Need Ideas For Cold Feet

[Dog]

Knock on wood....I'm still riding outdoors on the weekends. The temps have been in the mid 30's to low 40's the past few weekends. I rode 25 miles today and stayed warm (38 degrees) with the exception of my feet. My toes were frozed by the end of the ride. I am wearing heavy smartwool socks and shoes with a toe cover. Not cutting it. I know there are bike commuters out there. What are you using to keep your feet warm? I would like to keep riding through the winer months.

[ny biker]

I don't ride in those temps, but my feet get cold when temps are in the low 50s if my legs are not warm enough. Last spring I did some rides wearing capris and I felt like my feet would have been more comfortable if my legs had been completely covered down to my ankles. So, maybe warmer tights would help?

Also, if my socks are too tight or are too bulky so that they make my shoes tight, my feet get cold.

[salsabike]

Smartwool mountaineering socks (the heaviest weight they have) and Sugoi Resistor Booties. Together, those really work to keep my feet warm enough.

[OakLeaf]

If you can't wiggle your toes freely, they're losing circulation. Are your shoes big enough for the heavy socks? You may be warmer in thinner socks. Also, not everyone experiences this, but toe covers automatically cut off my circulation. Even if that isn't happening to you, for very cold temperatures, you really want full shoe covers.

Then there are chemical toe warmers or electric socks for when it gets colder than your body can keep up with.

[Crankin]

Woolie Bully socks... thin, but extremely warm. I have many thicknesses of wool socks.
Booties, either neoprene or Gore Tex. Sometimes I wear toe covers and booties.
Finally, chemical toe warmers, like you wear for winter sports. These do the trick. I use them if it's below 42 or so. Once your feet and hands are warm, the other parts are easy.
And yes, loosen your shoes. Really important.
I finally found a pair of winter road cycling shoes for women in my size (37). Am eagerly awaiting their arrival, and hoping I don't have to use all of the above things in the future. I have winter shoes for my Frog pedal bike, which are OK, but I still have to use the chemical warmers if I ride in the 30s. I am still riding outside, too, but it is supposed to get more winter like here, by the end of the week. I have a longer ride planned with DH for next Friday afternoon, so I may be put to the test.

[sarahkonamojo]

I ride in the conditions you describe although moisture content is lower. Temps around freezing are tolerable, but much below it is time to go skiing.
I have found neoprene socks to be the best. They aren't too bulky and retain any warmth you create. Socks such as these:
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2340&pdeptid=1168
Also my shoes do not vent. Not a lot of mesh.
S

[Thorn]

I'm still working on this one. I have the rest of me toasty warm down to 15F, but no matter what I do when I get to work (a little over an hour), my toes are cold.

I have tried thin socks, thick socks, thin socks with thick socks, winter cycling boots, and, heck, even Keen cycling sandals (which, btw, with a thick sock worked as well as my cyling boots down to about 35F).

My last foray into finding the toe warming miracle was based on a woman over on another forum. She stated that the secret to keeping fingers and toes warm was to keep the pulse points warm (wrist and ankle).

While it sounded silly to me, I did notice that my fingers stay warmest if I make sure that my gloves overlap my jersy and I batten down the velcro on my jacket to hold it all in place. So, what the heck.

I followed her suggestion of a neoprene ankle support to keep the ankle warm. Being the closet scientist (and cheap), I bought one support and wore it on one foot with a wool sock and just a wool sock on the other. Thirty minutes into my commute both toes were getting cold. By the time I got to work....no difference.

Next week, I'm going for wool knee socks and knickers instead of shorts under my tights. I guess I'm thinking along the lines of ny biker -- I'm going to make sure my legs are warm and see if that translates to warm feet. Can't do the one leg experiment, but one thing about the commute is there is always the next day to try something else.

[DebW]

I just discovered that I can wear both my Sugoi Resistor Boties and a pair of neoprene shoe covers at the same time. This was good into the mid to upper 30s on a recent tour. Though I could still feel heat leaking out from the cleats and chilling the bottom of my foot and my toes were a bit cool. Maybe there are more insulative footbeds that would avoid some of the cleat heat sink effect? Anybody tried sole insulation?

For commuting in true winter weather, I switched my mtb/commuter to flat pedals with toe clips (no straps) and wore old hiking boots with heavy socks. That was great down to 0F for rides of a few miles.

