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jewells

By Jewells

Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom Gb

Hi there can anyone tell me how I can keep my toes toastie warm during the cold days ahead, I am still working outside as there is always lots to do and I am suffering with cold toes. I wear lots of socks, sturdy boots or wellies but the cold seems to creep in no matter what. I am willing to try anything it was especially bad today and took me at least an hour in the tub to defrost. Please help we still have a long way to go until spring and I haven't the time to sit in the bath all day :)




Answers

 

Well, first of all, do away with the wellies - they are the worst thing for keeping your feet warm! If warm feet are the number one priority then you should be looking at mountaineering type boots with two layers of socks, an inner thinsuslate one and a thicker outer one. These will cost you, but a slightly cheaper alternative might be 'duck' boots with the same sock system. All warm footwear works better if you are moving about all the time rather than working in one spot.
You can also try a 'workwear' store for the leather nwork boots worn by foresters, offshore workers etc.

26 Nov, 2010

 

I occasionally leave my boots in the porch and forget to bring them in and so by morning they are freezing. SO i just stick the hair dryer in them untill they are 'defrosted'. Steel toe cap boots i tend to wear this time of year, warmer than trainers, you can still move in them and they have a thick sole.

26 Nov, 2010

 

I agree nothing like Wellies to make your feet cold. Keep your boots in a place so they will be dry and not very cold when you put them on. When standing in places like green houses it helps if its on a bit of carpet.

26 Nov, 2010

 

I have invested in a pair of fur lined boots, they dont have to be expensive ones, coupled with thermal socks. I find that works a treat.......

26 Nov, 2010

 

Definitely stay away from wellies. Nothing is worse. Over here you can get insulated rubber boots but I don't know if they would be available over there.
Steel toed work boots are OK until it gets really cold (trust me on this one....I speak from long experience). Once the steel shank and toe caps are cold they can be almost as bad as Wellies. If you have to have your toes protected try to find some composite toed work boots...they're warmer. If not then some insulated hiking type boots will work. Try to go with leather which you can treat with some dubbin or other waterproofing. The nylon ones will just get wet and cold.
The two types of socks works well. The inner ones should be something that will wick any perspiration away from your foot to the outer layer of socks. Thinsulate works better as an outer sock. Wool is very good for the outer sock if you can find 100% wool ones.
Put on a warm hat!! You lose 85% of your body heat through your head as it is so vascular. If you put on a hat it will make your whole body warmer.
Over here you can buy toe warming pads. They get warm by chemical reaction and stay warm for a few hours. They stick onto your toes. I haven't tried them...they may be uncomfortable or may not be available in the UK.
My only other tip would be to take a couple of pairs of dry socks to work with you and change your socks when you have lunch break or tea break even if they aren't wet. Make sure you leave your dry pairs somewhere out of the cold.

26 Nov, 2010

 

This sounds odd but it works. Our Norwegian cousins do this... first take off your shoes and socks and plunge you feet into freezing cold water for ten seconds...then dry off your little tootsies thoroughly and put a warm socks and shoes...your feet will be cosy for hours and hours. Fact.
Benji

27 Nov, 2010

 

The alternative is to throw another log on the fire and spend the day 'catching up with paperwork'!

27 Nov, 2010

 

One thing that does work is to wear a pair of tights under
jeans and thermal socks and wear thick soled boots.We also swear by taking ginger every day and having hot toddy at night -works wonders!

27 Nov, 2010

 

All of the above but coupled with thermal long johns and vest, old fashioned maybe, but pratical. Also a hip flask filled with amber nectar to pop into your coffee at break time!!

27 Nov, 2010

 

I used to have the same problem, Don't wear too many socks and make your feet feel tight. I wear a pair of fur lined rigger boots, with memory insoles. and one pair of ordinary socks. I don't get cold feet very often now.
My friend swears by rubbing stuff similar to E45 on her feet every morning, keeps her feet soft, and somehow insulated, I personally can't be doing with all that cream.

27 Nov, 2010

 

I'm with Grandmage, a swig of the amber nectar works for me. It makes my feet glow !!

27 Nov, 2010

 

Buy yourself some thermal insoles, the more expensive ones with a foil backing one side - cut and fit in your boots, stops the cold coming up through the soles.
The solution I found was to sacrifice a pair of ordinary winter boots - 7 inches up the calf, zip, fleece lined, thick soled - unfortunately, they're suedy type material, so they get very mucky and no good in pouring rain, but my feet are never cold in those (with thermal socks on as well). I only ever wear them for gardening when its freezing cold, not when its raining.

27 Nov, 2010

 

Hey Bamboo, you can buy a spray from all good shoe shops which waterproofs your suede/buckskin boots. I always spray my suede boots & bags of same material, it's really good stuff and only takes a while to dry, then boots are ready for the season.

27 Nov, 2010

 

I've tried the Sealskinz (I think that's how it's spelt) socks, which are waterproof. They're pretty good, but nothing beats wool and good sturdy boots. Neoprene lined wellies are good too, IF you have to wear them, but not cheap. Worthy

27 Nov, 2010

 

I'm not sure anyone's mentioned the magic word WOOL yet, but it's the answer for me. Nothing synthetic or cotton is ever going to do the same job. If you don't like it right next to your skin, wear comfier socks inside thick 100% wool ones (try hiking shops etc or knitting relatives)
Disagree about wellies completely, they're fine if you follow the woolly advice. 2 pairs of wool if necessary!

27 Nov, 2010

 

Thankyou all. What a thrill to get so many helpful tips and hints, I have hiking boots also and always wear a woolly hat, not flattering but lovely and warm thanks again :)

28 Nov, 2010

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