Why am I always cold? Understanding the cause and taking effective action!

Numb hands, frozen feet, constant shivering, lasting discomfort... No matter how many layers you pile on, nothing helps: you’re always cold, even when others seem perfectly comfortable! Rest assured: you’re not alone!

Indeed, when thermoregulation – the natural mechanism that keeps your body at its normal temperature of 37°C – no longer works effectively enough to protect you, Therm-ic steps in. How? With innovative solutions and heated products – gloves, socks or jackets – that allow you to regain controlled, long-lasting warmth tailored to each part of the body.

Why are you always cold? Why do your hands and feet cause you so much discomfort as soon as the temperature drops? And how can you remedy this to regain comfort, enjoyment and performance in your outdoor activities? Find all the answers to your questions in this article!

“No matter how many layers you pile on, nothing helps: you’re always cold, even when others seem perfectly comfortable!”

THERMOREGULATION: HOW DOES THE BODY REACT WHEN IT’S COLD?

When it’s cold, the human body tries to maintain a stable, normal temperature of around 37°C. When outdoor conditions become harsh, particularly in winter, your body naturally produces heat and then tries to retain it to protect you. This mechanism is called thermoregulation.

To warm you up, this thermoregulation activates several mechanisms:

1/ Vasoconstriction. The body’s first reflex when it starts to shiver.

This means that the blood vessels furthest from the vital organs – those near your extremities or the surface of your skin – constrict to limit blood flow to the periphery, thereby preventing heat loss.

2/ Shivering. The second mechanism for protection against the cold.

In fact, shivering is actually rapid, involuntary micro-contractions of the muscles which, through even minimal muscle activation, generate heat.

3/ Thermogenesis. This third natural process for combating the cold involves converting energy from your fat stores into heat.

This is one of the reasons why slimmer people are often more sensitive to winter temperatures.

“When it’s cold, the human body tries to maintain a stable, normal temperature of around 37°C. This mechanism is called thermoregulation.”

WHY ARE MY HANDS AND FEET ALWAYS COLD?

Here’s the hit of the winter. The question that comes up like a refrain as soon as the mercury drops. Why do I always have freezing hands and feet? In other words, why does the cold settle in certain parts of the body rather than others?

The answer is simple: it is a strategic choice made by your body, whose thermoregulation naturally prioritises protecting your vital organs over your extremities. In fact, your central system focuses all its energy on sending heat to the heart, lungs, liver and brain.

Beyond this lack of blood supply, there are two other reasons why your hands and feet are more vulnerable to the cold:

• They contain less adipose tissue, the fat that plays a key role in thermal insulation by acting as a natural barrier against sub-zero temperatures.
• Fingers, toes, the nose and ears are often highly exposed to the cold because they are poorly protected.
• We often find that the gloves or socks being worn are unsuitable for the conditions, which leads to rapid heat loss.

It is precisely here – in the design of innovative heating solutions – that our Therm-ic expertise comes into its own.

“Thermoregulation naturally prioritises the protection of your vital organs over that of your extremities.”

I’M ALWAYS COLD: IS THIS NORMAL?

The answer is clear-cut: no, it’s not normal... but there is an explanation.

Feeling cold occasionally is a normal reaction. However, shivering and feeling constantly uncomfortable indicates that your body is struggling to minimise heat loss as much as possible.

Several factors can exacerbate this sensitivity:

1/ A slender build. It’s a cliché that, in this case, turns out to be true from a scientific point of view: fat – or rather adipose tissue – protects against the cold, acting as a natural insulator.

2/ Fatigue. A body that is exhausted, whether physically or mentally, finds it harder to maintain its ideal temperature of 37°C.

3/ Stress. Just like fatigue, stress has a negative impact on thermoregulation in that it disrupts blood circulation.

However, if blood circulation is reduced, particularly to the extremities, the hands and feet cool down more quickly.

4/ Lack of movement. Inactivity reduces blood circulation as well as heat production by the muscles.

This is why your frozen, stiff and constricted feet cause you so much discomfort in your ski boots.

5/ Lack of energy. And consequently, hunger. Without fuel, the body cannot produce enough heat.

“Just like fatigue, stress has a negative impact on thermoregulation in that it disrupts blood circulation.”

WHY CHOOSE HEATED CLOTHING AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

When the body and layers of conventional clothing reach their limits, a controlled external heat source becomes essential. This is where Therm-ic heated products come into their own: supporting natural thermoregulation to help you regain comfort and enjoyment.

Therm-ic heated solutions will transform your outdoor sports experience because:

• They provide immediate, constant and controlled warmth.
• They keep you warm regardless of your level of exertion.
• They offer three adjustable heat settings and long-lasting battery life.

In other words, our heated gloves, socks, jackets and base layers act as a smart extension of your body’s natural thermoregulation.

How do our heated garments work? Two key words: simplicity and practicality.

1. Thin, flexible heating elements are discreetly integrated into the most strategic areas of the garment.
2. These are powered by a compact, lightweight and virtually unnoticeable external battery.
3. The heat is then distributed immediately, constantly and evenly, with the option to adjust the intensity to suit your needs via a highly intuitive Bluetooth system connected to your smartphone.

“Our heated gloves, socks, jackets and base layers act as a smart extension of your body’s natural temperature regulation.”

HOW CAN YOU STOP HAVING COLD HANDS AND FEET?

Warm clothing retains heat. Heated clothing generates it. And it is in this sense that Therm-ic allows you to prolong your comfort and enjoyment even when conditions are wintry, or even extreme.

This is the mission of our product range: to support your thermoregulation whatever the season, environment or activity, from skiing to trail running, cycling and hiking.

1/ OUR HEATED SOCKS FOR COLD FEET

Our technical and warm socks ensure your feet stay at the right temperature thanks to patented S.E.T® technology, which provides 360° heat distribution.

How? By replacing localised heating points with a thin 2mm heating strip integrated into the sock’s construction.

Imperceptible, this heating strip wraps all the way around your feet to warm them, without missing a single square millimetre of skin.

These heated socks are particularly suited to winter hiking, downhill skiing, ski touring, snowboarding and mountaineering.