Cold Toes

Our Community Forums Commuters Cold Toes

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  • #912624
    kevinal
    Participant

    Greetings.
    I’m certain this topic has been raised before, but has anyone solved the “cold toes” problem? With the exception of my feet, I stay nice and warm throughout my morning’s commute (even on days like today, when there’s ice in my water bottle by the time I got to work). I cycle in thick wool socks and old running shoes; putting anything over them for added layering will be difficult as I use pedal clips.
    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
    All the best,
    Kevin

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 52 total)
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  • #958507
    Certifried
    Participant

    Aside from spending a lot of money on winter shoes/boots that have cleats, you can also opt for overshoes.

    http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=107&prod_id=213

    I have those, and find they keep the wind (as well as rain/sleet/snow) off the shoe. It’s just another layer, and layering is the trick to keeping warm. I also love my merino wool socks, merino seems to be quite a bit better than other wool. Between the endura merino socks, my road shoes, and the endura overshoes, my piggies stay nice and toasty.

    #958616
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    Kevin, I ride in running shoes with pedal clips and used to have exactly the same problem, now solved. I ride with thick wool socks over a pair of very thin socks and on really cold days, stick chemical toe warmers over (not under) the toe area of my socks. Wear shoes large enough to allow for some air circulation too. Works like a charm!

    The chemical warmers will be just enough to keep you comfortable and do not get overly warm in running shoes. They’re inexpensive, eco-friendly and widely available in sports stores and even some grocery and drug stores. You can buy them by the box in Costco or a bag of a dozen or so most other places. I hope that helps! Kathy

    #958617
    Rod Smith
    Participant

    I’ve put Arrid Extra Dry anti-perspirant cream on the bottom of my feet and between my toes. Dry feet are happy feet.

    #958618
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    Seconding Rod’s note about keeping feet dry. I tried wearing plastic newspaper bags over my socks at one point. Ended up with wet feet and froze. I tried them again with slits cut in them for a little circulation. Still had wet feet and froze. While it sounds counterintuitive, wearing running shoes large enough to have a little air circulation space, along with wool socks and when needed, toe warmers, really helped.

    #958619
    Certifried
    Participant

    oops, sorry. I misread what you wear, “running shoes”. I mistook the “pedal clips” for clipless pedals lol.

    #958747
    DaveK
    Participant

    @Rod Smith 39163 wrote:

    I’ve put Arrid Extra Dry anti-perspirant cream on the bottom of my feet and between my toes. Dry feet are happy feet.

    Never thought of that… that’s a good idea.

    #958726
    Dirt
    Participant

    Showers Pass makes a shoe cover designed to go over street shoes. It basically will keep the wind off, allow your feet to breathe and keep in a little warmth. They’re thin, so they don’t add extra bulk and should work with your toe clips. I bought a set for rain use… they worked well over cycling shoes, though sizing them is different. They worked quite well on the few rides home where I used them… kept my feet warm, but not sweaty. Google will find them.

    Added note: They are not insulated at all… they just keep the wind off and add a bit of waterproofing.

    #958724
    Terpfan
    Participant

    Sometimes I buy those cheap handwarmers from Walmart or wherever and put them over the middle of my show. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it doesn’t feel quite right. Then again, my commute is short enough that I can usually get away with it. It’s my hands even inside of my gloves that get cold and usually need the handwarmers.

    #958699
    pfunkallstar
    Participant

    Neoprene covers are the bomb. Handwarmers in the shoe work too, until they snap apart sending lava down your toes.

    #958702
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    If cost isn’t an issue, you could get some heated sock liners from Gerbing. The bonus of these is that they’re super versatile, so you can wear them while skiing, cycling, out for a walk, etc…

    #958703
    kevinal
    Participant

    If cost isn’t an issue, you could get some heated sock liners from Gerbing. The bonus of these is that they’re super versatile, so you can wear them while skiing, cycling, out for a walk, etc…

    Neat solution. Unfortunately, the cost is indeed prohibitive.
    Kevin

    #958871
    JeffC
    Participant

    You are like me, I ride in Adidas Sambas with toe clips and also use thick wool socks. The best thing for my toes are toe covers, can easily ride with them into the 20s and they stay on quite well with the toe clips blocking any slippage, something like this:

    http://www.amazon.com/Descente-Mens-Running-Element-Covers/dp/B002DGSVV4

    If you could, a thin Merino wool sock under the thick ones might help but not if it makes your shoes too tight. Ditto with a chemical toe warmer. I’ve found that being able to move my toes a bit and not have a chemical warmer is better than having my feet too scrunched. You may have to get larger shoes eventually. Fortunately, I can readily accomodate the Merino wool liner socks, but not a chemical warmer.

    I’ve also noticed that the type of toe clips matters, one of my bikes has more plasticy toe clips whereas the other has metal. The metal holds the cold more and that tends to make my shoes and hence toes colder. So perhaps plastic toe clips might help marginally. Still the best improvement is likely to be the neoprene covers like in the link.

    On very cold days when I wear street clothes and just bike to the subway (about 1.5 miles), I splurge with a boot called Steger Mukluks (made in the USA and warm into the -20s, these are some amazing but pricey boots), something like this style: http://shop.mukluks.com/Traditional-Short-Brown-Mukluks/productinfo/TSBRN/

    These are not good for biking long distances but are extremely warm and breathable and fine for short bike rides. However, they don’t fit in my toe clips because they are too big so I just flip the toe clip over on days when I wear them.

    #958876
    consularrider
    Participant

    @JeffC 39445 wrote:

    … I splurge with a boot called Steger Mukluks (made in the USA and warm into the -20s, these are some amazing but pricey boots), something like this style: http://shop.mukluks.com/Traditional-Short-Brown-Mukluks/productinfo/TSBRN/

    These are not good for biking long distances but are extremely warm and breathable and fine for short bike rides. However, they don’t fit in my toe clips because they are too big so I just flip the toe clip over on days when I wear them.

    But no Hi-Viz options and no reflective bits! ;)

    #958879
    JeffC
    Participant

    @consularrider 39450 wrote:

    But no Hi-Viz options and no reflective bits! ;)

    With my two tail lights, two handlebar lights, nite-ize on my front tire, and both rear and front facing “be seen” lights on my helmet, plus the other reflective items on my bike I’m already like a rolling Christmas tree out there.

    I’m starting to look like the FCC Santamobile: http://www.fallschurchvfd.org/santa/santa.htm

    #958905
    mstone
    Participant

    Decided based on weather channel not to bother with booties on the way home. Man, are my feet cold. Stupid winter.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 52 total)
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