How to Have Warm & Dry Feet on ANY Hike! Expert Tips for the Mountains
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- Опубліковано 29 тра 2024
- If you've ever spent multiple hours, days or weeks hiking with cold, wet feet, you'll want to check out our top tips for keeping your feet toasty warm and dry on the trail!
Regardless of what footwear you're using, from ultra lightweight trail runners to more traditional boots, these cheap and cheerful fixes will keep you moving through all four seasons.
Below are a few links to some of our favourite products mentioned in this video. None of them are paid promotions, simply good gear that we highly recommend and use on a regular basis. Just so you know, some of them are affiliate links. It won't cost you anything extra, but means we get a little kick back if you choose to purchase using them.
Injinji Liner Socks: amzn.to/2MFMJyz
Injinji Midweight Socks: amzn.to/3hXVq2O
SmartWool Mountaineering Socks: amzn.to/35sS56P
Foot Warmers: amzn.to/2Lj5mYW
Cumulus Down Booties: cumulus.equipment/uk_en/down-...
Did you try out any of the tips in this video? Let us know how you got on in the comments below!
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For me tip number one is sleeping socks. No matter how cold and wet my feet get in the day, putting warm dry socks on in the tent is one of the best feelings.
Yeah if you only did one thing then that’s probably the best one, particularly if you don’t use waterproof socks. Also only applies if camping out. Where as the others are more generally applicable hopefully. 😊 Thanks for watching!
People laugh at me when I say wear bed socks for a great night's sleep , I do it when its cold and always wear them when on exercise , I sleep like a bug ❤❤😂😂😂, I also wear womens tights cut into socks to go inside my issue socks , never had a blister and my feet feel great even after a 20 mile tab
This was really bloody helpful. Thank you for saving me from the trauma I went through last time on the West Highland Way by turning up unprepared
Absolute pleasure! We’ve both spent enough time with wet, cold feet to know how much it can ruin a good adventure 😂 thanks for watching, let us know how you get on with the goretex socks 🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing your good ideas!
A well working suggestion, if you wear (hopefully wide enough) gore-tex shoes:
1. layer: liner socks.
2. layer: thin plastic bag (or similar brand-alternatives).
3. layer: thick wollen socks.
It works similar to a vapour-barrier-liner with sleeping bags. The 2nd layer prevents the insulation from getting wet (most insulation decreasing factor). It also provides the function of the gore-tex membrane, because there is less humidity to be evaporated. You will get slightly sweaty feet, but very tolerable (once the skin recognizes a certain amount of moisture, it stops sweating). I tested it out up to -23°C and it worked better, than all the other settings I used. At least to try it out, does not cost anything.
Good info mate, appreciate it!
Great information! Thanks!
No problem! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing!
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching both ☺️🙏🏼
@@OutdoorIntrigue no problem. We really enjoy making outdoor content also
I use waterproof socks, same concept. The advantage of the waterproof socks is that they provide a bit more cushion and warmth but you need shoes a bit more oversized.
Yeah they work well too. 👌🏼
Great Advice Ben but I must be the odd one out, I use quality leather boots for Scotland because even in Summer your knee deep in mud. Meindl Dovre Etreme about 12 inches high, covered in several layers of dubbing before hikes. Never ever let water in and I’m normally on 4 day adventures in the remote areas wading through bogs all day. Even crossed god knows how many streams. Just thick wool high socks, never had blisters or cold feet but I’m an ex Royal Marine and have been doing it since I was 16. I do use hand warmers on my feet inside my socks at night when I’m in my quilt though. And I do wrap my boots in a bin bag too. I only use trail runners in places like the Peak District where it’s dry. I have seen you with trail shoes in Winter, brave man lol. Atb Bill
Hey Bill, you are definitely not the odd one out on the hills. Leather boots are still by far the most common footwear I see people using in the highlands, and for good reason as you say if treated properly they work. They make you marines tough, and used to carrying too much weight on your backs 🤣. One of the real benefits of lighter footwear is being able to move quicker though, and honestly there are options that work these days. But definitely encourage everyone to find what works for them, and you have clearly refined your choices over the years! On my choices bravery and stupidity are often hard to tell apart 😉😂 Thanks for watching and commenting! Take care, Ben.
