You’d think that socks keep your feet warmer, but it’s not always the case. While they do protect your soles from the cold coming up from the floor, they don’t always do a great job of keeping your feet warm in general.
Here are some possible reasons why:
They’re Slightly Damp
If your socks are made from fabric that doesn’t wick away moisture, they can become damp fairly easily. Damp socks have the nasty habit of pulling the warmth from your feet, keeping you cool. This isn’t usually an issue when you’re running in the heat, but when the weather is cool to begin with, it can be extremely noticeable and not very nice.
They’re Too Tight
Yes, too-tight socks can cause cold feet. This is because they alter your circulation. Even though your feet may not feel numb or tingly (giving you an indication that there’s a circulation problem), just a little circulation problem can cause cold feet.
When your socks are too tight, the blood doesn’t flow quite like it should. Without the usual movement and friction of rapidly-flowing blood through veins, there’s less generated heat. It’s a minute difference, but the body can be incredibly sensitive to even the tiniest changes in temperature.
Diabetes
If you suffer from diabetes, you’re more likely to have circulation problems than those who don’t. If you haven't been diagnosed, constant cold feet could be an indication, and you should see a doctor just to be safe.
Diabetics will have circulation problems and cold feet more often than non-diabetics. In this case, even loose socks may not help warm your feet up, unfortunately.