Cold Feet!

November 11, 2024 3:19 PM

My feet suffered frostbite twice in my life and now they are always cold. Has anyone found a solution? Heated insoles?

Once my feet are cold the only way to warm them up is with a hair dryer. Meta Friends, has anyone found relief with heated insoles? Google turns up a huge array, from about $5.99 to well over $100. It's hard to know what's junk and what's good. Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, winter walkers, have you bought something that works reasonably well? I'm looking for recommendations from people who have actually used these successfully.

I'd greatly prefer an embedded battery with USB charger, instead of an exterior battery pack. I don't care about remote controls, or app control. I just want to run errands and be out and about without suffering from constant cold feet. I'm in the USA. Please hope me, and thank you!

posted by Kangaroo to Shopping (12 answers total)

Best answer: Yes: Fieldsheer insoles and heated socks. I've never tried any others so am not claiming you couldn't go cheaper, but they've been fantastic for Raynaud's (wherein blood flow is actually restricted) and, when I had a problem with a different product, the company was very quick to honor a warranty claim. I like the physical remote better than the app, personally, so that I'm not fiddling with my phone just to change the setting, versus just subtly reaching into a pocket and changing it by feel.
posted by teremala at 3:34 PM on November 11 [3 favorites]

Have you tried layering two pairs of socks? The sock liners by injinji are thin and very comfortable.
posted by neuron at 5:22 PM on November 11 [2 favorites]

during the depression people used to put cardboard in their shoes to keep their feet warm.
posted by any major dude at 5:27 PM on November 11

Winter hiker with cold sweaty feet here. The only real solution, in my experience, is exercise + hot beverage + dry wool socks + keeping shoes loose enough for circulation.

It’s worth separating out the different problems here.

Are your feet getting damp at all? Switch out your socks midday (wet is a much bigger problem than just cold, and it takes way more energy to warm up feet in wet socks). Dry wool socks are shockingly effective.

Are you warm from the inside? Drink a cup of tea, or plain hot water. Hands down this is the fastest way to warm up, especially if you have fresh dry socks as above. Also make sure you’re eating enough throughout the day.

Are you moving enough? Having warm feet while sitting still is much harder than while moving. Walking around the house is good. If I’m really cold, burpees do help.

Are the rest of your clothes helping with heat retention? Cotton, polyester, and acrylic suck for this. Wool is amazing. I am so much warmer now that I have lots of merino wool shirts and socks.

Are your socks and shoes loose enough? Jamming an extra pair of socks into tight shoes would be counterproductive. Loose laces or slippers are good. Even wearing a loose belt vs. a tight belt on my pants makes a difference for circulation.

If you do go the electric sock route, make sure you’re not sweating up a storm. This often happens with electric clothes. And if that does happen, change out your socks frequently.
posted by danceswithlight at 6:03 PM on November 11 [2 favorites]

Years ago, I switched to "barefoot shoes" which allow my toes to spread to their natural position instead of being cramped together. This led to better circulation and warmth. As a result, I go sockless in Canada year-round, wearing shoes with only 5mm of sole.

This may not be what you want to hear, but if you're desperate, it may be worth looking into. It's not immediate relief though as it takes a long time to undo decades of wearing shoe-shaped-shoes as opposed to foot-shaped-shoes.
posted by dobbs at 6:20 PM on November 11 [3 favorites]

I don't have solutions for when you are out and about, but a heated mattress pad works great for cold feet at night
posted by Jacqueline at 6:53 PM on November 11 [1 favorite]

Personally i find that the one use hothands work in a pinch but obviously isn't sustainable. I've got a handheld USB handwarmer/power bank ( it's an offbrand random one) I use that I'll put behind my knees if I need. I also just generally plan to wear pretty sturdy winter boots, and thick moisture wicking socks. Another key for me starting with my feet pretty warm and happy. If I put my cold feet into a sock and shoe they won't recover.

For me the biggest thing for getting my feet and hands to be warm was getting my hypothyroidism treated. I mention it just in case it is applicable to you.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:03 PM on November 11

After one winter, two of my toes were permanently white. I was a dog trainer, so many hours in cold and wet conditions. I bought some Baffin Boots (made for Canada weather). The second winter was absolutely fine, my feet stayed dry and warm. For ideal conditions, wear wool socks.
posted by toucan at 7:09 PM on November 11

Dobbs: this is a fascinating conclusion. I’ve switched to barefoot shoes in the last year and my feet are no longer as wildly painfully cold as they were previously. I hadn’t realized it. Wow, surprise benefit!
posted by samthemander at 9:18 PM on November 11 [1 favorite]

2nding danceswirhlight's suggestions. Also, do a set of 10 or 20 toe crunches every now and then, to boost circulation. This helps me.

I just ordered a set of microwaveable booties for around- the- house use.
posted by Dashy at 4:39 AM on November 12

I used a HotHand's type product for my feet for a few years. They have a limited shelf life, and went bad long before I exhausted the Costco-sized box.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:31 AM on November 12

Electrical heaters are prone to failure, due to lack of charge, shorting out, or other damage. They would be an absolute last resort for me. The old adage still holds, “If your feet are cold, put on a hat.” That’s the first thing I would try, as well as everything dancingwithlight recommended. As the most extreme (in terms of distance) extremity, circulation of warm blood from the core is paramount. Too many or too thick socks can have the opposite effect intended. Hiking boots should typically be sized up at least a half size, sometimes a full size, from dress shoes. And you may find that while you’re close enough to a regular width in dress or casual shoes, with bulkier socks you may need a wider width. And I’m not talking giant thick socks and mountaineering boots, a “full-cushion” merino crew sock such as Darn Tough and some low to mid rise Merrils will do a lot.
posted by wnissen at 12:50 PM on November 12