Need Ideas For Cold Feet

[Wahine]

It's been a long time since I've ventured over to TE forums. But I can think of no one that can give me better advice than you ladies.

I am in the market for a pair of winter cycling boots. Susan mentioned Sidi gortex and I've seen the Lake boots mentioned a couple of times.

Are these models specific to women? How is the fit? I have a very narrow heel but a wide forefoot so I usually need a WSD shoe/boot to make it work.

Any comments?

[OakLeaf]

I can't speak to the Lake boots, but I just got a pair of their lower-end road shoes in a men's wide, and they're not too wide in the heel for my narrow heels. (They do make women's shoes and I'm pretty sure boots too, but not in EE. As I said on FB, you can't spell "feet" without "EE." )

I think Colby had the same experience, she's the one who turned me on to them. I've got the strap closest to the ankle cinched tighter than it's probably really supposed to go, but they work. I've climbed a couple of reasonably steep hills in them and my heels didn't pop out.

I don't have that many miles on them yet and I'm having to make some extra effort to unclip, but I think it's because I'm so long in the toe that the cleats are just farther back on my foot than they were on my old too-small shoes, rather than heel slop accounting for it. I may wind up taking a Dremel tool to the cleats so that I can move them a little farther up. (Anyone ever try that on a Look cleat???)

[Wahine]

Thanks OakLeaf.

[WindingRoad]

My first ride with my Defrosters was a little disappointing. However, I only wore a midweight wool sock and about half way into the ride I started getting pretty cold. My toes were REALLY cold by the end. The temps were 18 degrees when I started out. Today it was about 30-32 when I started out. I wore the boots with 2 pairs of socks and chemical toe heaters and was actually sweating like crazy. So it looks like I will need to wear the chemical toe warmers when the temps are below 20's. On my ride home it was 35 and it felt like a heat wave, lol. My boots are not women's specific, I have skinny feet but the way the boots tighten helps cinch up some of the extra material around my foot. I've only had a couple of rides on these but I think they are going to be pretty nice actually. Still learning at this point

[Crankin]

I wore my new Shimano Gore Tex WR-80 winter shoes yesterday. It was about 33 during most of the ride. I wore my hiking socks on purpose, to see what thicker socks and no chemical toe warmers felt like. The shoes have lots of wiggle room, and are one of the few winter shoes that are women specific sized and come in small sizes. In fact, I am not sure if they even make this shoe anymore; I got it from a place in the UK for 50% off and free shipping. My take is that I have spoiled myself by using chemical toe warmers in temperatures in the 40s, with my regular shoes and booties. I am used to toasty warm feet! My feet were not cold and my toes were freely moving. But, they felt "cool." I would say that I might still use the warmers for temps below 35. Usually I would have worn my Woolie Bully socks, that are thinner, but very warm. While there is enough room for 2 pairs of socks, I think that would make my feet feel constricted.

[jusdooit]

I was thinking about this early this morning, and wondered if any one had tried using embrocation on their feet?

[OakLeaf]

Doesn't that open the pores and bring blood to the surface, so while it may make you feel warmer for a short time, it actually makes you colder? (Drinking alcohol does the same thing. )

[gnat23]

I was thinking about this early this morning, and wondered if any one had tried using embrocation on their feet?

So, I was on a Western Spirit mountain biking trip up in the Middle Of Nowhere, North Dakota. I had my brand new container of Mad Alchemy, medium strength. I tend to get cold feet really easily, so for the night of camping, I decided to give it a try. I took a fingerfull and rubbed it into my soles, heels, between the toes, up to the ankles. I slipped on a pair of fuzzy socks, hoping for a callus softening side-effect, and dozed off.

About 1am, I scrambled out of my sleeping bag, ripped off the socks and started clawing at my feet. My toes felt as though each one had become a branding iron. I was blowing on them, trying to wipe away any residual goo (long since absorbed), fanning both feet... nothing seemed to alleviate the pain. I can't remember how long it took before I at least stopped writhing around enough to fall back asleep.

The next day on beautiful singletrack in the Badlands, still sleep-deprived, my toes would randomly flare back up. Usually when we were standing around, so I kept hopping back and forth and kicking the ground to generate enough wind through the canvas of my shoes, begging to get back to pedaling.

