Hi,
With all the the holiday sales. I’m looking to treat myself. Looking for some new field tall boots (plus, if they come in brown). Also, would love to hear about your favorite breeches
For those of you that in live colder climates, what do you do for your feet? Mine seem to freeze in my tall boots. I have an old pair of insulated Ariats, but theyve never helped with the toe freeze.
Layers.
Silk socks then real wool heavy duty socks (hiking or skiing) then insulated boots. I would say insulated paddock boots sized generously to allow layers. Tight boots cause cold toes. Then wool or fleece long underwear, fleece windproof breeches, your wool.socks pulled up to the knee, half chaps that fit over and a down jacket that covers your thighs.
You could also put those one use hand warmers in the toe of your boots or use battery operated heated socks.
But also. Don’t stand around. Keep moving. But don’t sweat up too much before you ride. Or you will get chilled.
Bring a thermos of hot tea.
Don’t get wet feet.
Hmm. Ive tried foot warmers. They are great, until they stop working.
They are meant to work for a couple of hours. I don’t know how long they really last.
I discovered, but have not bought yet, battery heated insoles. I want to try them.
For me, never in the history of layering socks has layering socks ever worked to keep my toes warm. I don’t know if I’m just a wuss, have poor circulation/nerve damage, or others who layering works for simply aren’t out in the same conditions for the length of time that I am??? Extra insulation only ever seems to insulate in the cold for me 
Sorry for that tangent. Just wanted to say, take a look at heated insoles. Pricey, but may be worth it.
Once I get cold I can’t reverse it until I get inside with a hot water bottle and blanket. I do find that my feet and hands can get colder faster if my head a core are not kept warm. People do differ a lot in their resistance to col or heat, can be body composition or circulation or just how you are wired. Really you just have to experiment and know your limits. I find riding especially at a walk the worst for toes because I’m not putting any pressure on my feet. Compared to going for a walk in the snow. Also metal.stirrups! Cowboys have wood and rawhide stirrups and tapaderos.
Thank you for making me not feel like such a weirdo 
I actually get very hot when riding and often strip down to just a long sleeve shirt in 25 F ish weather, ride gloveless, and don’t usually have issues with my feet. It’s before and after riding, and doing chores where my feet freeze, regardless of my attempts to ward off the cold.
We just got a pair! Along with 3 sets of heat socks lol. The insoles are toasty BUT (the ones we have at least) have a battery that you have to strap to your lower leg (like a garter strap?) to plug the insoles into. I don’t think they will work with any of my barn boots. Similarly, the heated socks (all tall knee height socks) have a pouch at the top of the sock for the battery. I might be able to get away with my muck boots or my insulated Ariats (the Coniston Pros) as they are shorter but haven’t tried yet.
ETA: Agreed that no amount of layering has ever worked for me. The best I get is my wool socks + insulated Ariats mentioned above + stick on toe warmers. Those usually get me a few hours (4ish?) and with horses at home that is usually plenty. I also agree that the standing or sitting around is killer - if I am moving my toes don’t get so cold.
Re: keeping toes warm
Make sure you have enough room for air flow in the footbed/toe box of your boots. Super puffy socks + tight boots will compress any insulating air out of the socks and put extra pressure on your toes, which will hinder circulation. I have the best luck with thin smartwool or alpaca socks.
If it’s a long drive to the barn, I change my socks when I park at the barn. Too long of a drive and my feet sweat, and wet feet are cold feet.
Also, keeping your core warm helps keep blood flow in your extremities. I wear a giant long parka over my vest or lighter jacket until it’s time to head into the arena. If you’re in a colder arena like a coverall, wear a warmer jacket until you’ve warmed up. And wear a warm hat until it is time to put on your helmet.
For winter breeches, I tend to wear cheap ones made from a thick cotton blend knit.
I have circulation issues, but I’ve learned how to keep myself warm in the winter. Warm core and dry feet with room to breathe are so important for me.
The trick to keep your feet warm is to make sure that the boots you are changing into are warm. If you store your riding boots at the cold barn, you’re going to have icicles for feet by the time you change into them. You are probably going to be better off to keep them in your car, under the passenger heater (if the drive is long enough), or you need to warm up the boots (ie. put them on boot heaters, get them to a warm spot in the barn or swap to paddock boots and half chaps to help them warm up).
My warmest addition this winter is wool insoles in my boots. Not perfect and my feet still get cold after a few hours but they work long enough for riding with a pair of wool socks.
For just doing barn chores my feet stay toasty in muck boots with sheepskin insoles, thick boot socks, and making sure they are warm when I put them on.
I like thicker breeches in the winter (CT, Horse Pilot) and wear Uniqlo heattech base layers (cheap and sooo effective). Sheepskin sole inserts for riding boots AND barn boots (made sure you take out the existing sole in your riding boots so you I’ll have a good amount of space for your toes). Hand warmers in the toe of my boot if it’s an especially cold day and hand warmers in my gloves.
I like taller barn boots vs paddock boots for keeping warm. And a long puffer coat you can layer under and don’t mind getting dirty.
Smartwool socks keep my feet warm!
I really like the many brands of windproof fleece breeches. I have Kerrits (thickest), Horze, and BVertigo. I like full seat fake suede in winter in case you need to sit down on a wet bench outside! I wear long underwear beneath once it gets down towards 5 C. Microfibre, grid fleece, merino wool, depending on the temperature. I will say merino wool may not hold up to riding. I also have a Helly Hansen wool blend thermal set I really like. Important to have wicking fabric on your torso.
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