<p>Silpat, did you make the flannel bag of rice yourself or you bought it? I just checked a couple of website that show you how to make it yourself, sounds interesting. I don’t have a sewing machine though.</p>
<p>I thought the fuzzy socks that I bought from Kohls should be good, but they make my feet sweaty.</p>
<p>There really is nothing you can do about ordinary cold feet (and hands). It’s just vasoconstriction at work, meaning the little thermal detectors in your skin sense cold and reduce blood flow to the foot/hand surface so your core stays warm. I know of no way to “train” or trick that system - and believe me, my wife wishes I could because my feet are like icebergs and my hands can feel colder than the undead. Some people are more sensitive to the shifts in cold than others. This sensitivity is particularly common in women, though obviously it happens in a manly man like me. (
)</p>
<p>You can warm hands in water, feet not so easily (duh), but the receptors will go right back to work. For me, the best defense is a good offense: heat the underside of the feet, like with a heating pad or electric blanket, and the receptors don’t sense the cold and don’t react. I also find that warming my feet and not my legs is better than the other way round, which makes sense because the receptors in my feet are the issue. </p>
<p>And finally, given the feet thing, I have a winter best friend. It’s my good quality electric blanket. Only problem is it’s also the animals’ best friend and we have minor wars over space in bed. For working, I have a cheap electric throw that I put mostly under my feet. Works great because my thermal receptors think they’re in Florida.</p>
<p>The other alternative is to get a big fat dog who will lie on your feet.</p>
<p>Speaking of heating pads…we just threw away an old one that got nice and toasty warm ( hot, if truth be told ). The newer ones are so lame…barely warm enough to feel it, let alone have any therapeutic value. I’m sure it’s a “CYA” move by companies afraid of law suits due to burns. A friend got one from her chiro guy, that uses moist heat and she swears it gets really warm. Anyone here have one that they can recommend?</p>
<p>Lots of SmartWool fans here, and I was also. Until I got a pair of Point6 wool socks (as in 98.6). Point6 are the Lexus to SmartWool’s Toyota. Try a pair. I find that they last a bit longer than SmartWool and are just a bit more comfy. SmartWool is still wonderful, but treat yourself to at least one pair of Point6. </p>
<p>I wear shorts and a short-sleeve shirt at kids’ hockey games in the early part of the season, and tell those who ask that the wool socks are what make it comfortable. </p>
<p>I wear them year-round. In the summer, they keep my feet cool. </p>
<p>@Hopeful820, I made the flannel rice bags. They’re very easy but probably don’t justify the cost of even a basic sewing machine if you don’t expect to sew anything else. You could probably make something similar by cutting a piece of flannel into a large square, pouring the rice in the center and then tying up the corners to form a sack before heating. They wouldn’t be as versatile because of the knot. I use my rice bags over my shoulder or behind my back when they hurt. </p>
<p>I just remembered, years ago I had a heated foot bath & massager that was a big help in the winter. It was lost in a move and never replaced. I don’t know if it’s possible these days to find one that’s not made in China, but I’d love to get another one.</p>
<p>Regarding the rice bags. We used them in the opposite way - would freeze them and use after soccer practice/games. We just used a tube sock and knotted off the end. No sewing. :)</p>
<p>I also use the tube sock method. Fill about a 1/3 with uncooked rice. Tie a knot. Microwave for a minute or until toasty enough. It retains heat pretty well, although your house may smell like cooked rice. And it’s reusable. Sometimes it gets a little too toasty and I wrap it in a towel. I mainly use it to apply heat on sore muscles, but I have also stuck it in the foot of my bed like a hot water bottle. </p>
<p>The Costco merino wool socks are amazing and a fabulous price. 4 pairs for $11.99. </p>
<p>Agree w everyone who says to ditch the cotton socks. They are making your feet colder, as the sweat is making top the cotton wet, which is keeping your foot cold. </p>
<p>For those who can’t take wool, it would recommend these socks:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.campmor.com/Product___19152”>http://www.campmor.com/Product___19152</a></p>
<p>Or </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.campmor.com/Product___19150”>http://www.campmor.com/Product___19150</a></p>
<p>How’s your circulation? I find that regular exercise helps to improve circulation.
