Cold Feet

[kfergos]

This week is our first week in the teens (16F this morning, I think). By the end of my 13-mile commute my feet have either lost all feeling or hurt so much it brings tears to my eyes. My question: I'm wearing my regular clipless pedal shoes, and today I added 3 pairs of socks and ziploc baggies around the toes to cut the wind. Even with all that insulation, I thought I'd traded my feet for chunks of ice by the end of the ride. What do you hardy souls do to keep your feet from freezing off in the colder weather?

And while I'm at it, how about gloves? I don't want to spend a fortune here, but I had three pairs of gloves on this morning too -- functional, but turns braking and shifting into a bit of a challenge!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Did you add the extra socks inside your shoes or outside of your shoes? If inside, are you wearing the same size shoes that you do with your warm weather thin socks? If so, then you are probably causing part of the problem. You need some air in there to help keep your feet warm! 3 pairs of socks likely means you need a larger size shoe.

For winter riding, I use a slightly heavier wool sock (I use SmartWool socks, ultra-thin for summer, next level up but still not bulky) for winter), and I use shoe covers. If it's really cold, I also usually add chemical foot warmers. The ones I use are Heat Treat Toe Warmers, usually pick up a bunch at REI at the beginning of the season - http://www.rei.com/product/405012.

--- Denise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

For a commute, can't you forgo the clipless setup in favor of insulated winter hiking boots on regular platform pedals? You can get large enough boots to put 3 pairs of wool socks and a ziplock bag too in there. Even with all that it's hard to keep toes warm in temps in the teens F, but with this gear I can do 25 mile rides in 25 degrees ok. Perhaps you'd manage the 13 mile commute ok.

You might try the toe warmers too, but at $1 a pair it would cost $2 a day to commute with them.
I wish they made toe/hand warmers that could be re-used and reheated in the microwave or something.... the one-use thingys are too expensive and ecologically wasteful in my view.

Below 25 F, I actually wear two glove liners AND two windproof gloves, all piled up. Still has more dexterity than mitts.

[twin]

Lake winter boots work well with wool socks.

[Starfish]

For feet, you might try a very thin silk sock, then a thinnish wool sock, then, on the outside, neoprene shoe covers that go up your ankle, with a wind & waterproof thin shoe cover over that. I find that works pretty well. I also try to remember to actively wiggle my toes and lighten up on the balls of my feet regularly, from the start, to keep circulation going.

For hands, I'll wear silk glove liners, neoprene gloves, and wind/water proof outter glove covers.

The glove covers I found were PI. Naturally, they don't make a women's version :rolleyes: , but the men's small size was still huge enough to cover the big neoprene gloves.

[sundial]

I wear windproof/waterproof booties over my shoes along with thicker socks and it seems to work.

Both Sidi and Specialized make a winter shoe.

[bikerHen]

My feet are the only things that I can't ever get warm. :mad: I took my clipless pedals off for riding in the snow and am wearing a pair of insulated/waterproof snow boots. I bought a size larger so I'd have room for extra socks. Last Saturday morning I rode my 13 miles in 5 degree weather with 4 inches of snow. My feet were cold when I got to work but at least they have some feeling. Riding without my clips however, is driving me nuts! I switched back to my clips these last few days of slightly warmer weather but had totally numb feet this morning when I got to work so I guess it's back to the snow boots. I have a feeling my pedal wrench is going to see alot of action this winter. :D bikerHen

[Velobambina]

If you plan to ride w/any regularity in the winter, winter cycling shoes/boots are an excellent investment.

I have Sidi Diablos and the Lake winter boots [was able to get both on sale but they are worth the money, even if you have to pay full price]. The latter are my Herman Munster boots--a bit clunky--but they are decently warm. The Sidis are warm, too, but I have outfitted them w/toe warmers and boot covers. My feet are WIMPY and get cold quick. Wool socks are a must. Denise is right that the midweight wool socks, paired w/chemical footwarmers, seems to work best in most conditions. I also like the Woolie Boolie socks. Since my winter shoes/boots are a size larger than my usual and allow for more air circulation, I will use thicker socks when it's brutal. If I use them on moderately cold days, I end up w/wet feet (my feet sweat a lot).

