insulating insoles for winter

[Dirt]

I haven’t used them in cycling shoes, though my Lake boots come with something like that in them already. I’ve used something similar in winter boots before. They help a little.

[Powerful Pete]

I have found that the chemical toe-warmers are a godsend… low, steady heat that makes a difference on the coldest of days.

[Raymo853]

I use the chemical warmers and plan to buy the battery powered ones next year. Regardless, I a thinking of buying a pair of the ones you linked to above. Seems like those will be nice not as the only part of a solution but as part of the solution.

[Vicegrip]

I am no expert in cold weather riding so a grain of salt is required.
I found that adding a simple store bought insert under the stock one my shoes came with worked WONDERS. My shoes were a bit too big and the 2 insert layers did not pinch up my feet. A good set of neoprene shoe covers and happy feet. I will also sometimes use blue painters tape and tape the vents in the soles and perforations on the uppers on my shoes before putting my shoe covers on.
I used a thermal imaging device and found that a large % of heat is lost out through the cleat area. the second insert and reduced air flow worked wonders.

[dkel]

@Vicegrip 105893 wrote:

I used a thermal imaging device and found that a large % of heat is lost out through the cleat area.

I was totally going to do that, too, but my thermal imaging device is in the shop just now.

[Vicegrip]

@dkel 105896 wrote:

I was totally going to do that, too, but my thermal imaging device is in the shop just now.

Is ok. I get that a lot.

[Steve O]

@dkel 105896 wrote:

I was totally going to do that, too, but my thermal imaging device is in the shop just now.

Yours, too? What are the odds?

[vvill]

Thanks folks, I’ll give them a try. I don’t want to have to buy/use dedicated winter boots for cycling (mostly because I already have 5 or so cycling shoes in rotation, including a couple pairs a size larger for thicker socks) so hoping this will make a difference! Did not expect a thermal imaging reply – that is awesome. I have wondered how much is lost through the cleat area since it’s relatively open, and even the best shoe covers don’t address it.

(Chemical toe warmers work for sure but I’d also rather not have to use them except for really long and cold rides.)

[PotomacCyclist]

@Vicegrip 105893 wrote:

I used a thermal imaging device and found that a large % of heat is lost out through the cleat area. the second insert and reduced air flow worked wonders.

At least this confirms what I’ve long suspected. Even with neoprene shoe covers, I’ve never been able to keep my feet warm on longer winter rides. I also used chemical toe warmers, but those don’t work if there is insufficient oxygen flow.

I haven’t tried any longer rides this winter yet. I rode on CaBi yesterday, but that was only about 35 minutes. The temperature was in the mid to upper 30s. I wore my old triathlon running shoes, which have basically no insulation on the upper. The upper is made of a very breathable mesh fabric and a midfoot velcro strap. It’s basically a thin slipper with the velcro strap and a solid sole, the old K-Swiss Blade Light Race. (I would not recommend these to anyone for long rides. But they are very comfortable as walking shoes and general casual shoes. They were discontinued a couple years ago, though.)

Hopefully there won’t be too many sub-40F weeks left. High temperatures will be in the low to upper 40s for the next week. And then we’re almost finished with January. 40-degree temperatures I can deal with. 15-20F not so much. (For cycling. With running, I don’t even wear socks. I’ve been fine doing that even with temperatures in the 20s in past winters. The feet are more active while running than with cycling.)

[sethpo]

@vvill 105847 wrote:

Has anyone used these before (for biking or otherwise)? If so, any feedback on them? I don’t mind if they slightly reduce my pedaling efficiency.

Something like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390-Japan-Aluminium-Thermal-2prs-Insoles-Foot-Warmer-for-Women-Men-Boots-22-28cm-/171580538719
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pedag-145-Solar-Insulating-Wool-Thermo-Insoles-w-3-Layer-Thermal-Shield-Support-/321611454015

I put some of those in my shoes this winter and didn’t notice even a small difference. I finally realized if I wear thin socks w/ toe warmers I’m good down to the low teens. Thick wool socks w/o toe warmers above 25.

Also, here’s a protip: If you get home at night and your gloves are a bit sweaty wear a different pair of gloves next morning. My hands Friday morning were not happy at all. It’s the first time since getting bar mitts I’ve had a really cold hand issue.

[brendan]

Slightly on topic:

For a couple of years I thought I had developed Raynaud’s disease. Well, technically I had, but it was only indirectly due to my advancing age (as explained below).

While out on the bike, my fingers and toes would go numb/white way faster than I ever remembered, even in above freezing temperatures (in particular if it was windy…or I was riding…even in the 50s). No pair of gloves no matter how high tech (or lobster shaped) worked well enough for long winter rides. On the one hand, cycling put me outside a lot more, so I thought perhaps I’d always been sensitive but never realized it. On the other hand, I had a few experiences just walking around DC where it happened in not-super-cold temperatures which led me to believe it was a new symptom.

And this even after I’d invested in lake winter boots, special insoles, bar mitts and lots of wool clothing, hats, socks…and backup gloves (to swap into when a pair got wet/sweaty) for riding. I’d started seeing minor frostbite symptoms several times a winter, which really made me nervous (and was painful).

Then…this winter the problem hasn’t happened. Even with a 40 mile round trip bike commute.

As far as I can tell, the only difference is that I’m no longer taking a certain blood-pressure medication mix. Looking at the literature, I *think* the cause of the effect was the HCTZ (diuretic) added to the lisinopril (ACE inhibitor), but possibly it was the latter or the combination. I’ll be working with my doctor to be sure whatever mix I’m on doesn’t have this effect, because frostbite is a real danger.

B

[wheelswings]

Awesome that you’ve not had it this winter, even with your 40 mi RT! The weather hasn’t exactly been tropical. Sounds like a good insight on the meds. Good luck figuring that out. Hopefully your high-mileage lifestyle will help you get off the meds altogether.

[brendan]

@wheels&wings 105963 wrote:

Awesome that you’ve not had it this winter, even with your 40 mi RT! The weather hasn’t exactly been tropical. Sounds like a good insight on the meds. Good luck figuring that out. Hopefully your high-mileage lifestyle will help you get off the meds altogether.

Laying off the beer and pizza would help too.

I usually do the bike commute 3 days a week, but they’re moving the office (4-5 miles further away) so we’ll see if the 3 a week stays possible with 20 more minutes of riding each way.

Yesterday I rode a century in upper 30s with lake boots, bar mitts and no gloves and was super comfortable. That makes me happy. Now to figure out what other long-term side-effects I’ll need to live with (potentially including a lack of beer and/or pizza).

B

[Vicegrip]

My dear first wife developed raynaud’s and it is not to be trifled with. She would loose circulation even in summer from a glass of water or proximity to an AC vent.

I take my am ride gear including shoes and gloves and leave them in the direct path of the heating vent or near the wood stove when it is running. Nice pre-heat and everything is bone dry. As said clammy damp gear puts you behind the 8 ball at the start. For me pre-heating the shoes is good for 20 extra miles at least.

[Raymo853]

I ended up purchasing both of the inserts the original poster asked about. The German made ones with wool and Al look fantastic. I am going to put those into my good shoes soon. I suspect they will be wonderful and between them and shoe covers my need to use chemical heaters will be eliminated for days above freezing. (I do have really warm feet)

The cheaper Japanese ones also look good, especially since the package contained four inserts and the art on the package is cute. I put a pair in my winter shoes (Shimano MW81) and expect they will make them a little warmer. My first ride will be tonight. I’ll report back.

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