flippa_t
Well-Known Member
And do you recommend thicker boots or thicker socks (or both) - dreading the winter especially now the chillblains have arrived and really need find a solution.
Chillblains already - winter boot recommendations please...
- Thread starter flippa_t
- Start date
kerilli
Well-Known Member
ariat grasmeres, the first boots ever to keep my tootsies warm.
also, a really really good bodywarmer (berghaus, north face, that sort of make).
i had to have this explained to me - if your core is really toasty warm (i.e. feels a bit too hot at times) then your body won't draw the blood back from your extremities... so, no chillblains. haven't had any since i sorted out a proper layering system and a topclass bodywarmer. the secret isn't thermal socks etc, it's a warm-enough core.
with the right bodywarmer, and grasmeres, i can get away with normal socks unless it is about -5 or less, then i switch to ski socks.
also, a really really good bodywarmer (berghaus, north face, that sort of make).
i had to have this explained to me - if your core is really toasty warm (i.e. feels a bit too hot at times) then your body won't draw the blood back from your extremities... so, no chillblains. haven't had any since i sorted out a proper layering system and a topclass bodywarmer. the secret isn't thermal socks etc, it's a warm-enough core.
with the right bodywarmer, and grasmeres, i can get away with normal socks unless it is about -5 or less, then i switch to ski socks.
*hic*
village idiot :D
echo kerilli, Grasmeres or Glaciers (same thing but less suede). If you get really really cold feet then buy a size larger and get fleece welly socks as well. Don't be tempted to shove thick socks into tight boots.
Also second the bodywarmer, and a hat. I find down to be the absolute best. I don't get chilblains however, I just lose body temperature and can't get it back.
Also second the bodywarmer, and a hat. I find down to be the absolute best. I don't get chilblains however, I just lose body temperature and can't get it back.
smurf
Well-Known Member
And if you do get chillblaines - as I always do, Snowfire is fabby stuff, but buy it now as if you wait til the very cold weather hits it's like hens teeth to find.
sbloom
Well-Known Member
I have Mountain Rider Rimfrost tall boots for riding, but I REALLY feel the cold and alos have 400g thinsulate lined snow boots from LandsEnd (US rather than UK where they don't think we need them, well I do!)
flippa_t
Well-Known Member
Thanks Smurf - hadn't heard of Snowfire but just googled it and will definately get some!
Good tips about keeping the core warm, that does definately help. My problem is I have Raynauds so the blood goes from my hands and feet when they get just a little cold and there isnt a lot I can do to stop it apart from trying to keep them as warm as poss (easier said than done with winters like the last few and horses).
Good tips about keeping the core warm, that does definately help. My problem is I have Raynauds so the blood goes from my hands and feet when they get just a little cold and there isnt a lot I can do to stop it apart from trying to keep them as warm as poss (easier said than done with winters like the last few and horses).
djedgley
Well-Known Member
I suffer the same. Snowfire is fab stuff and you should be able to get it from any large pharmacy. In fact I got mine from Sainsbury's!!
kezimac
Well-Known Member
yeah i have raynauds too - I cant ride in big chunky boots though, so am just wearing couple pairs thermal socks under jod boots and gaiters. I am getting thermal underwear but can look like michellin woman with 10 layers on core and feet and hands still cold! So hoping thermal helps!
smurf
Well-Known Member
Ha ha ! My husband should read this. he thinks that chillblaines died out with the Victorians and I only get them because 'I'm not built right"
Snowfire is the secret, start putting it on every night after your night time shower and BEFORE the chillblains start.
Why is it that some toes are so so sore and yet the toe next to it is totally ok?
ClassicG&T
Well-Known Member
I have got the worst chillblains in the world and tried every kind of sock and boot going. Then i discovered the Just Togs neoprene boots, you can ride in them too. I used them all winter with a pair of thick socks and worked a charm.
Also use the Mark Todd winter neoprene riding and working boots for when its cold but not freezing.
Hope this helps
Also use the Mark Todd winter neoprene riding and working boots for when its cold but not freezing.
Hope this helps
flippa_t
Well-Known Member
I'm so glad to know I'm not alone!
Smurf I know what you mean - my husband also can't understand what all the fuss is about as he's one of those infuriating people who is always hot and can walk around in the deepest winter in a T-shirt and no socks!
And Kezimac - I also end up with so many layers on that I am about 10x the size yet still have cold hands and feet, which is infuriating after riding when trying to undo buckles with no feeling in my hands!
Snowfire sounds like the way to go, and thermal socks and maybe grassmeres too. Although think I might have to just accept that I'm somewhat doomed too! Am going to go to the outdoor shop as apparently they sell lots of different thicknesses of thermal socks so hopefully may have some warm ones that are thin enough to go under my boots.
Roll on Spring!
