Warm feet

[PotomacCyclist]

I rode last night with MTB shoes, neoprene shoe covers and Toe Warmers heating pads. I think the temperatures were in the upper 30s with a wind chill around 30. My feet felt comfortable, unlike on the previous ride when I forgot the shoe covers.

It’s also important to keep your core, head and hands warm. That will prevent your body from shunting extra blood to your core. Your body will try to keep the core warm over the extremities. Keep the core warm and your feet will stay a little warmer too. I wore a tech running shirt, a fleece pullover and a water-resistant windbreaker along with tri shorts, tights and a balaclava. (I only used thin full-fingered gloves but my hands stayed warm with the Bar Mitts. Also, check out the thread about neoprene brake lever covers. I think my improvised method helped on the ride.)

[Greenbelt]

Hiking boots! (And flat/convertable pedals.)

I ran into someone last night who swears by the chemical toe warmers, though. So I might give those a try sometime.

[PrintError]

After years of smart wool, neoprene covers, and plastic bags, last winter found me investing in Lake MX302s. A week later, it was FOUR DEGREES one morning. At the end of my 18 mile commute, my toes were still warm!!!

Expensive? Yep.

Worth it? OH HELL YEP!

[paulg]

I use winter bike riding shoes – warm and quick to put on but can be pricey.

This thread had some good discussions on warm gear too:

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1321-Q-about-Winter-biking

[MCL1981]

I used the Neoprene waterproof boot covers ($50 at Cycle Life). Coldest I have ridden in them is the coldest it has been this year in the mornings, about 25 degrees, for an hour. Stayed nice and warm.

Like Potomac said, keeping your core warm will play a major part in the rest of your body. You can set your shoes on fire, but if your core is cold, your feet will still be cold. Your body starts cutting circulation to the extremities as core temperature drops… self preservation.

[Dirt]

I’ve never had good luck with any kind of waterproof socks. They make my feet sweat even when they’re cold. I mix and match the following layers: thin liner sock, good quality wool socks (Swiftwick is my fave right now), winter cycling boot or Lake wet weather boot (no insulation, but great comfort and water/wind proof) and sometimes winter shoe covers over the top. The sock combo with the lake CX140 wet weather boot had me comfy for rides in the low 20s.

Remember that chemical warmers only work when they a) get some contact with air; and 2) are not exposed to moisture. No air = no heat. A little moisture = no heat.

When it gets REALLY cold… I’m with Greenbelt. get out the flat pedals and wear some hiking or winter boots.

[acc]

I am the wimpiest bike commuter on earth. I won’t ride to work in the rain or sleet or snow. I am a total wuss. But I made it out to GMU today and back in hiking boots and wool socks on flats. My feet were warm. It’s about a nine mile commute. But if I didn’t ride into work today I would not have ridden at all because it’s cold, so I rode.

ann

[MCL1981]

I’ve been waiting and hoping for some snow and sleet to try out my studded snow tires!!

Do you find that your feet and legs go wildly flying all over the place when you ride without clipping in? For the last 29 years or recreational biking, I always had regular flat pedals and sneakers. When I started commuting in December, I got pedals that have MTB’s on one side and flat on the other so I can use either. I’ve used only the clips for the last two months. If I try to ride without being clipped in, my legs fly all over the place and it sucks.

[JimF22003]

Coldest I ever rode in was the day before the inaugural in 2008 at about 15 degrees. I rode last Monday when it was 17 degrees starting out. I’ve been OK using just thick wool DeFeet socks, regular bike shoes, and neoprene booties.

[PotomacCyclist]

You just have to adjust to the flat pedals and use proper pedaling technique. I switch between clipless triathlon pedals, clipless mtn. bike pedals and Capital Bikeshare platform pedals without any problems (although I don’t ride as fast when I’m on the CaBi bikes).

[PotomacCyclist]

Wear this to keep your core warm:

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Well, I’ve never actually seen one of these in person. I probably wouldn’t wear it either. But it looks warm. Maybe better to be dorky and warm than cool and… cool? But better to be cool and warm.

[consularrider]

For weather below 40°F I’ve been using a fleece lined low top hiking type shoe with Smartwool medium weight ski/snow board sock. Below 25° I’ve added a sock liner and have been comfortable on rides of up to 90 minutes. I also have some expensive winter riding shoes that I have not been very happy with. Part of the problem may be that I did not order a size larger to accommodate the thicker socks, guess I assumed the shoe designer would factor that into the sizing, but, oh well. I am using the Nashbar Highlander combo pedal with SPD on one side and broad platform on the other. On the platform side you can screw in up to six small spikes to help keep the shoe sole on the pedal surface (otheriwse they are slick when wet).

[americancyclo]

@JimF22003 13368 wrote:

Coldest I ever rode in was the day before the inaugural in 2008 at about 15 degrees. I rode last Monday when it was 17 degrees starting out. I’ve been OK using just thick wool DeFeet socks, regular bike shoes, and neoprene booties.

Oh man, I did bike valet for the inauguration. Thanks for reminding me how cold I was that day. I had blocked it out!

[Arlingtonrider]

Most chilly days, like yesterday (Thurs., 31 degrees), I’m ok with my usual 1 pr thin socks and 1 pr thick wool socks under my running shoes, although my toes get chilled toward the end of my roughly 40 minute rides. I keep a pair of chemical toe warmers in my panniers “just in case.”

This morning (and the 17 degree Monday), I added chemical toe warmers over the outer wool socks, on top of my toes, and it was luxurious. Both times I left the same warmers on the socks for the evening ride, and even though they were pretty spent, they added enough warmth to make the ride home reasonably comfortable. By the time I got home a few minutes ago, though, I was thinking that it might be a nice treat, every once in awhile while, to indulge in a fresh pair for the evening ride.

For any who haven’t used them before, the chemical toe warmers are widely available for about 99 cents a pair (sporting goods stores, Home Depot, maybe Target??) and the packaging says they’re environmentally friendly. I buy ’em by the dozen, but only use them on the coldest days. They make a huge difference!

[hencio]

I tried toe neoprene covers, extra socks and even duct tape. Regardless, my toes would feel numb at about 25 degrees. I found swiftwick socks(best I’ve used) , then broke down and bought some winter shoes this year. My toes have been nice and toasty at 20 degrees this year.

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