Wild Child: Helping Adults Stay Warm Outside

Do you find your super warm mitts or super warm boots just never seem warm enough? Do you get cold quickly when you are outside Even if you wear extra layers?

This is a really common challenge we hear from adults. Here are some tips to help you feel cozy so you can have fun outside.

Problem: Your gear may be damp.

Solution: Air out and completely dry your gear between adventure.

Especially make sure to dry your mitts or boots FULLY between adventures. Even though your boots seem dry after playing your feet were sweating. Higher priced boots often have a honey comb structure under your liner that pulls moisture away from your foot while you are wearing it. The problem? That moisture is still in your boot and makes the liner damp when it is sitting in your closet as it starts evaporating again. When you put you boot on a few hours or a day later your boot is already damp and starts making you feel cold right away. For mitts, a damp outer layer that sits in a cooler place will slowly allow moisture to seep into the mitt making it feel colder.

Problem: Your layers are too tight

Solution: Wear the layers you need, but ensure they are large enough to let you move freely.

Lots of layers can keep you warm, BUT if four pairs of socks mean squishing your foot into your boot you reduce your foot’s circulation and it can’t stay warm. You want enough layers to stay warm, with enough room too keep warm blood moving easily to your foot and toes.

Pants and tops are the same. If your outer layer (snow coat/snow pants) is too tight over your warm base and mid-layers you wont be able to move easily and your arms and legs will feel too snug. The less you move, the colder you will feel. The more squeezed you are the less blood is moving to keep you warm.

For our facilitators this means winter gear is a full size bigger than gear they wear through the warmer months to accommodate layers and keep them cozy and warm.

Problem: Your clothes just feel cold after being outside for a while.

Solution: Check the materials the make up your clothing and AVIOD cotton.

Cotton is often blended into clothing. But that cotton holds the dampness of your sweat close to your skin and you quickly start to feel cool and chilled. Instead opt for wool or synthetic materials. These materials quickly release moisture so it can evaporate away and they feel warmer even if they get slightly damp.

Socks are the worst offender in this category. They often contain cotton because it absorbs water so well. So skip the sports socks and opt for wool or silly fleece socks with fun patterns. Those will keep you warmer.

Problem: You are still cold even after keeping things dry, loose, and avoiding cotton.

Solution: Grab some extra warmth from an outside source.

For some people their hands or feet just struggle to stay warm. Low circulation, genetics, and health can all contribute to this. Good news! There are many types of foot and hand warmers both disposable and reusable available and they can really help if you are in this situation. Best of all most foot and hand warmers are fairly inexpensive. Foot warmers often look like a sticker that attaches to your sock inside your boot and keeps your toes a few degrees warmer, hand warmers often look like a little pouch or bag that you can put into your mitt or pocket to warm up fingers.

Whatever the challenge you face we are here to help. Visit our WILD CHILD program or reach out on social media or via email (info@childreach.on.ca) and our facilitators will be happy to help you find solutions that work for your unique situation. You can bring your own warm when you play outside in the cold!

Written by Tandy Morton, WILD CHILD Outdoor Playgroup Facilitator