Hands are also difficult. I use wool glove liners with AmFib lobster-style gloves. On really cold days (below 35 or so), I use chemical hand warmers, too.

Wiggling your toes/fingers helps to keep the blood moving some, too.

Usually, the first few really cold rides are tough. My body tends to acclimate a bit. Even though my hands & feet will invaribly get cold, I'm able to deal with it better. I suppose it's a matter of getting tougher, mentally, to the discomfort.

[RoadRaven]

My partner rides the really cold days with thick socks and winter booties, but we all use plastic bags (bread bags are good as they are quite thick) over the socks but inside the shoes and this helps to reduce wind-chill... doesn't prevent but the plastic is a good part of the equation.

[TsPoet]

You aren't going to believe this, but sandals! (Shimano, Look, other brands...)
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-Cycling-Sandals-SH-SD65/dp/B000K70IRS
these are all SPD (and eggbeater is what I use) compatable.
I wear any number of combination of socks, depending on the temperature:
polypro liner, wool, stormsocks if it's wet...
Sandals are the only way I've ever been able to keep my feet warm in the winter on a bike, they work like a charm.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You aren't going to believe this, but sandals!

You're right! :rolleyes:



I wear any number of combination of socks, depending on the temperature:
polypro liner, wool, stormsocks if it's wet...
Sandals are the only way I've ever been able to keep my feet warm in the winter on a bike, they work like a charm.

What kind of temperatures are we talking here? And how long out on the bike? And...do you live in Florida? :cool: ;)

[Voodoo Sally]

I second the neoprene outer bootie method. Those things are pretty good, and the thicker the better (I think some of the higher-end ones can be on the thin side). And also, instead of plastic bags over my socks, I use those mylar (silvery) potato chip type baggies (and I get to eat chips :) ). I don't know if the silvery stuff is heat-reflective, really, but those things seem to work pretty well. And they fit over just my toes.

[TsPoet]

You're right! :rolleyes:



What kind of temperatures are we talking here? And how long out on the bike? And...do you live in Florida? :cool: ;)


I live in eastern Washington. It's 30 degrees out right now and expected to reach a max of 31. I didn't ride today, though, due to the 3" of snow on the ground and black ice.
Really, try the sandals. The sandals expand to fit the socks and therefore are very very versatile to all temperatures.
The coldest I've ever ridden was ~26 degrees, but my feet are cold sitting in my office. I have type I diabetes going on 30 years now, so very poor circulation in my extremities. Sandals are the only thing that kept my on my bike last winter.
When it's very cold - thin sock liner (ski verity) thick wool socks, then a storm sock (or gortex). Result in toasty toes.
Prior to using sandals I used a bootie that was 1 size too large with a re-usable heat pack stuffed inside. That worked OK, but kept only the top of the feet warm. (I've heard that putting tape in the shoe over the area of the shoe that the cleat is keps some cold air from getting through the thinner cleats).

and the sandals are cool in the summer cinched up with no socks!

[lauraelmore1033]

I can testify that sandals are fine in cold weather. I wear sealskinz over smartwool footies and I am good into the high 30s (and now that I know better, I'll use 'em when it's even colder). Sealskinz are a little expensive for socks, but they are cheaper than a seperate pair of winter shoes...

[wavedancer]

You can probably get at least one more use out of the chemical toe warmers by sealing them up tight in a plastic bag after you get to where you are going. The active ingredients are iron filings and salt that start oxidizing (think rust!) when exposed to air. Once the air is cut off the process stops, and restarts when again exposed to air.

