We published a post little over a year ago on “Best Gloves for Raynaud’s Sufferers” and it’s gotten so much positive feedback, we decided to do a similar post on best warm toe solutions.
As with gloves and mittens, no one sock or toe product will work for every person, but we hope the options listed below will offer sufferers a good mix of potential choices available.
There are several categories of products to consider:
- Shoes and Boots – the outer layer.
- Socks – the next level of insulation.
- Topical Creams and Accessories – that can offer short-term and long-term warmth and protection.
- Heated Boots and Slippers – for warmth inside the home.
Shoes and Boots
In colder months, many Raynaud’s sufferers prefer to abandon shoes for the extra coverage of boots. My ankles don’t see the light of day from October through March – or longer, pending the results of Groundhog Day and the timing of spring weather.
As with gloves, it’s best to have a portfolio of boot options available for different weather conditions, daily activities, time exposure outdoors, and the need to look business-like or fashionable. The warmest boots I own are fur with good insulated lining. Some were expensive (Technica brand – they also make ski equipment). But I’ve also had success with less expensive fur boots from Bearpaw®. Shearling-lined boots, like those from Bearpaw®, UGG® and La Canadienne also offer excellent warmth and comfort.
One feature worth noting is the soft inner lining of fur and shearling boots. Raynaud’s attacks can leave the toes sore and sensitive to the touch. Before I was formally diagnosed with Raynaud’s, I went to the emergency room with my swollen, sore feet – they hurt so bad I couldn’t put shoes or boots on. The doctor on duty didn’t have a clue what was wrong with me (thought I must be a chain smoker…), but he gave me one excellent piece of advice: Get some soft, fuzzy-lined boots that are a little larger than your regular size. The soft lining won’t create friction against the skin, and buying them a half or full size larger will allow for the swelling along with thicker sock protection. This advice has served me well for many years!
While office dress has relaxed quite a bit over the years, we can’t easily wear a pair of fluffy boots with a business suit to client meetings and dinners, so other options are needed for these occasions. Well-made thick leather boots (including fun cowboy boots!) can provide sufficient warmth on less brisk days, or pair them with thicker socks (but buy them large enough!), along with some of the extras discussed below.
Sock Options
As with gloves and boots, I keep a full portfolio of socks of various weights, thicknesses and fabrics for different conditions and boot/shoe pairings. When I pack for a trip, I make sure to carry a good variety across the portfolio just to be safe, and when fully packed I’m always amazed to count more socks in my bag than undies! Because some boots are larger and roomier than others, they have to be matched up with the right socks, but there are certain fabrics you’ll want to plan to include in the mix.
Alpaca fiber is warmer than wool, but as soft as cashmere, and not itchy or bulky like some wool fabrics. It wicks moisture naturally to keep feet warm if they perspire (not too likely for Frosties, but good to know!). Alpaca socks come in a wide variety of styles and thickness levels, so you might want several options in your drawer. Cashmere is also a soft, warm comfy option. And for those who aren’t bothered by the itch of natural wool, it’s a great insulator, particularly super-soft merino wool, which is known for its temperature-regulating features and moisture management. For more info on the benefits of wool socks, see our post on Foot Warming Tips from Lumberjacks.
One of the warmest socks we’ve tested to date are Heat Holders® Thermal Socks. They offer three levels of insulation proven seven-times warmer than cotton socks, and claim to be three times more effective at keeping feet warmer than standard thermal socks. Fellow Frosties have given us very positive feedback on Heat Holders®, using words like “soothing, plushy, and fluffy”, with some telling us they are the warmest socks they’ve ever worn. But there’s always a catch – these socks are really toasty, but really thick. So you’ll need enough room in shoes or boots to accommodate them. (Click here for our full product review.)
More recently we tested Dachstein Woolwear socks from Sweater Chalet. They are made of 100% Austrian Organic Wool and come in 2, 3 and 4-ply options. These booties are really thick! As with Heat Holders® socks, you’ll need an extra large shoe or boot to accommodate them, but you’ll feel the warmth delivered the minute your toes dive in!
We generally haven’t been that impressed by heated options in this category, but recently had a very positive experience with Gobi’s Tread Heated Socks. The batteries are thin and light, and the socks are quite comfy. Best of all, the heat reaches all the way down to the pads of the toes. Plus there’s a remote device for controlling the level of heat, a great feature!
