keeping Head And Feet Warm

jedi_master

Out riding tonight my head and ears was getting a bit chilly even though i had a beanie on, wasn't too bad until the wind got a bit stronger or i was riding into the wind the cold air was getting trhough especially around the ears, the beanie though was just a standard black one from the market, nothing special. Any one got some suggestions on a good warm beanie that will keep my head and ears warm and also looks good ? the SealSkinz one says its windproof but it doesn't look from the picture to come down very far, none of the others seem to say anything along the lines of wind proof. The 661 one looks good but only says High quality knitted beanie not much else.


The socks i have one are cotton and after a while my feet start to get a bit on the chilly side, i dont really want to put on a second pair as it might make it a bit too much of a tight fit in my reebok classics. I was looking at the SealSkinz Thermal Liners but im not sure if a. they will along with my normal socks keep my feet warm and b. wether they will make too much of a tight fit in my shoes.

I was also looking at these

SealSkinz Waterproof Mid-Thermal Merino Sock
SealSkinz Waterproof Mid-Light Sock

How thick are these and how warm are they if anyone knows..

Although i am open to meny sugguestions on the sock front.

georgiesgirl

Hi don't know if this will help but I wear a polaris hat which has an elasticated top so it can be worn like a buff or double layed over the ears and can also be worn around the throat and neck for extra warmth. Now feet I wear a high percentage wool sock and put on overshoes but on extra cold days i have made toe covers from some silver thermal bubble wrap but I have to say the damn cold can still get when it wants to! Gloves iI bought a pair of ski rossignol ones from none other than TK Maxx they seem to be pretty good. Hope this helps a little. Helen

forgotrafe

I've a dhr windproof headband - it keeps your ears warm without making your head hot.

I've also got a pair of Seal Skinz Waterproof Ultra-Light Bike Socks. Very nice and fit well under my snug SPD shoes. Though try and get these from your LBS as the sizing is shot (I'm a size 7, but bought a large 9-11 pair!).

Rafe

z000m

i wear the SealSkinz Waterproof Mid-Thermal Merino Sock and my feet stay dry but my toes are still freezing, im sure the idea of warm feet is just a dream.

jedi_master

z000m wrote:

i wear the SealSkinz Waterproof Mid-Thermal Merino Sock and my feet stay dry but my toes are still freezing, im sure the idea of warm feet is just a dream.

Yes it could just be a dream.


What about other brand cycle sock's not just sealskinz

ride_whenever

Sealskinz are brilliant, but you have to make sure your shoes aren't too tight or you cut of the circulation and so your toes go really really cold. As your your head any simple thinsulate beanie should be pretty warm, but for true warmness you need to get something round your neck and ears, I have a fleece ring, but the buffs are supposed to be the mutts.

garsr6

i use thishttp://www.buffwear.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1_11/products_id/634 it can be worn in many ways, watch the vids.polartec lower part and the upper part is thin enough to wear under your lid.

also sealskinz sockshttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4702 are amazing. keep your feet bone dry and warm.

The Spiderman

My Sealskinz mid lights didnt help too much when I was out the other night.-3oC it was,and my toes were nearly dropping off after 2 hours.
Might have to invest in some winter boots.

dave_hill

It does help if you've got plenty of room in your shoes as it traps more air and provides for better insulation (as well as allowing proper blood flow to your toes).

I had the exact same problem - I wear size 9 Nike Kato trail shoes normally, but with a thin pair of cotton socks AND my Seal Skinz MidLights they were just too tight and my tootsies were dropping off after an hour.

So I picked up a pair of 661 Duallys in CRC's sale at size 10 - plenty of room even with two pairs of socks on and nice toasty warm feet. Excellent!

jedi_master

Bigger shoes, thats one idea i guess. Might get the lizard skins mid-thermal socks for now.

Anyone have or have used one of these Gore Bikewear Face Warmer III http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=22346 ?? Might get one keep the cold off my face, but does this cover your ears ? it looks like it does and how much will something like this impair my hearing.

Im also thinking that something like this may be better than a beanie http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=6047 waterproof and windproof.

nferrar

I have the Sealskinz hat and it offers good coverage (goes down over the ears) and is thin enough not to be an issue under a helmet. No sure how good it would be in really cold weather though (I used to use a balaclava in my old winter road riding days and it was great, will probably get another if the Sealskinz doesn't stand up to really chilly days).

As for socks, I have both the mid-lights and ultra-lights Sealskinz but not worn them yet so can't really comment, other than the mid-lights are pretty thick and shapeless so if your shoes are a snug fit you've got no chance.

