wet feet

[berninbush]

There is an opposite approach to take if you're hiking in, say, 40's or warmer (I'm not talking about knee-deep snow here). The misery of wet feet generally comes when your feet are trapped in wet clothing (shoes/socks). Bare wet feet are much less of a problem, when the moisture is not trapped against your skin and chafing against it. Skin dries very quickly, far more quickly than any form of cloth.

I'm almost always barefoot or in minimal sandals, and I'm reasonably comfortable down to the 20s in dry weather, or probably the 40s in wet weather, as long as I keep moving to keep the blood flowing. The key is to go barefoot or wear minimal footwear a lot in everyday life to build up your circulation and skin toughness (and to learn how to watch your step and take care of your feet!). Enclosed shoes restrict circulation and make your feet more dependent on being enclosed... a vicious cycle. My feet always used to be cold... they're SO much better now that I've trained them to take care of themselves.

I do wear enclosed shoes if I'm walking any distance in snow. Some hardy folks up north have even mastered "snowfooting" without shoes!

[tjforrester]

Seriously, you'll burn so many calories the only time your wet feet will get cold is when you start off in the morning. Keeping a pair of socks for sleeping is a good idea.

[Captain_Slo]

F.Y.I. - Black socks dry out in the sun quicker -

and they never get dirty

[Derek81pci]

Wool blends dry faster than 100% wool, and I don't notice the warmth difference honestly. Liners are a good option as well.

[JAK]

I like one medium or thick pair of smartwool socks, and 2 pairs of black wool dress socks.

[Jelly-Bean]

I have read to bring along some foil to put our shoes and/or socks in and to put it BY the fire. I am going to test this out this weekend. You would atleast be putting dry socks on each morning.

[hikemikehike]

+1 for Sealskinz. those things are legit water proof. Sealskinz is the brand they specialize in waterproof clothing accesories. I have used Sealskinz socks in so many applications when i just wanted my feet to stay dry and let me tell you... they stayed dry. I got curious and starting playing with these socks... i put them over my arm and stuck my arm under a faucet with water running.... dry. put my foot in a pool... DRY. I swear by Sealskinz http://www.sealskinz.com/socks/activity-socks

[hikemikehike]

or these http://www.sealskinz.com/socks/trekking-socks cant go wrong