January 3, 2001


What can I get to keep my feet warm?

I recently started work as a ski lift operator and have been unable to get the right combination of socks and boots to keep my feet warm. Can you recommend the products that I should layer with or materials that I should look for? Any info would be really appreciated.

— Brian Allen Lindsay, Ontario

Two ways to tackle this problem, Allen -— passively and aggressively. The passive approach sounds like this: First, get yourself a pair of winter-specific boots. One possibility would be Columbia's Silcox II ($100), an insulated, fairly tall boot that's based on a snowboard boot design but made for hiking and snowshoeing. The Vasque Arctic ($100), is very similar although not quite as tall, which may be more comfortable for you. Next step, remove the stock insole and insert a pair of Insolator winter insoles. These are insulated insoles that will help prevent cold from creeping up through the soles of the boots and your feet. They're not expensive ($8) and available at Campmor among other places. Finally, get a pair of Outlast Liner Socks from Wigwam ($8), which are made with a really wonderful high-tech fabric that actually distributes heat from warm spots to cool ones. Over those put a pair of Smartwool Trekking Socks ($16), which are really high quality wool socks.

If your feet STILL get cold (I doubt they will), then it's time to take an aggressive approach: Boot warmers. Cabela's, for instance, sells a heated footbed that uses a chemical warming pack. The footbed is $15, the packs are $6 for four. Alternatively, a company called Hotronics makes a batter-powered heated footbed that uses a rechargeable battery. It costs $165 for the kit, but would certainly ease your cold-feet woes.

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