Cold Feet Help!!!!

[irishwalleye]

The better half has enjoyed ice fishing with me the last two years but cold feet always limits our trips. She has the best of boots, and we have tried any other remedy under the sun so I am here begging for more solutions.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Citori]

Has anyone out there tried those battery powered, heated socks? I sonetimes will use those one time use hand warmers while deer hunting. I know they also make them to put in boots. Work well and stay warm for several hours.

[Northlander]

If good boots and good socks with wicking socks under dont do it than change the diet. Less pop and alcohol and more water and juices. Plus make sure you eat good before and during the day on the ice.

What boots and socks is she using?

One other thing is make sure the boots fit loosely in the toe area. Lack of circulation both of the feet and the boots can cause cold feet as well.

If she still has cold feet try some of the heat packs for feet sold in most better outdoors stores. I think that should be a last resort though. Im not a fan of battery operated socks either but thats one other option I guess.

Most people with good boots, good sock system and a good diet are ok.

Oh and make sure before every trip out that all boots and socks are totally dry.

A good few minute walk every hour or so will keep circulation going and blood moving in the feet.

[yukon]

Try mukluks buy them a size tow big and wide. When done wearing them pull the liners out to dry. feet will never be cold again.(hopefully)

[bwtrout]

Try mukluks buy them a size tow big and wide. When done wearing them pull the liners out to dry. feet will never be cold again.(hopefully)

Actually, they stretch out quite a bit. (I used to work there)

[thomps]

I used to have the same problem. Here are a few tips.

1. Make sure the boots are dry. They may FEEL dry, but often times there is still moisture inside.

2. Use a thin moisture wicking sock then a thick wool sock, this combination will keep moisture away from her feet.

3. I had problems with my feet sweating too much. This was caused from boots that were too warm.

4. I also found that spraying antiperspant on my feet helped reduce moisture buildup.

5. As mention before, don't use boots that restrict circulation.

6. Keep your feet and toes moving, this promotes better blood circulation. I don't care how warm your boots may be, if it's truly cold outside your feet will get cold if you keep them still.

7. As a last resort I use the toe warmers

good luck fishing, Thomps

[Quetico]

Use liner socks and avoid those battery deals. They make your feet sweat which is a major issues. The socks dont last long and can cause burns.

Like other have said make sure the boots are dry and fit a bit loose. Wear heavy wool and moisture wicking polypropylene liners socks to wick moisture away.

[reelemin]

I used to have the same problem. Here are a few tips.

1. Make sure the boots are dry. They may FEEL dry, but often times there is still moisture inside.

2. Use a thin moisture wicking sock then a thick wool sock, this combination will keep moisture away from her feet.

3. I had problems with my feet sweating too much. This was caused from boots that were too warm.

4. I also found that spraying antiperspant on my feet helped reduce moisture buildup.

5. As mention before, don't use boots that restrict circulation.

6. Keep your feet and toes moving, this promotes better blood circulation. I don't care how warm your boots may be, if it's truly cold outside your feet will get cold if you keep them still.

7. As a last resort I use the toe warmers

good luck fishing, Thomps

thomps - excellent advise. The antiperspant is the new one to me - I like it !!!! It totally makes sense - I'm trying that next time -

[Iambjm]

Take a mat of some type with so she can put her feet on it and keep them off the ice. You didn't say if you were out in the open, in a portable, or ice shack.

[Lisa Almquist]

What they all said!!! Good advice people. I'm thinking I will have to try that deodorant advice too.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

There is a new wool sock out now, my son swears by them, it's called 'smart wool', he wears the thin wicking socks against the feet and the smart wool on the outside. There pretty spendy but well worth the money. Gander had them for half price on black Friday's sale.

Soaking your feet in black tea is suppose to be good, it has something called tannins(spelling?) in it for feet that have an odor problem, also if you soak your feet in Epsom salts and let them air dry they will stay dry longer too. Then spray with a spray antiperspirant. Double insurance for the wet toes.