I’m an ex marine also and good footwear and sock routine is still an endless search for the holy grail. I prefer a thin sock liner and merino wool socks on outer. Boots change over the years and I no longer use leather. The endless quest for sure.
I enjoy watching your hikes, but I'm unlikely to join you in the cold! However, I am interested in the idea of goretex socks for motorcycling. Might check that one out, especially if I move back to the UK. Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks for watching Neale 🙏🏼 hiking in the cold and wet definitely isn’t for everyone! Although if your feet are warm and dry it definitely helps boost the mood 😂 honestly been so impressed with the goretex socks, would highly recommend them 👌🏼
Thanks for sharing about the goretex socks tip! I’m coming to the Highlands for 2 weeks in mid-late October. I’m curious on your view on waterproof vs non waterproof footwear for the area. I’ll be doing back to back overnight out-and-backs across the Highlands, Isle of Skye, and the Cairngorms, and I’m torn between bringing my lightweight mesh boots that will certainly get wet but dry out quickly + these gore Tex socks vs boots with Event waterproofing which I’m concerned will stay wet if I I’m in anythinf too muddy or deep. I know some of this is personal preference but just curious to hear your thoughts from hiking so much in the area. I’m from Colorado so I’ve never had to deal with wet conditions. Thanks!
👋🏼 hey, thanks for watching! Sorry for the slow response! I’d suggest waterproof boots for this time of year, personally I use waterproof boots with Gortex socks for long hikes this time of year. The ground is very wet in many areas, and it’s not particularly warm so mesh shoes won’t even dry out on their own. If I was out for a trail run I’d use mesh shoes, but if it’s a long hike and overnight I value the comfort of dry feet!! Have a cracking trip 🎉
Wet, cold boots cannot dry out tied inside a plastic bag. Putting foot warmers inside the boots overnight, placing the boots inside the tent, on top of a plastic sheet, helps. Kentucky
Yeah the idea isn’t to dry them out, it’s to stop them from freezing solid. In Scottish winter you’ll only be able to dry your boots by having them inside near a fire or heater for a prolonged period. So it’s just about managing wet boots really.
Okay
Hi ben. Doing some research and I recalled this video of yours from a few months ago. Over multi day wet hikes, do you find the goretex socks still keep your feet dry? Do you find the fit ok to not cause blisters? Thanks Gordon
Hey Gordon, they work great even on multi day wet hikes. They don’t hold much moisture at all either so dry out easily if they do get slightly wet to the touch. Not had an issue with fit or blisters, if anything they help to prevent them. Sizing is key though as you will need to fit your socks of choice inside and then all of that into your footwear. I have smaller and bigger sizes for summer and winter end generally wear larger footwear for proper cold weather to accommodate all the extra sock insulation. Hope that’s useful mate.
@@OutdoorIntrigue it is. Thanks ben. I think I’ll give them a shot at least and see how they go. Have used sealskinz for years on the bike but they’d be useless for walking cos your feet slip around inside them. I like that these are super thin. Gordon
They are well worth a try, and I have found them brilliant. Let me know how they work out for you.
@@OutdoorIntrigue will do. Just ordered a pair today from eBay. Am sure this heat wave won’t last ;-)
Could you elaborate more on why you prefer the goretex socks over the waterproof socks? Was thinking of buying some sealskinz for an upcoming scotland trip but am intrigued by the goretex socks. Just not sure if I can fit them into my shoes.
The main reason is that they keep your feet drier. We both have sealskinz socks and do like them but after even a long day hike your feet will be slightly wet. With the Gortex socks your feet will be completely dry. The Gortex socks also take up less room than the sealskinz as they are thinner.
