cold toes

dmch2

I was out for 3 hours at the weekend when it was about 5 degrees C (bright sunny and windless though ).

I had padded shorts with thin tightish runners tracksuit bottoms over them, a long sleeved base layer and thin vented single layer jacket (a rowing splashtop if that means anything to you) on top, fingerless mitts with thin gloves underneath and two pairs of socks. I was perfectly toasty and happy.

Except for my toes which must have gone instantly numb as they never felt cold until I got in the shower and they told me how cold they were when the hot water hit them!

So how do I keep my toes warm? I'm not particularly sensitive to the cold as the above demonstrates. I've taped over the vent in the bottom of my shoes but they're mesh on top - should I just tape over the mesh for winter? Or do I need some sort of special woolly socks? Is this where the famous merino wool everyone goes on about comes into play? I'm not convinced of the need for overshoes (seems like quite a faff and they look ridiculous) so would rather try a few other things first...

I tend to avoid cycling in the rain and use the rowing machine so it's only really warmth I'm after rather than going out in a complete wetsuit...

Any advice please?

softlad

try everything else - and then buy some overshoes.....

or you could just save time and go straight for the overshoes.....

they're not a faff - and nobody will give a fck what you look like anyway...

springtide9

I find overshoes keep my toes pretty warm in the winter months (on my MTB).. I assume they would be pretty useful on the road also.

I have a pair of the Planet-X overshoes.. sometime like...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Planet-X-Neoprene ... 53e391952c

I also use them in the rain... (with my summer MTB shoes)... and seem to do the job in the wet also.

springtide9

softlad wrote:

try everything else - and then buy some overshoes.....
or you could just save time and go straight for the overshoes.....
they're not a faff - and nobody will give a fck what you look like anyway...

LOL.... you beat me to it...
Yep they are not the most fashionable... but as my toes are warm... I smile to myself!

StanwaySteve62

i have the very ugly neoprene endura overshoes but they work

flasher

Overshoes and merino socks

jimwin

Make sure your shoes are a comfortably loose fit. Cold feet can be caused by poor blood circulation. So make sure there's space - not just for an extra sock layer, but to make sure you can move your digits around.

I've also found Pro Tarmac H20 overshoes to be great in all forms of bad weather.

dmch2

Tightness is a good point. I have much warmer toes skiing in my newer better fitting boots that i can wear a bit looser.

I should try loosening the shoes a bit and as long as i don't get blisters or feel disconnected that should help.

merino socks will make a good christmas present for someone to get me too.

I still think that if it's overshoes cold then a combination of MTFU or do some indoor training is probably the answer so I appreciate the nice days even more

wiffachip

i got some spd shoes from Lidl, no mesh,very warm and only cost 17 quid

double up as diver's boots, bonus

warmer than my specialized winter boots

carl_p

softlad wrote:

try everything else - and then buy some overshoes.....

or you could just save time and go straight for the overshoes.....

they're not a faff - and nobody will give a fck what you look like anyway...

Luckily my cycling shoes are not like ballerina pumps so I can get two pairs of socks on the coldest of days.

gray42

I use Ozzo overshoe from " InMotionProducts.com" [previously Mike Dyason].
No cold toes even last winter- and I'm 720ft above sea level before I start my rides in the Peak District. Try them, you won't regret it I'm sure.

Wheelspinner

I use these Pearl Izumi Cyclone toe covers, since our "winter" is pretty mild really. Still, they work nicely down to low single digit temperatures...



Evans site says they are no longer available.. shop round, you might find some though.

bristolpete

One thin pair one thick pair of socks, then wrap your feet in cling film and add over shoes.

giant_man

you need to create warm air space by having your shoes/boots one size larger than normal, coupled with decent socks such as woolie boolies.

Alternatively, oversocks or overshoes are a good shortcut, but the main thing is looseness aorund the toe area, the most important thing.

Philby

+1 for merino socks and overshoes.

nferrar

I'd get Lusso max repel overshoes to start with, windproof but not waterproof. When it gets colder still (or wet as well) then look at merino socks (IMO its worth getting a cycling brand like defeet woolie boolie's as they're generally cut better than random cheap merino socks) and switch to a neoprene overshoe (my favourite being the Pro Tarmac NPU+).

incog24

+1 on the Pro Tarmac NPU+ overshoes. I had toasty feet even when there was 4ft of snow up on the hills. Definitely makes a huge difference to my enjoyment of the rides during winter!

andyhilton

I've got Endura neoprene overshoes. Nice and toastie and keep my feet dry too.

