11-14-2019, 11:38 PM
[#0000FF][url "https://www.heatholders.com/collections/all-mens-socks/products/mens-original-socks"]Heat Holder Socks[/url]. (link) Man, for many years I too had to do the "tuber's stomp" a few times on each trip in cold water. And in the early days of float tubing there were very few choices in waders, booties and fins. My size 13 feet had to be crammed into gear that was too small...with little insulation...and the restriction cut down circulation. First pain...then no feeling at all.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Today I have large soft pocket fins that will readily accomodate my bootied foot and my fluffy Heat Holder socks...with a bit of space left over for circulation. I used to fish with two or three pair of socks. Now just one pair of the Heat Holders and I stay pretty comfy...down to just above freezing.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]So...it is a combination of proper foot wear, large enough foot pockets on your fins and socks that will provide enough insulation.
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[#0000FF]That being said, the water at Willard has been staying above 40 degrees. Last year as soon as it dropped toward the mid 30's even my Heat Holder socks did not hold up all day. But I never did get numbing cold...just a bit of discomfort.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I have tried putting the hand warmers down under my toes inside the waders and booties. They work fine but only for a short time. They need a bit of air circulation for the oxidizing/warming reaction to continue. Not much oxygen at the bottom of my waders. There are electric ones but I have heard no good reports on them. The eternal quest.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I was always self-conscious about getting out on the bank and doing the coldfeet cha cha. Even if there were no humans around to chortle and guffaw at my antics I am sure I could hear the local wildlife snickering.
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[#0000FF]Today I have large soft pocket fins that will readily accomodate my bootied foot and my fluffy Heat Holder socks...with a bit of space left over for circulation. I used to fish with two or three pair of socks. Now just one pair of the Heat Holders and I stay pretty comfy...down to just above freezing.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]So...it is a combination of proper foot wear, large enough foot pockets on your fins and socks that will provide enough insulation.
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]That being said, the water at Willard has been staying above 40 degrees. Last year as soon as it dropped toward the mid 30's even my Heat Holder socks did not hold up all day. But I never did get numbing cold...just a bit of discomfort.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I have tried putting the hand warmers down under my toes inside the waders and booties. They work fine but only for a short time. They need a bit of air circulation for the oxidizing/warming reaction to continue. Not much oxygen at the bottom of my waders. There are electric ones but I have heard no good reports on them. The eternal quest.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I was always self-conscious about getting out on the bank and doing the coldfeet cha cha. Even if there were no humans around to chortle and guffaw at my antics I am sure I could hear the local wildlife snickering.
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