This isn't like WOAH I'M SWEATING BETTER TURN IT DOWN heat, this was really painful and stinging, like grabbing the cookiesheet without a pot holder. I've used the same embro since, on my knees and glutes before a 40degF cyclocross race, and had none of these side effects. Which might have been that I learned my lesson and didn't put on so much? or maybe just the sensitivity of the feet? ventilation? I honestly couldn't tell you: I haven't tried it again, even for SCIENCE.

-- gnat (Long story short: not unless you're ABSOLUTELY sure of what you're doing -- that stuff does NOT have an OFF switch)

[pll]

A lot of embrocations have capsaicin, the hot stuff in chili peppers. Regular capsaicin from chili peppers is soluble in oil or alcohol... I assume that might work with embrocation, too? (alcohol is easier to rinse afterwards).

Yikes, gnat!

ETA: My knees have burned (similar to what you describe) in the shower after using embrocation. I think water activates it... so you might have been sweating. Yikes.

[jusdooit]

Well it sounds like this is one experiment I won't need to try.
Pll, everything I've reaad about using embrocation says to remove it prior to showering. Even saw someplace that sold a seperate soap for removal. Might want to try washing it off with cool water before showering.
Thanks for the responses to the voices in my head.

[pll]

Pll, everything I've reaad about using embrocation says to remove it prior to showering. Even saw someplace that sold a seperate soap for removal. Might want to try washing it off with cool water before showering.

It's not so serious or annoying on the knees as it would be on your feet and hands... more superficial nerves running around those areas! I use sparingly, just around the knees (not the entire leg), and scrub it away in the shower with soap, but I have felt the intense heat she described.

[janine]

I have a terrible time with cold feet and here's what I've done. I am very comfy down to 30 degrees and I wear a pair of smartwool phd skiing socks and another pair of wool socks, I have the sidi winter boots (I know they are $400) but I bought them on ebay for $225 and they are a bit large but work ok. Then I cover with pearl Izumi amfib booties.

For below I purchased Hotronics heated soles but I haven't used them yet. They do have a battery that clips on your shoes but I just couldn't go the sidi heated insoles..too much $ although the hotronics weren't cheap close to $200.

It hasn't been cold enough for the hotronics yet but I'll let you know how that works.

janine

[SadieKate]

I finally found a pair of winter road cycling shoes for women in my size (37). Am eagerly awaiting their arrival, and hoping I don't have to use all of the above things in the future. I have winter shoes for my Frog pedal bike, which are OK, but I still have to use the chemical warmers if I ride in the 30s. I am still riding outside, too, but it is supposed to get more winter like here, by the end of the week. I have a longer ride planned with DH for next Friday afternoon, so I may be put to the test.

Crankin - which shoes did you find? I'm considering making the splurge because it has been so dry this winter but I may have problems finding shoes small enough. And have you written up a review? Sounds like you have 2 pairs of winter shoes for comparison.

Anyone else wear both men's and women's Sidis? I'm curious how much difference there is in the fit and could I tolerate it just for a short (1-3 hour) mtb rides. During the warmer months I wear a 38.5 but I have a pair of 39s so I can wear thicker socks. Unfortunately, all of my full overbooties put too much pressure on my instep which defeats the purpose.

I may be out and aboot shopping s'afternoon. GD-it, where is the frickin' snow?

[Marquise]

Anyone else wear both men's and women's Sidis? I'm curious how much difference there is in the fit and could I tolerate it just for a short (1-3 hour) mtb rides. During the warmer months I wear a 38.5 but I have a pair of 39s so I can wear thicker socks. Unfortunately, all of my full overbooties put too much pressure on my instep which defeats the purpose.

I wear 39.5 women's Sidis and for winter have men's 40 Sidi Hydros, which are described as being roomy enough for thicker socks, so I'm not sure that's the comparison you're seeking. They're definitely loose and feel roomier in the toe box beyond the extra half-size up. With very thick wool socks they're comfortable and warm enough in the low 30s, but I usually don't ride more than an hour and a half when it's that cold. I think there's enough room that I could add thin liner socks or toe warmers for colder temps.

[SadieKate]

That did help, thank you.

I've been researching on the interwebz every winter shoe I can find. It looks like Sidi is going to be my best bet but it will take either the Golden Goose or Susan O before I can pull the trigger.