Shopping Cart: 0 items Cold Feet on the Slopes
If you take into account the fact that all movements of skiing begin in the feet, it becomes evident that cold feet on the slopes can wreak havoc on your skiing technique. Simply put, cold muscles are not responsive to the commands sent by the brain. Technique aside, cold feet are downright uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep your feet warm and toasty. If you’re curious, read on.
Let’s start with your ride to the slopes. Hopefully, you are not wearing your ski boots. If you are, your feet are probably sweating. Sweating obviously wets your feet, and wet feet will no doubt become cold feet. Even if you are not wearing your ski boots, if you keep your car temperature up high, you might still be having sweaty feet issues.
Now let’s talk about socks. How many pairs are you wearing? If you answered “two,” you’ve just discovered why your feet are cold. Once again, double layers of socks in ski boots will cause your feet to sweat. Also, please don’t wear cotton socks! Cotton absorbs moisture, which in turn wets your feet. Your socks should be composed of either wool or a synthetic fabric. Skis.com has a fantastic selection of ski socks for men, women and children. You will find that the prices are affordable — so be sure to stock up. You know how those single socks tend to disappear in the dryer! Also, clean socks are more likely to retain their moisture-wicking properties. If you don't want to do laundry each day on your ski vacation, be sure to bring along a few extra pairs of ski socks!
Ski Boot Dryers
In the play "My Fair Lady," Eliza Doolittle tells us that “warm hands, warm face and warm feet would be lovely." The Hotronic Snapdry Boot & Glove Dryer can take care of the warm hands, as well as the warm feet.
Since keeping your extremities warm helps keep the rest of your body warm, this product is a must for any serious snow sport enthusiast. Here’s how it works.
There are two factors that can contribute to cold feet and hands. The first is cold, wet outdoor conditions. The second is excessive perspiration. Wet ski boots and ski gloves not only cause you to be cold. If this dampness continues, it may cause bacterial growth that can in turn lead to serious health problems.
Ski boot dryers provide a gentle heat and air flow that eliminates dampness from ski boots as well as ski gloves. Its efficient, long-lasting motor and built-in timer provides up to 24 hours of drying time. In most cases, it will dry your boots and gloves within one to five hours. The device comes equipped with a power indicator light, which lets you know whether the dryer is on or off. A cleverly designed “quick clip” holds your boots or gloves together. You can also use it to warm up your gloves and boots prior to skiing.
If you are taking an overseas ski trip, you will be pleased to know that the Hotronic Snapdry Boot and Glove Dryer comes with a dual voltage selector switch. You can either pack it into its handy storage bag, or store it in one of your ski boots. The product comes with a limited three-year warranty.
Boot Fit: A Cold Feet Solution
In the previous section, we talked about things that can cause cold feet on the ski slopes. Now let’s discuss some solutions. You already know that wet feet cause cold feet. If you have spent a day skiing and your boot liners are wet, take them out at the end of the day and let them dry over night. Although you want them to dry fast, do not put them on the radiator.
The next solution for cold feet has to do with the way you buckle your ski boots. Hopefully, prior to purchasing your boots, you read the section on proper boot fit. If your boots do not fit correctly, you probably find yourself buckling them too tight, which in turn is cutting off your circulation. This a particular issue for women who are wearing unisex boots. In most cases, if you were to compare a woman’s and a man’s foot of the same length, a man’s foot would have more volume. Women wearing unisex boots have to tightly fasten the buckles around the instep of their feet. As a result, the top of the boot is flattened, which in turn pushes down on your feet, thereby cutting off blood flow. This lack of circulation leads to cold feet. In general, the liners of a female-specific ski boot are composed of a thermal or micro-fleece material. This type of material can provide added insulation. Its moisture-wicking properties keep the feet dry.
