Ok my son always complains his feet are cold and admit mine are too most times.
I realize were standing on 18 inches of ice and freezing cold water beneath that ice so its not actually the perfect situation

so what are your sectrets?
I use feet warmers and even heated socks

I'm a big fan of felt lined boots. I get them a size larger and use up the space by adding an extra insole underneath. Most of the cold will come up though the sole of the boot. I often use old liners i have kicking around, the sole gets compressed but the sides are still good and can be cut into extra insoles. It's a cheap easy way to increase the warmness of your boots.

If you can get soft styrofoam sheets, cut them into the shape of the sole of your boots, and put them UNDER your felt liners. It gives an extra layer of insulation. Don't put them into the felt liners...it will be next to your socks...and when your feet sweat, the styrofoam prevents the moisture from wicking...and you'll have cold feet soon.

Also used feet warmers...those alone is enough. I used to wear hiking boots for icefishing and feet warmers did a great job on its own. Now I have a pair of rubber boots with felt liners rated to -40C...best $40 I've spent EVER!

I have a lot of the same advice as others. Get the feet off of the cold bottom
There are inserts that are reflective coating to keep the heat on your feet and the cold out
Another way is spacer inserts that keep an air space between the bottom of the boots and your feet, this works well and you can find them at Marks Work Warehouse most larger outdoor stores or even at some Canadian Tire stores
One big thing I find is that you have to air out the boots every night. Take out the liners and get them dry. Same goes with the boots, even though they are rubber they do hold a lot of moisture.

An old trick is to put news paper in as liner or insole, this absorbs moisture through out the day and keeps the feet drier happier and warmer. I know it works because I used it a lot and I still do it once in a while if I cant get the boots dry between outings.

One last trick I picked up a few years back from DropDude Sr. is to bring a foam mat when I am out on the ice. It is a lot better to keep you feet on if your sitting for any length of time.

Hope that this helps your youngster keep his happy feet

All of the above, PLUS it is very important to keep your core body temperature warm, dress up in layers,
when your core starts to loose heat, your body's natural defense system starts to reduce blood circulation to your extremities (limbs etc) to keep vital parts as warm as possible.
equally important is whatever you wear next to your skin should be moisture wicking, polypropylene works well, same goes for your socks, wool is very good. cotton is a big NO NO!
don't over dress when walking out on ice with all your gear, in other words, try not to sweat, all that moisture is going to freeze or at least get very cold not too far from your skin and make you miserable for the rest of the day.

My old skiing days guys used to take the styrofoam from when you buy meat (Steaks, chops etc) and cut out the form of your boot...
Also, a friend brings a peice of blue foam insulation out on the ice... looks stupid but it works wonders....
I guess I am lucky, cheap $40 rubber boots and good thick socks from Marks and no issues...

Bring extra socks and change into a dry pair often.

Merino wool socks. One pair, and make sure your boots aren't tight!!

I also use the foam under my liners from the meat packages. I double it up. Any added insulation on the soles of your boots will make a big difference, but the biggest thing is air space in your boots. If your boots are tight, your feet will get cold, I don't care what your wearing. The air space is what keeps you warm, not the insulation.

S.

The very first time I went Ice fishing, the guy I drove with suggested that I DONT wear the socks, or boots,that I plan on wearing on the ice, while we drove. The reasoning was that you sweat, you freeze. So, light footwear and clothing on the drive in, bulk up once you're ready to hit the ice.

Jimmynorth wrote:

The very first time I went Ice fishing, the guy I drove with suggested that I DONT wear the socks, or boots,that I plan on wearing on the ice, while we drove. The reasoning was that you sweat, you freeze. So, light footwear and clothing on the drive in, bulk up once you're ready to hit the ice.

I do the same. I ALWAYS put on fresh, dry socks at the lake. My liners come out of my boots after fishing is done, dried with my boots. If I'm hiking a good ways, I don't even wear my fishing boots. I walk out in hikers, and change once I get to my spot. I don't wear my floater on a long walk out either....I put that on out there too.

Whatever you do, DO NOT wear cotton socks!!! All they do is hold moisture against your skin, and your feet will freeze.

Dry, warm, airspace will keep your feet warm everytime.

S.

Meat trays eh ? hmmm.

sinker wrote:

Jimmynorth wrote: The very first time I went Ice fishing, the guy I drove with suggested that I DONT wear the socks, or boots,that I plan on wearing on the ice, while we drove. The reasoning was that you sweat, you freeze. So, light footwear and clothing on the drive in, bulk up once you're ready to hit the ice. I do the same. I ALWAYS put on fresh, dry socks at the lake. My liners come out of my boots after fishing is done, dried with my boots. If I'm hiking a good ways, I don't even wear my fishing boots. I walk out in hikers, and change once I get to my spot. I don't wear my floater on a long walk out either....I put that on out there too. Whatever you do, DO NOT wear cotton socks!!! All they do is hold moisture against your skin, and your feet will freeze. Dry, warm, airspace will keep your feet warm everytime. S.

Matt always complain about how long it takes for me to dress up...but that's what I do. I only put on the wool socks when we are ready to head out. I even will go as far as putting on a couple layers of clothing in the car and add on the rest sequentially...from getting out on the ice to drilling holes to cooling down then settle down for some serious fishing...always taking layers off or putting them on depending on how much the body is working and generating heat.

great ideas guys....good to share these secrets to help each other out..who thought of this topic any how?

lol