[KathiCville]

Wavedancer.......Your post about how chemical warmers work makes me wonder: When people complain that their warmers don't last as long as advertised, could it be because the warmers are simply too trapped inside a boot or glove, not getting any air, and so "fizzle" out sooner than expected? Meaning that if your chem warmer cools off an hour or two into your ride, you could maybe expose it to the air briefly (taking off boot or glove for, say, 15-20-even 30 seconds, if you're game;) ) and nudge it back into action again?

[TsPoet]

BTW - these are the heat packs I've used
http://www.9thtee.com/reheater.htm

they aren't thrown away and seem to really work great. Their smallest is too big, but if you can get around the extra bulk over the chemical warmers they must be better on the environment.

[luv'nAustin]

Today I saw something in the bicycle magazine that might be of interest. They were wireless heated insoles. Sidi makes them and they automatically control the temperature of the feet, are waterprrof, and come with a remote control. They are a little pricey at $299.99 but it could be worth it if they work and you ride in cold weather. They call them Toasters.

[Geonz]

I would try foregoing the clipless. My feet pretty much stay warm 'til about 15 degrees... after that they get a little nippy. Not losing feeling, just a little nippy. So at two below, I gotta flex 'em a little when I get to work.

There's something to be said for making sure you're circulating, though. I *was* cold one night last week when it was a good 30 degrees. There was a tailwind and it was dark and yukky enough that I didn't want to go fast (and I was in a full-blown funk because I was missing the indoor training ride because I had to ride the big bike that doesn't fit on the trainer and I had emailed hoping to be told "we'll take care of you" 'cause I've gotten that little bit of kind of lucky before and it didn't happen :( :( ) ... and four miles into the ride I was just getting chilly all over and remembered what that felt like. I didn't like it and it reminded me that people only *think* I'm all hard core but I'm genetically predisposed to this...)

I'm reasonably positive that a one-mile sprint would have eased all my pains. I did that the next day :)

[Twister]

I bought a pair of mens rubber 'overshoes' (they are designed to wear over dress shoes to prevent them from getting wet or snowy). I wear them over my regular cycling shoes. They didn't cost much, I think about $20. I don't wear clips, but I imagine you could cut a hole in the bottom.

They help keep my feet warmer.

[Technotart]

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&partNumber=608751&preferredSku=6087510019&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=2D56F659-F9AF-DC11-BE2A-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA


These are reusable - you snap the little metal disk and it sets off the reaction to warm them up, they get a little hard and crunchy - and then you drop them into a pan of boiling water to make them "new" again. I have a very large one of these I use for back pain and muscle aches - it's sort of a pain to boil because it doesn't fit well in any of my pans, but I imagine the little ones would be pretty easy.

-

[Technotart]

And another thought - although used batteries aren't exactly environmentally friendly...

http://www.amazon.com/SALE-Lectra-Battery-Heated-Socks/dp/B000K8CQJA/ref=pd_sbs_hi?ie=UTF8&qid=1198358763&sr=1-2

-

[lph]

For the last week I've been commuting in temps of lemmesee.. 10-14 F. I wear mediumweight wool socks, winter Shimano shoes with wool inner soles and neoprene booties. If I remember to pedal "round", and not mash my toes down all the time, this is ok for rides of 1-1,5 hrs. If I forget, my toes go numb, and once numb they're impossible to heat up again. I used chemical warmers one day, but had to go to thinner socks, all in all an expensive and not that effective solution.

But closing my neoprene booties UNDERNEATH my AmFib tights instead of over them made a noticeable difference. The booties are a bit snug around the ankle, and the added pressure cuts blood circulation just a tad. The tights are stretchier and go fine on top.

Below about 25 F I wear PI lobster gloves.

[KathiCville]

I thought about the electric socks, but my BF warned me that the batteries make the socks fall down as soon as the elastic at the top gets even slightly worn out......I guess you could add something like a velcro band around your leg to keep them up but that might be more trouble than it's worth..........

