Frozen ingers and toes

[Mary Tee]

I have a real problem keeping my hands and feet warm. I can’t wear gloves at all, only mittens unless the temp is upper 30’s or warmer. My toes get numb (even in my old boots that were 2 sizes too big, so I don’t think it is a problem with my new boots, besides, I can wiggle my toes.). The thing I’ve noticed is both my mittens and boots are damp at the end of the day, so I guess I am sweating in there. I have never used the heat pack things thinking that would make the problem worse. As far as my hands go, do you think some kind of wicking liner would help? Will a glove liner (as opposed to a mitten liner,) kind of defeat the “mitten advantage” by separating the fingers? For feet, I am in smart wool ultra lights, as I love the feel of the really thin sock in my boots. Since both boots and mittens are damp at the end of the day, would it be nuts to try spraying anti-perspirant on my hands and feet? I seem to remember someone doing that years ago, but don’t remember how it worked out.

 

[bklyn]

... making sure your boots are completely dry inside before you put them on will make a world of difference in your comfort.

You can get a very efficient boot dryer for under $25.

Dry your mittens out every night also, or get a second pair you can swap out on alternate days.

 

[SnowHot]

What Bklyn says is the absolute best advice in regards to your current gear.

One thing you may consider is investing in some mittens/gloves that wick.

I purchased a pair of mittens at Skiershop in VT, by Auclair, H20heliguides. They say that they are wicking, and that's the fact. I have gotten snow into my mittens(don't ask) and still my hands were dry and warm.
^^^^^ this is an example, not meant to imply that you don't have good mittens/gloves.

Another thought, you may have a circulation problem. Just a thought.

 

[White tara]

I've heard some people swear by the antiperspirant. It seems worth a try. It wont keep your fingers from numbing up but maybe this way you can wear the warmers.

 

[Jilly]

I have the same problem with my fingers and hands. And as an instructor mitts don't cut it. So first I make sure everything is dry. Right now my boots are on the dryer. Gloves will be next. I carry an extra pair of socks to change into if the day is cold. Also each pair of socks is clean and dry. I have a pair of boot gloves which have been a great addition. I'm toying with the heaters, but I don't think I can use them with my cork footbeds. I remember something being said when I bought them.

Also I buy a new pair of the gloves every 2 years. Luckily the CSIA has some good prices for us instructors. The older gloves go for spring or snow shovelling.

I think the best thing for you would be to invest in a boot and glove/mitt dryer. They are not expensive and can be quite small.

 

[ski diva]

I've heard some people swear by the antiperspirant. It seems worth a try. It wont keep your fingers from numbing up but maybe this way you can wear the warmers.

Wet feet are cold feet, so I spray mine with antiperspirant before I put on my sox. A side benefit: keeps my feet from smelling, too. Nothing wrong with that! :D

I also use Hotronics. And if it's bitterly cold, I'll use Hotronics AND Boot Gloves.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Can totally relate to this - same issues. Antiperspirant can safely be used on both hands AND feet, FWIW. Wearing glove liners won't compromise, as you said, "the mitten advantage." Mine are polyester and thus transfer the moisture to the mittens. But the mittens do get damp, so I switch out to another pair mid-day. Make sure your boots are BONE dry when you put them on. And WARM. (Heated boot bag not a bad idea!) DH changes his socks mid-day. I try to avoid "de-booting" until I'm done for the day, as taking them off "cools down" the seemingly inevitable sogginess. Then---comes that dreaded wet/cold combo, per Ski Diva. I don't use toe warmers, boot heaters or boot gloves, but all of them seem to be viable options, beginning with the least costly: toe warmers. You have many options! Good luck. "Feeling your pain."

 

[Mafia_Princess]

I have a boot dryer and dry out my boots every night. I also have 2 racks that goes on the register. It has 8 'nubbies' sticking up on it to put the endless gloves all on. My family leaves the kitchen and bathroom registers free so that I can put mittens and gloves on one, and hats and neck warmers on the other if needed. Other instructors at work complain about cold wet hands, I only have that problem if I'm stuck on the rope tow all day in warmer weather.

A few people at the hill swear by baby powder on their feet before they go into the socks and in their boots as well. I've put it in my socks but I've never found a substantial difference.

 

[cinnabon]

I don't usually have this problem unless it's super cold, but I'll tell you what I do then. I have some very warm leather mittens, and on the coldest days I add a very thin glove liner, sometimes throw in a disposable hand warmer between the liner and the mitten. This will keep your hands toasty in ANY conditions. I also use the disposable toe warmers on top of my toes, and they work quite well.

Just about everyone experiences some sweating in gloves and boots, so I don't think the disposable warmers would make that any worse, if that's what you were worried about? If anything the heat has some drying effect.

 

[whitewater girl]

I switch mittens (and occasionally socks) mid-day, and make sure everything drys out overnight...if I do this, chemical foot/hand warmers help on the coldest days (before I did this, warmers would simply make my feet/hands hurt!)