Hanks Clothing Newsletter and Blog

One of the biggest problems faced by people who work in the cold is keeping their feet warm. I’ll cover  6 things here that can make the most difference. Cold feet are one of the most common problems customers are trying to solve. Most of the time it’s a simple fix and such as using the correct sock, sizing the boot properly, or making sure the boot has the proper amount of insulation.  Just follow these simple tips for warm comfortable feet all day long…

1. Make sure your boots or shoes are big enough.
   If your shoes or boots are too tight then your feet are very likely to get cold much quicker. Insulated boots and socks work just like the insulation in your home. They keep the warm air in so you need a bit of space between your feet and the boots to allow that warm air to build up. Tight shoes = cold feet.
2. Stay away from cotton socks.
   Cotton socks hold moisture. Your feet will then become damp and cold from the moisture held in the socks. A pair of Merino wool or wool blend socks will wick moisture away from your feet keeping them dry and warmer.
3. Wear a wicking sock if you’re very active.
   If you’re active tend to sweat a bit even in cold weather then wear a wicking sock like Thermax or Polypropylene with a wool sock over it. This will transport even more moisture from your feet into the wool sock where it can dissipate keeping your feet dryer and warmer.
4. Don’t buy boots with to much insulation.
   Make sure you fit the amount of insulation in your boots to your activity level. If your boots are over insulated your feet will sweat and become cold from the moisture.
   • 400 – 600 Grams of Thinsulate: High activity level like hiking or shoveling snow.
   • 800-1000 Grams of Thinsulate: Medium activity like woodworking in the garage.
   • 1200 grams and above: Low activity like ice fishing or hunting from a tree stand.
5. Buy boots with a waterproof membrane.
   Make sure your boots have a waterproof membrane in them and not just waterproof leather. Most reputable stores can tell you this. If your boots leak and your feet get wet nothing you can do will keep your feet warm.
6. Buy a boot dryer.
   Buy yourself a quality boot dryer and place your boots on it every night. It shouldn’t cost any more than $40. A good boot dryer will dry your boots slowly from the inside out. Placing your boots next to a wood stove or other heat source dries them from the outside in and many times it drys out the leather while the inside is still damp. Starting each day with completely dry boots is a big plus. Even if your boots don’t get wet on the outside they absorb moisture from perspiration through out the day.

As you can see moisture is probably one of the main culprits of cold feet. You need to keep your feet dry as a first step and the rest is easy. Just follow the 6 steps above and you’ll have warm and dry feet from dawn till dusk!

Brian
Hanks Clothing

Tags: News // Add Comment »