Having trouble keeping my feet warm in New Nepal evo boots...
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purchased a new Pair of the Nepal Evo's and I'm having trouble keeping my feet warm. I think the obvious is when I'm belaying my Ice partner with crampons on. Does anyone have an idea on how to keep feet warm during this time? Has anyone or no anyone that has a new pair of the lasportiva Batura's and if they have had a positive experience with them? I've tried custom footbeds and toe warmers, but what is next? the boot fit is good, not to tight? I don't want to go with plastic boots. I also thought that maybe those hotronic insoles that people are using for ski Boots. |
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Try using a vapor barrier liner (VBL). Wear a thin wicking sock under the VBL's and then cover with an insulating sock. Work's very well. |
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How cold are we talking here? I have found the limit of that boot to be in the range of 0 to -10 F. Great and versitile boots, but you have to be realistic in your expectations when it gets really cold (like it has been for much of the past month!). Other friends with that boot have pushed them into colder temps using supergaiters and vapor barriers with pretty good success, but a warmer boot might be a better option if you are going to make a habit out of it. |
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Some other thoughts on keeping you feet warm while belaying. |
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two words: hot thermos (I like cytomax type drink in mine) |
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I think that I've tried all these tricks except stand on foam, and the vapor barrier. I own belay(chugach) pants, I wouldn't think of leaving the house without the hot tea or drink... So I did the deed. called Sportiva today and proceeded to get the low down on the Batura. sounds like a viable option, and purchased them. Thanks for all the info. |
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Kevin, |
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You could try an analog of Herman Buhl's snowball carrying trick (which absolutely worked for me). Maybe walk around barefoot in the snow a bunch. |
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I have a concoction of herbal and gleukos that I drink hot. definitely drink coffee on the commute to climbing. Cayenne pepper huh? does it irritate the skin thereby warming them? and Mike, Decaf? I didn't think that was even in the climbing communities dictionary. Tico I need more info on the snowball trick... |
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there's nothin' like a good pair of plastic boots. |
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Kevin, |
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I have the older generation of the Nepal Extreme (before the EVO). I've had the problem of keeping my feet warm as well but have had a bit more luck after moving the tongue of the boot around. I have a rather high instep and found that moving the tongue very high on the strip of velcro in the boot actually lessened the amount of downward pressure that was restricting bloodflow. Another thing that helped was using a different lacing pattern rather than the traditional. This used to be outlined in their catalogs and on their website but after a quick look didn't find anything. |
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I recommend following Jack's advice and buying the Baturas...that way I can see if you like them and maybe I'll get a pair next year! |
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Mike Willig wrote:I recommend following Jack's advice and buying the Baturas...that way I can see if you like them and maybe I'll get a pair next year!The Baturas are the bomb like Jack said. They are much warmer then the nepals but feel more like a Trango on your feet in terms of Technical climbing. I have not even thought about my nepals since I got the Batura's on my feet. cheers, |
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thanks everyone... as for you cracker willig, I'm sure when we go to cody and we are hanging out drinking rock and rye you in a drunkin stupor will try to jam your feet into those bad boys. here is an idea mike I'll buy the Baturas and you buy the new cobra's... whom ever is leading gets to use tools and whomever is belaying gets to wear the boots. what is the true moral of the story, DEEEEP! |
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Insulated supergaiters. |