Riding and cold feet

spotty_pony2

spotty_pony2

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The only part of me that’s absolutely freezing when riding is my feet! They are like two blocks of ice. 🧊

I’ve tried using foot warmers stuck to my socks and they just about took the edge off. I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be with them tbh. I’ve got chillblains on top of a couple of toes so I really need to keep them warm but my feet are always cold.

Any recommendations for anything I can try? Preferably not some boots that are going to cost me ££££ though! 🤣
 
I have issues with my feet (and hands) and they're often cold. A good pair of thicker wool socks with foot powder in them works better than layers or foot/toe warmers for me. I think it's because the powder keeps my feet dry. Any slight moisture adds to them being cold.

I didn't believe someone when they told me this, but it makes sense. I haven't had to layer excessively or use foot warmers like I usually do and it gets well into the negatives here.
 
I'm currently riding out in a riding skirt. My feet are just covered by it so they are not exposed. If I put my stirrups it my feet would be totally covered but I can't because of my knees!! I find that extra barrier really helps.
 
Warmup your socks before you put them on, put in microwave for a 20 seconds. Extra strong hemp cream is great for warming your feet. Also white pepper put in your socks and gloves. Sheepskin liners in your boots also help.
 
Thick, wool, knee-length socks and roomy boots with sheepskin/wool liners as mentioned above. I also think feet get so cold riding as sometimes there is a lot of pressure as they are pushed down into the stirrups which stops the blood flowing as well. That’s just an opinion but I sometimes get numb toes on long rides even when it’s not that cold.
 
I suggest you start by buying a pair of boots that are a size too big, then you will have room for thick socks etc and the space that will be needed for the insulation to work. Squashing thick socks into your usual boots will just make things worse. I now buy all my wellie boots etc a size larger and never get chilled feet.

Sadly that won’t help your desire not to have to spend out on new boots 🙁
 
I bought battery heated socks. I wouldn’t say they keep my feet exactly hot but it stops them hurting.

I really struggle with cold feet - think 2 pairs of socks most of the year and this is the best solution I’ve found so far.
 
Thin silk socks inside good thermal socks or sheepskin lined boots. Sheepskin footbeds. Put the toe warmers between the 2 layers of socks.

Boot dryers....any hint of moisture inside your boots will make them feel cold, so boot dryers make a huge difference.
 
Ooh! Cold feet when riding…..been a problem since Adam was a lad!
As a teenager, my friend and I hacked out together a lot and she would inevitably start singing Nobody knows how cold my toes, how cold my toes are growing! This friend died at the age of 22 from leukaemia so it’s a very special memory for me.
As soon as they were invented, possibly by Damart originally, I wore thermal socks which helped a lot. There are a lot of warm boots on the market now but it will always be a bit of a problem.
Wiggle your toes ! 😁
 
Petalpoos said:
I suggest you start by buying a pair of boots that are a size too big, then you will have room for thick socks etc and the space that will be needed for the insulation to work. Squashing thick socks into your usual boots will just make things worse. I now buy all my wellie boots etc a size larger and never get chilled feet.

Sadly that won’t help your desire not to have to spend out on new boots 🙁
Click to expand...
Yep, you need air room! It's the trapped warm air that keeps your toes warm! My feet will be warmer in roomy yard boots than snug riding boots with the same pair of socks.

Thinner thermal socks over thick wooly ones too. I was wearing two pairs of socks last winter and a) gave myself the start of a bunion because my toes were too constricted, nightmare to try and correct and b) you move your toes less if they are jammed in with nowhere to wriggle and wriggling toes are toes with blood flow!
 
I wear thin thermal socks under thick wool ones. Our thermal socks were bought from Ellis Brigham years ago when OH went to Antarctica. My winter boots are Mountain Horse short, lined, for which I need my larger size stirrups but I havent ridden much in winter lately, in case a fall landed me in A&E where I might pick up Covid or flu.
For ordinary winter life, both OH and i wear M&S wool socks.
 
I wear winter riding boots (tall lace up ones) that are slightly too big, with thick thermal socks.

The boots were around the £40 mark if I remember correctly.
 
