Help me keep my feet warm

**FLRider** · 10-30-2011, 11:52

Down to about forty F or so, I have yet to have a problem.

On the ground, though, I've been down into the twenties without a pad under me and that requires socks. I find that big, thick, loose wool socks work the best for me. I tend to be a very hot sleeper and sometimes sweat into my insulation, so the woolen socks are a go-to for me. They retain quite a bit of insulation regardless of damp conditions.

Just my own experience.

**Bic** · 10-30-2011, 13:41

This thread got me thinking.... and I like the idea of down booties/socks but the ones I've seen are $50 and while it's not a lot of money it all ads up! I realized I had a bunch of that reflective insulation left over from making pot cozies and I decided to see about making booties from that stuff. Here is the end result of about 20 mins of tinkering. I originally used reflective foil tape but it rips way to easily! so I swapped that out for some gorilla tape and I think they are holding up nicely now. my main concern is moisture build up over night.... but time will tell I guess.

**nothermark** · 10-30-2011, 13:47

Originally Posted by hikingdad

This thread got me thinking.... and I like the idea of down booties/socks but the ones I've seen are $50 and while it's not a lot of money it all ads up! I realized I had a bunch of that reflective insulation left over from making pot cozies and I decided to see about making booties from that stuff. Here is the end result of about 20 mins of tinkering. I originally used reflective foil tape but it rips way to easily! so I swapped that out for some gorilla tape and I think they are holding up nicely now. my main concern is moisture build up over night.... but time will tell I guess.

I'd have a moisture problem sleeping in them but they look great for those short excursions in the night. ;-)

**SoCal Mike** · 10-30-2011, 15:05

Originally Posted by hikingdad

This thread got me thinking.... and I like the idea of down booties/socks but the ones I've seen are $50 and while it's not a lot of money it all ads up! I realized I had a bunch of that reflective insulation left over from making pot cozies and I decided to see about making booties from that stuff. Here is the end result of about 20 mins of tinkering. I originally used reflective foil tape but it rips way to easily! so I swapped that out for some gorilla tape and I think they are holding up nicely now. my main concern is moisture build up over night.... but time will tell I guess.

Nice! Looks like something developed by NASA.

SoCal Mike

**HappyHiker** · 11-03-2011, 01:06

Originally Posted by SoCal Mike

Has anyone tried inflatable pads (e.g. inflatable sit pad) under their feet and compare that to a CCF pad and found the inflatable warmer? I wasn’t sure if the sit pads had much of an R value, compared to a sleeping pad, but my theory is that some of the inflatable sit pads may offer more warmth if they are built similar to a sleeping pad (for example, some inflatable sleep pads have a lining to add wramth).

I’d love to hear from those of you who can compare using an inflatable v. CCF pad for the feet.

I have used both - an inflatable sit pad, and a piece of CCF. Personally I think they offer about the same insulation value once the inflatable has been deflated a bit. The CCF pad seems a bit easier to use as it conforms to odd shapes better and seems to slide around less either inside my SB or simply under it.

**Triptease** · 11-03-2011, 02:41

Originally Posted by Joey

1. Not wearing the same socks I've been hiking in. A good change into dry, sleep only socks is a must in cold weather.

2. Fleece socks are my favorite for temps from 50F down to 30F.

3. Below 30F I add down booties (flamethrower gear from arrowhead equip.)

4. Always make sure my feet are dry before putting in what ever sleep footwear.

5. If it's been a long hike day, I give a little foot massage to open the capillaries and get the blood flowing.

Take a look through Raul Perez blog. You'll find it in his signature on his posts here. He's got some great cold weather/winter hiking tips!

+1. I use Acorn fleece socks for sleeping only. I've tried the possumdown socks but found that my $5 Acorns actually felt warmer. They are nice and snug on my feet, but not restricting.

Check TJMaxx, Ross and Marshalls. About this time of year they begin to carry them and are around $5-6 a pair.

**L.D. Cakes** · 11-03-2011, 05:42

Originally Posted by Triptease

+1. I use Acorn fleece socks for sleeping only. I've tried the possumdown socks but found that my $5 Acorns actually felt warmer. They are nice and snug on my feet, but not restricting.

Check TJMaxx, Ross and Marshalls. About this time of year they begin to carry them and are around $5-6 a pair.

I'LL SECOND THAT!

**scottpash** · 11-03-2011, 06:14

I guess I am pretty lucky being a Hot Sleeper I rarely get cold and my feet stay pretty warm also I have slept in my hammock a few times now with lows of 40* in just my mummy bag with out a UQ(need to decide to buy ) and did not get cold and 1 night I had to actually open and vent the bag.

What I have always learned was that the warmer you keep your core the more heat will transfer to your extremities in cold weather wear a hat and definately wash and dry your feet before you put on a nice dry pair of socks.

**Diab** · 11-03-2011, 07:58

I wear clean dry fleece socks to bed and toss a piece of reflectix under my feet. I used to have extremely cold feet at night, but now they stay nice and warm.

**SoCal Mike** · 11-03-2011, 08:20

Originally Posted by Triptease

+1. I use Acorn fleece socks for sleeping only. I've tried the possumdown socks but found that my $5 Acorns actually felt warmer. They are nice and snug on my feet, but not restricting.

Check TJMaxx, Ross and Marshalls. About this time of year they begin to carry them and are around $5-6 a pair.

Thanks for that tip! Hadn't thought about TJ Maxx for camping gear.

SoCal Mike