Moisture drains heat from your feet. Once your feet cool down, it takes a lot of energy to re-warm damp socks and boots. Keep them dry, keep them toasty. Here are some tips to keep feet warm:

• Block snow from your boot tops with gaiters or snug-fitting pant cuffs.

• Carry a pair of dry socks to change into.

• Consider vapor barrier liner socks, a thin non-breathable layer added between a liner sock and thicker outer sock. VBL socks prevent foot moisture from escaping into your boots in the first place and add significant warmth. Plastic bags will even work.

• Winter campers should bring their boots (or liner boots) into their sleeping bag to avoid frozen morning footwear. Put them in a plastic bag to keep moisture out of the sleeping bag.

• To keep the chill out during breaks or around camp, stand or rest your feet on a piece of wood, which conducts cold much more slowly than snow, ice, or rocks.