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Original poster

People who REALLY feel the cold

207 replies

Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 08:23

....as in 20 degrees in summer you’re wearing 2-3 layers - What keeps you warmish in winter? This will be my third winter in the UK, I’m in the South East and nothing has kept me warm. My flat without heating was 19 last night. That is freezing and heating was quickly switched on and went up to 24 but I had on the Uniqlo extra warm top, oodie, leggings AND joggers so was comfortable. This how cold I feel, I know it’s ridiculous to most people but I can’t help it.

Things I have that don’t keep me warm:
M&S heatgen & Uniqlo heattech extra & ultra warm tops & leggings
North face Arctic parka
amazon & primary thick fleece lined leggings
Real wool jumpers
not to mention numerous knit beanies, earmuffs and gloves.

Nothing works for the 3 days a week I have to spend around 3-5 hours outside. I’ve also spent a fortune on those hand and feet warmers that heat up for a few hours.

Help!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
LongFaulks · 17/10/2023 08:24

I’d go get a thyroid function test.

Everley · 17/10/2023 08:26

I’d personally ask your GP to check your thyroid levels.

Louloulouenna · 17/10/2023 08:30

Well we manage almost entire winters with no heating (house too big to afford it for just two of us). I have a variety of old sheepskin and fur coats for when it's really cold and live in ugg boots. Our heating only goes on around Christmas when our children come home.

Barrowgirl · 17/10/2023 08:30

Are you very underweight?

I am. And good grief - I dread the winter.

what helps… hot water bottles and layer layers layer

prioritise keeping your torso and head warm

megletthesecond · 17/10/2023 08:33

Do you have fluffy / sheepskin shoe liners?
Mittens are warmer than gloves, although less practical.

Octavia64 · 17/10/2023 08:33

North face tent slippers for inside

Snow boots for outside (I have ones that mostly look like normal shoes). Proper ones not fashion ones.

Ski jacket for outside

Proper ski mittens for outside.

liveforsummer · 17/10/2023 08:36

Nothing really keeps me warm outside unless I am doing something active/physical then I will eventually warm up. (Will be even colder when I stop though) I buy long coats in a larger size so I can fit another coat underneath. I will have 4 layers on under those that I wear even inside (longline vest, long sleeve top,jumper, fleece). I have sheepskin insoles in all my boots (shoes and trainers are strictly summer wear. I don't wear gloves as I find they trap the cold in but wrist warmers are essential.

specialguest · 17/10/2023 08:38

Heated blanket for when you're home.

Hot baths.

Going for a run - I'm usually warm for a couple of hours afterwards.

Original poster
Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 08:38

I did have hyperthyroidism a number of years ago and this was when I was living in my hot country! So when the first winter here I couldn’t handle the cold I did go for a check up and went again in March this year but was all normal. I am underweight yes a lingering side effect from the over active thyroid. I’m 5 ft 1 and 45-50kg.

I can manage indoors with my heated blankets but travelling and outside is a problem. I think I will have to carry my hot water bottle. Attach it to my body 😳

OP posts:
Youneedtobelower · 17/10/2023 08:39

Louloulouenna · 17/10/2023 08:30

Well we manage almost entire winters with no heating (house too big to afford it for just two of us). I have a variety of old sheepskin and fur coats for when it's really cold and live in ugg boots. Our heating only goes on around Christmas when our children come home.

How totally unhelpful and full of self righteousness is your post??

Youneedtobelower · 17/10/2023 08:40

Hot bath is so helpful. Get boiling and then stack the layers on then hot water bottle and heated blanket.

Thingamebobwotsit · 17/10/2023 08:42

Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 08:38

I did have hyperthyroidism a number of years ago and this was when I was living in my hot country! So when the first winter here I couldn’t handle the cold I did go for a check up and went again in March this year but was all normal. I am underweight yes a lingering side effect from the over active thyroid. I’m 5 ft 1 and 45-50kg.

I can manage indoors with my heated blankets but travelling and outside is a problem. I think I will have to carry my hot water bottle. Attach it to my body 😳

Try a country-wide/ horseriding type shop you can get heated gilets which we used them all the time at the yards and farms I was based at during the winter. The uniqlo/m&s thermals are only really good for mild winters and about town. Look for merino wool thermals. My last set were from Mountain Warehouse. Down jackets. Sealskinz gloves.

Original poster
Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 08:45

liveforsummer · 17/10/2023 08:36

Nothing really keeps me warm outside unless I am doing something active/physical then I will eventually warm up. (Will be even colder when I stop though) I buy long coats in a larger size so I can fit another coat underneath. I will have 4 layers on under those that I wear even inside (longline vest, long sleeve top,jumper, fleece). I have sheepskin insoles in all my boots (shoes and trainers are strictly summer wear. I don't wear gloves as I find they trap the cold in but wrist warmers are essential.

buy long coats in a larger size so I can fit another coat underneath

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before! I have a 800 down fill jacket which is lightweight so I’ll get a bigger (and cheaper) version of my North face parka to wear over that. I may not be able to move or breath but hopefully will be warm!

