Frozen Feet...Help!

SHOUGALNITE · 12-30-2003, 12:03 PM

There is no way to keep your feet warm. However, you can keep them at a nice cool by wearing heavy duty wool socks and limit your wading from deeper water. The deeper you go in the more pressure is on your feet and less circulation. Also maybe your boots are to small or your waders ar to tight on your feet. I know they sell electric socks at G.I. Joes that run on a 9v battery I belive. Maybe give them a try if you cant stand toe cold.

OceanBlue · 12-30-2003, 12:12 PM

Check out the thermal socks at USIA.com
Capt Kujo has a great line of extreme weather garments.

greenbuttskunk · 12-30-2003, 12:20 PM

I've spent many winters fishing for steelhead in the NE winters, some seriously cold weather. For me, the best solution was a boot foot wader. bought about 1 size bigger in the foot, you can put a few pairs of socks or a neoprene sock insert and your circulation will remain in the foot, thus keeping you warm. A problem with most stocking foots in neoprene is they restrict blood flow in feet. Unless you have ample room which most folks don't. I have stocking foot neoprenes for most other conditions, then the breathables for summer. If you can afford another pair of waders, I'd go ths route. Feet will be dry, warm, and comfortable.
GBS

Corkie Monster · 12-30-2003, 12:36 PM

I use 5 mm waders and use a thin "Hot Chilles" Sock with a Fleece sock over the top of it. My feet will stay perfect for about 2 hrs. Also make sure there is room in your booties/boots. A tight fit is not good! Good luck.

CM

AnnaDraMoss · 12-30-2003, 12:57 PM

Try a polypropelene sock liner with wool over that. Works good for me.

SciGuy · 12-30-2003, 01:30 PM

Greenbuttskunk made a good point. If you restrict blood flow by wearing too many socks (or lacing your boots up too tight) your feet will get cold. I now wear just 1 pair of a polyproplyene/wool blend and have found that my feet stay (relatively) warm.

cully · 12-30-2003, 01:40 PM

I've used wigwam wool, smartwool (hiking version)and patagonia socks. Wigwam (around 6-8bucks) are not knited with a tight enough weave, smartwool are very good and great for wash and dry because they can be put in both washer and dryer without shrinking. I got them at GiJoes. But for warmth, loft and comfort I'd go with patagonia. They are my go to sock for fishing/ wading. They have drawbacks , price (around 18 bucks) and they need to be washed in cold water and line dryed. A hassle to be sure but if you plan it out well enough you will have already set yourself up ahead of time. My first pair lasted almost 3 years. I only used them for fishing. My second pair I just got for the holiday. I've worn them almost every day since.

freespool · 12-30-2003, 02:08 PM

Uspolymer I had the exact same problem 22yrs ago. Then I bought a drift boat from Willie,feet have been warm ever since.

salmon hugger

[ 12-30-2003, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: freespool ]

willierower · 12-30-2003, 02:09 PM

There are a couple things you can do to help keep you feet warm. Wear larger wading boots and only one pair of woll socks. If your feet are too constricted they will get cold really fast. If you dont want to plunk down the cash for larger boots, dont lace them as tight. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely when you have on all your stuff. If you cant your feet will get cold.

Since I went to USIA waders with latex booties and bigger boots my feet dont get cold at all.

RogueFishr · 12-30-2003, 03:33 PM

3 words: Battery Powered Socks
Sure my friends laugh hysterically when I am putting them on and geting the batteries in them, but, they work great. I can stay in the water longer than any of them, without my feet getting cold and numb. They have a heating strip that runs down the top/side of my foot and across my toes. They use a D battery and last about 5-6 hours of continuous use.

RF

Angler of Repose · 12-30-2003, 03:38 PM

CM
I second your idea.
5mm waders with wools socks. I call them my Sandy River waders. They also help to keep about 2/3rds of your body warm.

Fshklr · 12-30-2003, 08:12 PM

go to G.I.Joes etc and get the snall disposable hand warmers. place 1 of each in bottom of boot and then put on your HEAVY socks so warmer is betwwen boot and sock...toasty warm!!!!! I use plain old rubber waders and stand in the water for hrs at a time and before the warmers it was miserable...the warmers are sold in 2 packs for about 1.00 I bought a 6 pack yesterday for 1.37

Rakkasan · 12-30-2003, 08:44 PM

As mentioned the key is not wearing a tight boot. Cerculation is key.

kayakfisher · 12-30-2003, 08:50 PM

It is also key to keep every other part of you covered and insulated from the cold...Your hands and feet circulation will be reduced if you are getting cold elsewhere...if you are warm elsewhere your body will spread the warm blood more generously to your feet.

M.

Plum Crazy · 12-30-2003, 09:02 PM

Thanks Fshklr,
Just was going to ask about hand warmers.
I always have them around and in the boat but never seem to use them for my hands. Sounds good.
Fire

SSPey · 12-30-2003, 10:21 PM

been there, done that. I fished for years in sub freezing conditions in upstate NY. That's hardcore. Thick ice lining the river banks, ice stuck in your beard, in your guides, pain then frostbite in the fingers, and water right at freezing temperatures for months on end.

Spend $100 bucks, get insulated bootfoot waders, and get on with life. Even 3 mm with bootfoots will kick the cold out of any 5 mm stockingfoots. There simply is no substitute.

uspolymer · 12-30-2003, 11:51 PM

How do you keep your feet warm while wading? I put on several socks but my feet goes numb within 30 minutes. I have a Hodgeman neoprene waders.

BTW, visited Eagle Creek this morning (very briefly). Water was high and the visibility wasn't good. Caught nothing but "rock fish."

Keep warm & Tight lines!

Alan

greenbuttskunk · 12-31-2003, 06:52 AM

floatnfish,
We're on the same page brother. Sounds like we fished the same waters in upstate NY, and yes, the bootfoot was my best friend for sure.
GBS

fishuntr2 · 12-31-2003, 07:09 AM

For christmas my wife got me warmers made to go in your boots. Just like the hand warmers but cut differennt, they have a toe shape and go in the front of the boot. She had to order them, thru Joes I think.

KChookem · 12-31-2003, 07:53 AM

Try putting a hand/body lotion on your feet, then sock liners, then your quality wool-blend socks.

For those of us who prefer hip boots, or knee boots, the "world's foremost outfitter" sells both that have a heavy dose of Thinsulate. I find both work well, and better than everything else I've tried (battery socks, neoprene booties, etc.)

uspolymer · 12-31-2003, 08:49 AM

Wow...thanks all for your suggestions and advices! I'll be visiting G.I. Joe's later today. Oh by the way, Jennie was giving away a Foot Warmer. I tell ya...there must be lots of guys who "camp" on this site. Boy...they were fast to respond.

Well it's almost 2004!
Good bye 2003 and thanks for the memories!!!

Happy New Year and Tight Lines!

Alan

moman · 12-31-2003, 09:18 AM

In addition to good loose footwear, I try to stay away from anything that constricts the blood vessels, like coffee and alcohol (both of which I really enjoy), when its really cold. Hot herbal tea, spicy foods, and an aspirin go a long way to improving circulation in the short term.

GutZ · 12-31-2003, 09:25 AM

My breathables were leaking a bit around the seems with the bootie. A friend suggested Hodgman Neoprene Socks. Solved the problem , no more cold feet!

foxer · 12-31-2003, 10:09 AM

Battery powered socks and wear a good hat.

FishingNewbie · 12-31-2003, 05:04 PM

i vote with the battery powered sock people. i got a pair for christmas (from my hubby who was tired of "my feet are cold"), and they work so well, HE borrowed them!!!