Resist Evil
Member
Glad to hear it!
Cold feet sitting on stand thermacell insoles?
- Thread starter V-fib
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I saw a documentary on the science channel once. They were experimenting with the human body under extremely cold conditions. They ended up making this suit that basically warmed the torso and in return the body regulated the extremities. It was based on circulation. It kind of lead me to believe that if the torso is properly warmed, the extremities would take care of themselves....just a thought..of course if your feet are in snow...that is a bit different.
Arkansas Paul
Member
A good pair of socks that wick away sweat are good too. I have a pair of Under Armour Cold Gear socks that are great. I didn't like paying $25 for one pair of socks, but they work. Those on, then a pair of thick wool socks over them and a pair of Browning 600 gram Thinsulate boots and I never have a problem with my feet getting cold.
The carpet pad trick is neat too. If I ever have a problem, I'll try that out. Prolly is pretty comfortable too.
The carpet pad trick is neat too. If I ever have a problem, I'll try that out. Prolly is pretty comfortable too.
yeah, I paid $25 for some cabelas wool socks thatl are worthless. So i'm kind of shy of paying that amount again. We have about 3/4" of snow here in west MI but it should be gone by this weekends rifle opener. The first 3 days of the season I usually spend 8+ hours a day afield so I should have plenty of time to evaluate some of the ideas posted here. funny though it's supposed to warm up to the 60's by the weekend, and hardly any of the standing corn is picked in neighboring fields. go figure
98Redline
Member
Regarding the warm torso "core" temperature thing. There are a couple of companies that manufacture a heated vest that you could wear under your parka to help keep your core warm. The trick is finding out how much heat you need to make sure your extremeties stay warm.
I also posted about those heater body suits back a page or so. I have a buddy that hunts out in Saskatchewan and swears by those things. He says that until he started using the heater suit, he damn near froze to death every time he went up there to hunt (i.e. too cold and stiff to be able to climb out of his stand)
I also posted about those heater body suits back a page or so. I have a buddy that hunts out in Saskatchewan and swears by those things. He says that until he started using the heater suit, he damn near froze to death every time he went up there to hunt (i.e. too cold and stiff to be able to climb out of his stand)
Officers'Wife
Member
As mentioned many times, nature blessed you with a system that keeps your vitals protected then rest of you. A good warm coat and knit "watch" hat under fur lined hat will go further to keep your feet and hands warm than all the gadgets in the world. In cattle country people swear by wool socks for working in the snow but they still maintain if your feet are cold put on a hat.
Well, i was hunting in the snow yesterday evening with temps in the low 30's. I added a pair of neoprene socks to the mix of liner sock and wool sock with the carpet pad insoles i made and wow! no issues with cold feet. I think is was the placement of the neoprene sock that made a difference. In the past it was liner sock, wool sock, neoprene sock and feet were ok but eventually got pretty cold. Last night I switched the order to liner sock , neoprene sock then wool sock and was amazed at the difference.
98redline and officers wife,
I always have been a warm hat guy and my hunting jacket is super warm. However, they do make a chemical warmer similar to hand/foot warmers only larger that you stick on your back over the kidneys. I have not tried them.
thanks again for all the good input
v-fib
98redline and officers wife,
I always have been a warm hat guy and my hunting jacket is super warm. However, they do make a chemical warmer similar to hand/foot warmers only larger that you stick on your back over the kidneys. I have not tried them.
thanks again for all the good input
v-fib
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
If as the belief has been stated that if you keep your torso or torso and head properly warm that your feet or hands and feet will be fine were true, then we would not need gloves or anything other than flip-flops.
Yes, it is important that your head and torso remain warm, but at the same time, your hands and feet also need appropriate protection. You don't see people who claim to be appropriately warm who are sitting for long periods of time in the stand with their boots and gloves off.
Yes, it is important that your head and torso remain warm, but at the same time, your hands and feet also need appropriate protection. You don't see people who claim to be appropriately warm who are sitting for long periods of time in the stand with their boots and gloves off.
References and links would help understand this better. My experience over the last 40 years of being outdoors in the winter hunting and in the Army Reserves training says otherwise to me. The circulatory system is biased to pump blood to the brain, and the neck is the most exposed area blood vessels pass thru. That bias is why the extremities shut down and we lose toes and fingers to freezing first.
I keep my feet warm by trapping heat with headovers and face masks. Having the soles of my feet insulated away from thick cold tread works better for me. I avoid heavy winter boots as much as possible now and wear light trail hikers with good socks. I'm sixty with diabetes and my feet are warmer now than when I chased the grail of heavy Arctic boots. I did have Matterhorns and the like, no thank you.
If you remember Moon boots, you remember they had very light molded soles but a thick insulated insole. They basically were copies of Inuit and Siberian native footgear done in modern materials. Unlike native designs, they were waterproof and vapor proof, so moisture built up inside them. I doubt they will be reinvented for hunting tho, there's little profit in it. Like magnum calibers, people buy what's extreme, not what works.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Where do we get these warm torso suits that negate the need for gloves and shoes?
It isn't just about being able to perform fine motor skills, but discomfort levels.
By the way, what documentary was this?
I am not sure, I tried to find it, but too vague. It was just one of those things I caught on TV. I know I don't sound like the most reliable source here. I won't say much more on the topic.
