Have you ever got numb toes/feet from going outside in the cold barefooted?

Answer 1

I go barefoot all winter long. When I step out, my feet feel the cold, but I dress up warmly from the ankle up and they warm up quickly. It's been rare I had to find shelter or put footwear on (I carry footwear in winter when it's below freezing, but I haven't had to resort to it at all for three winters). In addition to dressing up warmly from the ankle up, I'll wiggle my toes when I find anything even resembling numbness.

The worst cold toes I've had has been wearing rubber riding boots when I rode horses as a kid & in my teenage years. They provide little insulation, even with thick socks, and they allow little movement of the foot so circulation will be less than when I'm barefoot. Especially when actually on the horse, you're supposed to keep your legs still & circulation to the lower leg & toes is definitely less than when you're on the ground and can stomp around when getting cold... It's been quite a few years but I still remember many times that I felt like I just had little pebbles in front of my boots rather than toes getting off my horse, and it hurt like h*ll warming up! Never did any permanent damage but it wasn't pleasant...

And of course back then, no one would ask me if my feet were cold (well, except for other horse folks who knew from experience how bad those boots are for cold weather :)), while now I'm much less cold but I get that question all the time, even when temperatures are in the 50's, 60's or even higher! So many people in todays world of plenty & heavy clothes, central heating in winter, airco in summer, even heat & airco in their cars, they just don't understand how the body can keep itself warm (or when it can not)!

Answer 2

yeah man. it happens. vasoconstriction in your feet, less blood, and makes them numb. now if they are black, or purple then you gotta worry