

I agree with I-Dog and NL. Ice Kings and liner socks with smart wool socks on top are the ticket. I can seriously say my feet have never got cold with this set up, and I log many hours a week on the ice.

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Love them 'Pout!

[This message has been edited by Poutmaster (edited 11-23-2003).]

[joshb]

if the ice kings don't work you should stay home, those things are awsome.

[Guest]

Try a sock system. The liner and wool combinations are used in Antarctic expeditions so they have proven themselves well. The Elder Huskie Boot Sock with the Liner Sock is a very good cold weather system.

No cotton socks or a cotton first layer under your cloths. Cotton will just hold moisture and decrease your bodies ability to retain heat.

If circulation may be the causing of your cold feet first make sure your not restricting blood flow with too tight of boots or socks. When insulating loose and bulky is better then tight and thin. Be sure you have roomy boots.

If that is good then I recommend you try a product called ThermaCare. You can wrap them around your ankle or wrists and they heat the blood flowing in and out of your extremities. They really work great!

A good friend of mine has big problems with his hands and feet in the cold. I talked him into trying the TermaCare wraps last winter. For the first time he was able to use his hands effectively in the cold. He was really amazed at how well it helped him. They last a solid 8 hours and often closer to 10.

You can find the ThermaCare wraps at the local Pharmacy or at larger retail stores like Wall Mart.

I hope this helps you out.

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BACKWATER GUIDING
701-281-2300
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[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 12-01-2003).]

[Guest]

LaCrosse Boots and dress in layers
Nuff said

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Fish On! This is
what it's all about baby!

[SuddenlySummer]

Growing up in Colorado and sking 90 days a year, cold feet could have become an issue. If you have a decent boot try just one pair of cotton socks. Thats all I ever used.

If you have too many socks on, your feet will sweat. If your feet get wet they will become cold no matter how many pairs of socks you have.

[Guest]

I've owned a pair of "Rocky's" (I think Deer Stalkers) for a couple of years now. My feet were constantly cold before I purchased these boots. They're expensive, I think i paid about $270 for them, but they're well worth it. 2000 gram thinsulate, and they're totally waterproof, and not anywhere near as big and clumsy as the "Ice Kings" or similar boots. Comfortable and light enough to wear every day. My $.02. But i know you'd be happy with them.

[Steve Foss]

dibbles:

I used to wear cotton sweatsocks. It didn't matter how heavy my boots were or how much room my feet had, I was always cold.

That's because cotton holds moisture, and moisture against your feet leads to cold feet.

Let's assume you have normal circulation, and here's what I've found over the years.

The guys who say light polypro, thermax or fine wool liner with thick outer wool or wool/blend socks are right. Those materials wick moisture away from your feet, which keeps them dry and warm.

You must have room in your boot for your foot to move around (and it helps maintain an air pocket, which is an additional layer of insulation). You must not lace them too tight up your ankle/shin, or it impedes circulation. Circulation is what allows warm blood to keep your feet constantly warm.

Now, can you run a motor without gas? No. So make sure you eat well before you hit the ice. You need the fuel to keep the motor running. And drink water.

Lastly, and oh so not leastly, caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which is a fancy way of saying they make you pee more than normal and rob your body of the moisture it needs to stay warm.

If none of these work (please try them a few times and see), go with the various foot warmers. I've actually used electric socks, and they do work, but they got my feet so warm they sweated more than normal and got all clammy.

1,000-gram thinsulate boots are very good. Pac boots with the removable wool/felt liners tend to be better, because there's more air trapped in the insulation and your foot is further from the cold ice.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[Guest]

Steve I just received a set of new boots as a gift from a client. I guess my ratty old chewed up Mickeys were an eyesore. LOL!

They are 9" Insulated Waterproof Gore-Tex Ice Trekkers made by Georgia Boot.

1600 Gram Thinsulate Ultra Insulation. Full Cambrelle Lined Insulated Gore-Tex Bootie. Internal Padded Collar For Comfort With Durability. Soft Leather Archilles Tendon Pad. Integral Leather Ankle Stabilizer. D-Rings & Hooks Clinched On Steel Washers. Double Fluted Cinch Hooks For Easy Lacing. Steel Shank. Flex Notches For Comfortable Bending. Exclusive Georgia Ice Trekker Oil Resistant Rubber Outsole. This is the really Kwel part Eh! Removable 10mm Ice Spikes & Metal Filler Plugs. The Attachment Tool, Spikes, & Filler Plugs are stored In Side Tool Pouch On Both Boots.

I got them over-sized so I can accommodate an additional 600 gram Gore Tex booty sock for really cold conditions. That would bump the system up to 2200 grams of Gore Tex, that should be more then enough.

Pretty nifty boot Eh.

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701-281-2300
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[iffwalleyes]

Hey Ed with boots like that you can put the ice spikes in and go golfing with them. HAHA I have looked at a pair of these before they look like the would be great running across the ice. But I know what would happend I will forget to take the spikes out walk into someplace that doesn't approve and I will get hollered at. I have a pair of Rockey Bear Claw II and they have always suited me pretty good. I did get cold this last year deer hunting and had to but on my old Sorel Arrowheads. But it was the first time in about 3 years that I had to do that. I know that my next pair of boots will be the above mentioned Rockey Staklers they make like 3 kind of Stalkers but I think that only one has a removable liner in them.

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Grip it and Rip it

IFFWalleyes
I Fish For Walleyes
[email protected]

[Steve Foss]

Sweet boots, Ed. Smart to get them oversized. You'll be sitting out on the ice long after the others get cold feet.

