The team at Down syndrome International (DSi) has kindly produced a guide to the campaign along with posters and suggested activities so you can make the most of the day. Think materials like GORE-TEX or eVent that are treated with coatings that are hydrophobic and cause water to bead right off. Nylon is used because it is versatile and can help the down booties maintain their best insulation abilities, thus keeping your feet toasty warm.

Some knitters like to make sure they use an extra stretchy cast-on method, but I find that casting on loosely works just fine for me. When synthetic insulation is exposed to moisture, the warmth factor still performs well and dries faster than natural down.While you do eventually get the hang of estimating how long you can make your cuff without running out of yarn for the foot, there’s always a little room for something to go wrong. Please note that these are not for wearing on their own outside or on a grubby bothy floor – they are more like socks than boots in that respect. It is highly effective in keeping the user’s feet warm and insulated, while still being lightweight and packable. With so many different types of booties on the market, it can be hard to differentiate between what styles are meant to be worn inside, out, in a sleeping bag, as socks, etc. My hands and fingertips freeze within a few minutes of being in the cold wether it's mild or below zero.

That makes it a little more straightforward than the construction methods for a toe-up sock, and because the heel flap and gusset are the best way to get a snug fit if you have a high instep, this is a factor worth considering. If you’re in between sizes on these, we recommend going the next size up for a slightly roomier fit that can be worn with or without socks. To learn more about how and for what purposes we use personal information, please visit our Privacy Notice. They offer some protection against drafts and are suitable for colder temperatures without being too cumbersome.Merino Wool base layers are ideal for hiking, backpacking, trail running and other outdoor adventures. Featuring a high quality "C6" durable water repellant (DWR), this ripstop and tear resistant material can also handle a light mist (but is not waterproof). Yes, you could probably run out in the driveway to fetch the paper in them, but you wouldn’t want to hit the trails since they lack the arch support or durability to support your feet on varying terrain. These sizes are approximate, to the nearest half size, because down socks are roomy and soft by nature and exact sizings are meaningless.

As long as you have enough to knit the foot through the heel, you can finish with a cuff and cast-off as soon as you run out of yarn.

If you’re interested in showing off a new technique, cuff-down socks probably aren’t going to be the style for you. I’m primarily a cuff-down knitter, and because I have medium-sized feet, I usually only use about 2/3 of a skein of sock yarn for each pair. The Standard Booties contain 800-fill European-sourced goose down and are finished with a foam insole and nonslip Toughtek outsole. Because of their lightweight materials and typical construction of down insulation, down booties are highly packable.

They still aren’t any heavier than a regular pair of boots, but would still be pretty noticeable in your backpack on the skin track to the hut. In short, these down booties provide plenty of warmth, and their nonslip sole is perfect for that après stroll around any ski town. If you care about the planet and where your products come from, then it is important to know how sustainably sourced your down booties are.

I slept in a Katabatic Flex 30 Ultralight Quilt on a Therm-a-Rest Neo Air XLite inside a Gossamer Gear The DCF One Tent.