OP posts:
seathewayahead · 17/10/2023 08:45

I would try keeping your feet / ankles and head and wrists warm. Also air needs to be able to warm up and stay trapped in your layers. Sometimes too many layers will actually keep you colder. I find a merino vest with a cashmere jumper over and then a soft wool longline cardigan or larger gilet/sleeveless vest with hat and wrist warmers and ugg boot type things is actually warmer than putting extra layers under or over. Also a plug in heated pad if you’re sat in a chair, with a sheepskin on the chair and blanket over the knees, or a heated pocket warmer type thing if you’re stood up, helps. Outside you’ll need proper thermal ski boots with a decent but not too thick sock so the air can heat up.

Branleuse · 17/10/2023 08:45

I think you've tried everything and you are going to have to acclimatise a bit I always think it's harder this time of year with the first cold snap. I am also in SE and there was a couple of really cold nights, but it's a few degrees warmer now.

I think if you are only warm at around 24 degrees though, then you're going to be paying through the nose for that.

Have you thought of those heated gilets ?
What part of you feels the cold most?
I find if I have extra layers on my torso and feet, then my legs and arms don't need as much.
I'd consider a down/feather jacket or real sheepskin boots etc. So much better for keeping you at a warm temperature but not sweaty

specialguest · 17/10/2023 08:45

It probably doesn't need saying but if your not eating well you will feel the cold more.

TeaAndStrumpets · 17/10/2023 08:46

Silk vest and long johns fit under anything. (Patra is good). Celtic sheepskin slippers but I wear socks too. Thin cashmere sweaters layered up ie jumper + cardigan (twin set) . I buy older cashmere from eBay, charity shops, the quality is better. Don't trust it to the washing machine though! Put on your socks while your feet are warm, rather than once they are chilled. Wear a cowl/snood round your neck.

I have recycled old sweaters by felting them (ask me how I know not to machine wash cashmere LOL) One sweater makes a set of wristwarmers and an infinity scarf. Turtle Doves will sell you that sort of thing, but it's a doddle to make your own.

Original poster
Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 08:50

Louloulouenna · 17/10/2023 08:30

Well we manage almost entire winters with no heating (house too big to afford it for just two of us). I have a variety of old sheepskin and fur coats for when it's really cold and live in ugg boots. Our heating only goes on around Christmas when our children come home.

That’s great that you can manage but as I’ve said I cannot. Which is why I put so much detail in my post regarding temperatures and clothes I have. I know this is madness to a lot of people but my post was asking for tips from the few that struggle as I do.

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 17/10/2023 08:52

Wheat packs are better than a hot water bottle if you are outside.

They also change shape so you can put them over your shoulders etc.

Barrowgirl · 17/10/2023 08:55

Op you don’t recover from hypothyroidism 😐

Original poster
Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 09:01

Branleuse · 17/10/2023 08:45

I think you've tried everything and you are going to have to acclimatise a bit I always think it's harder this time of year with the first cold snap. I am also in SE and there was a couple of really cold nights, but it's a few degrees warmer now.

I think if you are only warm at around 24 degrees though, then you're going to be paying through the nose for that.

Have you thought of those heated gilets ?
What part of you feels the cold most?
I find if I have extra layers on my torso and feet, then my legs and arms don't need as much.
I'd consider a down/feather jacket or real sheepskin boots etc. So much better for keeping you at a warm temperature but not sweaty

then you're going to be paying through the nose for that.
Yep I’ve economised so many other things just so I can have my heating on! I try not to be too silly with it but last night I had it on for a couple hours, then went under a blanket.

My face, ears, thighs, arms and torso feel the coldest. I have thought of a heated jacket but could only find large sizes on Amazon so didn’t think it would work as it wouldn’t have been close to my body. Will have another look.

Thanks for all the tips everyone I’m making notes!!

OP posts:
Louloulouenna · 17/10/2023 09:01

@Itswinteragain And that’s why I was saying that Fur / Sheepskin coats and Ugg boots work for me in the face of extreme cold. You can buy old ones for nothing.

Louloulouenna · 17/10/2023 09:03

And my neighbour wears a balaclava for a lot of the winter which is always rather alarming!

TheOGCCL · 17/10/2023 09:04

I’m not quite as bad as you and I’ve got less cold as I’ve got older (and currently live in a warm house) but I often look round in summer and everyone else is wearing far fewer clothes and moaning about the heat. I wear lots of layers, a thin gilet inside and out, ear muffs, knee length socks, fur lined boots, tights under trousers, two scarves and fingerless gloves. Agree cashmere is very warm.

https://scottishcashmereonline.com/products/ladies-100-cashmere-fingerless-gloves-made-in-hawick-scotland?variant=39987426885816

Original poster
Itswinteragain · 17/10/2023 09:05

Louloulouenna · 17/10/2023 09:03

And my neighbour wears a balaclava for a lot of the winter which is always rather alarming!

I did seriously think about wearing one last year!

OP posts:
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