Shoes

Keithp88

I know this has been on before, but my technogeekiness has given up and I can't find it. My feet are going proper numb in the morning now. I am out for an hour or so in all weathers all year and I need to keep my feet warm. I am wearing a trainer liner and a sock, with some shimano MT30 spd's.

The advice I'm after is about £100 waterproof and warm shoes - shimano, northwave, diadora all make them (probably others too), but are any of them any good and do they work? Must confess that waterproof isn't the real issue, its the warmth.

Thank you

spasypaddy

why dont you try some overshoes first? much cheaper than another pair of shoes...

RufusA

I'm currently got thin socks in MT-40s and havn't yet suffered from numb feet, but only have a 30min ride, which probably helps!

A cheap and cheerful option might be to invest in some overshoes, a £15 pair of DHB windproofs should keep the cold air out, and the extra layer should keep your feet toasty:

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx? ... 5360022100

I suspect that with a lot of waterproof shoes and the like breathability may become an issue, and cold clammy sweat in my experience is nastier than cold dry wind.

YMMV - Rufus.

secretsam

It may be because you're wearing two layers - I know this sounds daft but I was once advised that if your feet are tightly packed in there's no air, and it's the air that keeps the warmth in as it's a bad conductor :?:

So I'd lose one sock layer

BentMikey

I think that proper winter shoes are waaaay better than a set of overshoes. I have the cheaper Shimano road winter boots, they are awesomely warm.

Keithp88

I have to admit to being impressed. I am off because my nipper has just started her three day half term holiday( didn't it used to be longer?), and you have all replied.

I have used overshoes, and never really felt the benefit. I have tried only one pair of socks, which led to two pairs .

Just in case any of you are more doctored up than me, why do I get pins and needles in my feet, when cycling, even when they are warm? Is it too much pressure? My shoes are not tight, I get them on and off without undoing the laces . I thought at one point that it might be a weight thing, then thought some more about it and figured that weight would affect a far more important part of the anatomy which doesn't get numb at all.

BentMikey

My guess would be shoes that are too tight, especially if you're wearing two pairs of socks. It doesn't take much to cause numbness. Alternatively you might be clenching your toes whilst cycling. Seriously, try to spread and lift your toes regularly whilst cycling.

andyp

Buy yourself a pair of Assos Merino socks (or Defeet Wooly Bully socks). Then try something like these from Prendas.

Total cost £20 and you should have toasty feet.

PhilTheFish

It may just be that you have cold feet? My wife has terrible cold feet in the winter no matter what she wears (not cycling, just walking). The pins and needles may point to a blood circulation problem at the extremes of your body (which I'm told is not uncommon and nothing to worry about).

Not sure where you cycle, but we've only had one really cold morning here about a week ago. No numb feet here yet and I only wear one pair of socks and my trainers.

Keithp88

I do my thing in Belfast. Its been a bit nippy the last few days. Nice though.

Thanks for all the advice. I reckon the first thing to do is toughen up and quit whinging, then spend some cash. I think part two will be the easier part.

tardington

Keithp88 wrote:

Just in case any of you are more doctored up than me, why do I get pins and needles in my feet, when cycling, even when they are warm? Is it too much pressure? My shoes are not tight, I get them on and off without undoing the laces . I thought at one point that it might be a weight thing, then thought some more about it and figured that weight would affect a far more important part of the anatomy which doesn't get numb at all.

I hear it's because the toes don't do anything - it's the ball and parts back that do the rest, so the toes quietly go numb if it's cold...

The Specialised BG winter boots look quite fancy, they may be good? Don't know much about them though!

Hey, if your in Belf, my friend cycle-commutes there, she recently got knocked off her bike just down from Bike Dock - are car coming out a side street... :shock:

cupofteacp

I use Shimano MTB boots and I think there cr@p

Next time I'm going to get diadorra boots

http://www.diadora.com/webapp.diadora.c ... o?pid=1296

alfablue

cupofteacp wrote:

I use Shimano MTB boots and I think there cr@p

Next time I'm going to get diadorra boots

http://www.diadora.com/webapp.diadora.c ... o?pid=1296

Which ones are they?

