Cold Feet

[sydney_b]

When I ride in temps in the 20s and 30s, I add toe warmers to the mix. My cycling shoes have just enough room in them for my normal (admittedly lightweight) SmartWool socks plus a toe warmer stuck to the bottom of my feet. I cover my shoes with Pearl Izumi AmFib shoe covers. I suspect that your neoprene covers should provide the same level of insulation. The difference is really the toe warmers.

Me too. I bought my shoes a little large so I can put the toe warmers in. With my wool socks, this makes for a very a-ok ride. I also use wind-blocking toe covers on my shoes. This seems to be working very well for me here in the midwest with long riding temps from 20-35 degress F.

My work commute is only about 30 minutes, so I don't use the warmers for that, just the covers.

On top, I start with a wicking long-sleeve underlayer on top of which I use either a light wool sweater or even nothing but my outer jacket. The outer jacket is a Louis Garneau cycling jacket with good venting in the back and highly breathable. I keep raingear in a bag, but don't need it often.

Legs get PI winter weight tights + shorts for the padding. If really cold, I use some Marmot poly pants on top of those. Combo works great. Went for a 2h ride last night with temps ~25 F in comfort.

/s

[RoadRaven]

I have posted last year sometime in another thread about this

Probably because i am a scrooge, and in NZ we also have this mentality that we can come up with solutions on our own, I have resisted all ways of keeping my feet warm (such as neaoprene booties) and still use plastic bages.

I cut the corners off the ends of bags, slip them over my toes (no bag is visible outside of the shoe) and I find the plastic reduces the wind chill 100% and my toes do not freeze. i do not have to resort to thick uncomfy woollen socks or spend money I am reluctant to anyways...

However, that being said, it snows about once every seven years where I live, and I have never biked in snow or sleet... maybe then I would be getting both neoprene and wool!

[SalsaMTB]

You'll be amazed at the difference toe wamers make. I feet used to freeze before I tried them. Since using them, warmth is no longer an issue for me feet! Let us know your experience with them if you give them a try!

[pkq]

Gaerne makes some nice winter cycling shoes. Some riders in Pittsburgh swear by them. They ride year round and try all kinds of stuff.

I wear SmartWool and lighter weight cycling socks with winter shoe covers over the shoes.

Hands are covered with Patagonia glove liners with PI winter gloves. Don't remember the PI model.

Torso covered with tee, thermal top, long sleeved cycling jersey, and old Performance rain jacket that is breathable and vented.

Bottoms covered with padded shorts, tights, and bottoms to Performance rain jacket.

This does just fine in temps down to lower 20's. Chemical warmers work, too. I have found riding the mtb makes staying warmer easier than road riding. You are going slower thus have less air flow to remove body heat especially from extremities.

When you go inside, you really want to delayer to prevent your clothing from getting too wet with sweat.

Glad to read you are riding in cold weather. It is invigorating.