Gazzetta67

+2 on the Pro Tarmac overshoes - Very warm,Waterproof, and have plenty of White in them if you dont want to look like Max Wall in total black. - and who gives a F**k anyway what folk think of what you wear. Usually the folk who shout are jealous B`strds cos your out keeping fit.

Chris James

Carl_P wrote:

softlad wrote:

try everything else - and then buy some overshoes.....

or you could just save time and go straight for the overshoes.....

they're not a faff - and nobody will give a fck what you look like anyway...

Luckily my cycling shoes are not like ballerina pumps so I can get two pairs of socks on the coldest of days.

Unfortunately I like my cycling shoes like my rock shoes - fairly tight, so suffer with cold feet despite wearing overshoes. I ended up buying winter boots, which are better, but still require sizing up.

rolf_f

Chris James wrote:

Unfortunately I like my cycling shoes like my rock shoes - fairly tight

Craziness

paulbox

StanwaySteve62 wrote:

i have the very ugly neoprene endura overshoes but they work

+1

Got mine last winter and they were a revelation, huge comfort improvement!

thiscocks

Wheelspinner wrote:

I use these Pearl Izumi Cyclone toe covers, since our "winter" is pretty mild really. Still, they work nicely down to low single digit temperatures...



Evans site says they are no longer available.. shop round, you might find some though.

...Didn't seem 'mild' yesterday when my hands practically fell off due to the cold. those toe covers are more for 'chilly' autum weather not full on winter riding. Our winter can be pretty harsh with the windchill so I would recommend any FULL neopene overshoes for this time of year. Never had cold feet with them on.

Rich Hcp

I've got BBB neoprine overshoes.

I only got them last year and it has been a revelation, toes nice and warm!

mfin

thiscocks wrote:

Wheelspinner wrote:

I use these Pearl Izumi Cyclone toe covers, since our "winter" is pretty mild really. Still, they work nicely down to low single digit temperatures...



Evans site says they are no longer available.. shop round, you might find some though.

...Didn't seem 'mild' yesterday when my hands practically fell off due to the cold. those toe covers are more for 'chilly' autum weather not full on winter riding. Our winter can be pretty harsh with the windchill so I would recommend any FULL neopene overshoes for this time of year. Never had cold feet with them on.

I use those toe covers too as the weather turns colder, definitely keep my toes toasty and saves me faffing about with overshoes until the weather gets really cold, cos these I can just leave on my shoes, chuck my feet in and go.

G-Wiz

+1 for woolie bullies. I also got a dirt cheap pair of quite thick adidas neoprene overshoes off ebay which are falling apart around the soles but still keep the cold out. Trust me, no-one's looking.

It's important that your socks aren't too thick, so go for good quality wool in a cycling cut.

I really suffer from cold fingers and toes and know the difference when you get it right.

While we're at it, a vote for my Assos gloves for serious cold, and Gore for mid-season. These are the only brands I can find that do a size 10 so my fingers don't touch the ends and get cold.

onlyonearrow

+1 for overshoes. Also they help keep all the mud and crud we seem to get on the roads in the winter off your shoes.

While decent merino wool socks will help, they aren't windproof, so I've found they still don't cut the chill on really cold days. One option is waterproof Sealskin socks - they're windproof - I've found them quite effective.

GavH

+2 for MERINO wool socks and ugly but functional neoprene overshoes for when it's really cold. I'm thinking about buying winter specific shoes (ie Diadora Artic?) but not sure I actually need them.

giant_man

Depends how cold it gets. I have Diadora Chili Extreme road boots and they've been brilliant.

sampras38

StanwaySteve62 wrote:

i have the very ugly neoprene endura overshoes but they work

I have them too, although on a 3 hour ride in the winter I'll make sure I've got decent socks too. Never feel the cold in my feet.

simon_e

dmch2 wrote:

I'm not convinced of the need for overshoes (seems like quite a faff and they look ridiculous) so would rather try a few other things first...

The mesh in the top of the shoe is like an open window - it's ventilation, after all. If you don't fancy the heavier neoprene type overshoes you could get some black lycra race/aero overshoes (like these). Not as bulky, but would still keep the wind out. Shoes shouldn't be too tight and two pairs of thin socks or one pair of good loop/knit socks would help.

If you get home with cold digits DON'T stick them straight in hot water! Use tepid water first until they are have warmed up, only then should you increase the temperature.