Here's another tip. This company is not a site sponsor, although they'd be a darn good one.

Surefoot Inc. out of Grand Forks, N.D., that makes a sole insert that Will Steger, Paul Schurke and their team took to the North Pole in their mid1980s expedition. The only one who did not wear them came back with frostbitten feet. They work, and are still being made. Mrs. Catfish used to work for the company. Hint: SUREly, you have better FOOTing when you INCorporate warm feet.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 11-25-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 12-01-2003).]

[RuKiddingMe]

dibbles, I had the same problem for the longest time no matter what boots I wore, no matter how many pairs of socks, it just didn't matter my feet were always cold. I 3 have words for you "Lacross Ice Kings", yeah they are a bit on the expensive side but I've had mine 10 years now and have gotten more then my money's worth out of them.

Matt

P.S. A little tip don't wear your boots when riding in the car, the cars heater will make your feet sweat.

[This message has been edited by RuKiddingMe (edited 11-25-2003).]

[Guest]

Steve can you please send me info on where to contact those guys?

The base support is where these boots could use an upgrade, this may be the deal I am looking for. Keeping that cold from transferring up through the sole is a big part of staying warm on the ice.

That and keep you head covered! The old saying to keep your feet warm cover your head is very true. So be sure to get a IceLeaders fleece hat too guys.

IceLeaders Fleece caps can be found at:
http://fmLogo.com

Thanks for the tip Steve!

Ed

------------------
BACKWATER GUIDING
701-281-2300
[email protected]
><,sUMo,>

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 12-01-2003).]

[BLACKJACK]

I agree with the LaCrosse Ice Kings, always got cold feet when I tried my sorrels, electric socks, etc. Since I got the Ice Kings, I have yet to get cold feet during late season deer hunting and ice fishing.

[Ronsay]

My feet have always been sensitive to the cold and the only boot I have ever found to keep them warm are the military type Bunny Boots, they can be found at most army surplus stores and there are also good clones that are resonable in cost.

These were the boot of choice on the north slope of Alaska where working in -60 weather was common. My feet never got cold wearing these boots.

[ccarlson]

My wife gets cold very easily. I thought she was just not very tolerant until she finally went to the doctor about it. Come to find out she has a condition that is not that uncommon. It is called Raynouds syndrome (Not sure of spelling). There are two levels of the condition.

Things that indicated she was more sensitive than normal included becoming very cold in the summertime when in an air conditioned place, holding something cold in her hand from say the fridge or something, and other extreme examples. Dressing with the best of outdoor gear only helped to prolong her time outdoors by a little bit. If this is what you mean when you say you get cold no matter what, you need to see a doctor and have them look into Raynouds.

There are two things that help. Move to a warmer climate or try some medications that are actually intended for high blood pressure.

But, Raynouds CAN also be an indicator of more serious medical conditions.

Just one more thing. It does tend to be more prevalent in females but because of that is more often not diagnosed in males.

Just thought I would mention this incase you think you are experiencing unusual cold symptoms.

ccarlson

[loosegoose]

1000 gram Rocky BearClaw 2 waterproof boots get my vote, along with a decent pair of Rocky, or equivalent socks gets my vote. I wear them for hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing and other cold weather activities. They are lighter and not as clumsy as pack boots.

[Steve Foss]

Ed, you've got mail.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[Guest]

I just took a look, some great stuff! I like the line of Kewl fleece stuff.

If your stumped for a gift for a gall friend or daughter, fleece stuff always works.

Thanks for the tip Steve.

------------------
BACKWATER GUIDING
701-281-2300
[email protected]
><,sUMo,>

[Ferny]

Uncle Sam's black or white Mickey Mouse boots! There is usually a guy at the ice show and sportsmans show that sells them for less than $100 I've had mine since 1983 and they're still going strong. How many people can say that about their boots? No liners to ever worry about, water proof, tough as nails! The only drawbacks I've found is they are heavy so I wouldn't recommend them for long hikes and they're deadly on glare ice without cleats.

A couple friends have the Lacrosse Ice Mans and Ice Kings that they rave about also. I think they are more $$ though.

Good Luck,

Ferny.

[Guest]

Though some may feel I'm on crack but here goes. Cayan Pepper in your socks. Seriously! it irratates the skin causing blood to flow to the feet hence toasty hot feet all day. I used to do it in my gloves when making ice at the local skating rink and my hand would be litterly froze to the hose and warm.
It worked for a buddy of mine last winter
Word of warning though sprinkle a little on your finger and rub the bottom of your feet DO NOT pour directly in socks or it will be like a 3 alarm fire.
Others are good boots such as LaCrosse Ice Kings or Ice Mans dry "Clean feet" Sweaty feet do not stay warm good socks "Clean" cotton first then wool blend over works the best for me. Dry liners.

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Don't worry you'll get the next one.

[Guest]

I bet ja ya find out when ya get a blister real fast that way.....Eh?

[Phred52]

Yea Frizedminnow, The ceyanne pepper DOES work! 3 alarm may be understating it somewhat though the red feet are topic of conversation to this day. I worked in a salvage yard where heat was a luxury, always had COLD feet and soaked liners. Started putting 13 gallon (no foot size jokes, please) trash bags on my feet right after my socks. Now the socks are soaked but the liners stay WARM and DRY all day on the ice. Now if I could figure out how to breathe through plastic, we of the bald persuasion would be always WARM!!!

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NOBODY ever died, wishing they had fished....LESS!!