Cold Toe Syndrome

**Cold Butt Stephen** · 01-09-2011, 03:28

I went out on a short hike a couple days ago in Shenandoah (pictures to come). The temperatures got down to around 7 or eight degrees and I really wasn't prepared for it, but I had the biggest problem keeping my toes warm. My heels were fine on the pad and in my mummy bag, but my toes were not (yes, I had only a pad and a sleeping bag in 7 degrees).

What do y'all do to fix this?

**thekalimist** · 01-09-2011, 05:54

and you wonder where your namesake came from...

tighter pitch on the tarp, i dont know maybe an UQ????, down booties or atleast woolen socks.

wind is big, it will take the heat right out of whatever you put together if it can. That said ventilation is important. Seal up like a bomb shelter

**Shewie** · 01-09-2011, 07:14

Did you change into a dry pair of socks for bedtime ? I carry a pair of thick pile socks just for sleeping in.

**Peter_pan** · 01-09-2011, 07:59

Dry socks, qown sleeves over feet, thicker warmer TQ... All of the above, if needed...And warm up with exercise before you turn in

if using a gathered end hammock lower the foot end, if higher than necessary you are forcing blood to flow up hill... Can't do without the slide to the footend problem... Then consider a bridge hammock, level lay for better circulation.

Pan

**Cold Butt Stephen** · 01-09-2011, 10:54

Thanks for the tips all. I am too poor to buy down booties, though.

Originally Posted by Shewie

Did you change into a dry pair of socks for bedtime ? I carry a pair of thick pile socks just for sleeping in.

I did change socks. I think I had condensation issues and that may have had a lot to do with it. I can't tell if it was in my head or not, but I kept feeling like I was having issues with damp socks. I would rotate the two pairs I had with one pair on the ridgeline and one on my feet. I would move the pair off the ridgeline when I wanted to change them and warm them up in my mummy bag before putting them on.

**Tumbleweed** · 01-09-2011, 19:26

Love my Feathered Friends goosefeet. Can put up with some serious wet and cold during the day, but NEED to sleep at night. Warm toes initiate restful shutdown. Cost was a factor, till I figured out what was keeping me from getting out there Skip some meals during the week and have warm feet forever, & paid for in a month

**neo** · 01-12-2011, 08:03

Originally Posted by Shewie

Did you change into a dry pair of socks for bedtime ? I carry a pair of thick pile socks just for sleeping in.

i do the same thing,clean dry socks make all the difference in the world lol.
i carry a pair of socks that i use just for sleeping in.damp socks equal cold feet.

neo

**kayak karl** · 01-09-2011, 08:38

i lost 3 toe nails from cold from springer to fontana dam. i was told i could hike in trailrunners, gaiters and waterproof socks in January. they were wrong. (nobody from here). the only thing that helped was a hot water bottle in foot box. i would rub them, wiggle them to no avail. switched to boots in fontana. before getting in hammock i would stomp my feet and run on my toes. not getting into hammock with cold feet and other suggestions about socks should help. wish you the best.

**eagleJ** · 01-09-2011, 08:47

REI down booties are great. They seem to work best barefoot is what I've found.

**drewboy** · 01-09-2011, 09:19

Down booties were definitely the cure for me. Also good advice on changing into fresh, dry socks. Make sure they are loose fitting so they don't cut off circulation.