Another option for consideration are socks with silver content. Silver is highly conductive, and the silver content helps to reflect body heat and regulate temperature. So while the socks don’t create external heat, they do help to keep heat in and to even out the temperature across the feet and toes. Plus they are thin enough to fit comfortably inside regular and dress shoes, great for days when you need a thinner option for work, special events or travel. We haven’t located a good resource for silver socks in the U.S., and unfortunately the group we found in the UK isn’t selling them now. While there are several brands available on Amazon, we don’t have any experience or feedback to say that they work well for people with Raynaud’s.
Warming Accessories
The standard external heat source Frosties depend on in the colder months are HotHands® and Grabber Warmers®. While many of us are well acquainted with their hand warmers (disposable warmer packs that heat up when exposed to air and keep hands yummy warm for hours), you may not be aware that they also make a full array of warmers in a variety of sizes, including toe warmers. These are thin enough to fit in your shoes, are rounded at the toe to follow the shape of your foot, and have adhesive on the back to stay comfortably in place between your sock and shoe. They are so thin you won’t even know they are there – except for the toasty heat!
There’s a heated insole product we recently tested by Digitsole that’s in the trendy category of smart wearables. That’s because you regulate the insoles through an app on your cell phone, which is handy considering it’s awkward to disrobe our feet in public to turn a heated insole on/off or up/down. Those of us who’ve juggled disposable toe warmers in our shoes, dealt with the changing environmental temperatures throughout the day, and arrived at a location where you need to stop in the restroom to remove them before a meeting or a meal can understand the beauty of this concept!
Another heated insole that’s been on the market for a number of years called Thermosoles are made by the same company that manufactures the heated glove liners we tested and reviewed some years back sold by Verseo. We haven’t tried these insoles, but they are worth a look.
Topical Creams
There are two types of creams to consider: One offers a protective layer from the cold. The other offers the potential for improved circulation and healing of sore skin over time. We included these products in our post on foot-warming products but they apply just as well to fingers and other extremities. Please note: Neither product group offers immediate warmth – just wanted to go on record with this caveat.
Warm Skin falls into the first category. This is a cream that helps insulate the skin and provides a protective barrier from the cold. You put it on before going outside and being exposed to frigid weather. It’s used by NFL players, postal workers, and Antarctic explorers – pretty good credentials!
In the second category of products are creams like Nutrasal. This cream includes L’arginine, an amino acid that can work as a vasodilator to help blood flow and circulation. The increase in blood flow can help skin to heal, warm hands and feet, and can even potentially improve nerve function.
Nutrasal’s cream also includes magnesium which, while not clinically endorsed, is a mineral that when taken orally can work similarly to calcium channel blockers – the most commonly prescribed drugs for Raynaud’s sufferers. It helps block calcium which can constrict the blood vessels, and also can help dilate blood vessels.
More information on Nutrasal can be found in our Product Showcase section.
Heated Boots and Slippers
While this post focuses on products that can be used when needing warmth outside the home, there are several toasty options available in the category of heated slippers.
Volt™ Heated Slippers were created by the inventor for his mother who suffered from both Raynaud’s and peripheral neuropathy and found it difficult to keep her feet warm. These cute booties are powered by a rechargeable battery and can be used for limited outdoor activity, like a quick dog walk or a trip to the mailbox. They are lightweight and have a fleecey Thinsulate™ lining, so they offer warm comfort on their own, but turn on the power and the toasty heat lasts for hours!
We’ve also found two microwaveable slippers that offer heated warmth for those who prefer not to deal with batteries and charging options. SnugToes™ have a really soft suede outer fabric with a plush lining and cushy insole. They adjust to your feet with a stretchy, gentle elasticized back for better heat retention and a comfy customized fit. The soles have non-skid bottoms, so you can wear them for light use outside. CosySoles offer a double layer of quality polar fleece that reaches up over the ankle. The natural stretch built into the fleecy fabric will adapt comfortably to your feet. Both slippers heat up quickly (10 seconds to about minute or two) and offer heavenly warmth!
One product that offers the comfort of heated slippers with a sturdy exterior made for the outdoors are ThermalStep Quilted Plush Boots. These rugged but lightweight fleece-lined booties offer a comfy cozy cocoon for up to 11 hours of heat.
We hope the above information will help fellow Frosties make informed choices about the product options available for warmer, more comfortable toes and feet. Please share your discoveries with us!
Editor’s Note: While this article was first published in December 2014, we are constantly updating it as new products and information become available.
