fall/winter cycle clothing

[FlyingScot]

I ordered the "Cold Killer" pants from Title 9. Windproof on the front, stretchy on the back. Thought I'd give them a try. I still can't seem to get the proper mix. I'm sweating buckets on top and my feet absolutely freeze. I've tried wool socks, poly socks, plastic baggies. Next up is booties (thought about just toe warmers but figured I migh as well go all the way). I alo orderd a nano-puff pullover that is supposed to be windproof AND breathable. I've been using a cheapo rain jacket (looks like it's made of plasticized paper) that absolutely does not breath but does a bang-up job of stopping the wind. The toe-cicles are a deal killer though. I may not be able to ride in much below 45 degree weather if I can't get that under control.

[Catrin]

I get cold feet earlier than others seem to. I wear thin wool socks, and toe covers on my shoes until about the low-mid 40's. After that my PI Barrier shoe covers come out and cover everything - I leave the toe covers on. If it is windy then my shoe covers come out closer to 45 than 40 degrees.

Good luck in finding out what works for you, it is different from person to person. This is what works for me.

[Sky King]

okay cold feet - this can get pricey if you do it everyday but we use Toe warmers by grabber, we buy them in bulk. You can tuck into your shoe or place on the top of you foot - just depends on your preference. In addition, our shop floor is concrete so we both have put them in our shoes for all day wear.

[Crankin]

I use chemical toe warmers, too. Not all of the time, but if it's less than 40, even with my wool socks and winter shoes or regular shoes/booties, I like having my toes toasty. It just feels pleasant. We also buy them in bulk, since we use them for x country skiing and snow shoeing.

[Becky]

The other thing that really helps with cold toes is sock liners. I use the X-Static ones from EMS. I wear steel-toe boots in all conditions, so cold toes and I are well-acquainted!

[tealtreak]

I ordered the "Cold Killer" pants from Title 9. Windproof on the front, stretchy on the back. Thought I'd give them a try. I still can't seem to get the proper mix. I'm sweating buckets on top and my feet absolutely freeze. I've tried wool socks, poly socks, plastic baggies. Next up is booties (thought about just toe warmers but figured I migh as well go all the way). I alo orderd a nano-puff pullover that is supposed to be windproof AND breathable. I've been using a cheapo rain jacket (looks like it's made of plasticized paper) that absolutely does not breath but does a bang-up job of stopping the wind. The toe-cicles are a deal killer though. I may not be able to ride in much below 45 degree weather if I can't get that under control.

Do you have the same toe issue with other outdoor winter activities? What about your fingers? (Wondering if maybe you have Reynouds syndrome.....)

[FlyingScot]

Do you have the same toe issue with other outdoor winter activities? What about your fingers? (Wondering if maybe you have Reynouds syndrome.....)

Tealtreak for the win. I do have Raynauds but as an avid outdoors person I usually can figure out what works. I have heaters in my ski boots but try to use them sparingly, usually when I'm working an accident scene and my toes are in the snow for long periods of time. I keep my fingers warm by fisting my hands while on the chair lift. I may be able to get a second set of footbeds for the battery packs I have. Sahalie has a thermal foot bed that's trimmable and supposedly works and I like the idea of the painters tape to cover the gaps in the soles of my shoes. I'm just going to keep trying until I figure it out. Lucky for me it's supposed to be in the 60's this weekend!!!! Ohio weather is so fickle!

[tealtreak]

Tealtreak for the win. I do have Raynauds but as an avid outdoors person I usually can figure out what works. I have heaters in my ski boots but try to use them sparingly, usually when I'm working an accident scene and my toes are in the snow for long periods of time. I keep my fingers warm by fisting my hands while on the chair lift. I may be able to get a second set of footbeds for the battery packs I have. Sahalie has a thermal foot bed that's trimmable and supposedly works and I like the idea of the painters tape to cover the gaps in the soles of my shoes. I'm just going to keep trying until I figure it out. Lucky for me it's supposed to be in the 60's this weekend!!!! Ohio weather is so fickle!

Good luck figuring it out- but be safe trying- don't want to lose a digit!

[FlyingScot]

No I do not! I almost lost 4 toes from frostbite back in the late 70's and I don't care to repeat that.

[FlyingScot]

I just received the Cold Killer pants I spoke about in an earlier post. Although I haven't ridden in them I think they will be awesome. I will be trialing them on Saturday but already think they are going to work out well. They fit great over my bike shorts even with running tights over them. Incidentally, I also got the nano puff jacket that was ridiculously expensive but I tried it out this morning (21degrees) and I was roasting which I NEVER do.

[FlyingScot]

You guys are not going to believe what I did to solve my cold feet issue. Newspaper! I traced the insoles of my shoes onto several sheets of newspaper and secured them with painters tape. Then I made toe caps (that go inside my shoes) with a couple of layers and also painters tape. It was a little uncomfortable at first (some pointy areas) but within 5-10 minutes the newspaper had totally conformed to my foot and I didn't even know it was there. I wore thin socks with it (black ones...white socks would have been destroyed) rode in 39 degree temp (light wind) and my feet, while not exactly toasty, were actually warm! As in normal temperature warm. Plus they were bone dry. I think this combined with toe covers and/or booties will do the trick.

On a side note. I rode with the Cold Killer pants and they were freaking awesome! I wore shorts and running tights under them and might have even gotten away with just shorts. No redness on my legs from the cold like I get with plain leg warmers (my legs get cold above the warmers).