Backpacking Tips

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How to Winterize your Toes and Fingers

Despite covering your hands and feet during the frigid weather, you still find yourself suffering from icy toes and fingers. There are a couple of reasons why this happens. Your extremities are the furthest point from your torso (core), which is generating heat. If you do not have enough insulation covering your torso, your hands and toes will get colder. When the core is cold, blood is pulled away from the extremities, which makes the feet and toes feel colder. Sometimes an extra mid-layer shirt, or a warm hat will do more to keep the extremities warm than adding layers on the hands or feet. Also, drinking warm fluids will help warm up your core temperature quickly. Once your core is warm, excess heat is distributed to the extremities.