Cold Feet

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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

You're right!

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?

[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!



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

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