Cold Feet - Waders

[Tulelicious]

I've tried all I can think of to keep my toes warm in my waders when I sit out in freezing weather.

I have waders with 600 grams of thinsulate, I've tried a couple different types of socks, putting hand warmers in my boots, Those sticky toe warmers, Doubling up on Sock seems to make it worse.

I'm looking for tried true methods for keeping those toes warm, Anyone have and suggestions? I know others may not have this problem so I would like to hear from someone who had the problem and resolved it. How did you do it?

Any Socks out there that you will stand by?

BTW shooting ducks seem to keep everything warm but its not always hot and heavy.

[ghost grizzly]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

I've tried all I can think of to keep my toes warm in my waders when I sit out in freezing weather.

I have waders with 600 grams of thinsulate, I've tried a couple different types of socks, putting hand warmers in my boots, Those sticky toe warmers, Doubling up on Sock seems to make it worse.

I'm looking for tried true methods for keeping those toes warm, Anyone have and suggestions? I know others may not have this problem so I would like to hear from someone who had the problem and resolved it. How did you do it?

Any Socks out there that you will stand by?

BTW shooting ducks seem to keep everything warm but its not always hot and heavy.

I want to know also. We had numb cold toes this past Saturday.

[Hunt'nFish]

When were you last checked for diabeties? .......seriously...Get checked.
Poor circulation in the legs is a sure warning sign. Get checked, if all is good....FANTASTIC.

But to answer your question. Slightly over sized boots that afford "wiggle room" help a lot. I also wear a thin poly sock under thick wool blend hiking socks w/ the XL Seal-Skinz over them.

Oh....and 1000gm thinsulate boots.
Hunt'nFish

[Dave Smith]

I have one pair of waders that I only wear when it's really cold. They have 1000 grams of thinsulate and they are oversized- 2 sizes larger than what I usually wear so there is lot's of iarspace and room for lot's of socks. They work great, but hard to walk in. Sometimes of wear lighter waders and pull insulated boot covers over them while I'm sitting in a boat.
What size are you? You borrow these super warm ones or I can sell them real cheap- they hardly ever get worn by me.

[wsuweston]

Do you have the waders with boots attached? Like others have said get large boots and layer up. I have 1000 gram wader boots that are a size too large then I wear a pair or two of wool socks. I always have extra socks incase I get cold.

[Tulelicious]

Yea I have LaCross waders with Boots attached, I think they are one size up 11's and I wear 10' Two pair of thick socks are tight for me. Sounds like I should have opted for the 1000 grams instead of 600. I couldn't imagine 1000 grams in the boots and two sizes larger. Must feel like clown shoes.

Originally Posted by wsuweston

Do you have the waders with boots attached? Like others have said get large boots and layer up. I have 1000 gram wader boots that are a size too large then I wear a pair or two of wool socks. I always have extra socks incase I get cold.

[baltz526]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

Yea I have LaCross waders with Boots attached, I think they are one size up 11's and I wear 10' Two pair of thick socks are tight for me. Sounds like I should have opted for the 1000 grams instead of 600. I couldn't imagine 1000 grams in the boots and two sizes larger. Must feel like clown shoes.

5mm neopreme and 1200plus gram of insulation with the titainium layer helps. but they are not any good if above 40deg or you have to hike in them

[Herm]

I have the same waders and cold feet. But I simply go for a short walk every fifteen minutes or so. I'll take that over buying boots way to big with eight pairs of socks and ten blisters by the time you are back to the truck...

[DogZilla15]

This might be a case where less is more. First, try a polyester sock liner as mentioned and a single pair of regular socks. Feet gotta have room to move. If you are standing for long periods, try shifting your weight from foot to foot, sort of like walking in place. Constant pressure on the feet from standing in one place will make ever the best cared for feet to get cold.

[Threemuch]

I have diabetes, so cold feet are an issue for me. Two words : SOCK LINERS.

I do WAY better with a pair of silk sock liners under 1 pair of wool than I do with two pairs of wool socks. There are lots of different kinds, poly, merino wool, but I do best with silk. They are relatively cheap so you could try some different ones.

Good luck.

[James in Idaho]

I'd bet your feet are getting damp from the hike in and wet insulation doesn't do any good. Seal Skinz over wool socks will keep the boots dry, your feet will still be damp but in dry boots, and should stay warmer. My feet sweat so much that if I don't wear my SS, my feet freeze even in my White's Elk Hunter pacs.

edited to add: You might try a change of socks when you get to the blind if you're hiking in a long way, a spare pair of socks weighs about what a decoy does. stuff your boots with newspaper when you get home to dry 'em out, and I really like REI wool socks.

[Crooked Hook]

I had similar problems a few years back. My brother told me about Smartwool socks and they are great, especially with a pair of wool socks over them when it's freezing out. I only have 400 gram thinsulate boot foot waders. I can be comfortable in them all season with the added wool socks and a pair of fleece wading pants under my jeans, as well as a layer or two on my torso.
I got the Smartwool at my local "Sportsmans" type store for about $20.00. Worked well enough for me that I bought each of my sons a pair too.
As mentioned in another comment above, it would be prudent to get checked for Diabetes, if for no other reason than to rule it out.

