Chemical feet warmers

[chicagogal]

They work. But they require air to activate, so shake them, let them warm up, then put them in your shoes. Also, if you shoe covers don't fit, what about toe covers. Better to have something than nothing, because cold wind is brutal.

[DarcyInOregon]

Why not just invest in the winter cycling shoes? They look like a pair of mid-rise hiking boots and are mostly wind and water proof. I wear mine with Smartwool ski socks, normally $25 retail, but got them for under $10 by shopping a sale online at REI Outlet. The wool ski socks when worn with the winter cycling shoes keep the feet warm and dry without having to deal with shoe covers, and the length of the ski socks help to keep the lower legs warm under thermal winter cycling tights.

[Becky]

They work well, but they're not my first choice, unless it's friiiiiiiiiiiiiiigid. The environmentalist in me tries to find non-disposable methods. (That said, I freely admit to using them on bitter days when I have to wear steel-toe boots. That's an experience that brings new meaning to cold toes )

What about Gore Tex socks? They would block the wind and provide a little insulation too...

[Catrin]

There are two problems with winter cycling shoes - one is the cost - the other is that I must use BMX pedals this winter - no return to clipping in until at least spring. From what I can tell, all winter cycling shoes have hard plastic soles - that doesn't mix well with metal pedals that I can't clip to...

I think that I will take my hiking/riding shoes to my LBS and see if the toe-covers will fit them. I understand that toe covers are one-size and my LBS staff tells me they are kind of narrow. I will investigate further.

hmmmm Smartwool ski socks sounds like a good option as well, and will check into Gore-Tex socks, but the ski socks sounds warmer.

Thanks everyone - I figure that at least for now I shouldn't ride outside very often as I wait for my leg to finish healing, but it is good for me to get out when I can...My leg does seem to respond better to real riding over spinning classes - probably because I behave myself better on the real bike

[indysteel]

DH just got some PI shoe covers that came in different sizes.

I, too, resort to charcoal warmers when it's really cold. Yes, they're not a perfect solution, but I otherwise try to be environmentally conscious. I just can't seem to get by without them when it gets too cold.

[OakLeaf]

May have covered this already - but make sure there's plenty of room in your shoes and that they're not laced too tightly. Nothing freezes my feet like inadequate circulation - likely that's true for you as a diabetic, as well. My feet are actually warmer in lighter shoes/socks that fit loosely, than they are in any combination of heavy boots and thick socks that are even a little snug.

[Seajay]

May have covered this already - but make sure there's plenty of room in your shoes and that they're not laced too tightly. Nothing freezes my feet like inadequate circulation - likely that's true for you as a diabetic, as well. My feet are actually warmer in lighter shoes/socks that fit loosely, than they are in any combination of heavy boots and thick socks that are even a little snug.

+1 Thick socks in tight shoes = COLD FEET.

[Catrin]

Thanks for all of the good advice, I appreciate it! I am going to investigate difference sizes of toe covers - my usual LBS doesn't carry PI products outside of shoes, but I know where I can go to check it out. Will also look at my socks, I just had on a pair of ankle-high smartwool socks - toe covers probably would have been enough today. I like these hiking shoes with my pedals - they are a little stiffer than the average running shoe and I can still use them for hiking

Toddling off to bed now, alarm goes off MUCH too early after having 4 days off in a row...

[marni]

my solution is to wear wool socks and the put a plastic bag, like you get at the grocery store to put your apples in, on each foot before I put my shoe on. I also have internal toe warmers made out of plastic bags. My winter shoes are just plain shimano mtb shoes but then it only gets down into the 40's or lower for a couple of rides a year so a bigger investment isn't really all that important. I also have shoe covers for the rain, but have yet to use them as I usually get caught out half way home. My wool socks and plastic bags are my saving vice.

[smurfalicious]

Never used um, but I did notice once on QBP that they had foot specific ones now. Since it sounds like you're just riding in sneakers or something for now, not all of this advice will work for you. Nonetheless, here's my toes is froze guide:

Tape your shoe vents closed! Electrical tape is probably best, it seems to leave the least gunk. Or, if you have an old pair of shoes you upgraded that still have miles, make them your winter shoes. Even if you're using covers this still eliminates routes for cold air to sneak in.

Once that's not enough, I add DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks. They're my absolute favorite wool socks. So thick and wonderful I tend to wear them around the house. At this point I might add toe covers, but I don't feel like they do much especially if I taped the vents.

After that I go taped vents, wool socks, maybe toes covers and then shoe covers. I had some PI ones that sadly they don't seem to make anymore. Then, if it's really nasty but for some reason I decided riding > snowshoeing, I put on my socks, slip my feet into a newspaper bag or similar, then into my shoes and on come the shoe covers. This combo doesn't breathe for beans so it gets a little humid in there, but it's waaaaarm.

Oh, you can do similar for your paws too. Goes fleecy liner glove, latex/nytrile glove, big windproof gloves like a Wombat or some such.

All these combos were tested last winter while I was unemployed, bored and faced with weeks of single digit days.