[jessmarimba]

I wear wool knee socks/snowboard socks to keep my lower legs warmer - but for me, whether or not my feet are warm also depends on how tight my shoes are. Went running yesterday in normal non-waterproof running shoes in 6 inches of snow, 23-degree weather and a pair of Columbia snowboard socks and they didn't get numb at all - and coming from someone who has Raynaud's, that's impressive. (My hands were another story).

When I commute and its closer t0 40 in the morning, I typically ride in just shorts and wool knee socks and I'm usually ok, even though I'm one of those people who's always cold. But my whole morning commute is uphill so that probably helps too - I'm sweating the entire way.

[Biciclista]

is your head warm enough? body? torso? if you don't have enough on your head, your feet will be colder. Below a certain temperature I have these issues too.
Good luck i hope you find a combo that works.

[Crankin]

You know, I bought the Gore booties with high hopes. But, I can't easily get them around my calves :eek:. It's weird, like I can't get them on. DH bought the same ones and he's fine. Then I read a whole thing about how women's calves are shaped differently. No wonder, I thought I was going crazy. I have a pair of Hind booties that are all velcro fasteners and I love them.

[Seajay]

As a long time member of the cold feet club, I have found some things that work well for me.

Unless you have special over sized winter shoes, Avoid thick socks they just pinch your toes and make feet colder.
Chemical FULL INSOLES from ski stores in place of regular insoles...HEAVEN
Heat up shoes at home or on the defroster vents before the ride. Keeps initial vasoconstriction to a minimum before the ride starts.
Shoe covers of course
On cold days take the toe of an old rag wool sock, cut it like a toe cover and put it on UNDER your shoe covers.
30 quick jumping jacks or some other embarrassing parking lot aerobics before you get on the bike.
Shoes on and NO WALKING AROUND. Get straight on the bike. Walking with bike shoes on cold ground makes feet really cold.

[pll]

To Seajay's rule # 7: For me, walking a little mid-ride helps to move my toes when they are cold, so my feet warm up again.

[bluebug32]

I have some Louis Garneau booties that keep me warm and toasty at 30 degrees.

[Seajay]

To Seajay's rule # 7: For me, walking a little mid-ride helps to move my toes when they are cold, so my feet warm up again.
Well, not really rules. :p
It would seem that walking would squash your toes into the shoes worse. They don't get colder? Mine sure do, but different strokes. right? :)
I've stopped, pulled off my shoes and done a little foot massage mid ride. That has been very effective.
I guess with #7 I was addressing the negative of the "cold soak" that gets to your feet before you start riding rather than the benefit of a little toe wiggle mid-ride.

[goride]

I rode with a friend Thanksgiving weekend. She has an ongoing problem with cold toes. She wore wool socks, a thin plastic bag on each foot - almost like a sandwich bag (not the kind that zips), her cycling shoes, and shoe covers. She was very happy with the results.

[jyyanks]

It's funny -- plastic works for me too! I've used plastic bags (like the kind that you put your vegetables in at the supermarket) and wool socks and it helps keep my feet nice and toasty.

[missjean]

It can get very cold here in NH, but I still want to ride. I've tried every combo of shoe, sock, shoe cover, plastic bag, you name it, and still with the toe-sicles.
Chemical toes warmers are the only thing that works for me when the temp goes below 40*.

[Dog]

Thank you everyone. Lots of good ideas. So far the weather looks like I can ride on Saturday with the same temperatures (mid to high 30's). I do think part of it is circulation. I try to move my toes around while riding. I'll start trying out some of the ideas and let you know the results. Thanks again!

[ny biker]

I'm curious, do plastic bags make your feet sweaty?

[OakLeaf]

Not mine (I wear them over wool socks, though I doubt that makes much difference). I can literally pour sweat out if I wear anything non-breathable on top. My feet just don't get warm enough to sweat when it's cold enough to put the plastic bags on.

[TsPoet]

am I the only one that loves Sandals for cold weather? I have my summer sandals (Keene commuters) and winter sandals (which I've had and used so long I can't remember what they are - a roomier type with 2 straps)- in a men's size. I layer up with all of the socks, chemicals, plastic needed and slip the sandals on over it. The only thing the sandals aren't terrific for is wet.

