Am freezing with Reynaulds - warm coat and footwear recomends for watching DC play sports

[Shoes4Mum]

Hello I have Reynaulds Syndrome and my DC had started to play football and rugby this year and I am freezing and miserable!!

After mid-week rugby this week and Saturday football now I am honestly ready to just pull DC out of sports because I cannot deal with being this cold on a regular basis 🙁

I've looked online and on ebay but am just totally overwhelmed by the choice.

I am looking for a really warm coat, ideally a long one (maybe shin length) though I am pretty tall (5foot 10) so a lot of coats aren't that long on me 🙁 definitely not something that stops at the hips as I would be draughty!

The one I really like is the one Monica Geldart has in these YouTube shorts https://youtube.com/shorts/5QWsHDyO24Q?si=fpezMQmswNuggFbk

Maybe it needs to be windproof if there is such a thing these days. My friend had a stormproof coat from M&S a few years ago however looking on the website it seems to have been discontinued.

I am also finding my toes are absolutely numb and then extremely painful after standing on the sidelines for several hours. Are there any boots or trainers which would be really warm? At present I am wearing Uggs ankle boots which are lined and I would have expected them to keep me warm but they aren't. I've seen some other parents wearing riding boots and hiking boots as well as trainers but I don't know anyone well enough to ask if their feet have gone numb as I am new! Or maybe I should get some really good socks... If anyone could recommend some brands?

Many thanks xx

mittens - buy larger size than needed, put a handwarmer inside, wear wrist warmers too.
Feet - wear snow boots in a larger size, thin socks with thicker sock on top, put in hand foot warmer. Add leg warmers.
Head - love heat holders hats, sometimes wear with an earwarmer under.
Body - lots of layers, I have a fleece with a high polo neck that I can pull up over my chin as I don't like scarves. I also have a fleece gillet which I zip a hot water bottle inside and I will either have the hot water bottle on my tummy or my back. Big ankle length puffer coat on top.
Insulated cup with hot ribena
Stylish - not at all, but toasty

These have been an absolute life saver for me on cold dog walks.

Think outside the box: do you actually HAVE to stand on the sidelines for hours? Can you not nip into a warm cafe or the car?

Do you have a partner/family member who could take turns with you?

in terms of coats/clothes I LOVE M&S thermal tops (the thermal fleece lined ones at £16) and my Seasalt Janelle coat which comes in a longer-length for tall women (I am 6ft)

then for footwear I have neoprene lined wellies which are £££ but so worth it

Was going to suggest Lands End too. They have a Black Friday sale on at the moment too, I just got a down-filled coat for £70 off and it's very warm.

I have Raynauds, hands and feet but worse in my feet. I also spend a lot of time outdoors. It is really important to keep your core warm, as well as hands and feet. I wear lots of layers, thermals, flannel shirts, wool jumpers. I then add long gilet with a dry robe on top, the size of the dry robe allows for all the layers without feeling uncomfortable. I wear sheepskin gloves and waterproof (not water repellent) walking boots with a sheepskin inner then two pairs of thermal socks.

It’s taken years for me to find the combination that’s works. I would also suggest you don’t stand still, walk up and down the sidelines, you will feel much colder if you stand still.

My DH has Reynauds too, mainly affects his hands. He has fluffy gloves but also rechargeable hand warmers.

Game changer!

I can't get the link up right now but I've just bought myself a greeny coloured mid-length coat from Decathlon online. It was about £90 and it's properly waterproof, has loads of big functional pockets, and is padded and meant to keep you warm in temps of up to -10c. I can report I've worn it a couple of times this week in temps of -1 up to 4 degrees and felt properly warm throughout. I also have reynaud's and struggle in the cold but feel like this coat is actually going to be life changing! I have 3 young kids and live in a wet place in the north so school runs in terrible weather (with a toddler and baby in tow too) was my main motivation for buying it. Definitely worth a look.

However I still don't have a good solution for my hands which is obviously where I struggle the most. Will read back through the thread. Ideally I need something vaguely waterproof gloves wise too for pushing pram in pouring rain!

I bought some heated socks of Amazon for doing the horses in winter. They were about £30 and keep my feet extra warm. You just have to charge them up and they last for ages! For the extra cold days, I pair them with a pair of winter muck boots wellies. I never have cold feet now and find the thick sole of the Muckboots really comfortable for standing around in.

In addition to all the suggestions above, waterproof over trousers or even ski trousers are a game changer. It’s like a coat for your legs, don’t underestimate the impact of wind proofing your legs and ankles, it will help keep your feet a bit warmer too. Of course they have the same drawbacks as a dry robe, but if you don’t mind too much what you look like…
Leggings, joggers or thermals underneath.

