Backpacker Magazine – February 2006

Winter Skills: Warm Toes Forever

Keep your feet toasty with these 6 tricks

by: Kelly Bastone

On The Trail

» Put on a hat When temps plummet, blood abandons the extremities to heat your core and brain. A hat helps circulation return to the toes.
» Wear waterproof gaiters Calf-high models provide more protection against wetness.
» Do pendulums If your toes go numb, swing your legs vigorously to force blood to your feet.

In Camp

» Change your socks Then put on booties.
» Make a heater Fill a Lexan bottle with boiling water, wrap it in a fleece, and nestle it into the foot of your sleeping bag.
» Warm your boots Tuck the insulated liners inside your bag. There's nothing worse than shoving warm feet into frozen shoes.