[ny biker]

am I the only one that loves Sandals for cold weather? I have my summer sandals (Keene commuters) and winter sandals (which I've had and used so long I can't remember what they are - a roomier type with 2 straps)- in a men's size. I layer up with all of the socks, chemicals, plastic needed and slip the sandals on over it. The only thing the sandals aren't terrific for is wet.

No, you are not the only one. Yesterday I read a blog post from a local cycling advocacy guy about how to dress for cold weather riding, and he said he prefers sandals with neoprene covers. They help him avoid the problem of cold toes due to tight shoes.

[soprano]

Sandals are all good here. This morning I went with my Keens and 2 layers wool socks. I let the laces out pretty far to accommodate the socks comfortably (normally they are cinched down tight). It was 24 degrees F this morning and I was fine.

It helps to do ankle circles during stops. Same goes for the hands - wrist circles get the blood flowing much better than just moving my fingers.

[Susan Otcenas]

I suffer terribly from Reynaud's. I really shouldn't ride outside on cold weather at all, given the damage I have to my feet from too many hours with bricks for feet.

That said, my best combination for keeping my feet warm the longest is:

1. Sidi Goretex Boots, one size larger than my regular Sidi shoes
2. A full length Little Hottie foot warmer placed in the bottom of the shoe, instead of the standard foot bed.
3. A knee high pair of thick wool socks
4. Little Hottie Toe Warmer on the TOP of my feet (rmy theory being that it keeps the veins in the top of my feet warm and dilated)
5. A pair of Pearl Izumi Amfib Booties.
6. My secret weapon.... hot water heater silver insulating bubble wrap. This has been shaped and formed to fit over my boots, and is covered and kept in place by the Pearl Izumi booties.

Yes, this sounds ridiculous. But I can sometimes go 4-6 hours like this before my feet get too cold to feel them anymore.

Photo attached!

BTW - the other thing that really helps is to make sure the rest of me is VERY well insulated. When you get a chill, your body naturally shunts blood to your core (it's an evolutionary mechanism to preserve the body) at the expense of the extremities. So, if you often get cold hands and feet, try covering your head, wearing warmer tights, and insulating your core better.

[Becky]

That reflective water heater wrap also works well as a secondary insole (under the stock footbed) to insulate the bottoms of your feet from the cleats and ground if there's room for it...

(Works well in steel toe boots too....talk about cold feet!)

[cyclesq]

lake winter cycling boots! toastie warm even in freezing temps! http://www.lakecycling.com/footwear.html

[redrhodie]

That reflective water heater wrap also works well as a secondary insole (under the stock footbed) to insulate the bottoms of your feet from the cleats and ground if there's room for it...

(Works well in steel toe boots too....talk about cold feet!)

The insoles of my Lake winter boots looks like that stuff.

I suffer from toe swelling in winter that could be Chilblains, but I haven't had a formal diagnosis. I suspect wearing too many socks, especially knee highs, were making things worse by cutting off my circulation. It hasn't been cold enough this year for this issue to flair, so I haven't been able to test my new theory. I got the Lakes in a larger size, and I'm going to be wearing them with only one sock. I've also gotten a few pairs of tights, thinking maybe the issue was cold legs and butt. Anyway, it's weird because my legs and feet don't feel as cold as other people's seem to on the bike, but there's definitely a reaction later.

[WindingRoad]

Today I finally bit the bullet and purchased a pair of winter cycling boots. They are Specialized Defrosters size 43 (yep I got big feet). They fit looser so I can put on thick socks. I hope to try them out tomorrow and it's supposed to be low 30's. I'll keep u posted how it turns out.

[spokewench]

IF these don't do the trick; which they may not; definitely put a bootie with thermal protection and wind block on the outside on on top of the boot.

[Wahine]

It's been a long time since I've ventured over to TE forums. But I can think of no one that can give me better advice than you ladies.

I am in the market for a pair of winter cycling boots. Susan mentioned Sidi gortex and I've seen the Lake boots mentioned a couple of times.

Are these models specific to women? How is the fit? I have a very narrow heel but a wide forefoot so I usually need a WSD shoe/boot to make it work.

Any comments?

