Toe warmer burned my foot!

[KLizotte]

Today I used Grabber brand chemical toe warmers and one of them burned the top of my foot (I now have a bright red triangle to show for it). I originally had the toe warmers sandwiched between wool sock liners and heavy wool socks. When my foot really started to hurt I stopped and changed the socks so that the thickest sock was against my foot and the wool liner was on top. That helped but both warmers were uncomfortably hot for at least an hour.

Anybody know of a way to keep the warmers from overheating? They are obviously a little dangerous! I don’t want to suffer ice cold feet either. For the record, I was wearing winter cycling boots that come with a neoprene covering so I don’t think a whole lot of oxygen is getting in there.

Thanks.

Topic

[PotomacCyclist]

@Arlingtonrider 70512 wrote:

Sandwiches in shoes are not recommended! Put them on top of both pairs of socks and you should be fine.

I’ve found that while they work with any of my shoes, they seem to work a little better with vented shoes (like running shoes). The problem I’ve sometimes had with heavier shoes is not overheating (provided you don’t sandwich them between pairs of socks), but not working if my socks get damp with perspiration. Once the warmers get damp or wet, they stop providing heat. They work fine for me in any shoes for an 8 mile commute (above 2 pairs of socks), but if I plan on adding a little more milege/time, I seem to stay warmer when I wear them with running-type shoes, even though that seems counterintuitive.

Interesting. I’ve used chemical toe warmers with one pair of tech running socks (polyester fibers), MTB shoes and neoprene shoe covers. I’m now thinking that there isn’t enough oxygen for the toe warmers to work well. On cold days, the toe warmers don’t seem to do anything after 30-45 minutes. Maybe they would work better without the shoe covers?

I had planned on using platform pedals this winter with winter boots (Merrill) instead of cleated bike shoes. But if I can get the toe warmers to work by skipping the shoe covers, I might try that.

[NicDiesel]

It hasn’t gotten really cold here yet but the SPD Wolvhammers, so far, with a pair of smart wool socks keeps you really dry and warm. No need for the chem warmers yet, but it should be subzero later this week…

[DismalScientist]

@NicDiesel 70704 wrote:

, but it should be subzero later this week…

But it’s a dry cold.:rolleyes:

[NicDiesel]

@DismalScientist 70722 wrote:

But it’s a dry cold.:rolleyes:

Just pray it isn’t windy…

[cyclingfool]

The only sub-zero conditions I see in the next week’s worth of forecasts are at night… in Celsius. Heat wave continues. 😎

[NicDiesel]

@cyclingfool 70740 wrote:

The only sub-zero conditions I see in the next week’s worth of forecasts are at night… in Celsius. Heat wave continues. 😎

Now, now, on Friday morning (when I plan on going riding) it’s projected to be a toasty -10 F. It could be -1000 F and I wouldn’t really care though, being able to ride at all and enjoy life is all I care about nowadays. This dude from Winnipeg I met on Sunday said it best – “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.”

[DismalScientist]

Well, it couldn’t be -1000 F. You know, laws of physics and stuff.

[dbb]

@DismalScientist 70746 wrote:

You know, laws of physics and stuff.

Stuff has laws? Please expand.

[DismalScientist]

http://www.thecontractsguy.net/2011/12/16/the-law-of-stuff-isnt-the-same-as-the-law-of-services/

[NicDiesel]

@DismalScientist 70746 wrote:

Well, it couldn’t be -1000 F. You know, laws of physics and stuff.

Don’t be so literal d00d.

[consularrider]

@NicDiesel 70754 wrote:

Don’t be so literal d00d.

He can’t help himself.

[Author]

Replies