Troppo 0 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Hi everyone. Ive been skiing for a while now but I still struggle with the age old problem, my toes especially are in excruciating pain from he cold! Hands as well. Niseko last year was a struggle. We are back to Niseko after Christmas but I really don't feel like going through all the pain again. So, whats the answer? Ive tried thee activated charcoal pads. They seem to make your feet sweat, socks get wet and you know where that ends up! More socks dont help at all. What about heated socks? I havent tried them at all. My daughter is keen to give them a go. I'm looking to any and all input into this old problem. What are you guys doing to stop the freeze? Link to post Share on other sites
jacko 3 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I've found the following always works for me (unless its -25c!). A good quality thin wool ski sock. (currently using a pair of smartwool ski socks that don't bunch up) I my put socks on just before boots go on so socks are 100% dry and at least semi warm (ie. I haven't walked around lodge/apartment in them all morning with them getting sweating or damp) Well fitted boots with footbeds so I don't have to clamp the boots shut like a spaceship airlock. I have noticed a few Japanese using what looks like a wetsuit for ski boots (goes across the front and top of their boots to keep the snow (and cold?) out) but I don't know how effective these are. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Cold feel really bugs me. Never really sorted that out to my complete satisfaction. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Good ski socks with good boots will keep your feet warm. How old are your boots? Maybe time to look for a new pair, wear your ski socks and get them fitted by an expert. Might cost a little bit extra, but would make life so much better. As for hands, I've found that mittens keep my hands warmer than gloves, try getting a size bigger so you can wear a pair of gloves inside the mittens. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 What Jacko said re socks, and Onehunga said re mittens (I have the 3-finger type). Also, keep your boots warm until you put them on, and make sure they completely dry out overnight. I've never tried the boot-glove things, but see mixed reports on how effective they are. Finally, think about getting boot warmers, which work by adding a thin heating pad underfoot powered by a small battery pack that attaches to the outside of your boot. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Does this affect boarders as much as skiers? I can't think to ever having cold feet....is it to do with ski boots being too tight and cutting circulation off ?! Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 That can be the case with badly fitted ski boots, certainly. But I think in general ski boots and inners are simply thinner than snowboard boots, so they don't keep the heat in as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Space Indaver 1 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Does this affect boarders as much as skiers? I can't think to ever having cold feet....is it to do with ski boots being too tight and cutting circulation off ?! Yeah I can't remember my feet ever being cold whilst snowboarding. I've never skied though. Do you use the muscles in your feet less? Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Ski boots are bloody horrible to wear, especially if they don't fit properly. If you have a badly fitting boot it would be very easy to cut off the circulation. My boots fit well, but if I over tighten them just a fraction, my foot, ankle and leg hurt, and the circulation to the toes gets compromised big time. Link to post Share on other sites
veronica 2 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Ski boots were one big reason I changed to boarding. Link to post Share on other sites
Troppo 0 Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 Thanks for all the good info guys! Ive been looking at the boot covers which I might try out. Also getting a better insole for my boots. Ive always been told to wear my boots fairly tight. Might back them off a bit sounds like it wouldn't hurt! Boot warmers.hmmmm Have to look into that. Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 warmth comes from the stationary air trapped by clothing or whatever that works to insulate your hands and feet. but obviously you need some circulation to warm that air up. so for both reasons you need to make sure your gloves and boots arent too tight, or you will just squeeze all the air & blood away. instinct tells you to make your boots real tight around your toes for better control, but all it does is make your feet cold. i also unclip one or two of my boot buckles for better blood flow on long lift rides. makes a big difference when you intend on skiing for many hours. you might also experiement using or not using those feet rests on chairlifts. I sometimes find that having no pressure on the sole of your feet can increase circulation in the right areas. i dont personally know anyone who has used those boot covers, but in talking to people on lifts (especially the elderly) they reckon theyre awesome. i know lots of people that swear by those electric boot warmers tho. you need to cut into your boot liner to fit them, scary sounding!, but its well worth it in the end im told (ive never had cold enough feet to try... yet). but, the opposite can also happen, and make things even colder. your hands and feet get hot and sweat. later on the sweat cools and freezes as it evaporates, and you get even colder than before. its almost like having an airconditioner. i wonder if it also has something to do with salt water having a lower freezing point too. i sometimes have this problem instead, so actually need to keep my feet cool during a hike or whatever. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I reckon heated socks would be the go Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 How about some details on the boots.... Thin, dedicated ski socks .... as thin as possible. It's counter intuitive actually. These aren't cheap but they are essential. After each run before you even get back in the lift line loosen off the boots while the blood is still pumping. Leave them unbuckled until you are ready to cruise after exiting the lift....wiggling your toes the entire time on the lift. Take a coffee break every couple hours and take your boots off. I keep a pair of slip on neoprene socks in my pack to walk around in during a break. Link to post Share on other sites
Japanophile 0 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Hi, I' m an Aussie who feels the cold, but I have hardly ever been cold in Hokkaido after 5 trips. I generally agree with all the other advice, but I do think that the advice given to travellers to Japan re ski gear from Austra,ia is generally a bit inadequate and under- estimates the cold. Yes, you should make sure your boots are not too tight. I generally wear thick old fashioned woollen ski socks. (Last year I rescued an Aussie girl from the cold at Furano ( we're talking about - 13 here) . She was complaining of pain in her feet and was wearing cotton ankle socks in her ski boots, which of course were also wet.) You also need to keep your core warm. For this I wear thermal top and bottom, a synthetic type ski shirt/ skivvy, a thick fleece or merino wool layer and a good quality parka with neck warmer/ balaclava ( I favour silk that I can wear under a helmet, and of course good quality gloves and inner gloves ( or mittens as others have suggested. You should try to avoid standing on the snow for too long without your skis on and limit the amount of time on lifts. I generally have found that if you ride 3 lits in a row you without much skiing in between you will need to go inside to warm up . Certainly if you start to feel cold, and you will notice this first in your extremities then you need to go inside, have a hot drink and warm up. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 good stuff. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The chill gets you on the lifts. I would suggest a hooded at least; it makes the world of a difference. Good luck. And if you run out of luck, god bless. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Well if you only wear regular socks you've no business being above the Tropic of Cancer Link to post Share on other sites
Dunga 1 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Quality socks are a must. Boots and socks are the two most important things you can't skimp on. Get some liners for your gloves/mittens. Link to post Share on other sites
nagoid 4 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 What are the best kind of socks? Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Thinnest ``smartwool'' type you can find. Thick socks do nothing to keep you warmer, they just make your boot fit worse. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 DiGriz is right on. I use Descente 3D Sox Plus Long... They are expensive and a bitch to get on and off... but great feel in the boot. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Is this specific only for ski boots then? I use cheap ass thick socks that I buy from any supa/depato and double up with a pair of my regular thin socks. Is it actually worth splashing out on the "specialist" socks? Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Definitely is tubby, though perhaps slightly less critical for snowboarders. Link to post Share on other sites
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