I was poking around on line today and saw the Sidi "toasters," the Hotronic systems, and the Therm-ic systems---all tempting, none inexpensive. I also saw this gizmo called Cozy Feet for $20; mixed reviews; but it does use rechargeable batteries: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009HMFPC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top ]

It doesn't appear to heat the whole insole, but it might be enough to do the trick in shoes that are pretty airtight. Or maybe it's feasible to add a thin wool full insole that heats up end to end, with the help of the half-insole?.....I just ordered one to give it a whirl. My "long" rides are only between 12mi and 20mi at the moment, so I can't really justify the more expensive systems unless I find one at a fabulous sale price.

I've also seen thick-piled wool fleece and sheepskin insoles that look pretty darned toasty, but they might take up too much room unless your shoes are really roomy. :)

[Starfish]

I thought about the electric socks, but my BF warned me that the batteries make the socks fall down as soon as the elastic at the top gets even slightly worn out

I used to use these riding horses through the snowy mountains. The tops can slide down, but the warmth is still there on your feet. Of course, I wasn't pedaling! ;)

[obie]

Newspaper! It was 3 degrees F this morning and my feet were fine. My commuter bike has loose toe clips/cages and I wore wool socks plus a sheet of newspaper wrapped around the front of my foot. Then I put my sneakers on over. It is amazing how well this works. As it gets colder I usually make myself a nice newspaper "footie" with tape that won't fall apart.

Neoprene booties and other items just make my feet sweat - this is the only thing that works, and it really works well!

[indigoiis]

Alpaca socks.

[KathiCville]

I had a chance to try my cheapy $20 heated insoles (see above) a few days ago and am pleased.....with caveats, of course. I tried them in place of chemical warmers tucked into the toebox of my shoes on a day when temperature was about 40, no wind. A few observations:

1) The insoles heat only to 98 degrees---body temperature. So if you crave that "ooooooh, that's toasty" feeling of more expensive systems, you'll be disappointed. (Unless you bear down, you won't feel warmth; instead, you'll just notice an absence of cold.)

2) Won't do much good in drafty "summer" cycling shoes, but work just fine in fully-enclosed, "windproof" shoes that are meant for winter walking or cycling. (I used them in my Sidi Winter Freeze shoes, to which I had previously added a 'real' insole to replace the skimpy one that came with the shoe.)

3) I barely noticed the velcro-strapped battery packs around my ankles. I strapped them on so the pack was on the outside of my foot, just behind ankle, out of way. Stayed secure throughout my 16-mile ride. Truly forgot it was there. Took me less than a minute to get each set up and plugged in.

4) Insole itself is surprisingly thin, so it doesn't take up valuable room in shoe. I put them right up front under my toes. I was wearing one light pair of Smartwool socks. Next time, on a colder day, I think I'll slip the insoles BETWEEN two pairs of light wool socks. Or between light wool socks and my Gore windproof socks, for good measure. Wire from insole to battery pack is thin enough that even if it's under your foot, you don't really notice it.

5) No temp controls, but if you want to turn it off, just pull out the little plug. Heats up quickly, within a minute of being plugged in.

6) Battery pack isn't waterpoof, but that's not an issue for me because I don't ride in wet weather. Each pack takes 2 AA's and is small enough that it could easily be worn underneath loose rain pants.

Naturally, the $20 insoles can't compete with the Sidi Toasters or the Hotronics system for serious riders, but if your winter rides are like mine---from 30 to 90 minutes long---you might want to give them a try, particularly in combo with wool socks.

[helena]

My feet get chilly sometimes too, I wear my summer hiking boots loosely done up and one pair of wool socks. The other day it was -38F and admittidely I was just biking up the road (~1km), but my boots had been in front of the stove and they were SO warm all the way, I think because the rubber soles held the heat in. Anyway I was impressed because usually stuff gets cold REALLY quickly at these temps. I plan to leave my shoes in front of the heat from now on - simple but beautifully effective :)