[Tvfowlhunter]

Make a trip to sportsman's or Joes and pick up a pair of "Smart wool" hunting socks with the liners. I would also recommend if you have not already, to purchase a pair of the cabelas micro fleece waders pants. I wear breathable waders most of the season and if I layer properly I stay pretty comfortable. The wader pants keep the sweat of your body and the "smart wool" socks are money well spent.

[MarshBum]

Are you standing in water the whole time or is this happening out of the water?

Geoff

[Chesapeake]

Pretty well like everyone has said.

I have 1400 gram boots, and just wear marino wool hiking socks. If they are tight the circulation wont be good.

600 gram wouldnt be enough for me standing in water most of the day. It also wouldnt be enough sitting in a blind on days where its 40° or colder.

Now if I was big game hunting and hiking around 600 gram would cook my feet.

[duckhunter]

Acorn makes a fleece type sock, they are the cats [arse] got mine at sportsmans. Joe's had them last year. Phil

[STRUTTIN-1]

Originally Posted by baltz526

5mm neopreme and 1200plus gram of insulation with the titainium layer helps. but they are not any good if above 40deg or you have to hike in them

thats the truth.



I bought mine as instructed above only 1 size larger to acomidate the sock layering.

[arkansasbasser]

I too have problems with my feet getting cold. Then I'm miserable. I currently have Cabelas 5mm with 1600 grams of thinsulate. The boots are big but I don't do a lot of walking. My feet are toasty all day, even in ice water. I wear poly dress socks, only because I dont need anything else.

Before these waders I owned a pair that had wool felt liners, like pac boots. They too were very warm. I wore silk socks with them to wick the moisture away and into the wool. At the end of the day, my feet were dry and warm, but the liners were wet from the wicked sweat. I would take them out and dry them overnight and be good to go the next day.

[Pete Markantes]

When our feet are enclosed in rubber boots it is common for them to perspire more heavily, even in cold weather. Try spraying your feet with an anti-perspirant deodorant before putting on the Smartwool liners and socks. It can make a difference.

[KD Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Pete Markantes

When our feet are enclosed in rubber boots it is common for them to perspire more heavily, even in cold weather. Try spraying your feet with an anti-perspirant deodorant before putting on the Smartwool liners and socks. It can make a difference.

I agree the anti-perspirant deodorant makes a huge difference as does a pair of the heavy weight Filson wool socks. I have tried about every kind of synthetic sock, sock liner, neoprene sock liners and have found that the high quality virgin wool Filson socks work the best to keep my feet warm.

[Wingmaster]

You need to leave air-space in the boots, avoid cramming them full of socks. Layers with a good merino wool sock work really well. Cold feet and hands are the worst.

[Pelagic Captain]

keep your core area warm. this will force circulation to the extremities to cool the body...I used a kidney belt with hand warmers that really did the trick ..no more cold hands and feet

[duckasleep]

cabelas 1600 nuff said

[FeatherDuster]

The Cabelas 1600's are great if I'm standing in water, but they are a bit too warm if I am dry in a blind. Also the boots are huge and take some effort to walk around in mud. No cold feet though.

[ogrejager]

Anyone ever tried those electric socks?

[Tulelicious]

Marshbum

This time I was not standing in water the whole time. I did work up a little bit of a sweat breaking ice in the am though so I'm guessing that the biggest problem would be sweaty feet.

There are some good suggestions here and I'm going to keep playing around with socks. The liners are a great idea. I had forgotten all about how I used them this summer on a hike to keep the sweat wicked off my feet.

Battery Powered Socks, now were talking. Do they actually work?

[arkansasbasser]

Originally Posted by ogrejager

Anyone ever tried those electric socks?

They do not work. And if you get into water that's above mid-calf the water pressure on the wires will cut into you. Painful. Don't waste your money there.
Play around with the socks. But at the end of the day, it's all about enough insulation. There is nothing that ruins a hunt more than being miserably cold. Trust me. I have been duck hunting for over 30 years and have tried everything suggested here and then some. Get 1600 grams or wool felt liners if you really want to stay toasty.
For now, when your feet get cold, take a walk around the hole, like Herm said. They will warm right up. For a while. But that cuts into your hunting by being in the wrong place, spooking the birds, etc.

[Capin' Dan]

I have the 1600 cabela's also but as mentioned above go ahead and have yourself checked for diabetis I feel like a new man now that I have that under control. And yes cold feet were something that used to bug me also an aspirin a day helps thin your blood also which helps. Good luck

[MarshBum]

Sounds like the suggestions here will have you covered if you're not standing in water. If you are standing in water, it's been my experience that room and more room in the boots is key (as mentioned above) but also in your legs. The deeper the water, the more pressure on your legs, and the more difficulty your body has in getting that blood back to your core.