Raynaud's suffer - good socks, insulated boots (with plenty of room in both, if your feet are squished they will be cold) & deep heat. Interestingly though if you have deep-heated your toes you have to keep them inside socks until you wash it off … for some reason nakey deep-heated feet get extra cold 🤷‍♀️ but if you aren’t going to be milling about the house in flip flops later in the day it works really well.
 
Normal socks, & sealskin pair over top. Wash underneath normal socks as normal.

Take sealskin socks off as soon as get inside. Turn inside out to dry.

Some of the cold is damp. My feet stay warm this way!
 
One of the best things I ever bought for riding is a pair of insulating inner soles from Decathlon, the shooting and fishing section. I don't remember the brand name, and the ones I see on the Decathlon website at the moment are just plain felt.

Inner soles with a reflective layer would work better, like the ones from Orthotics Online.

Reflective Foil Insoles [PC2009] : Orthotics Online - Store - Foot care products by the professionals

Orthotics Online - Store Reflective Foil Insoles [PC2009] - Beat the Russian FREEZE! Maximum insulation and heat reflection. Amazing aluminium foil reflective insoles combined with foam and felt for unbelievable WARMTH and comfort. As worn in the Arctic. We GUARANTEE your feet will never be...
www.orthotics-online.co.uk www.orthotics-online.co.uk
 
CanteringCarrot said:
I have issues with my feet (and hands) and they're often cold. A good pair of thicker wool socks with foot powder in them works better than layers or foot/toe warmers for me. I think it's because the powder keeps my feet dry. Any slight moisture adds to them being cold.

I didn't believe someone when they told me this, but it makes sense. I haven't had to layer excessively or use foot warmers like I usually do and it gets well into the negatives here.
Click to expand...
I second wool socks. This year I bought thick wool mix socks ( don’t know what the mix is). I’ve only needed to wear them on their own instead of 2 pair of thermal socks as previously. However I did buy a bigger size winter riding boots so my feet weren’t squashed. You do need space around your feet for air to circulate.
Haven’t found any riding gloves that do the same thing though.
 
Thin silk socks under normal socks works for me. I've got some angora socks from Corrymoor and they are warm and hard wearing. I also put sheepskin inner soles in my boots if I've got room.

www.corrymoor.com

Eventer - Corrymoor Socks, UK

Tackle any adventure with our Eventer Socks. Designed for durability and comfort, these mohair socks are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Place your order!
www.corrymoor.com www.corrymoor.com
 
How funny hadn’t realised this thread was here before I posted a similar one about the foot warmer thingies. I’m still frozen to my toes and got back indoors at 1.30!
 
Mountaineers use vapour barrier socks, such as these.
ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

VB Socks

RAB's VB/Vapour Barrier Socks are available now at Ultralight Outdoor Gear with FREE UK+EU Delivery, product reviews, full tech specs & helpful buying advice.
ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
Another option is to spray your feet with antiperspirant before putting your socks on. Heat pads on top of the foot help as well.
 
Wool / fleecy innersoles have always been my saviour, along with spacious leather boots so I can wear thick wooly socks
2 hours on Dartmoor this morning in a cold easterly wind & my feet didn't struggle
 
Petalpoos said:
I suggest you start by buying a pair of boots that are a size too big, then you will have room for thick socks etc and the space that will be needed for the insulation to work. Squashing thick socks into your usual boots will just make things worse. I now buy all my wellie boots etc a size larger and never get chilled feet.

Sadly that won’t help your desire not to have to spend out on new boots 🙁
Click to expand...
I was coming back on to say about boots that are too big!! I ordered some size 8 jod boots, I'm usually a 6.5/7. They are huge! Even with thick socks on they are massive. I was going to give them away but I've been riding in them this winter, with a warm pair of socks, and my feet have been fine. I really suffer with my circulation.
 
Yes, I have come to the conclusion summer and winter footwear need to be different to allow two pairs of socks in winter footwear.
 
Now gloves I can help with. I have some ‘winds’ riding gloves and they are fab and very warm. You can get them in lots of different colours too.

Some good suggestions here for me to try, thanks guys!
 
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