Yeah, water comes in the top
But my mukluks are actually diving boots - thicker than the usual paddling boots in terms of millimeter though the same of cheaper cost. And I can’t say it is the loosest fit with full winter layers… they get wet but they don’t acquire sloshing water.
The thinner neo mukluks designed for paddling seem to get “saggier” looking than mine get when wet.
From a Fellow Openboater
Try those “Toasti Toes” foot warmers. I only use them when it’s really cold, but always have a couple pair in my dry bag this time of year.
My Chota Lites can get sloshy when
over-topped. They they don’t want to stay on as well, either.
My feet get colder when kneeling, since
the top of the mukluk is less insulated than the bottom and it is stretched tight against the top of the foot, which is pressed against the hull, which is the same temperature as the water.
You’re doing fine.
I’ve used a farmer john and ultra-flexible long-sleeved neoprene top under a dry top and dry pants for years. And I’m a wet paddler, often surfing at the beach, occasionally swimming - accidental or intentional, and it’s rare that I don’t at least roll a number of times. I get away with a thinner, more flexible layer of neoprene that isn’t so restricting, and I don’t have to worry about a little leak. No going home because a little water flushed in.
Speaking of flushing - or getting flushed. I believe that’s wetsuit terminology for anytime some new cold water flushes under your neoprene. The more turbulence, the more it happens. Too loose of a fit, the more it happens. Any thickness to layering underneath your wetsuit, the more it happens. You do not want this. I wear nylon/poly briefs/speedo and an ultra-thin rashguard and nothing more under my neoprene layer for this reason. I’ve had a few surfers tell me they wear nothing at all. When you first jump in the water in neoprene only, you get flushed. Your body is easily and quickly able to heat this thin layer, and the neoprene insulates it enough that you can stay comfortable. But it isn’t the water that insulates you. The more you minimize the film of water, and the less it’s flushed, the longer you stay warm and comfortable. If your dry wear lets no water in at all - it’s actually all the better. The neoprene is more effective, not less.
The dry wear, wet wear combination actually works quite well both in water and out. As far as time and layers, one person gets up in the morning and slips on fleece. I get up and slip on neoprene. If there are more layers necessary, we both add more layers on top of that. At the water, we both put on our dry gear. When I get home, I take off neoprene and am wet underneath. Neoprene is certainly less comfortable than fleece, but it’s not actually uncomfortable to me, meaning I’m not feeling consciously bothered during wear. So my layers aren’t necessarily any more time consuming than anyone elses I wouldn’t figure.
Just wanted to let you know that just because you’re a beginner, doesn’t mean your idea is all that crazy. If it gets you safely paddling on your budget, that’s what counts.
Yup, walk around
My feet have never gotten that cold while paddling, but it used to be a frequent thing way back when I biked throughout the winter, right down to 5 degrees F.
I tried all kinds of layering combos, some of which were good for most of my rides. But below a certain temperature, nothing was warm enough. Solution: Get out before total numbness set in, and walk around a little. And still expect horribly cold feet at the end. That means having another set of footwear waiting, ones with thick fuzzy insulation.
Whoa, I forgot the sock liners!
Five layers on your feet!
Sorry, don’t mean to be flip. We’ve all done our share of experimenting.
I do think you win the award for most layers, though!
20°F!
The air temp was 20°F, pikabike. It takes lots of layers to stay warm in those temps!
No worries, though. I have a pair of NRS Cross-4 boots on the way. Those should be able to replace a few layers for me.
Good Point
Nowadays, I usually don’t paddle much more than an hour before getting out to stretch my legs.