@@OutdoorIntrigue would have loved to try them but cant find goretex socks socks anywhere :(
@@danielasturm4836 unfortunately they suddenly seem to be scarce. That will change though just keep looking out. You can always pick up the Rocky Gortex socks, they are expensive though. I can see some cheap size 8 Gortex socks on eBay currently.
I wear the injini toe liner socks, and on top a midweight Merino Sock.
I find that no matter if I still have cold feet or if I am at a good temperature, my feet sweat... When I am on the move, its fine. But I can feel it when I stop.
Im debating on getting the Sealzskinz to see if it helps, or a vapor barrier sock between my sock layers. Not sure. Its weird I get sweary feet, even if Im cold.
Hey 👋🏼 . We use injinji socks a lot too, they are great for blister prevention, but they aren’t as warm as a standard style sock as your toes aren’t all heating each other, just like a glove can mitten scenario. We’d highly recommend trying the smart wool mountaineering socks, they’re super warm. The other thing is to ensure there’s enough room in your boots, if the fit is too tight or restrictive it’ll make your feet colder.
@OutdoorIntrigue The mountaineering socks are too thick for hiking. Maybe if you have a very very cold day and you're just pushing for summit. I tried hiking in them and I was sweating in them. Luckily I've worked in outdoor stores and am a big time hiker, so I know my gear well. I have resorted to just the toe liner and a medium weight sock. Sometimes I still feel a chill, but other times I sweat in them, even though Im cold.
This is so recognisable. I always have sweaty feet. I tried injini socks (multiple models), but they don't work for me. My feet have destroyed every pair within weeks of normal use. Always having clammy feet. The best solution I've found so far is a bridgedale coolmax sock liner, combined with a mostly wool hiking sock from bridgedale. The second layer isn't the right one, but with lower temperatures (just above freezing) it's a workable one. I'm currently thinking about trying socks from alles-mooi, since I read alot of good things about them for sweat control.
I'd take a sweaty foot over a cold wet one anyday. I use Sealskins they were great but I managed to pierce one. So last time I was out I got a very cold wet foot in the snow.
We are 100% with you on that Sean! Ahh man, hopefully it was only a day hike as that can be brutal on long trips. Do you know how many miles you put through them before they failed? Have had a few bits from Sealskins and they’re generally really good, but find the waterproofing a bit questionable from time to time. Thanks for watching, appreciate the comment 🙏🏼
That's cute but what about bogs, crossing streams (high up the hills, because lower down there may be no bridge even though it's on the map), and going through the high brush in general? Gonna enter from the top and stay inside the GTX socks. Not cool.
Nope, it doesn’t 🙂 we’ve been using GORETEX socks for years on hundreds of hikes in the Highlands and nothing works as well. The socks are elasticated at the top and fit snug just below the knee. When you’re wearing them under waterproof trousers, no bog or stream is getting in. You’d have to be wading through thigh high water for it to be an issue and even then if your trousers are decent you might get away with it. But you do you, they’ve been out of stock for a while now, so the less people using them, the better for us.
Yes I have had frozen boots. Its no fun. They freeze really quickly if you get them wet and the next day its like putting your feet inside blocks of ice.
I’d probably say it’s the worst thing about hiking in winter! Spending the first half of day two wondering if your feet still exist / will ever feel warm again can be very demoralising 😂
Nice Michelin Man Tire jacket dude, Man bun too, lol …
Thanks for the compliments pal, you’re gonna make my girlfriend jealous 😉
man,wihh that amount of layers u hace 2 get at least 2sizez bigger shoes
Hey, you definitely need to size up for your winter boots, I usually find one size is enough though. It does depend on the brand and your own foot shape. Worth it to be warm and dry in winter.
you can also just put a plastic bag on your foot then the water cant get to your foot
Yup that can work too, it’s not very robust though.
What’s up with these saucy girl comments🧐
Who can blame them? Having warm dry feet is a pretty saucy topic 😂🦶🏼
Oh Ben you make my feet moist, just keep whispering goretex in my ear😍