There have been a bunch of great suggestions in this thread. I really like the deodorant spray suggestion. Never even thought about that. But I wouldn't want to be accused of wearing deodorant

Great stuff guys!

Geoff

[snazl]

The strongest dry type anti-perspirant is the biggest help if sweaty feet are a problem.
For keeping your core, and ultimatly the rest of your body comfortable, ThermaCare makes a heatwrap for your back. (just like a giant hand warmer). they say 8 hours but i've worn them for 12 and they are still producing heat. They are comfortable and at 2 for $7 or $8 they're cheaper than the buck handwarmers and make that miserable cold windy day tolerable.
And a great aid for bad backs sitting all day.
I get them at Bi-Mart but any pharmacy should have them.

[bigjake_888]

makes you wonder how those ducks do it?

[The Fish Box]

the real problem is that your head and chest are losing to much heat so your heart is pumping all the blood to those two areas. concentrate on keeping those spots warmer and the feet will be just fine.

[Tulelicious]

Thanks for all the info on this subject, So after a few hunts I am realizing that sweating feet or (damp feet) is my problem for sure. I will be trying so different socks, making sure the waders are dry before each hunt and well see what happens.

What is a quick way to dry out your waders after a hunt. Other that sitting there with a hair dryer.

[billc_sbio]

I've suffered from "poor circulation" in my hands and feet all my life.

And being an avid Waterfowler, that's been a real problem for me too.

When I used to do a lot of SCUBA diving I discovered that IF I could keep the blood warm out TO my extremities (as my thick wetsuit did) it really reduced the problem with cold/numb hands to the point that I could often get away with not even having to wear wet suit gloves.

So that's the similar solution to keeping your hands/feet warm out in icy conditions. Good/warm long underwear!

Trouble is, with waders on things get "sweaty" having to make any long walks or exerting yourself once you get there.

I was going to mention the Anti-Perspirant but see that others have already mentioned that.

So, besides having really warm/well insulated/DRY boots, CARRYING out really warm clothes, but not putting them on until you cut down on your exertion is probably the best bet.

[loper]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

What is a quick way to dry out your waders after a hunt. Other that sitting there with a hair dryer.

Perhaps a boot dryer with extensions?

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

What is a quick way to dry out your waders after a hunt. Other that sitting there with a hair dryer.

Well I took one of the wifes old hairdryers that was toast and rewired it to run the fan only. Duct taped a PVC Y to it and taped on some old vacum cleaner hose on the Y. I hang the waders up in the garage, drop the hoses in down to the feet, and plug it in. (no switch now)

Seems to work ok, but wish I could have saved the low heat setting. But the switch was what was bad, so it had to go. Might be worth buying a new dryer just to get a working switch. But I have to admit I worry less about it running all night w/ fan only than I would with a heater running.

I have a Peet dryer w/ the boot extensions and it sucks for doing wet waders. Won't stay stood up and no way for the warm air to get out.

IMO, hanging them up and dropping hoses in them works better. Warm air rises and they would vent better.
My setup works ok for normal drying, but it won't dry them out overnight if they got a hole and filled w/ water.....which is almost always the case. Need low heat w/ both High & Low fan settings.

I have also wondered about taking the holes and putting them on a HVAC Vent.....you know those plastic defectors w/ magnets that hold them on. Pop it on a vent, stuff the hoses in the boots and let the house air dry them.
Hunt'nFish

Why is it that I know so much about drying boots???

[Headhunter]

Bryan,

I have a Peet Boot Dryer with wader extrensions. I also have a thing that attaches to the wall allowing me to hang my wader waders up and doesn't let them tip over the dryer. You can get the dryer for 35.00 and extensions for $7.00 at Cabela's. Worth every penny.

[Tvfowlhunter]

My peet boot dryer has work very well for many years.

[James in Idaho]

Newspaper sucks 'em dry quick. Like find that hole at the top of your hip boots and dry enough to wear the next day. And go invest in the Seal Skinz, they really do work.

[arkansasbasser]

Originally Posted by billc_sbio

I've suffered from "poor circulation" in my hands and feet all my life.

And being an avid Waterfowler, that's been a real problem for me too.

When I used to do a lot of SCUBA diving I discovered that IF I could keep the blood warm out TO my extremities (as my thick wetsuit did) it really reduced the problem with cold/numb hands to the point that I could often get away with not even having to wear wet suit gloves.

So that's the similar solution to keeping your hands/feet warm out in icy conditions. Good/warm long underwear!

Trouble is, with waders on things get "sweaty" having to make any long walks or exerting yourself once you get there.

I was going to mention the Anti-Perspirant but see that others have already mentioned that.

So, besides having really warm/well insulated/DRY boots, CARRYING out really warm clothes, but not putting them on until you cut down on your exertion is probably the best bet.

I hunted most of my life in Arkansas in the flooded timber and we always motored to the spot where we were hunting and got out and threw out decoys. The point I am making is that we didn't exert ourselves at all, and my feet still froze. When I found waders with felt liners, I was in toasto heaven. Likewise the 1600 gram waders. Like sitting in your living room with the heater going.