Cold feet

kjpeel

Hi,
Stepping up this year from cycling to work to actually cycling for pleasure. Got out for a hilly 30 miles this morning. Great start to the day.

My question relates to my cold feet. I've a cheap(£40) pair of clip on shoes. They are intentionally almost like walking shoes, handy for the pub as well as the bike. Anyway the problem I had today was that my feet were freezing. I wore them with just regular sport socks.

How do people keep their feet warm on longer rides ? I've some over shoe type things, that I assumed were good for water resistance. Do these also ensure warmth ?

Thank

kjpeel

++ I meant I've seen the over shoe things, don't own any.

peejay78

overshoe things are absolutely essential for winter cycling, they work well and are both waterproof and warm.

bompington

Overshoes, yes. You get waterproof shell type ones or neoprene insulated ones, but either way the principal benefit is to keep the wind out, which means your feet will indeed be warm and toasty whichever you choose.

Check your shoes aren't too tight as well, restricted circulation can mean you'll not be warm no matter what extra insulation you put on top.

Skerryman

Overshoes and a pair of DeFeet Woolie Boolie's !!

bakerstreet

I also suffer from cold feet.

I got bought some shimano road shoes for Christmas. I did ask for them, but I didn't know that they were going to come with a big hole by the toes! Obviously its for ventilation, but it does make my feet quite cold in the mornings.

Taped them up with insulating tape. Much better

potters1863

After having cold feet last winter, I invested in some over-shoes. Tried them out on a trip up to the Cat n Fiddle and was amazed just how much difference they made. A very good investment, always wear thermal socks with them and my feet have been warm all winter.

ALaPlage

All the answers have been given.

Primarily you need some circulation so shoes not too tight are your starter for 10.
Some good warm socks - best are those made from natural fibres and most cyclists will concur that Woolie Boolies are a preferred choice.
Finally some neoprene overshoes will keep your feet dry and warm.

nferrar

Layers are key, high quality merino socks (preferably cycling specific as they're generally thinner and cut better so don't bunch up) + overshoes (neoprene when it's really cold/wet). If it is wet then they won't keep your feet dry but they should stay reasonably warm as you're cutting out the windchill - don't both with seal skins either, they're just ill-fitting socks that delay your feet getting wet but ultimately act like bags and it goes in through the top.

sparkins1972

I would recommend you try some overshoes on with your shoes before you buy. The way you describe your walking shoe style ones I am guessing they might be a bit wider, thicker, clumpier than a standard road shoe, so good t chevck you can get the on over your shoes. I bought my first pair this winter and for the first time I now feel comfortable in low temperatures.

Good luck

bompington

sparkins1972 wrote:

I would recommend you try some overshoes on with your shoes before you buy. The way you describe your walking shoe style ones I am guessing they might be a bit wider, thicker, clumpier than a standard road shoe, so good t chevck you can get the on over your shoes. I bought my first pair this winter and for the first time I now feel comfortable in low temperatures.

Good luck

Wouldn't be too sure: my Shimano SPD shoes could fit the "walking shoe style" description, but are ridiculously narrow, hence my observation earlier about shoes that are too tight...

willowthewhite

I got myself a pair of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18111 I was a little hesitenet at spending that much on a pair of socks at first, but first ride out, they were worth every penny, feet were lovely and warm, even when wet.

magoo289

Overshoes + thermal socks a must for me.

sparkins1972

Wouldn't be too sure: my Shimano SPD shoes could fit the "walking shoe style" description, but are ridiculously narrow, hence my observation earlier about shoes that are too tight...[/quote]

You could be right Bompington - its ounds like you have the SPD shoes that are similar to road shoes in profile - I have seen some that are more like a hiking shoe which I would struggle to get my overshoes over.

KnightOfTheLongTights

yep I only spent one winter's ride without overshoes then immediately got these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=9275
cheap and do the job well, absolute must

sockwise I swear by smartwool adrenaline

MaxwellBygraves

Get some proper overshoes. You can have all the winter gear in the world, but as I have stupidly found many times before, if you don't have good overshoes then you will stay cold. And there's nothing worse than numb toes!

ThatBikeGuy

Skerryman wrote:

Overshoes and a pair of DeFeet Woolie Boolie's !!

+1

drewfromrisca

I suffer from reynaud's disease and really struggle with cold hands and feet (even in summer) and this might sound daft but wrap your feet in cling film!!!

All joking aside, stick your socks on then wrap your feet in some cling film before sticking them in your shoes and voila job done.

I'm just about to go out for a ride and was in the process of wrapping my feet when I realised we are out of cling so I know for a fact my feet will be absolutely frozen on my ride!!!

JohnBoyUK

drewfromrisca wrote:

I suffer from reynaud's disease and really struggle with cold hands and feet (even in summer) and this might sound daft but wrap your feet in cling film!!!

All joking aside, stick your socks on then wrap your feet in some cling film before sticking them in your shoes and voila job done.

I'm just about to go out for a ride and was in the process of wrapping my feet when I realised we are out of cling so I know for a fact my feet will be absolutely frozen on my ride!!!

Similarly, was going out on a mid-week evening ride last week and dont know what made me think of it, but I wrapped two freezer bags around my feet in between two pairs of thick football socks. Worked an absolutely treat. Was like having a hot water bottle in each shoe and was bloody lovely in comparison.

Have been meaning to invest in some overshoes but had to wait for pay day to splash out!

ajb72

ThatBikeGuy wrote:

Skerryman wrote:

Overshoes and a pair of DeFeet Woolie Boolie's !!

+1

Sadly Woolie Boolies are too thick to fit my road shoes (shame as they are so very warm). After trying and failing with a few options, finally settled on Rapha Winter socks. A bit dearer at £20, but slim enough to fit my spesh shoes and much warmer than their standard merino socks.

andy53

Training for the Etape at present and doing 2/3 3-4hour rides a week. CLINGFILM is the answer, with overshoes. I no longer notice my feet on my rides. I cling my feet the put socks over the top.

rolf_f

bompington wrote:

Overshoes, yes. You get waterproof shell type ones or neoprene insulated ones, but either way the principal benefit is to keep the wind out, which means your feet will indeed be warm and toasty whichever you choose.

This isn't necessarily true. If you have poor circulation, winter boots, woolie boolies and 3mm thick neoprene insulated overshoes will indeed not be enough to guarantee warm and toastiness. I count myself happy if I don't get pains from the cold with all that lot on.