Cold feet

This is probably been talked about over and over agin here but a search for "toes" only turned up a couple of relevant posts. I was out today, (perfect calm water). I went out to pick up a crab pot that I lost right before the season ended (WA-area9). I got a call from a guy who found it. This was my first season of kayaking and crabbing and I've learned a lot and know that I need to revise my setup substantially before next season. I feel fortunate that there weren't a bunch of dead crabs in there. Anyway, that's all an aside.

If anyone can give advice on how best to keep toes/feet warm when out on the water, I'd be most grateful. I was out a couple of times earlier in the season (about 4 hrs each time) and couldn't feel my toes about half way through. The second time I used the toe-warmer packs that you stick on your socks and it was a little better but not great. I've seen posts about "electric" socks (battery powered, I guess) but how do you turn them on through your drysuit?

Currently, I've been using 1 pr reg cotton socks + 1 pr heavy wool socks + pack of toe warmers, Kokatat hydrus 3L SuperNova paddling suit and a big ol' pair of old tennis shoes.

Really appreciate your thoughts on this as I'd like to gear up for Ling and Halibut fishing the Mid-channel bank in the spring.

Start by replacing the cotton socks with either wool or synthetic socks as a base layer.

The next step I'd take is adding a pair of neoprene socks inside your dry suit, or calf high neoprene boots outside...if you can keep them from filling with water.

Poor circulation can cause cold feet. Make sure you aren't constricting circulation with too tight shoes over multiple layers of sox. 


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Try neoprene booties in place of the tennis shoes. Do you get any sweat/wetness on your socks?

+1 on neoprene paddling boots/shoes. The NRS Boundaries are the warmest I've used so far. You can get a good pair of dive boots at your local dive shop too.

Also +1 on the propper layering process. Cotton won't insulate very well with even a small amount of sweat. Synthetic and wool all the way!! Cost-co  and Cabela's have smart wool socks for less than $20 for 3-4 pair. Double up on those with a pair of boots and it will help immensely!

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What do you all think about silk socks for the base layer?

As others have said, get the neoprene booties, but I suggest you get them at least 2 sizes too large.  I used to freeze my feet in the winter with wool socks and my old neoprene booties.  I forgot mine once when heading out duck hunting and I grabbed a pair at the paddle shop near where we were hunting.  I bought a pair of size 13's (vs my old 10.5s). I wore a pair of thin wool socks as a base layer with a very thick pair over the top with the 10.5's and my feet were always cold.  The same set-up with size 13's, plus the increased circulation and my feet are toasty warm.  I do the same steelhead fishing. My wading boots are size 13 Korkers. I normally wear a size 10.5 shoe.

If you can't get to Costco, these are great. They are medium thickness. https://www.amazon.com/Small-Medium-4pairs-Premium-Socks-People/dp/B00P6VB5RU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484455750&sr=8-2&keywords=wool%2Bsocks&th=1

I drifted a river a few times last week trying to catch steelhead. The first trip down my feet like they were starting to freeze only half way down the drift. After getting off and walking around a little they warmed right up. The next couple trips I doubled up on the wool socks and they stayed pretty warm. One more layer of wool makes a big difference!


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Also, dont forget to hydrate, it makes a world of difference for me.

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+100 on get rid of the cotton socks!

Check circulation, either from footwear that's too tight or from your leg/foot positioning.

I use a pair of thin CoolMax/polypropylene liners from Darn Tough Vermont.  Over that, I wear a pair of thick/heavy wool socks, Smart Wool or Darn Tough Vermont.  If it's really cold, like now, I'll add a pair of medium weight over-the-calf wool ski socks.

In really cold water, I wear 6mm neoprene dive boots, 1-1/2 sizes larger than normal.

Silk socks don't do much for me, even when hiking.  They don't seem to wick much at all and once wet, they like to bunch up - so they don't do much for me preventing friction, either.

Cold toes suck.  Dump the cotton.

i use to have that problem  for my feet. i found the only way is two pair socks one is a "heat holders" brand the other is smart wool plus i found the thickest neoprene dive boot made(8 mil) has side zippers too they are called "thug" boots. very comfortable now!!  i have 9 1/2 size foot my boots are size 12 perfect!

Thanks for all the replies. You've given me a lot of options. It was apparent that I needed to get some larger shoes/boots. all of those layers and then the giant socks attached to the drysuit is a lot to try to cram into a shoe, which also probably isn't too good for the seams of the drysuit either. Probably some circulation issues too with all of the above.

Nothing takes the fun out of fishing like wondering if your toes are turning black inside your suit. I've had chilblains before. Just walking from the car to the office in winter, when I lived in Illinois, and then sitting around in cold boots...not good.

Thanks again

Thanks for all the replies. You've given me a lot of options. It was apparent that I needed to get some larger shoes/boots. all of those layers and then the giant socks attached to the drysuit is a lot to try to cram into a shoe, which also probably isn't too good for the seams of the drysuit either. Probably some circulation issues too with all of the above.

Nothing takes the fun out of fishing like wondering if your toes are turning black inside your suit. I've had chilblains before. Just walking from the car to the office in winter, when I lived in Illinois, and then sitting around in cold boots...not good.

Thanks again

As big of a pain in the ass as it will be take all your layers and dry suit with you and put it all on then try on the boots, if you want to make sure they keep your feet warm otw without going otw put it all on and stick your feet in a cooler of ice after about 30 minutes if there not cold add water.

I forgot to mention this in my earlier reply, but I would not wear battery powered socks inside of a dry suit.  Although 9 V isn't much, if it shorts somehow (think saltwater) it could burn you and it would suck to have to try to get out of a drysuit or waders to get to the power source while smelling your skin burning on dry land.  Imagine if you are a mile from shore. Of course, this is a worst case scenario.

All the above. Add: Does your butt get numb quickly as well as your feet? If so, try adjusting the seating angle to allow better circulation.  If that doesn't work, try adding an additional seating pad under your kayaks seat. Believe it or not, not enough padding in that area could be a contributing factor, too.