Feet

[Bill40]

Maybe someone can help?! I have flat feet and poor circulation. A disproportionate amount my time is spent managing my feet. I perspire profusely at the onset; then my feet freeze shortly thereafter. The rest of my body is fine. I have been reading about the VB liners and will have them before I go out the next time. I did Colden 2 weeks ago and my feet were blocks of ice all day following an over night at Lk Colden. My real question concerns a Koflach plastic mountaineering boot, which I just received for Christmas. The temperature feels great; but as far as hiking it in to Gothics or Haystack, the boot feels as if it will turn my feet into hamburger very quickly. I don't know which is better, feezing or bleeding, but I'd like to forego either experience with these. Can I wear these with my snowshoes (MSR) comfortably? Can I walk long distances in them (3-9miles or more)? Does anyone have any tips on keeping my feet from swimming around inside the shell? Can I wear my old crampons with them? Can they fit on a ski? Or any info y'all may have!

I'll be in Lake Placid all next week (12/27-1/2) and would be interested in a day trip if anyone can have me tag along. I'm also toying with the idea of Haystack and Skylight; go in Monday, out Tuesday.

 

[weatherman]

Hey- though my foot issues are not as severe as yours, I also have flat feet that tend to sweat a lot. I have Koflach Degres that I swear by in winter, as long as the hiking is on snow or some other surface that is somewhat slippery (wearing them on rock or dirt only would not be too comfy all day), and they have been comfy down to -20 F. 8-9 miles is a pretty good limit, though if a hike is longer than that, skis typically fill some of the mileage anyway. They are not compatible with any ski binding I know, though others may have other info. If I am going to ski, I bring my xc boots in my pack. They are compatible with any and all crampons I have seen, though plastics are made primarily for stepins which are faster, strapons would work well too. Any snowshoes should be fine with them. The moisture management for me has not been a problem with the standard liners. If your feet swim, you might want to consider custom liners (Tramper Al has a recent post detailing his new liners, I forget the name) which may fit better and are a lot lighter too.
Though I'll be in the Dacks 12/31-1/1, I'll be xc skiing with the kids (if there is snow). Another time! Enjoy the new boots.

 

[daxs]

Bill I have the same problem with profusely sweating feet that eventually become cold and can render my boots very damp. This winter I am trying a product called Drysol (you will need a prescription from your doctor). It is a product used for underarms, hands and feet that suufer with excess perspiration. I have noticed a difference already with regular shoes and my workout shoes. I'll give you an update after my first winter hike next week.

 

[Johnnycakes]

Bill,

With regard to what Daxs said about the prescription strength anti-prespirant, the directions for that product recommend putting it on the night before (if I recall correctly). I have had good success empolying that same procedure with regular anti-prespirant. That is, put it on your feet the night before, and wear the same liner socks you will wear on your hike to bed. Using a vapor barrier over the liner sock should help keep the insulation in your boots drier, and help overall, but your feet will likely still feel damp, especially later in the day.

John

 

[oldfogie]

What kind of boots do you have? Your feet get cold because the moisture negates the insulating ability of your boot liner. But.... wool keeps its insulating ability even when wet, so maybe that's your answer... wool sock or boots w a wool inner.

Take extra wool socks and change them often.

Aren't there battery-operated sock warmers? Maybe just a gimmick but worth looking in to.

 

[John Graham]

I don't feel that plastic boots are really warmer than felt lined Sorel type boots. I have used both types for several decades and which I use depends on what type of climb I am undertaking. If I am planning a trip with steep climbing (front pointing) in crampons, then plastics are the way to go because of the rigid sole. If the hike is basically a walk up, with a long approach, then I am more comfortable, warmer and quicker in my Sorels.

I also suffer from sweaty feet and I use VBL socks and put anti perspirant on my feet. I don't care for the Climb High VBL sock, it slips down in my boot. The best VBL sock I have found is by Integral Designs (I mail ordered it from their website). Also, you might consider putting an insulating insole inside the plastic boot. I have a low volume foot and so I am able to put a wool felt insole inside the shell, and this helps for both warmth and shock absorption when walking on bare rock. Putting extra insoles will be counter productive if it restricts your circulation, but at the very least, you could put in one of those green, flat spenco insoles. Some people glue them into the bottom of the shell so they don't slide when you are cramming in the inner boot.

 

[weatherman]

Sorels for cold, plastics for steeps (generally)

I second John's vote. If the terrain is not too steep, i.e., crampons will absolutely not be necessary, and it's real cold, like -20 or colder, Sorels or equivalent are way warmer. Your feet will move around more inside, which will keep them warmer (though on a long hike in not much snow I have obtained blisters this way).