Cold Feet

[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