Knee length ski socks, with wool socks on top, insulated thick-sole boots that go to mid calf at least and are a couple of sizes too big. Insoles with lambs wool on the top and aluminium foil on the bottom.
My boots are Lands End and they are fabulously warm.

Bring a mat to stand on. A swimming float is ideal, or one of those gardeners kneeler mats.

Make sure there is no gap between your gloves and your cuffs - best way is to put your gloves on first, then your coat over the top. Then stick your gloved hands into your coat pockets and keep them there until the match ends. Even when somebody scores.

I bought remote controlled heated inner soles on Temu for my Raynaud’s. Best thing ever. I also have thin, reflective inner soles underneath those to keep the heat going up and the cold down. I wear them with merino or wool/heattech socks.

You need these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIAOPROTECT-Pushchair-Waterproof-Breathable-Anti-Freeze/dp/B07VN45VRL/

Are you sat?
In B&M I saw a hot water bottle you put your feet in/on.

If you put it in a reusable bag you could keep your feet warm with that.

Only works if you can sit though.

Muck boots neoprene lined wellies are fantastic for keeping feet warm on muddy fields. I love mine for walking in the winter.

Ski wear! Salopettes and ski socks, and ski mittens, and boots with a bit of room in are warmer than snug fitting as the warm air gets trapped between you and the shoe

Rugby family here. I have a dry robe dupe from Mountain Warehouse. I can wear loads of layers under it. Lots on here hate them but it’s super warm, long and water/wind proof. I then start with a base layer/thermal. I also have heated socks from Amazon. Waterproof boots. If super cold thermal tights under jeans (I am in north of Scotland), jumper, sometimes a Body warmer, dry robe and then hat and gloves. I have heated gloves and or hand warmers in my pockets.

Artic Muck Boots, heatable socks, ski wear and try to find somewhere away from the pitch to stand such as the cafe or your car.

Reynauds sufferer and soccer mum here. Only solution after many years of spending money on stuff to stay warm is

sorrell snow boots

www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/3715195?st=Shopping&ad=Google&campaign=t-Shopping%24loc-A%24x-Allbrands%24a-UK%24y-Shopping%24aud-new&utm_source=Shopping&adt=Shopping&dt=m&site=open&loc-A&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADLS5ZCFiy1jlvdHLrjzvQlnNJ7bP

M and M grey bench coat

www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/EN30949/Bench-Womens-Ryelle-Maxi-Length-Puffer-Jacket-Black

trespass warm gloves (wool)

i’m Peri so my torso is usually ok but with the Reynauds, its the extremeties - this is now my go to outfit. For the first time in my life my feet actually get too hot!

Not a football mum but I feel the cold
I have reusable hand warmers that I put in my pockets and usually have spare in my bag.
Sticky heat packs usually for a bad back, again usually one in my handbag if I know im out on a cold day.
I frequently wear two pairs of socks. I have some almost football socks that go right up my shins and then wear a pair of fluffy socks over the top. alternatively you could invest in some really good hiking socks
primark have just released a fur lined onesie for external wear so might be a good affordable base layer (nightmare if you need a wee though)
a good hat/scarf and buffer. (the smart wool ones are amazing)
gloves (seal skin ones are quite good)
fleece layers. you can get thin fleeces in most outdoor shops. these are not given enough credit, when layered properly they can keep the wind out from hitting you properly
maybe a ski jacket?

Husband has Reynauds. He wears heated socks and heated gloves for cold weather walking and cycling.

I watched football in the storm earlier. Warm and dry in my sweaty Betty nimbus coat, and I wear fur lined waterproof snow boots. I got them in the sale in mountain warehouse.

Have you used them and can vouch for it? Just wondering because I have a 'hot mitt' which is very similar but I don't find it helpful tbh. I mean it is an extra layer but it doesn't feel much warmer and the heating element gets only barely warm in it. Plus it's very bulky and hard to push the pram up and down kerbs in etc.

You can also buy heated gloves and socks that are great too. You keep them warm with a cord through your sleeve and into a power bank.

I had these in a previous incarnation and worn with heat holders help kept my feet toasty on the touchlines.https://www.skechers.co.uk/trego---snow-worries/167882.html

Reynauds here too. Didriksons long coat is a life saver, I wish I had invested years ago. Hestra mittens. Woollen knee high socks. Uniqlo heat tech layers. Hat. And Blundstone thermal boots. This is all expensive gear but will last years.

Has anybody tried acupuncture for reynauds? I'm thinking about giving it a go.