The rain, sleet, slush, and snow are here. Whether you’re out feeding livestock, working, or playing in the elements, keeping your feet warm and dry is essential. We have some advice to help keep your feet happy, no matter what mother nature throws your way.
Footwear Basics
Before you give these warm-foot tips a try, be sure to check out
10 Ways to Keep Your Feet Happy. In it, you’ll learn how to stretch and break in a new pair of boots.
Start with the Right Footwear
Keeping your feet warm and dry starts with the right pair of boots. Some of our favorites include the 100% waterproof
XtraTuf® boots. They’re warm, rugged, and Alaska-approved. Learn more about these amazing boots and why t
hey are among the products we love at Coastal. Even if you don’t own a pair of 100% waterproof boots, you can add some waterproof protection to your footwear with special
waterproofing spray.
Start with Warm (and Dry) Feet
Before heading out on a
snowshoe expedition or a day of work, your feet should be warm and dry. If you need to, warm up your socks in the dryer first. Looking for additional warmth during the day? Try a set of
disposable, adhesive toe warmers from Coastal. These ingenious inventions add heat to the inside of your boots for up to six hours. Is the inside of your shoes or boots damp from the day before? A boot dryer can make your feet a lot happier. These devices use warm air to dry your boots and other footwear overnight.
Wear the Right Socks
When working or playing in wet winter weather, cotton socks are not ideal. They will not keep your feet warm or wick sweat away. At the end of the day, the inside of your boots will be soaked and your feet will be cold. Instead choose authentic or synthetic wool socks. Better yet, wear two pair of socks, including sweat-wicking thin socks over your feet and a thicker, wool sock over that. The double layer will move sweat away, protect you from the cold, and give you an added layer of cushion. Wear Gaiters When Needed
A pair of gaiters will wrap around your footwear and the lower portion of your pants to prevent snow and water from getting into your boots. If you cannot find a pair of gaiters, plastic wrap can work in a pinch.
Think Insulation
Walking and working in snow and rain will likely keep you and your feet warm, but when you stop for any length of time, the cold could begin to creep into those boots. Instead of standing in a puddle or atop inches of snow, place a piece of cardboard or some hay between your boots and the ground. That thin layer will help keep the cold out.
You’ll find XtraTuf® Boots at Coastal
Your West Coast-owned and operated Coastal carries a full line of
XtraTuf® boots for men and women including plenty of other waterproof boots and footwear. Stop by, try on a pair or two, check out our aisles of socks, and go home with everything you need to keep your feet warm and dry.