I'm thinking about getting a pair of Specialized or Shimano winter boots a size or two too big and using them with merino socks of the Sealskinz, not convinced myself its worth the money yet though

Don't forget overshoes to, neoprene ones do a decent job at keeping water out and are a pretty good insulator and you don't have any hassles about sizing or getting used to new shoes/socks.

jedi_master

nferrar wrote:

I have the Sealskinz hat and it offers good coverage (goes down over the ears) and is thin enough not to be an issue under a helmet. No sure how good it would be in really cold weather though (I used to use a balaclava in my old winter road riding days and it was great, will probably get another if the Sealskinz doesn't stand up to really chilly days).

As for socks, I have both the mid-lights and ultra-lights Sealskinz but not worn them yet so can't really comment, other than the mid-lights are pretty thick and shapeless so if your shoes are a snug fit you've got no chance.

Pretty thick, mmm not sure they would fit then.

With the sealskinz hat in really cold wether if needed could a beanie fit underneth it ?

dave_hill

Be careful with headgear. Don't forget that 75% of your body's heat escapes through your head. If you insulate it too much you'll overheat the old grey matter. If you go for the SealSkinz hat I doubt that you'd need much extra.

Having said that I've got fairly thick hair so my insulation on top is fine with just the bandana. I only wear a very thin polyester/wool mix beanie if it's teeth-shatteringly cold to protect my ears, and even then I usually find it too warm after about 5 miles.

johnnypipe85

I never wear a hat, but I've found that Woolie Boolie socks (frome evans cycles) are excellent, even when wet! They are slightly thicker than your normal cotton socks. try them out, they're great!

nferrar

Jedi Master wrote:

Pretty thick, mmm not sure they would fit then.

With the sealskinz hat in really cold wether if needed could a beanie fit underneth it ?

Yeah I bought the ultra-lights after I realised I couldn't wear the mid-lights with my usual shoes. The ultra-lights are much more sock-like but are more jsut about water-proofing rather than insulating.

The sealskinz hat is stretchy close-fitting fabric and not designed to have anything underneath it. As Dave said though it might be a bit overkill on the top of your head anyway, I usually find it's just my ears and nose that really feel the cold, the sealskinz hat should sort out the ears fine as its mostly the wind chill effect.

Gwaredd

johnnypipe85 wrote:

I never wear a hat, but I've found that Woolie Boolie socks (frome evans cycles) are excellent, even when wet! They are slightly thicker than your normal cotton socks. try them out, they're great!

Glad to hear that, as mine arrived this morning!

PJPenrouz

I got some Sealskinz and am so dissappointed - they leaked after 5 minutes! I tested them under the tap and water gets in them immediately.
Mind you, I also bought Diadora Chili Extreme shoes, supposedly waterproof, and again - they only last about 20 minutes or so in moderate rain. What's wrong, how come everybody else praises them so much?

Anonymous

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m2b0s308p294

Little bit of that with a beanie over the top, and bob is very much your uncle

The Spiderman

I got to test my Sealskinz out,properly when riding in torrential rain,on Tuesday night.
I rode through a flood which came up the level of my cranks,and I was wearing Spesh BG shoes which aren`t exactly waterproof.

My shoes filled with water,and my feet felt colder,but on getting home,I removed my shoes and socks and was surpised to find that only the soles of my feet were slightly damp,but the remainder were otherwise completely dry.

I find overshoes to be quite effective,for road riding but off road,they tend to come undone,especially when doing hike a bike and when trudging through mud.

I am tempted to try the new Endura MT500 overshoes as they look a lot more secure of a more robust construction,and are a nice thick neoprene.

stumpyjon

nferrar wrote

I'm thinking about getting a pair of Specialized or Shimano winter boots a size or two too big and using them with merino socks of the Sealskinz, not convinced myself its worth the money yet though

I got some Shimano MW02 winter boots for Christmas, my toes still get quite cold but they are waterproof and much easier to clean than my summer boots. Best thing is when you hit a large puddle, in my old boots the cold water went through to my foot within a second of the water hitting the boot. Only time I've had water inside them was crossing a stream and the water came above the top of the neoprene collar :shock:

dennisn

I keep my head and feet warm by not riding outside until the temperature rises above my age(60). Works all the time. I'm shocked more people don't know this.

Dennis Noward

forgotrafe

dennisn wrote:

I keep my head and feet warm by not riding outside until the temperature rises above my age(60). Works all the time. I'm shocked more people don't know this.

Dennis Noward

ROFL!

Dennis - you are a genius!

Rafe