Long story short. Girlfriends feet are getting cold (lower than 35 degrees F) when we are out ice climbing. She has Sportiva Glacier Evo. We have tried Mntering socks, thinner hiking socks, (both wool/synthetic blend) tongue in, tongue out, even the hand warmer brand foot warmers that are supposed to stick to the inside of the boot. Nothing is working. Anybody have any other ideas before we buy another pair of $500 boots? The happier she is while we are out there the longer I get to stay and climb.

1000Pks wrote:Circulation, insulation.

Works for me bc skiing, big time.

We both frown on the idea of taking a blood thinner before going climbing... Maybe a little more specific?

seems like those boots should be fine given the conditions. If the boots are too tight, or the socks are to restricting...this could result in cold feet. Also..."playing piano with the toes" and keeping the legs moving...seems to help seems to help. If she's standing around a lot while you lead....could standing on a foam pad help?

The LS Glacier EVO is not really designed for ice climbing. I don't think they are insulated at all. You said you don't like blood thinners (asprin and garlic tablets are part of my cold weather climbing regimen) and you have tried everything else so I think you need warmer boots. You can add an insulated super gaitor to add some warmth, but an inexpensive pair of used double plastic boots would be easiest way to warm up her feet. You don't need to spend $500. Sierratradingpost.com sells new plastic boots for pretty inexpensive, as long as they have her size. WhittakerMountaineering.com sells their plastic boots from their rental program. There is always ebay.com.

anita wrote:I've heard about garlic pills - do they really help?

Yup. Asprin thins the blood and garic makes platelets less 'sticky' thus improving circulation to the extremeties.

It seems that when I'm on snow for a long time, conduction through the sole and toe always cause those areas to be cold, unless I'm wearing boots that are specifically "insulated." If I expect to be out for just a day, I may wear neoprene socks, which seem to help a lot -- but they are dreadful for more than a day (they get very cold and clammy).

Can the choice of socks really change that much when one is on snow a lot? I have a modestly stiff pair of kayland contact boots (stiff enough for strap-on crampons), with eVent liners, and they always get cold in the toes on a long snow day. In contrast, I have a stiff pair of thinsulate-insulated Columbias that I got years ago, and they are generally toasty.

Maybe new boots are in order, other tricks/influences:
Increase circulation
Proper hydration.
Moving/running.
Loosen clothing and boots when possible (try climbing with loose laces at your toes and snug at the ankle.)
Wear a hat and scarf or equivalent, if your head or core gets cold, your body shuts down circulation to your extremities.
Fit climbing boots with warm socks and insoles so you have room in them.
Make sure your crampons straps don't compress your boot.

Insulation
Dry socks, liners, boots.
Bring spare socks.
Use VBL socks on long trips to keep socks and boots dryer.
Place your insoles and socks against your body in your sleeping bag, the boots or liners also goes in (put your boots in a stuff sac if they're wet).
Change the Insole of the boots to warmer ones (another reasons to bring insoles and socks when you try your boots!)
Bring a small piece of foamy to stand on when you stop to reduce conductive heat loss (attach a loop of cord to it so it doesn't fly off)

My feet sweat a lot, so when I was going for multi day trips, I used to wear vapour barrier liners between my liner socks and insulated socks, dry boots=warm boots, some people use produce bags (bring spares, they rip easily).
Using VBL also decreases friction, this can be a good thing to reduce to chance of blisters, but can also cause issues when climbing, hence why some people
use antiperspirant spray on their feet instead.

ExcitibleBoy wrote:The LS Glacier EVO is not really designed for ice climbing. I don't think they are insulated at all.

Bingo. As far as I know the Glaciers are a summer mountaineering/backpacking boot. Perhaps you could find a used pair of women's LA Nepals on the net. If her feet are still cold try eating some fatty foods before you go. Fat burns hot and should warm your whole body up.

Brad Marshall wrote:

ExcitibleBoy wrote:The LS Glacier EVO is not really designed for ice climbing. I don't think they are insulated at all.

Bingo. As far as I know the Glaciers are a summer mountaineering/backpacking boot. Perhaps you could find a used pair of women's LA Nepals on the net. If her feet are still cold try eating some fatty foods before you go. Fat burns hot and should warm your whole body up.

That’s what we were thinking as well. We have tried a lot of different sock/boot combinations with these boots and nothing seems to help. Her core stays plenty warm. Just her feet and sometimes hands. I think it’s just a case of bad circulation. Thank you everyone for input!

No, we are not vegetarians...

What would be good boots for her to get? They would mostly be used for ice climbing. Something warm for standing around but comfortable for a long approach.

I have been using a pair of these for the past ten years now, with a very thin nylon liner sock.


Makes a world of difference... Roasty Toasty!

As far as boots go, I highly rec these...


Or these...



Too bad that Asolo no longer makes these. I have been using them strictly for Water Tech Ice for well over eight years now and are the bomb. They only made them for two seasons. Boy am I ever glad I got a pair.

The Chief wrote:I have been using a pair of these for the past ten years now, with a very thin nylon liner sock.
{hydroskins}

Makes a world of difference... Roasty Toasty!

Those are just 0.5 mm thick -- that's enough? I have both 0.5 and 1 mm, and now use the latter almost all the time. Do you wear these just for ice climbing, or also on multi-day backcountry trips? My neoprenes are hard to dry and pretty damn cold the next day. Maybe I just sweat too much.

Do you wear a thin nylon liner sock under the prenes to wick the sweat?