[OakLeaf]

I can't speak to the Lake boots, but I just got a pair of their lower-end road shoes in a men's wide, and they're not too wide in the heel for my narrow heels. (They do make women's shoes and I'm pretty sure boots too, but not in EE. As I said on FB, you can't spell "feet" without "EE." :rolleyes:)

I think Colby had the same experience, she's the one who turned me on to them. I've got the strap closest to the ankle cinched tighter than it's probably really supposed to go, but they work. I've climbed a couple of reasonably steep hills in them and my heels didn't pop out.

I don't have that many miles on them yet and I'm having to make some extra effort to unclip, but I think it's because I'm so long in the toe that the cleats are just farther back on my foot than they were on my old too-small shoes, rather than heel slop accounting for it. I may wind up taking a Dremel tool to the cleats so that I can move them a little farther up. (Anyone ever try that on a Look cleat???)

[Wahine]

Thanks OakLeaf.

[WindingRoad]

My first ride with my Defrosters was a little disappointing. However, I only wore a midweight wool sock and about half way into the ride I started getting pretty cold. My toes were REALLY cold by the end. The temps were 18 degrees when I started out. Today it was about 30-32 when I started out. I wore the boots with 2 pairs of socks and chemical toe heaters and was actually sweating like crazy. So it looks like I will need to wear the chemical toe warmers when the temps are below 20's. On my ride home it was 35 and it felt like a heat wave, lol. ;) My boots are not women's specific, I have skinny feet but the way the boots tighten helps cinch up some of the extra material around my foot. I've only had a couple of rides on these but I think they are going to be pretty nice actually. Still learning at this point ;)

[Crankin]

I wore my new Shimano Gore Tex WR-80 winter shoes yesterday. It was about 33 during most of the ride. I wore my hiking socks on purpose, to see what thicker socks and no chemical toe warmers felt like. The shoes have lots of wiggle room, and are one of the few winter shoes that are women specific sized and come in small sizes. In fact, I am not sure if they even make this shoe anymore; I got it from a place in the UK for 50% off and free shipping. My take is that I have spoiled myself by using chemical toe warmers in temperatures in the 40s, with my regular shoes and booties. I am used to toasty warm feet! My feet were not cold and my toes were freely moving. But, they felt "cool." I would say that I might still use the warmers for temps below 35. Usually I would have worn my Woolie Bully socks, that are thinner, but very warm. While there is enough room for 2 pairs of socks, I think that would make my feet feel constricted.

[jusdooit]

I was thinking about this early this morning, and wondered if any one had tried using embrocation on their feet?

[OakLeaf]

Doesn't that open the pores and bring blood to the surface, so while it may make you feel warmer for a short time, it actually makes you colder? (Drinking alcohol does the same thing. :p)

[gnat23]

I was thinking about this early this morning, and wondered if any one had tried using embrocation on their feet?

So, I was on a Western Spirit mountain biking trip up in the Middle Of Nowhere, North Dakota. I had my brand new container of Mad Alchemy, medium strength. I tend to get cold feet really easily, so for the night of camping, I decided to give it a try. I took a fingerfull and rubbed it into my soles, heels, between the toes, up to the ankles. I slipped on a pair of fuzzy socks, hoping for a callus softening side-effect, and dozed off.

About 1am, I scrambled out of my sleeping bag, ripped off the socks and started clawing at my feet. My toes felt as though each one had become a branding iron. I was blowing on them, trying to wipe away any residual goo (long since absorbed), fanning both feet... nothing seemed to alleviate the pain. I can't remember how long it took before I at least stopped writhing around enough to fall back asleep.

The next day on beautiful singletrack in the Badlands, still sleep-deprived, my toes would randomly flare back up. Usually when we were standing around, so I kept hopping back and forth and kicking the ground to generate enough wind through the canvas of my shoes, begging to get back to pedaling.

This isn't like WOAH I'M SWEATING BETTER TURN IT DOWN heat, this was really painful and stinging, like grabbing the cookiesheet without a pot holder. I've used the same embro since, on my knees and glutes before a 40degF cyclocross race, and had none of these side effects. Which might have been that I learned my lesson and didn't put on so much? or maybe just the sensitivity of the feet? ventilation? I honestly couldn't tell you: I haven't tried it again, even for SCIENCE.

