Heated Socksa few of the Austrian

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Fishermandan

Active Member
I have recently returned from a driven-boar trip in the Hungarian mountains.

I thought I had everything sorted, and -20 degrees wasn't a problem - until a few hours into each session when I started seriously considering the possibility of losing my toes due to frost-bite. I was using those tea-bag type foot warmers; but I have now come to the conclusion that they are sh*te. Evidently they are activated by exposure to the air, but there is no air inside 2 pairs of heavy socks and decent boots. I noticed that they gave off heat when I took my boots off at the end of the day, but hey are totally useless in the field!

Anyway; over a few Jager Meisters I discovered that some of the Austrian lads on the hunt were sporting battery-powered heated socks. Some had paid 200 euros for theirs, but I've seen some for about 20 quid on eBay.

To be honest, I'd probably have given my life-savings for a pair on the particularly severe last outing, but in the cold light of day I'd much rather pay a reasonable price. It'd be great to get any recommendations from people on here who've used them....

As always; thanks in advance...
 
You don't say what sort of boots you were wearing?
For those sort of conditions you should really be wearing some Arctic Mukluks or similar. I spent a few winters in Norway and normal cold weather boots are not good! They don't want to be waterproof either as there isn't any water about at -20 and sweaty feet can be very dangerous. A good pair of Mukluks with a thick felt sole and some quilted or merino socks should do it.
MS
 
I was wearing my trusty £30 walking boots from Sports Direct. Yes, yes; I know!!!

I've got some snow-boots on order, but it'd be great to have the option of a little boost of heat on command!...
 
Fishermandan said:
Just checked and it turns out that my order hasn't been placed...

What do you recommend?
Click to expand...
If it is just for the odd occasion standing in Hungary, you could do a lot worse than a pair of Army surplus Mukluks or over boots off Ebay.
Try and go for arctic rather than cold weather or extreme cold weather gear. If it is that cold you want windproof but not waterproof. Also protect your head and neck as well as your wrists where a lot of body heat can be lost. A merino wool base layer is a good start too! Arctic mittens over thin gloves are also much warmer than standard gloves. Just flick them off for the shot. Once again, you can find some good Army surplus gear on Ebay at a bargain price.
MS
 
Valenki. Traditional Russian boot. Made from wool/felt Just below knee length. No good in the wet but you can get overshoes for them. Feel weird at first as there's little or no support in them but by'eck they're warm. Wore them out in the sticks this time last year while visiting my son in Kotlas, Russia. Superb
 
Stay away from the Thermic is my advice

Two of us had them on a recent Boar trip and both of us thought they were useless :cry:

We'd have been better off using surplus thermal socks
 
Wsm said:
Stay away from the Thermic is my advice

Two of us had them on a recent Boar trip and both of us thought they were useless :cry:

We'd have been better off using surplus thermal socks
Click to expand...

which version did you have? and where did you get them from? i cant seem to find stockists.
 
Monkey Spanker said:
:doh:
Lucky you've still got your toes!:shock:
What snow boots did you order?
MS
Click to expand...

Indeed! I must be one of the few people to get frost bite in the UK, or possible!y snow nip would be more apt.
Some years ago stalking stags with a client last day of the season that's October 20th up here we had about six inches of snow which is not that unusual on the hll in October, but it was followed by a bitterly cold spell .

However about 10 am I stood on what would had it not been for the snow covering would have been an obviously boggy area sunk in up to my crotch carried on stalking for the rest of the day.

Long story short some of my toes turned black and I lost some toe nails, toes eventually recovered and the nails grew back but they are now distorted must have damaged the nail beds.
 
bogtrotter said:
Indeed! I must be one of the few people to get frost bite in the UK, or possible!y snow nip would be more apt.
Some years ago stalking stags with a client last day of the season that's October 20th up here we had about six inches of snow which is not that unusual on the hll in October, but it was followed by a bitterly cold spell .

However about 10 am I stood on what would had it not been for the snow covering would have been an obviously boggy area sunk in up to my crotch carried on stalking for the rest of the day.

Long story short some of my toes turned black and I lost some toe nails, toes eventually recovered and the nails grew back but they are now distorted must have damaged the nail beds.
Click to expand...

I managed to get Immersion (Trench) Foot after being chased around Dartmoor for almost a week in the same boots and socks! Doesn't hurt until your feet warm up and dry out - then it's like someone holding a HOT iron on the soles of your feet! Bloody painfull!":cry:
MS
 
I have some Thermacell electrically heated insoles, but I've only used them in cold, not freezing, weather so far. They have a wireless remote control that you keep in your pocket and the batteries are built into the heel portion. They don't make your feet hot, but they do stop them from feeling cold. It's easy to assume (wrongly) that they're not working, therefore, until you switch them off and start to feel the chill creeping in. The only problem I find is that they are always a bit thicker than the foot beds you take out to get them in, which can press your foot up against the top of your boot. So, not for all footwear or all activities! (6/10?)
 
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