I use Shimano MT-90 boots and they are great, and they genuinly work as both cycling and walking boots. Okay, they are no "roady" style boots, but they look okay off the bike, they are warm and waterproof. Only thing of note is that Shimano sizes are 1 to 2 sizes smaller than their stated size.

donnie murdo

I just got a pair of Specialized Defrosters for winter in the west of Scotland and so far they have been excellent. I already use other Specialized BG shoes and love the fit and quality of them. I did order a pair of Northwave Celsius GTX boots but I sent them straight back to Wiggle as they were IMO very uncomfortable around the ankle and far too narrow in the toe-box (who has feet that narrow?)

I recommend the Defrosters but it depends on what shoe fits you the best so I would try them all on first if possible.

A - W

I just use an old set of running trainers with reflective bits on with a pair of normal socks.

Is there really benefit to wearing the right shoes and socks?

alfablue

A - W wrote:

I just use an old set of running trainers with reflective bits on with a pair of normal socks.

Is there really benefit to wearing the right shoes and socks?

Most certainly if you are riding 2+ hours in the cold and rain, your shoes and socks will get wet through and will offer no warmth - but perhaps I'm just a softie!

With waterproof boots you can ride in the wet and not need a change of shoes at the end of the ride.

Also, proper stiff soled cycling shoes will give you a lot more power to your pedalling, and soft trainer soles bend round the pedals making for more discomfort.

And then of course, if you use SPD's you need appropriate shoes. Just a few reasons...

Of course you can cycle wearing anything, but I like to make thngs as comfortable and efficient as possible.

A - W

alfablue wrote:

A - W wrote:

I just use an old set of running trainers with reflective bits on with a pair of normal socks.

Is there really benefit to wearing the right shoes and socks?

Most certainly if you are riding 2+ hours in the cold and rain, your shoes and socks will get wet through and will offer no warmth - but perhaps I'm just a softie!

With waterproof boots you can ride in the wet and not need a change of shoes at the end of the ride.

Also, proper stiff soled cycling shoes will give you a lot more power to your pedalling, and soft trainer soles bend round the pedals making for more discomfort.

And then of course, if you use SPD's you need appropriate shoes. Just a few reasons...

Of course you can cycle wearing anything, but I like to make thngs as comfortable and efficient as possible.

Thanks for that. Commuting for two or so hours, thats hardcore!

alfablue

Well, my commute is 60 to 90 minutes depending on which site, but I use the same for winter day rides and for touring. I'm soft-core really :shock:

cupofteacp

alfablue

I'm using last years version of
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/103596.html

They let in water through the cleats, and the original insole is paper thin.

I normally only us them if my "summer" pair are wet or when the weather gets colder, however they've already worn out with the neoprene ankle cover wearing through :-(

Even though I was very careful to get the correct size, there still "cold" appearing to let more air through than they should, and my feet get cold after 45 minutes, maybe I should cycle slowly.

swpabiker

A question for Donnie (or any others):

How do the BG Defrosters fit compared to your other Specialized shoes?
I have a pair of the Specialized BG Trail 120 SL that I initially purchased in a size 43 (my foot size is an American size 10 but with a wide fore foot). I exchanged them for a size 44 to get a better fit in both width and length; the shoes seemed to run a half size or so on the small side.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Clever Pun

A - W wrote:

Thanks for that. Commuting for two or so hours, thats hardcore!

or horribly slow

alfablue

cupofteacp wrote:

alfablue

I'm using last years version of
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/103596.html

They let in water through the cleats, and the original insole is paper thin..

Oh, I have no experience of this model, but the MT90 is fine in all respects. You should get thin plastic stickers (they usually come in the box) to place over the inside of the cleat holes (under the insole) to prevent leakage, or Duck Tape does just fine.

donnie murdo

I use Specialized BG Comps in a UK9/EU43 and bought the defrosters in the same size and the fit is just the same for me.