Cold Feet Tip | Quest Baits Blog

Cold Feet Tip

December 3, 2010 shaun 10 comments

This freezing winter weather looks set for some time and I for one being a total angling addict have to still get out on the bank to get my fix.

These past couple of weeks the weather has really closed in and now I find myself adding those extra bits of essential kit to the carryall to make the time on the bank a pleasure rather than an ordeal. One thing I have done for years now and yet another thing I never see others doing is carry a spare pair of socks.

Okay – yes they are there in an emergency should I get a boot full etc but the main reason is to allow me to change socks half way through the day.

I’m one of the unfortunate ones with poor circulation and really suffer with cold feet so I have to do everything I can to keep comfortable. I have used all sorts over the years including most of the better known ‘moon boots’ but always used to end up with cold feet by the end of the day. That is until I was given the tip of carrying spare socks and actually changing into fresh socks part way through the day. Such a simple thing to do but so very effective in keeping you warmer.

Believe me – if you suffer from cold feet then changing into fresh socks part way through the day really will help. Try sitting on the spare pair to warm them up before putting them on or stuff them inside your jacket for a while – lovely toasty warm socks!

Whilst on the subject of cold feet and having personally gone down most routes imaginable in terms of different footwear I find that a good pair of leather walking boots with enough room for use with thick socks to be the most effective for keeping my feet warm. The modern Cordura types aren’t as warm as leather outers due to the Cordura soaking a little damp in and then freezing in real cold conditions. Leather doesn’t do this. My current pair are leather outers with Goretex and Thinsulate inners which keep my feet both warm and dry and are much safer to walk in than many of the modern ‘fishing boots’.

Best fishes Shaun

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Written by Ron Key about 1 year ago.

Great advice Shaun I always have a complete set of emergency clothes in the car.

I gave up on the moon boot type of footwear years ago, most of them were uncomfortable and almost impossible to walk in safely on icy and muddy banks, a bit like going fishing in cuban heel boots.

I’m a hiking boot convert, my current boots are a pair of Brashers in suede leather and Goretex. Extremely light comfortable and more importantly warm and dry. I’ve just completed a weeks chub and barbel fishing on the Wye where the daytime temperatures rarely got above freezing and didn’t suffer at all. My preference for socks are Coolmax hiking socks which actually come in different weights for varying use and conditions. They have quite a thick pile which does compress with wear through the day, so your advice on changing socks regularly to maintain the insulation is very sound

Cheers Ron
Written by shaun about 1 year ago.

It doesn’t get much colder than the weather we both experienced last year in Texas Ron and we both coped with walking type boots. I’m using Rocky Boots at the moment for my winter fishing.
Written by Gareth about 1 year ago.

I’ve learned a lot about cold weather dressing off Shaun… you’ll remember Shaun, me freezing my wotsits off dressed in jeans, jacket and sweat shirt during a winter video shoot. Well I’ve learned my lesson and not only do I now wear modern hi-tech clothing, but I also have invest’d in a pair of ‘Le Chameau’ boots. They are suede and cordura, gortex lined, warm and waterproof. I couple this with a pair of good hiking socks and I’ve not had cold feet like I did in in DM’s during a winter outdoors shoot…
Cheets for this info Sahun, makes a big difference to outdoor comfort in Winter
regards
Gareth
Written by Shaun about 1 year ago.

‘The Camel’ do some excellent gear. I have a pair of their leather lined zip up wellies. Always hated wearing wellies as they always made my feet cold and uncomfortable yet since having the Chameau’s I find I can wear them all day no problem – even in the summer. Ridiculous money but another item I would replace without hesitation should something happen to them.
I’ve some of their Hiking boots too which I tend to wear in the autumn sort of time. Used to use them in the winter then got hold of the Rocky boots which have a real thick Thinsulate liner. Too warm for summer but brilliant now. They will be on tomorrow when I go out and try and find some ice free water. One of the local rivers has started to freeze now!
I don’t think you realised how much of a difference it would make to warmth when I used to get onto you about your chosen wear. Good to hear you enjoying the benefits now. Cotton is one of the worst things you can choose to wear if you want to stay warm.
Written by Gareth about 1 year ago.

Yes you’re right, I was totally unaware that my clothing was totally unadapted to the conditions… well now,I know. I’ve spoken to Ron Key also and so far havegot a good idea of a good base layer T shirt, a micro fleece, and a fleece, with a Goretex shell on top… that and a pair of Craghoopers liined solardry trousers and I’m weel warm… coupled with the afore mentioned footwear..
I agree Le Chameau is usually well expensive, but I found a pair in a sale..only pair left 11.5… I was looking for an other make, but these are excellent, fitted so I bought them.. lucky to have big feet!!
Cheers
Gareth
Written by Romuald Bayon about 1 year ago.

