I’ve been thinking for some time of buying some Hotronic footwarmers to use in my waders for winter and perhaps other cold days fishing. I’ve been considering the Hotronic M4’s, but at $200.00 or so (more or less) for them, I’d like some more input on them before buying them.
Anyone using Hotronics, or other, footwarmers?
John
A friend of mine uses electric socks and swears by them. I may have to give them a try myself.
I’ve tried the socks and wasn’t impressed.
I have two friends that use hotronics and claim to stay toasty all day. One bought new the other bought used ski boots with the system in them. I saw some here (Denver) on Craigslist for $30 in a pair of boots, but they were too small for me or I’d have bought them. Here’s some for $20, but no charger.
http://denver.craigslist.org/spo/1535297494.html
Just an example of a different way to buy them.
eek! the idea of electricity near my feet in the water upsets me. i’ve used “Toe Warmers” by Grabber, which are small chemical packs activated by air. there is enough air in your wader boot to keep them going. stick them to your socks on top of your foot and you’re good to go. you can find them at shops that cater to outdoor winter sports. they have a shelf life of about 5 years.
double-you, double-you, double-you dot warmers dot com
I’d been looking at the Hotronics on Ebay, but I hadn’t thought about looking on Craigslist -thanks for the link and the idea. I’ll have to do a Search there.
One of the questions I had was about the need to cut the Hotronics to size, and how difficult that is. Also, I suppose you’d want to have extensions for the cords so you could carry the battery packs in a pocket at the top of your waders, at least above waistline.
I’ve tried chemcial warmers in the past but havn’t been overly impressed - maybe since some of my winter fishing is in sub-zero weather, and I tend to stay outside most or all of the day.
John
Like Casey, I use the toe warmers. They work really well! One that has been recommended, though I have NOT tried yet, are the Superfeet RedHot orthopedic insoles.
Another reason I give thanks for Arizona winters.
Buddy
Check out Toastie Toes.
Basically they are an insole that is made of hand warmer material. They work pretty well. And at about $2.00 for a pair it’s pretty reasonable.
One guy tried the longer cords, but had trouble with them. I believe he wraps them to his upper calf and uses the short cord. Hotronics makes a longer cord for waders.
I have cold chronic cold feet and am keeping an eye out for this system or similar. Seems they would work easier in boot foot waders than stocking foot.
You guys are kidding right, I live in Alberta Canada, we live in igloos and fist fight polar bears for seats on icebergs!!
I have gone from neoprene’s to breathables, with feet sized 1.5 -2 larger same for the boots and it is not a PROBLEM… Feet stay warm all day and AAMOF I start to sweat, and have to cool off… check your gear or check with your Doc. you may have circulation problem!!!
put a hat on, loose layers etc… nothing better. If you depend on the heating pads then when you do not have them you will be in trouble…
AAMOF = As A Matter Of Fact…
OK OK this is slightly tongue in cheek at my US friends but seriously you do not need the foot warmers, you will become dependent on them and then be lost when they give out on you or you forget to charge the battery etc… Proper preparation precedes perfect pastimes…
I kinda agree with the Canadian.
CIRCULATION is about all you need. One of the biggest mistakes people make is wearing socks that are too thick. They bunch up and cut off your circulation. If you are guilty of this try some thinner socks.
If that doesn’t work, consult a Dr. . If that doesn’t work, get some cheap Toastie Toes 
I’ve winter fished for Great Lakes steelhead for many years, and routinely get to the stream before it gets light in the morning, and stay outside fishing until nightfall, other than a brief time indoors for lunch. The coldest day that I can remember fishing outside all day was 18 below zero in the morning and 6 below at lunchtime.
I know how to dress properly for the cold, but somewhere along the line about 15 years ago (probably a day when the fishing was especially good and I forgot about my toes becoming cold) I got a bit of frostbite on both toes, and have had numbness in my toes (but more sensitivity to them becoming cold) ever since.
I like the cold more than most people in the US (probably not as much as many cold-crazed Canandians do though!) but because of my past “sins” and resulting frostbite, I think it’s time to pay a bit more attention to what my body is telling me – even when the fish are calling…
John
But, for those of us with fatal blood disorders, the foot warmers can be a god send. We can maintain a modicum of normalcy in our lives until we can’t. Just sayin’
I’m sorry … that was a bit of a downer. Didn’t intend for it to be. Should have said …
Those of us with less sense than God gave geese, who insist on winter fishing, in sub zero temperatures, may need some help with cold feet. Have you ever wondered why they have sticky strips on the foot warmers? It’s so you can stick them all over your entire body, and still fish warmly!!
Or, you can have a couple of back surgeries, resulting in nerve damage and neuropathy in both feet, and then can’t feel the cold anyway…
That being said, someone like me in this situation needs to pay very close attention to our feet and how we dress for cold-weather activities. The worst part is not the cold, but the lack of feeling that makes wading anywhere tricky at best.
I’m with those who advocate wearing the right socks and making sure your feet, socks, booties and boots are a good match and that proper circulation takes place no matter what the temperature is. For the most part water temps aren’t the contributors to the problem as ar air temps and walking in or on snow and ice. The water is usually warmer than any of the outside air temps when we fish during the cold season.
Makes one want to move to warmer climes and take up flats fishing in the salt!
Kelly.
Guys, that is a different story.
If you have a medical need for such, then state that originally. Otherwise people are gonna assume it’s for ‘normal use’.
BBW …
That IS my “normal use” …
Betty, it might be a girl thing too…LOL Just sayin’ My feet get cold in a house kept at 72 degrees. I can be sweating with cold toes.
I have and do use the toe warmers. I bought my boots two sizes larger to compensate for the thick Neoprene bootie. Now wear waders with thinner neoprene so I can slip those little piggie warmers in with no problems.
I specially like the big ones you stick to the back of your shirts however.
Just remember, the stickie stuff is intended for material, not skin.
Geeez, FG, whay didn’t anyone tell me that to start with? I know, I should have read the directions, but no ‘true’ man ever reads directions:rolleyes:
Kelly.
Works for me and I have been frost bitten, more than once, and I am diabetic. A good pair of long, heavy wool or wool blend, wick action hunting socks and wading socks are a must for me. DO NOT WEAR COTTON! It kills in the cold.
But then I am the guy who goes outside in 10 F weather in a t-shirt, bluejeans without long johns and uninsulated steel toe boots.