Cold Feet

Heavenfire

Since switching to clipless pedals and Shimano RO87 shoes a couple of weeks ago, I've found that my toes get a lot colder - even in this lovely sunshine we've had recently! Wearing oversocks (Assos Spring/ Fall knitted) hasn't helped keep 'em warm much either. Maybe I just have cold feet, but is this a feature of wearing highly-ventilated road shoes? Is it OK to fit standard inner soles or does this totally block the ventilation?

kingrollo

Your shoes could be to tight \ small- cutting of circulation to your toes try loosening them off and see if this helps

Heavenfire

@Kingrollo
Thanks for the idea. I tried it, but it's not the tightness of the shoes. I'm surprised that in the current weather (12-18C) my toes are numb after 10 miles even when I'm wearing oversocks. They used to be steaming hot when wearing trainers and ordinary socks a month ago. Time for some thicker socks or innersoles, I think!

Buckled_Rims

What! Whitley Bay is one of the sunniest and warmest places in the UK. I usually go to St Mary's light house in t-shirt and shorts even in the winter

Seriously, it's the shoes, mate. I changed from dbh to Time because the dbh shoes were too ventilated. Someday in the future I'll plug a few of the vents up, but for now I'm using Time RXS MTB shoes that are much warmer.

Teach

Why not stick some tape over the ventilation. It might not look good, but you can gauge if your feet are warmer and if they become too toasty, you can remove the tape for vented toes!

CarleyB

I recently bought some northwave road shoes but sent them back as they looked too soft and too ventilated. You need your shoes too last you all year round if your toes are cold now thats no good...obviously !!

mattshrops

neoprene overshoes will definitely keep your feet warm. my northwave shoes are well ventilated but theyve stayed warm all winter long. Try Pro tarmac NPU road overshoes

Heavenfire

@ (Dr)cadseen:
Thanks for the thought, but I've no medical conditions, unless you count favouring Mediterranean & tropical climates over grey northern European ones! I wear fingerless gloves and don't suffer from cold at this time of year. My circulation is generally quite good, especially at parties or other social occasions, when conversation often leaves me cold. I wear sandals (without socks, of course!) as soon as the weather allows, and that this time of year most days. Other than that, I probably defy the northern hardman stereotype (aka Buckled_Rims) in that I still light the fire on summer nights and wear a gilet (pronounced in the fancy French fashion) whenever venturing anywhere near the North Sea!

Googling neoprene overshoes right now!

-steves-

Not sure if this info will help at all.

I was cycling in trainers, thin ones and after the same amount of miles was coming back with "cold feet" even in warm weather, I was really confused. I asked about, was told to go clipless and spd's which I did. First time out, still got "cold feet", asked about again and someone said the velcro might be too tight. Reduced the amount of grip on the velcro round my feet, done two 40 milers and a 50 miler since, no cold feet at all, nothing, zip. It appears my "cold foot" syndrome was just down to having this too tightly round my feet. :oops: Shame it didn't sure the shoulder pain, oh well, will move onto that one next, one thing at a time hey

Heavenfire

@cadseen: "still sounds like circulation block to me, are shoes narrow fit ?"

No, shoes fit comfortably, and even have plenty space in the toe box for a good wiggle. I loosened off the velcros and the ratchet so they were definitely not restricting, but still cold.

Omar Little

what sort of socks are you wearing? If it is just normal cotton sports socks then maybe they are getting wet as the sweat isnt getting wicked away. You could try cycling specific socks - the merino versions for a bit more warmth.

Heavenfire

Omar Little wrote:

what sort of socks are you wearing? If it is just normal cotton sports socks then maybe they are getting wet as the sweat isnt getting wicked away. You could try cycling specific socks - the merino versions for a bit more warmth.

I'm wearing Shimano's CoolMax - Skil-Shimano Team - which are fantastic, but very well ventilated, like the shoes! They don't hold sweat at all. I arrive home with cold, but dry, feet.

Heavenfire

Problem solved!! Guess what the cause was ... the cold! :roll: Two pairs of socks - ordinary thickness socks, not those Cool Max that actually live up to their name - plus oversocks, and my tootsies are toasty! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the thread!

Secteur

I found exactly the same thing with my first clipless shoes/pedals last week - my toes get COLD!!!!!

I have to wear 2 pairs of socks or else they get numb!