Smurf I know what you mean - my husband also can't understand what all the fuss is about as he's one of those infuriating people who is always hot and can walk around in the deepest winter in a T-shirt and no socks!
And Kezimac - I also end up with so many layers on that I am about 10x the size yet still have cold hands and feet, which is infuriating after riding when trying to undo buckles with no feeling in my hands!
Snowfire sounds like the way to go, and thermal socks and maybe grassmeres too. Although think I might have to just accept that I'm somewhat doomed too! Am going to go to the outdoor shop as apparently they sell lots of different thicknesses of thermal socks so hopefully may have some warm ones that are thin enough to go under my boots.
Roll on Spring!
MillbrookSong
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the tip with snowfire! I get really bad chillblanes on the tops of my legs - sides and fronts! Luckily never got them on my toes! Yet
now_loves_mares
Well-Known Member
Lots of good advice on here already, but if you have Raynauds, keeping the rest of you warm won't solve it completely. I used to get Chillblains in a previous "life" and the main reason was that I would do my mucking out in Hunters or similar (a long time ago before warmer alternatives were available). I'd then be in a rush for work and jump in the shower when my toes were still icy cold. This is the main no-no, ie going from very cold to very hot.
These days I don't get chillblains. I wear muck boots on the yard and never get cold feet. My feet were still getting very cold when hacking but as long as I did stuff in the yard first, and usually changed back in to my muck boots for a bit, then if I have to jump straight in the shower, my feet are not so cold by then.
For riding I've recently also bought the insulated short Ariats (bancroft I think?) but not tested them out yet I think. Grassmeres are too baggy for me.
These days I don't get chillblains. I wear muck boots on the yard and never get cold feet. My feet were still getting very cold when hacking but as long as I did stuff in the yard first, and usually changed back in to my muck boots for a bit, then if I have to jump straight in the shower, my feet are not so cold by then.
For riding I've recently also bought the insulated short Ariats (bancroft I think?) but not tested them out yet I think. Grassmeres are too baggy for me.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
As mentioned but worth repeating, go one size bigger with your winter boots and then wear appropriate socks. There are some very slimline "modern fibre" socks now but all thermal stuff works on the idea of trapping air so it doesn't matter how much you spend on fancy socks if you then stuff them into tight boots. I quite often have the same kind of boot, just one half size up, then I wear thermal socks (sorry, I'm going to be annoying again and say I wear a Canadian brand ). If it's really brutal you can add a pair of liners but I've found it tricky to find any that stay put when you ride.
The other thing is not to let your feet get wet if you can help it, but that means not only from the outside but from perspiration as well. I have been known to go with the plastic bag option if pressed, in wellies or similar, but that tends to work better in loose fitting boots in an open top, where moisture can escape.
). If it's really brutal you can add a pair of liners but I've found it tricky to find any that stay put when you ride.The other thing is not to let your feet get wet if you can help it, but that means not only from the outside but from perspiration as well. I have been known to go with the plastic bag option if pressed, in wellies or similar, but that tends to work better in loose fitting boots in an open top, where moisture can escape.
PorkChop
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hijack - but can you use Snowfire on your face, including lips? It wasn't clear when I googled it, unless there are any other fab suggestions. My daughter gets terrible chapped/dry skin around her mouth in the winter 
Hels_Bells
Well-Known Member
I don't have trundles but everyone says I do because I feel the cold so much!! So last winter I invested in a pair of Mark Todd fur lined winter boots as grassmeres etc a bit out of my price range. They were wonderful but the zip did go in April on one of them. Luckily I got them from my local saddlery, a bit more than online but totally worth it as they were wonderful and sorted out a new replacement pair so hopefully I'll get another 6 months or longer of toasty feet this winter!! 
Hels_Bells
Well-Known Member
Trundles!!!!??? 
phone correction obv doesn't stretch to Reynauds!!!!
phone correction obv doesn't stretch to Reynauds!!!! smurf
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hijack - but can you use Snowfire on your face, including lips? It wasn't clear when I googled it, unless there are any other fab suggestions. My daughter gets terrible chapped/dry skin around her mouth in the winter
I would not put snowfire on her face however, buy a tub of this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epaderm-Emo...Q3O4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319183097&sr=8-1
It's snowfire without the colouring and herb oils. It's an emollient so you can use it to wash your hands and also put it directly on your skin. It's a bit greasy but my god it works. If you live on the top of a windy hill in Scotland it's a must for the winter (unless you like the ruddy farmer look)
I have a tub in the kitchen and use it to wash hands, as a hand cream, slap it on my face before I go out in a gale, as lip balm etc And it's suitable for sensitive skin, eczema and dermatitis etc as no perfume or additives
Oh ..and you can also slap it on your feet after a bath for chillblaines too
applestroodle
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Ariat Grasmere's they are fab, feet never get cold in them!!