I also would suggest ditching the cotton socks.
I wear wool socks practically year round ( or no socks)
Smartwool, fox river, wigwam and Costco all make great boot socks.
You could also use Outlast insoles, which reflect body heat.
<a href=“http://www.superfeet.com/en-us/outlast”>http://www.superfeet.com/en-us/outlast</a>
If you are mostly cold in bed, a memory foam pad/ mattress, is so warm we have to put a cover over it in the summer.
I never have liked electric blankets, then again my dog warms up my bed for me.</p>
<p>I like this solution: “The other alternative is to get a big fat dog who will lie on your feet.”</p>
<p>And use it quite frequently ;)</p>
<p>As for heating pads, all of the rubber ones I’ve looked at smell like chemicals. They’re suited for workrooms and garages. I use cheap electric heating pads from the drugstore, Target, etc. They’re essentially disposable.</p>
<p>@Lergnom The cheap ones we’ve tried are all inadequate. It seems no matter the brand, they just get lukewarm. I want my old one back! :-(</p>
<p>Another big thumbs up for Smartwool. I just took a 2 week trip with just 3 pairs of socks. Lots of walking.
The smartwool kept my feet warm even when they sweat. I hand washed and they dried quickly. I can recommend their thick and thin types. I am VERY pleased with this purchase. If you can wear wool, I highly endorse.
PS I hadn’t heard of Point6. SmartWool socks aren’t cheap though, so not sure about spending even more. But I appreciate the mention–it’s always good to get everyone’s suggestions!</p>
<p>I have some Smartwool socks. The feet part are great. But I don’t like the socks, because the tops dig in to my ankles. Maybe it’s because I have thick ankles (they don’t seem thick to me), maybe I have poor circulation, but the socks dig into my ankles and if I wear them I end up with uncomfortable rings around my legs.</p>
<p>If Point6 socks are truly 100% wool, then they can’t suffer from this misfeature. </p>
<p>^ the heel and toe are reinforced with nylon, but as far as I know, otherwise they are 100% Merino wool. Fwiw, my “proof of the pudding …” test is that I’ll noodle around in my sock drawer looking for the Point6 while bypassing the SmartWool socks. YMMV. </p>
<p>Original OP here, again thanks for all your suggestions. Most of you are fans of wool socks, I guess it depends the type of wool, I CANNOT stand wool sweaters, they itch me like crazy, so not sure if socks will be different.</p>
<p>If I can keep my feet warm before bedtime, then I am ok. Often times if I keep my socks on in bed, I will be kicking them off during sleep because my feet got way too warm and sweaty. I do not like electric blanket, but sleep under a fleece blanket which is so very warm, and put a thin comforter on top just to add another layer.</p>
<p>So cotton socks for winter is a no no especially with sweaty feet. I have been stupid to wear the cotton socks, fuzzy socks over them, then slippers. As I posted last night, I soaked my feet in warm water in early evening, then wear my fleece booties, my feet were still warm at the time I went to bed, felt so good. If I ditch the cotton socks, things may just look a little brighter! :)</p>
<p>Coolmax could be your friend if you can’t stand any wool next to your skin. </p>
<p>OP, I won’t wear wool sweaters either, and for years scoffed at suggestions about wool socks. I am a convert. </p>
<p>ETA, Merino wool, the kind used in Point6 and iirc SmartWool also, is expensive but non-scratchy. </p>
<p>You know how some people have coarser hair, in the sense that each individual hair is thicker? And some people (think blondes here) have finer hair, in the sense that each individual hair is thin?</p>
<p>It’s the same for sheep. Some breeds of sheep have coarse wool, which is good for outerwear because it’s strong and durable. But coarse wool is scratchy. Some breeds of sheep, like the Merino, have finer wool, which is less durable, but doesn’t poke the skin in the same way. </p>
<p>Some people find coarser wool intolerable, but can wear merino wool. If you have cold feet, it’s worth trying a pair of merino socks. One pair of socks isn’t going to break the bank, and you might like them.</p>