[Fullmoon]

I can relate! I have a problem with cold toes and none of the above helps. First off, have her Dr. test for circulation, nerve issues and a disorder called Raynaud's(sp?). If it's one of those, it's a simple fix for the most part. No idea what my reason is, had all the tests. Did accupuncture and it helped but the ins. decided to stop paying before I was totally cured. It did work though. My toes get cold. Even when it's about 50 or so. Cold to the touch too. WEIRD! Time to talk to my Dr again, maybe even see a specialist. Little propane heater, big help!

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Full moon, you may want to check your thyroid out. All kinds of cold fingers and toes with your thyroid out of whack.

[reelemin]

also make sure you have plenty of room in your boots to wiggle your toes. Feet packed too tight into boots will get colder faster. A good pair of boots and a good wool insole, and a light pair of smartwool socks may be all that is needed.

I know a few people that have great boots and can go barefoot in all but extremely cold weather and never have cold feet.

One of my tricks is to make sure my socks are always fresh and dry. So if I'm driving more thatn a few miles to fish I almost always change socks after driving to the lake, and before I head onto the ice. The heat of the vechile will make your feet sweet ( you may not feel it, but they do ).

[upnorth]

Quote:

One of my tricks is to make sure my socks are always fresh and dry. So if I'm driving more thatn a few miles to fish I almost always change socks after driving to the lake, and before I head onto the ice. The heat of the vechile will make your feet sweet ( you may not feel it, but they do ).

Good tip! The warm socks and boots go on as I start out on the lake. I even wear the lightweight boots out if I am driving out and put the heavy boots on and socks on right before I start setting up on the ice. Sweaty, moist feet and socks = cold feet.

[irishwalleye]

Take a mat of some type with so she can put her feet on it and keep them off the ice. You didn't say if you were out in the open, in a portable, or ice shack.

Yep tried the mat at the very end of last year, it did add a little bit of time. She is always in the portable with the heater so I am guessing its more of a circulation problem.

Thanks everyone for the tips

[irishwalleye]

There is a new wool sock out now, my son swears by them, it's called 'smart wool', he wears the thin wicking socks against the feet and the smart wool on the outside. There pretty spendy but well worth the money. Gander had them for half price on black Friday's sale.

Soaking your feet in black tea is suppose to be good, it has something called tannins(spelling?) in it for feet that have an odor problem, also if you soak your feet in Epsom salts and let them air dry they will stay dry longer too. Then spray with a spray antiperspirant. Double insurance for the wet toes.

Is "wicking socks" going to be part of the description on the package or is it a specific fabric that I am looking for?

[Jim Almquist]

You will see wicking as part of the description of what the sock will do. They will look and feel like a thin nylon or polypropylene type material and will be right there with the higher end socks. Smartwool is a great brand BUT they will not be cheap but if it is a gift it will be a great gift to give. You will actually be getting 2 pairs- one thin and one thick which will work great as a combo to keep your feet dry and warm.

[CrappieFshr651]

Is she a smoker? Im a smoker and that equals poor circulation which often results in cold hands and feet.

[TCon17]

My girlfriend has issues with her feet too. We were on Leech this weekend and her feet were cold in ten minutes in the house by the heater with good boots and I found out three pairs of socks. She took off all but her thin ankle socks (as she had already tried a couple different cold weather socks over the weekend) and her feet were fine after that. She has circualtion issues as well. but this seemed to help for once. She didnt have to walk or anything though. Just when she sits still they get cold easy.

[siberian]

My wife had trouble like that 'til she bought toe warmers. Black tea and epsom salts.....whaddya nuts? Go for simple and inexpensive; it will make you comfortable. Snappy New Year. Siberian

[Scoot]

Is "wicking socks" going to be part of the description on the package or is it a specific fabric that I am looking for?

Merino wool- it's a miracle fabric! I like a thin merino wool liner sock and a thicker outter merino wool sock over that. The "active ingredient" in most of the really good socks (e.g., Smartwool) is merino wool. If you shop around you can find them sort of reasonably priced. However, they're spendy at most of the sporting goods stores. Walmart usually carries a generic merino wool sock that is as good as any of the high priced socks you'll find at any of the chain stores.