Nothing is worse on a good skiing day than when your hands or feet are so cold that they first have to ‘thaw out’, i.e. warm up again. This can feel like intense tingling or even pain and is actually a simple physiological reaction of the body, caused by the return of blood flow to the blood vessels that were previously constricted due to the cold. How intense the pain is depends on the individual's pain threshold, the duration of cold exposure and possible underlying health conditions such as Raynaud's syndrome. Here we explain how this process occurs and, above all, what you can do to combat cold fingers and toes!

Numb fingers spoil the winter sports experience

When it is cold, small blood vessels (capillaries) and arteries in the hands contract in order to keep the heat in the centre of the body. This cold-induced vasoconstriction protects vital organs such as the heart and brain from cooling down. This greatly reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes, causing numbness and a feeling of cold. When you warm up, the constricted vessels widen again and blood flow returns (vasodilation). However, the inflowing blood irritates nerves, which the brain perceives as pain. The pain during ‘thawing’ can be intensified by tiny tissue damage or inactive nerves. To put it simply: sooner or later, clammy fingers lead to pain when they are exposed to heat again.

Tips to avoid or minimise pain when ‘thawing’ cold fingers:

• Warm up slowly: Avoid holding cold hands directly under hot water at all costs, as the sudden change in temperature can make the pain worse. Instead, lukewarm temperatures help to slowly restore blood circulation.
• Movement: Promote blood circulation through gentle movements of the fingers and hands.
• Massages: Gentle massages can help to support blood circulation and relieve pain.

The right gloves prevent your fingers from cooling down in the first place.

It is even better to prevent the cold from the outset and not let your hands get cold in the first place. This is the only way to enjoy a day of winter sports or a freezing cold winter day! As an Austrian glove specialist, we have solutions for people who get cold easily or who need or want to go outside in extreme temperatures:

1. Gloves with coordinated functional materials keep you warm

Dry and warm hands are crucial to prevent cooling. ‘Individual sensitivity to the cold and the level of activity determine the insulation of our models,’ explains our CEO Markus Zanier, who himself is out in the mountains around Tyrol every weekend. Models for active athletes are less insulated, while classic alpine ski models, especially for women, are warmer. Sweating in the gloves is also minimised by breathable membranes such as Sympatex® or Gore-Tex. Dry hands cool down less quickly than damp or wet hands.

2. Mittens for additional warmth when feeling very cold

Women freeze faster than men because their bodies have less muscle mass and switch to emergency care more quickly. ‘We also offer many women's models as mittens to create space for more insulation and finger movement,’ says Markus Zanier.

Children also benefit from mittens - they keep hands warm and are easy to put on and take off. Intelligent fastening solutions make them easier for parents and children to use.

3. The onion principle for the hands

As with clothing, layering helps here too: thin silk or merino undergloves have a warming effect and can be worn individually.

4. Heat pads - small heat sources for the hands

The ideal gloves for people with a high sensitivity to cold or for outdoor adventures in low temperatures: there is a so-called HEAT-PADS pocket with a zip on the back of these gloves or mittens. Small natural heating pads can be stowed in these, which provide cosy warmth to the hands for up to 8 hours after being shaken up.

5. Natural materials against the cold

Natural materials such as merino wool, silk or Tirolwool® offer excellent insulation and lasting comfort. ‘Tirolwool® is temperature-regulating and ideal for our mountain sports line, which was developed in cooperation with the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue Service,’ emphasises Markus Zanier.

6. Heating gloves and heating products from Zanier

For people who are sensitive to the cold or even Raynaud's patients, our heated gloves have become the most important accessory in winter. We pioneered the development of heated gloves back in 1999 and now offer four types of gloves and heated socks. Zanier heated gloves help many winter sports enthusiasts to avoid numb hands, circulatory problems or pain in the first place. You can find more information about Zanier heated gloves here: