Over the weekend Brent and I did some shopping and I found these socks called Storm Socks at REI. They were about $25.00 so I figured I would test them out. Last weeks below 20 degree temps really made keeping my feet warm a challenge. I even use toe covers AND booties on top of that and still my feet are always painfully cold. I could handle cold but I am talking pain here - that kind of cold. I also had bought those chemical hand warmers and was going to stick those in my shoes and then the box says some crap about DO NOT PUT IN YOUR SHOE - ESPECIALLY A VENTELATED SHOE TEMPERATURES COULD REACH 165 DEGREES AND BURN YOU. Evidently they are air activated. Oh well, I guess I can put them in my gloves as they were intended.Today's temp was about 30 degrees and the sun was shining with no wind. Last week it was about 16 degrees every day, the sun was not shining, and it was breezy. So we will have to take that into consideration. The socks are much like an extension of my winter tights. They are fleece lined and feel like the same material as my tights sort of a wetsuit type feel. They are a challenge to put on since they are foot shaped you have to maneuver your foot into them and then get your heal in. We won't go into what a challenge it is to get my winter tights on after they come out of the dryer. Anyway, the fleece feels nice on your feet and your toes have a little wiggle room.
I watched the clock on the ride and normally at 30 minutes my toes start to ache as the bitter cold sets in. Today was a different experience though, it was nice and I never even felt the cold until maybe the last 15 minutes of our hour or so ride. I think that is due to the persperation of my feet or something. Even still, it never got to the aching stage that is just sucky and so hard to recover from. When I took them off (also quite challenging) there was some moisture inside. I am not sure if that is because I have booties on top of the shoes and it was trapping it in or what.
Bottom line, these are some pretty cool socks. I will update my review when we are again below 20 degrees maybe my tune will change. Although, I am pretty sure it does not matter what you have on your feet at those temps it is just cold!
5 comments:
My feet are still frozen! My homemade styrofoam inserts only helped maybe 2%...
My feet were a bit better with the homemade inserts. I did start out with warmer feet. Plus I didn't tie my shoes as tight for good air flow, like Tim suggested. When I got back to the car yesterday, I only had a couple of frozen toes. Which was a lot better than all of them completely frozen and numb. I think I want to get some of those wool inserts, because my shoes always feel drafty. Next time I am at REI, I will definitely get a pair of these socks too!
Sandie, you can buy chemical warmers made specifically for your feet, and they're more comfortable than stuffing the handwarmers in your shoes anyway. (I've used handwarmers in my shoes -- they end up feeling like a bean bag under my toes. Not good.) You can get a small version that covers pretty much just the toe area, or a larger version that slips into your shoe like an insole and covers the entire foot. REI sells them up here.
Speaking of REI socks, I recently picked up some of their all-fleece socks. They're niiiiiice.
Thanks for the tip Tim, I will have to check for those the next time I am at REI.
I sure am glad I got the box of handwarmers at Costco.
Anyone want to buy some?
Anyone?
I bought some of those chemical foot warmers, but haven't used them. It's in the 20s today -- too warm. That sounds really stupid, I know. But it's true.
Post a Comment