-- gnat (Long story short: not unless you're ABSOLUTELY sure of what you're doing -- that stuff does NOT have an OFF switch)

[pll]

A lot of embrocations have capsaicin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin), the hot stuff in chili peppers. Regular capsaicin from chili peppers is soluble in oil or alcohol... I assume that might work with embrocation, too? (alcohol is easier to rinse afterwards).

Yikes, gnat!

ETA: My knees have burned (similar to what you describe) in the shower after using embrocation. I think water activates it... so you might have been sweating. Yikes.

[jusdooit]

Well it sounds like this is one experiment I won't need to try.
Pll, everything I've reaad about using embrocation says to remove it prior to showering. Even saw someplace that sold a seperate soap for removal. Might want to try washing it off with cool water before showering.
Thanks for the responses to the voices in my head.

[pll]

Pll, everything I've reaad about using embrocation says to remove it prior to showering. Even saw someplace that sold a seperate soap for removal. Might want to try washing it off with cool water before showering.

It's not so serious or annoying on the knees as it would be on your feet and hands... more superficial nerves running around those areas! I use sparingly, just around the knees (not the entire leg), and scrub it away in the shower with soap, but I have felt the intense heat she described.

[janine]

I have a terrible time with cold feet and here's what I've done. I am very comfy down to 30 degrees and I wear a pair of smartwool phd skiing socks and another pair of wool socks, I have the sidi winter boots (I know they are $400) but I bought them on ebay for $225 and they are a bit large but work ok. Then I cover with pearl Izumi amfib booties.

For below I purchased Hotronics heated soles but I haven't used them yet. They do have a battery that clips on your shoes but I just couldn't go the sidi heated insoles..too much $ although the hotronics weren't cheap close to $200.

It hasn't been cold enough for the hotronics yet but I'll let you know how that works.

janine

[SadieKate]

I finally found a pair of winter road cycling shoes for women in my size (37). Am eagerly awaiting their arrival, and hoping I don't have to use all of the above things in the future. I have winter shoes for my Frog pedal bike, which are OK, but I still have to use the chemical warmers if I ride in the 30s. I am still riding outside, too, but it is supposed to get more winter like here, by the end of the week. I have a longer ride planned with DH for next Friday afternoon, so I may be put to the test.

Crankin - which shoes did you find? I'm considering making the splurge because it has been so dry this winter but I may have problems finding shoes small enough. And have you written up a review? Sounds like you have 2 pairs of winter shoes for comparison.

Anyone else wear both men's and women's Sidis? I'm curious how much difference there is in the fit and could I tolerate it just for a short (1-3 hour) mtb rides. During the warmer months I wear a 38.5 but I have a pair of 39s so I can wear thicker socks. Unfortunately, all of my full overbooties put too much pressure on my instep which defeats the purpose.

I may be out and aboot shopping s'afternoon. GD-it, where is the frickin' snow? :mad:

[Marquise]

Anyone else wear both men's and women's Sidis? I'm curious how much difference there is in the fit and could I tolerate it just for a short (1-3 hour) mtb rides. During the warmer months I wear a 38.5 but I have a pair of 39s so I can wear thicker socks. Unfortunately, all of my full overbooties put too much pressure on my instep which defeats the purpose.

I wear 39.5 women's Sidis and for winter have men's 40 Sidi Hydros, which are described as being roomy enough for thicker socks, so I'm not sure that's the comparison you're seeking. They're definitely loose and feel roomier in the toe box beyond the extra half-size up. With very thick wool socks they're comfortable and warm enough in the low 30s, but I usually don't ride more than an hour and a half when it's that cold. I think there's enough room that I could add thin liner socks or toe warmers for colder temps.

[SadieKate]

That did help, thank you.

I've been researching on the interwebz every winter shoe I can find. It looks like Sidi is going to be my best bet but it will take either the Golden Goose or Susan O before I can pull the trigger.:p

[alimey]

I have Shimano goretex boots - but they weren't warm enough. There was plenty of room for some medium SmartWool socks - but again, not warm enough. So I put some booties over the top. Still not warm enough - and I'm only in the UK!!!

But now my problem is solved - for Christmas my lovely husband bought me some heated insoles. The battery is in the thinnish sole itself - rather than being a clunky pack. They are fantastic!!! They are called Thermo Sole & come from Germany - they go down to a really small size & come in flat, shaped & remote control.

The company also make heated gloves - so that might be next . . .