En cette fin d’année, je crois que l’on peut dire que le froid nous a surpris et qu’il est bien plus précoce que les années auparavant. De ce fait , il est clair que l’équipememt est ultra important si on ne veut pas grelotter au bord de l’eau. Quoi de plus désagréable de claquer des dents et d’être gelée de la tête au pied. Je me souviens à mes débuts être vêtu que de chaussettes blanches et d’un pauvre manteau, c’était il y a quelques années et je ne veut plus revrivre cela. Lorsque l’on décide de pêcher l’hiver, il me parait essentiel de porter des vêtements de très haut de gamme pour passer de bonnes journée sur les rives des plans d’eau. Ce n’est pas le choix qui manque aujourd’hui et de nombreuses sociétés proposent de quoi faire frond à un hiver qui pour l’instant demarre plutôt fort.
Written by Shaun about 1 year ago.

Written by Romuald Bayon – 1 day ago.

In this end of the year, I believe that one can say that the cold has surprised us and that it has come much earlier than the years before. So it is clear that the équipememt is ultra important if one does not want to suffer at the edge of water. What could be more unpleasant of clatter of the teeth and to be cold from head to foot?
I remember at my beginnings being vêtu that white socks and of a poor coat, it was a few years ago and I do not want any more memories of that.
When one decides to fish the winter, it appears essential to me to wear clothing of very top-of-the-range to spend good day on banks of the water levels. In fact the choice is massive today and of many companies produce excellent gear to make fun of the winter which for the moment starts rather extremely early.
Romu
Written by Elie G about 1 year ago.

Hi all, interesting discussion. I’ve a lot of trial and error under my feet on this subject so I thought I’d share my findings with you.

Just like you Shaun I have tried all sorts over the years as I suffer from cold feet and it drives me mad and can ruin a day out. A lot of the gear we have sold to us as anglers is not that great. The trouble we (carp) anglers have is that we do something few others do. We walk and hence get warm, then we stop and stay still, sometimes for quite a long time. Most coldweather footwear is designed for active outdoor use. We walk and get sweaty, particularly in moon boot type gear, which are often not breathable. We stop, then get really cold as the sweat cools right down. The rest of our clothing is brilliant these days with wicking base layers, intermediate layers and breathable outer shells. There’s no excuse to be cold anymore. But what about our feet?

In the last couple of years I’ve tried all sorts. The Le Chameau leather lined wellington boots are fantastic – I live and walk in mine all through the warmer weather but they are not good enough when the weather gets colder. I then found out Le Chameau do a neoprene lined version in different thicknesses. I went for the ‘extreme’ version, ‘Vierzenord’ I think they are called, with 5mm of neoprene lining. These are very very good but have two drawbacks: they are a bit rubbery and less supportive than the leather lined ones, so not brilliant for walking distances. Unlike the leather lined ones, they don’t absorb and wick away the sweat so if you are stationary for a long time after walking they are good; just not top notch.

Then I discovered Baffin boots! A canadian company that have a great range of boots for extreme conditions. Check them out on the website. I now am the delighted owner of a pair of their ‘outback’ boots. These are rated to -40 degrees centigrade! They are oh so warm, breathable and very comfortable to walk distances in being a leather lace up boot rather than a welly, and they are totally waterproof. They also have a special sock type liner that can be removed and dried – you could get a second set of liners but I haven’t found the need. Some tackle shops sell them but shop around on line. Some of their extreme range boots are very very expensive. The ones I bought cost me £130, so the cost of high end walking boots. Silly money I know but a case of getting what you pay for. I have been wearing them in this recent cold weather and have very happy feet. Worth every penny.

Elie
Written by Shaun about 1 year ago.

Thanks for that Elie, I have heard brilliant reports about the Baffin Boots from lots of people and wouldn’t hesitate to try them myself. The Rocky boots I’m using have been great but once they need replacing possibly Baffin for me although I will take a good look at what else is out there. If they can keep warm in the real cold countries then it really shouldn’t be a problem to keep warm here – regardless of what the weather is like at the moment – minus 12 on top of the hill this morning!
Written by Rodrick Saldvir about 1 year ago.

Can I just say what a relief to find someone who definitely knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You astonishingly know how to bring an issue to light and make it distinguished. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

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