Socks/Pedals - need wisdom/opinions!

[Cari]

What kind of socks and shoes are you using right now? Do you think you're getting hot spots because the shoes are too tight, because the sole of your foot rubs against the inside of the shoe, or... ?

The thinnest socks I've found are DeFeet Speedes and Pearl Izumi Originals. The Speedes are ok for me with running shoes, which have lots of padding on the inside, but not with bike shoes -- not even ones that fit snugly. The PI's are cute but they're thin, slippery, the seams bunch up -- not good for cycling.

As I mentioned in the thread you cited (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6938), I've had the best luck with going up a half a size in shoes and wearing thick socks: DeFeet Cush 3D Lows. DeFeet Levitators are an alternative to Cush 3D's if your feet are wide at the heel and/or narrow in the front. Oh, and when I bike or run I always use foot powder -- keeps your feet dry, which helps to avoid painful rubbing between foot and shoe.

Have you tried Sock Guy socks? They're thin, but not as thin as Speedes, and much more comfy, imo. They're my second choice after Cush 3D's.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Tracy -
I can't help with the pedals since I use mountain pedals - Frogs - on my road bikes, and I sense that you're looking for road pedals...

But on the socks front, I've been wearing SmartWool socks exclusively and find them very comfortable. My favorites for cycling are their "cycling ultra lite mini crew" socks. You can see them at http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14193.

Here's hoping that you find a quick (and easy!) solution to your foot hot spots problem.

--- Denise

[Kimmyt]

I have Look pedals and I think these have a fairly large surface area compared to some others I've seen.

They're the only pedals I've ever used and I haven't had a problem with hotspots yet.

[tprevost]

thanks ladies!

I have shimano road shoes right now and when I ride, they are very loose so there's lots of room for air... but still I have hot feet The socks I wear right now are really generic, very thin socks, but I will try some suggested here to see if that makes any difference... Yesterday, I took my socks off altogether and it helped, but still did not eliminate the problem... I'm starting to think its the shoes but I keep hoping its the socks!

Before I stopped cycling (8 years ago) I rode quite often in the bay area and have never had this problem before. Same shoe brand (new model), similar socks, same pedal brand but much different model.

I am really struggling to find a solution as we live in a hot area and this comes up on every ride longer than 20 miles. I don't really want to do sandals as I don't feel like my feet are protected on the road.

Again, thank you for the sock suggestions, I'm going to order some today!!!

Tracy

[caligurl]

hi tracy! for my every day rides... i just wear the little low cut athletic socks from target... they are thin.... but they are cotton... however i don't have any issues with them!

almost any of the cycling socks from an LBS will be thin.... (and you have to remember.... unless i have on leg warmers... i won't wear the higher socks cuz of tanlines!)

perhaps you need to try a different shoe? i love specialized... my first pair were WSD.... and VERY comfortable! i had (yes had) to go with the men's version when i got new ones for the new bike (cuz the men's were black.. the women's carbon were fugly! but i digress!) hubby used to wear the expensive sidi's... when they were wearing out... he tried specialized and is HOOKED! says they are WAY more comfy than the sidis... which are supposed to be such dookie hot shoes!

as for pedals... i use speedplay! i don't have any problems with hot spots *knock on wood*.... plus they are really easy to clip in and out of!

[FreshNewbie]

Hey Tracy, I think you might be limiting yourself by just sticking to carbon sole and Sidi's. I would try different options, until you find something you like. My use Specialized Torch for women since last year ( my first road shoe) and I really like them. They are very comfy, hug your feet in all right places and don't give me any problems. I also use speedplay pedals which i like, but then again i never tried anything else. Good lucky with your search.

FN

[SadieKate]

My LBS is bringing in the custom footbed thingee used for ski boots. They think that having a rigid footbed (not sole) is the crucial piece. With a fully rigid footbed molded to your foot, your foot won't collapse and squidge around. This makes sense to me. I've worn prescription rigid orthotics since 1976 and have never had hot foot issues (not that a statistic of one is any good). They think that Superfeet with the black plastic piece underneath is only a bandaid that works for some.

I posted in bj asking about eSoles and TsPoet got a pair. Wonder if she has or had hot foot.

Anyone use rigid insoles (not Superfeet) and also get hot foot? Just curious.

I'm also going to try to find you a link to the Lin Silkeez sock which is amazingly cool and thin but this really doesn't sound like your problem.

[CorsairMac]

I have Look pedals and I think these have a fairly large surface area compared to some others I've seen.

They're the only pedals I've ever used and I haven't had a problem with hotspots yet.

I'm thinking about switching over to Looks but............I have to walk my bike into the office or the store etc etc and wasn't sure if the Look cleats are walkable?......would love to hear your opinion

also, I got a great deal on the Look pedals and cleats but they are the red cleats which I understand have more float........something I Don't want. Which cleats do you use?

[FreshNewbie]

Caligurl, i didn't mean this to be posted for tracy, actually Cari had a similar post about Sidi shoes and i meant to reply to her post ( Ooops) Sorry, btw i have nothing against carbon soles, i never even tried them.

[caligurl]

ahhh! ok! that makes sense then! (i assumed you meant me cuz i was the only one who has mentioned carbon soles and sidi's in this thread!! lol!)

(i still stand by my rave of specialized shoes though! no matter what their soles! even my mtb shoes are specialized!)

[FreshNewbie]

i have specialized torch for women since last year, and i love them. I feel like i am wearing my running shoes. Btw, they are on sale right now!

[Cari]

I'm thinking about switching over to Looks but............I have to walk my bike into the office or the store etc etc and wasn't sure if the Look cleats are walkable?......would love to hear your opinion

also, I got a great deal on the Look pedals and cleats but they are the red cleats which I understand have more float........something I Don't want. Which cleats do you use?

Look cleats on road shoes are not recessed (like SPD cleats are on MTB shoes) so it's a bit harder to walk in them. You can, however, get rubber cleat covers which will keep you from slipping around.

Which Look pedals did you get a deal on? Look cleats aren't that expensive -- around $20, I think. If they're regular Look pedals, you can buy the black delta cleats, which have zero degrees float. If they're Look KeO pedals you have three choices. They usually come with a gray cleat which has 4.5 degrees float, and you can also buy the black (0 degress) or red (9 degrees) KeO cleats.

~Cari, who's been doing her homework

[Kimmyt]

Corsair, I have the red cleats, the ones with the most float. I got these because 1) they were the cheapest and 2) they offered the most float which at the time I understood as being most amenable to a newer rider's knees.

Walking in Looks is.... interesting. They can be quite slippy, as Cari said. I have seen the ads for the cleat covers, but I don't know if they would help with the ease of walking. It might help with the slip factor (let me warn you about the TREACHEROUSNESS of using a port-a-potty during a ride while wearing these shoes...heh). Looks have some degree of thickness which causes you, when walking, to tend to walk back on your heels (your toes, for example, are up higher off the ground than your heels). This makes it difficult to walk, especially if walking up a hill.

I don't personally mind walking shorter distances (into buildings, across roads, etc.) in my shoes, but if you are used to a MTB style shoe it may be annoying for you.

However, don't get me wrong, I am a new road biker, and I have found these cleat/pedal systems to be extremely easy to use and my learning curve has been very sharp with them!

K.