2mo ago

Tips to keep feet warm?

The simple trick to keeping one's upper body warm is adding layers. However, wearing multiple socks does not work for the feet. At least not for me. Any advice? Preferably non-electric solutions.

Photo credit: Shashi Chaturvedula.

27 comments

Sometimes what causes your feet to get cold is that they were warm in the first place, so they sweated. Now you are walking around in damp cold socks. There are a couple things you can try to mitigate this:
Wool is warmer when wet than Cotton. Wool socks can come in a variety of cushion/warmth levels, so you can pick what works for you.
Sock liners are a thin sock to wear under your normal socks. They are usually made of synthetic fabrics that wick the sweat away from your feet to the outer sock so your feet don’t feel wet. They can also help with chafing and are usually used for outdoorsing or sports.
Wear breathable shoes as long as you aren’t walking somewhere too cold and wet. When your socks can dry out your feet will feel warmer
Wearing slippers alone can end up both sweaty and drafty. Wearing socks with your slippers can keep your ankles warm and reduce how drafty they feel, but the draftiness of the slipper can also help to keep your socks dry.
Take off your shoes or slippers periodically to let your socks dry out.
Feel free to change your socks whenever you want. There is no rule that says you have to wear the same pair all day.
This may also sound counterintuitive, but put on a sweater or vest. When your core is more exposed, your body will reduce circulation to your extremities to keep the heat in your core. If you insulate your core, your body will increase circulation to push the heat to your extremities to keep your core cool.
Lastly, get a good night’s rest. Thermoregulation is one of the things that will suffer for lack of sleep.
- Goddamn I love that this isn't written on Reddit.
  
  And it reads like chatGPT generated text.
  Wool socks are superior though.
  And you can always stuff hand warmers in the socks if you’re desperate for warmth. Just don’t burn your feet.

You say non-electric, but since battery tech has improved drastically over the last decade, battery powered warming socks are much more useful today.
Also, a major key to keeping feet warm are good socks (wool/synthetic mix are excellent), and shoes that are comfortably spacious with your thickest socks. Tight fit, even just snug, will make for cold feet.
- You say non-electric, but since battery tech has improved drastically over the last decade, battery powered warming socks are much more useful today.
  Yeah but I'm biased towards socks that Mossad cannot detonate from a distance.
  
  afaik battery socks don’t have radios. It’d be really fucking costly and really easy to spot if they snuck one in.
- +1 for only one pair of socks and spacious shoes/boots, I was told like OP noticed that sock layers don't work for feet and you should instead rely on having a layer of air as thermal insulation.
  Also, if you want a temporary source of heat there are small pouches that you can pop in hot water for a few minutes and that will stay hot for 5-10h, the ones I used were single use but I believe reusable ones exist. They rely on an exothermic reaction instead of batteries.

I use cotton socks with some Bombas wool slippers on top. Feet stay dry and warm.
Normal, layered socks don't work for me either, but that combo seems to do the trick.

Try compression socks as the innermost-layer, which are long enough to run up the calf. With these on, I use one more layer of regular cotton sock and generally feel pretty warm (compared to just thick wool socks, or multiple other layers).

Moving and alcohol both help to increase blood flow in the feet to keep them warm.
- To anyone about to leave on an excursion to Siberia: alcohol numbs the cold too, leading some to remove layers. However, the onset and effects of hypothermia and frostbite still apply. Don't get wasted while taking a hike.
  
  alcohol also acts as a vasodilator, you end up being numb to heat and losing it faster to boot.

We have some heat holders that work pretty well, if you want to start toasty we stand on the heater vent first

Fuzzy socks!! I have multiple pairs of thermal socks that are fuzzy on the inside. I love them so much. Highly recommend.

Honestly invest in good slippers. I got these before COVID and they are hands down one of the best investments ever. since I work from home I just wear them all day. Do they make me look like a geezer, yes. But my feet are cozy.

Indoors or outdoors?
- Indoors.
  But both if it doesn't take much of your time 🙃.
  
  Indoors: Ugg boots.

I like good quality wool socks. Smart wool is my favorite brand, but there are a lot of good ones out there. I use their hiking socks very frequently

Alpaca fur socks help.

I've lived in Snoozies in winter for years. Wearing a pair right now, actually. I'm not going to go outside in them, but for indoor use, they're less restrictive than socks or slippers, while being a nice way to raise the temp by several degrees.

Throw on some toe socks and have a hot bath.
- A bath is too excessive/extravagant to simply make the feet a little warmer.

in addition to what's been said, keeping yourself hydrated helps with circulating heat and you can always have a hot beverage to help yourself get hydrated and warm up! (try broth / lightly salted warm water; caffeinated or sugary beverages tend to have the opposite effect, although it might work for you!)

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