Cold Feet

[corko]

Despite wearing warm woollen socks and shoe covers, today I experienced my first attack of cold feet of the season.
Now I admit I have always suffered from woossey feet and it occurs even if the rest of me is toasty and warm.

Has anyone got any tips to prevent this admittedly mild annoyance?

Shoes are not too tight, saddle is not too high etc.

What about the SIDI heated insoles...... anyone have any experience? It's just that I want to minimise the amount of indoor trainer work this year.

Ta.....

[dbh]

Probikekit.com | Mens Belgian Booties

[xjoex]

Buy winter shoes, your winter riding will never be the same. I used to dread the cold feet I would get. I tried every single shoe cover known to man, the best were the Sidetrak available through Excel sports. But it looks like they don't make them anymore. Anyhow just buy winter shoes. I really like the Shimano ones I have.


Also a little trick I have found, I leave my shoes by the heat vent before I leave, so that I don't lose any heat from my feet warming up a cold shoe.

-Joe

[bellman]

Buy winter shoes, your winter riding will never be the same. I used to dread the cold feet I would get. I tried every single shoe cover known to man, the best were the Sidetrak available through Excel sports. But it looks like they don't make them anymore. Anyhow just buy winter shoes. I really like the Shimano ones I have.


Also a little trick I have found, I leave my shoes by the heat vent before I leave, so that I don't lose any heat from my feet warming up a cold shoe.

-Joe

+ 1 on the winterboots, I have the sidi, I wish I had bought the lakes

[The Narg]

I second the purchase of winter-specific shoes/boots. Huge difference if you find the right one. I use the Lake MXZ301 for my winter commuting. (Still do some training inside, but I ride pretty much everyday through Chicago winters.) Very warm, but quite heavy...and not completely waterproof--I use Pearl Izumi Amfib covers when it's slushy. Waterproof shoe covers make a world of difference over just wind covers or regular neoprene. Lots of good, lighter Gore-Tex shoes out there too. The boots can be a big $$$ outlay, but worth it if you ride in the cold a lot. Two other (cheaper) tricks I highly recommend:

Heat reflective insoles and Polypro sock liners These will reflect heat while also wicking moisture away from your skin.

These two additions can make a huge difference in comfort. Oh...and as thick a merino wool sock as you can manage while still having plenty of toe wiggle room. Just one pair of socks over liners. Doubling up socks can be counter productive. Sounds like you know about the "too tight" no-no. It's warm air around your toes and easy circulation that keeps your dogs toasty. Gear up and ride safe.

[corko]

Heat reflective insoles, they look worth trying...... winter boots yeah kinda resisted them uptil now, ugly as sin ..... yeah I know call me shallow. but anything's better than cold feet.

[AntLockyer]

Possum socks.

[caleb]

+ 1 on the winterboots, I have the sidi, I wish I had bought the lakes

I have the Shimano boots, too. Pretty good from 45-25. If you need more, the Lakes are the warmest I know of.

[Flux]

just get some heat packs at wal-mart.

[The Narg]

Everyone pees in their wetsuit. There's no shame in it.

Oops...wrong forum...

[rec head]

I'm not going to argue with the boots. But I got new insoles (esoles) for my regular shoes and that helped a little just getting better fit and circulation.

Ever notice how you never feel the vents in your shoes when it is hot but let the temp drop a little and I'm aware of every stinking hole.

[rwsaunders]

just get some heat packs at wal-mart.

What Flux said...I've tried other brands, but Grabber puts out a great product.

Toe Warmers, 6 Hour (40 pair)

[Chance Legstrong]

Probikekit.com | Mens Belgian Booties

BB's are fine for racing. they are NOT made to keep feet warm in cold weather while training.

[El Chorizo]

just get some heat packs at wal-mart.

I second that. I use the heat packs/toe warmers (Grabber) and they are very effective.

[jonathanb]

Hotronic electric insoles are by far the most effective solution I've found. Not cheap, but effective.

[happycampyer]

Another fan of winter boots vs. shoes + covers, and of the Grabber products. I have the Sidi inosles and they work fine, but for me at least the feel of the arch is a little odd (I think that's where the electronics are hidden). The Grabber toe warmers are meant to be placed above and below the toes, but I find that if I take one each and place it diagonally across my toes on top, they work great (and don't take up as much room that way).

[edoz]

My Lake winter shoes are the bomb. No more cold toes.

[Tom]

What hat are you wearing? It makes a difference.

[wheelhouse]

Possum socks.

I had to look that one up. I had no idea. Interesting.

[Clyde]

On the cheap you use a plastic grocery bag tied and cut off around and over your socks. Not the most elegant solution, but for a temp. fix it works.