I will say that I wear shoes and gloves..although..I tend to wear the lightest weight gloves in favor of control over warmth.
I also wear decent hunting boots with 2 pairs of wool socks....and a warm beanie...I also like my insulated hood up to keep the neck warm.
But when it gets cold, I wear a base layer, a mid layer and an insulated outer layer. I go for the bibs because they give extra to the torso and don't let cold air up your back.
I also snowboard and have some hot chillies that are a heavy weight base layer. But usually they are too hot. It's all about layers as far as I am concerned. My feet and hands are rarely an issue. YMMV
I won't say much more on the topic. I will say that I wear shoes and gloves..although..I tend to wear the lightest weight gloves in favor of control over warmth.
I also wear decent hunting boots with 2 pairs of wool socks....and a warm beanie...I also like my insulated hood up to keep the neck warm.
But when it gets cold, I wear a base layer, a mid layer and an insulated outer layer. I go for the bibs because they give extra to the torso and don't let cold air up your back.
I also snowboard and have some hot chillies that are a heavy weight base layer. But usually they are too hot. It's all about layers as far as I am concerned. My feet and hands are rarely an issue. YMMV
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I would like to see that documentary too.
as stated before I have very warm hats/ face covers and hunting clothes. In fact one snow camo knit hat/facemask is so warm I can only use it if it's really cold otherwise I'm uncomfortable.
Another thing i bring up that i think makes a difference in choosing boots is size and width. I buy winter boots one size larger than my footsize and go with wide instead of medium width. that way you can layer your socks and they won't be packed tight which decreases circulation.
v-fib
as stated before I have very warm hats/ face covers and hunting clothes. In fact one snow camo knit hat/facemask is so warm I can only use it if it's really cold otherwise I'm uncomfortable.
Another thing i bring up that i think makes a difference in choosing boots is size and width. I buy winter boots one size larger than my footsize and go with wide instead of medium width. that way you can layer your socks and they won't be packed tight which decreases circulation.
v-fib
savanahsdad
Member
I gave up the wool socks years ago , and the 2 or 3 pairs of socks too, after I was told about Fox brand wick socks , you can get them at Fleet Farm for about $6 a pair they pull the moisture away from your feet keeping them dry , and I put 1/2" thick felt liners in the bottom of my Rocky Mountain boots , and if it gets under 10deg I'll slip on my boot blankets, and make sure your feet can breath , if your boot are to tight or you have to many tight socks on the blood cant flow ,
redneck2
Member
One thing for everyone to remember is that some guys (like our OP) have medical issues that change the equation. Referring to this in terms of blood flow.
When we ice fish, we take pieces of regular thick carpet to put our feet on. As noted previously, I suspect that it isn't the insulation around and on top of your feet that's as important as the cold that gets thru the soles of your feet.
I was gonna suggest something like you have come up with. I use thin sock liners, then heavier wool or polypro sox. As you get older, keeping feet warm is not easy.
When we ice fish, we take pieces of regular thick carpet to put our feet on. As noted previously, I suspect that it isn't the insulation around and on top of your feet that's as important as the cold that gets thru the soles of your feet.
I was gonna suggest something like you have come up with. I use thin sock liners, then heavier wool or polypro sox. As you get older, keeping feet warm is not easy.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Okay, so I don't see you putting a lot of stock into the notion that if your body/torso stays warm that you don't need gloves or boots either.
Being active and staying warm is quite a bit different than sitting in a stand quietly and trying to stay warm.
That's the problem with most outdoor clothing - it's designed for those who intend to keep moving. Sitting still for hours, even all day, you need a lot more. At that point we have to look at the bigger picture - it takes shelter, not a warm coat. You build an environment with an outer barrier wall that resists some of the temperature and conditions the part you are in.
Nobody mentions it, but it's one reason hunting blinds are becoming popular. You can raise the temperature in one by just being in there - respiration does the job. I've experienced the same result by using a net over my face, it doesn't pass air to some degree, and elevates the temp next to me. It doesn't take much.
Lots of ways to combat the cold, some require preparation. You either shelter up more, or expend some form of energy to remain warm. Sitting still is the hardest situation to overcome.
Nobody mentions it, but it's one reason hunting blinds are becoming popular. You can raise the temperature in one by just being in there - respiration does the job. I've experienced the same result by using a net over my face, it doesn't pass air to some degree, and elevates the temp next to me. It doesn't take much.
Lots of ways to combat the cold, some require preparation. You either shelter up more, or expend some form of energy to remain warm. Sitting still is the hardest situation to overcome.
Those cheap warming butt pads work great too. Anytime you have contact with the ground, that is where the cold will leach out of you. That is why the ice fishing comment earlier emphasized the insulation on the soles. As a backpacker, we tend to look at the R rating of our sleeping pads when considering what is needed. The air mattresses are comfortable, but will freeze you out if you sleep on cold ground. So sometimes the closed cell foam is better, though not as comfortable.
So all in all, I would just say that insulation between you and the ground and your core body temps should be the priority. Of course you should also cover and insulate your head and extremities.
So all in all, I would just say that insulation between you and the ground and your core body temps should be the priority. Of course you should also cover and insulate your head and extremities.
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