Cold Feet Solution?

[Selkie]

At work, we have a Fitness D'base and I found it a good source of advice from other (mainly male) cyclists. This morning, someone started a thread, asking for tips on how to keep his hands/feet warm during these cold morning bike commutes. One of the guys---an experienced commuter---suggested putting plastic bags over his socks. Who'd have thunk it? I know that neoprene booties helped me, along with wool socks, but I was still suffering from chilled feet when I rode early Sunday morning. I think I'll put the plastic bags over my socks before putting on my shoes, then topping the shoes off w/my toe covers, then booties. I'll let you guys know if it helps.

[DeniseGoldberg]

What helps me is toe warmers. They are supposed to be on your feet, buy my cycling shoes don't accommodate any extra layers. So I stick them on top of my cycling shoes, then cover them with my PI shoe covers.

Heat Treat Toe Warmers

--- Denise

[SadieKate]

Denise, what shape are those and how thick? I didn't realize they had one just for tootsies. Might be nice in my wading boots.

For road riding, I wear the Descente shoe covers (from TE) and they keep my feet super toasty down to 40. They'd probably work fine a few degrees colder as socks are sweaty after the ride. They feel like a 2.5 to 8 mil neoprene. You might check the thickness of the neoprene in your booties.

On dirt, I wear storm socks over a lt wool cycling sock and have an extra pair of shoes a half size larger so it all fits in without squishing.

Outer layers should fit snugly to reduce drafts but don't smash extra layers into your shoes if there isn't room. You'll just compound the problem. I also find that I acclimate to the colder temps. The first couple of weeks can be brutal.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Denise, what shape are those and how thick? I didn't realize they had one just for tootsies. Might be nice in my wading boots.

They kind of have a front of the foot shape... the front is curved, the back has rounded corners. I guess you could kind of imagine a rectangle with the top curved so it can fit inside a shoe. They really aren't thick - I just didn't like the feeling of my cycling shoes with the extra layer inside. And although the instructions say to only stick the warmer to the "OUTSIDE BOTTOM OF SOCKS ONLY!" and not to place them on top of your foot of on your ankle or arch, I think I'm OK with them on top of my foot since they are really on top of my shoe. There's enough warmth that I can still get some benefit from them.

I suppose I should try them inside my shoes again - might keep me more comfortable on those nasty cold days when I manage to convince myself that I really need to ride!

--- Denise

[oldbikah]

Toe warmers are well-known to northeastern skiers (especially here at brutally cold Sugarloaf in January)! They often don't really fit in ski boots if the boots truly fit properly. However I often stick them in the top of the boot in front of the shin. Maybe it's all in my head, but I think that the warm blood makes it to my feet! Placed directly on the feet, even thru a sock, they have been known to get too hot. For biking, they can also be placed on the ankle and held in place with a velcro strap.

[annie]

I think I'll put the plastic bags over my socks before putting on my shoes, then topping the shoes off w/my toe covers, then booties. I'll let you guys know if it helps.

Mick,

The plastic bags help the same way the neoprene does...... they block the wind. They ALSO make your feet sweat quite a bit, so if you are just riding with no stops, you should be okay. But you'll need to get the wet, sweaty socks off as soon as you're done.

One of the reasons feet get so cold is --- if you are using clipless pedals with your shoe connected to them --- that cold, metallic pedal! How much warmth does that suck from your feet, or how much cold does it transmit to your feet? Either way, if you can lift the insole of your shoe, and put something in there, over the area where your cleat connects, it definitely helps. You need a thin layer, so it fits in the shoe comfortably. Last winter, I just put a couple strips of duct tape in each shoe and I noticed a difference. Maybe someone else can come up with a better idea for a layer.

The other important thing is to not have shoes that fit tightly. Cut off any of the blood circulating to the feet and it is bad news!

Oh - and I heartily agree about the toe warmers. Awesome little buggers! My mtb shoes are big enough that I can fit them inside, under my toes, on the outside of my socks. Toasty toes! Otherwise, I like the idea of putting them on the outside of the shoe, under the shoe covers. Clever! Aren't we the innovative ones when we need to devise a method so we can keep riding!

annie