Winter Cycling - More riders in my group endorse Toasty Feet

I am a new winter rider so I wanted to get more veteran opinions before I posted. I wore the Toasty Feet and thought they helped keep my feet warm on an evening when my feet would have been cold.

Two veteran cold weather riders got them for Christmas and tried them for the first time last night. They were impressed and told other riders in the group to get them. One of the riders put chemical warmers also and his feet got hot to the point of extreme discomfort, almost a hot foot.

I would encourage anyone to try these before investing in something more expensive. They felt that with these inserts they could ride in much colder temperatures before needing chemical warmers.

http://www.polarwrap.com/index.html
I would consult their dealer locater for Toasty Feet and call and verify they have them before making a special trip.

Thanks for the link--that warm air mask looks interesting.

I put a set in my clipless shoes. They made a small difference IMHO. However, I am still unable to keep my feet warm after 1 to 1.5 hrs in sub freezing temps. My new set of wool socks made a far greater improvement. My next solution is a larger set of shoes or a set of winter clipless boots. ex: lake shoes
I've also used booties and found them almost worthless.

I put a set in my clipless shoes. They made a small difference IMHO. However, I am still unable to keep my feet warm after 1 to 1.5 hrs in sub freezing temps. My new set of wool socks made a far greater improvement. My next solution is a larger set of shoes or a set of winter clipless boots. ex: lake shoes
I've also used booties and found them almost worthless.

Have you tried chemical warmer packs? A lot of people recommend the hand size as being plenty big. Riders in my group swear by them. And they obviously work great with the Toasty Feet.

If you use them, be sure to open them in advance and shake them and verify that they activate.

I put a set in my clipless shoes. They made a small difference IMHO. However, I am still unable to keep my feet warm after 1 to 1.5 hrs in sub freezing temps. My new set of wool socks made a far greater improvement. My next solution is a larger set of shoes or a set of winter clipless boots. ex: lake shoes
I've also used booties and found them almost worthless.


Get the boots.

This is my first winter riding, but I got a pair of Answer Kashmirs (basically a rip off of the Lake, but quite a lot cheaper), and my feet haven't been cold once since I bought them. Now, granted that our winter has not been all that cold yet, and the coldest I've had to ride in was about 17 degrees F, but I typically have cold feet just sitting around, so for me to have warm feet while riding is VERY cool, at least to me.

Of course, I ride in a leather jacket (it breaths like skin - since it IS skin - it is warm, wind proof, and water proof. The only problem is it's a bit heavy, but it works for me), so you might want to take what I say with a big grain of salt. Maybe even a block of salt.


Gabriel

I do not want the chemical warmers. I think it would be a bit too expensive to use everyday on my commute. I may spring for the boots but with my long commute and our recent snows I am taking the short route, if at all. My current setup is fine for 60-90 minutes. Plenty of time to make it to the train or bus.

I got a pair of Toasty Feet a couple days ago, but it's been too warm to use them....As it gets colder, I'll be testing out some combinations and see about posting the results. I've got:

Performance road shoes (Look cleats - slippery as heck) - don't want to wear them by themselves below 45 degrees.
Lake Road shoes (better soles for walking - in the mail - not received yet)
Lake MTB shoes (SPD cleats) - good to about 40.
Pearl Izumi AmFib road covers - worn at 28 with the road shoes, but still pretty cold - also, they've started shredding around the cleats after only 6 weeks or so......
Gator neoprene MTB covers - worn down to 28, not as cold as the road shoes.
ToastyFeet inserts - not tested yet.
Pearl Izumi 'normal' cycling socks
SmartWool socks
Wigwam ski socks
Answer Kashmir boots (in the mail - not received yet)

I should probably pick up a set of SealSkinz socks to make the test complete.....

Now, I should also do the same thing with my glove setup....my fingers have been a lot more uncomfortable than my feet.....My PI shells/polypro inserts aren't doing much for me.....

I got a pair of Toasty Feet a couple days ago, but it's been too warm to use them....As it gets colder, I'll be testing out some combinations and see about posting the results. I've got:

Performance road shoes (Look cleats - slippery as heck) - don't want to wear them by themselves below 45 degrees.
Lake Road shoes (better soles for walking - in the mail - not received yet)
Lake MTB shoes (SPD cleats) - good to about 40.
Pearl Izumi AmFib road covers - worn at 28 with the road shoes, but still pretty cold - also, they've started shredding around the cleats after only 6 weeks or so......
Gator neoprene MTB covers - worn down to 28, not as cold as the road shoes.
ToastyFeet inserts - not tested yet.
Pearl Izumi 'normal' cycling socks
SmartWool socks
Wigwam ski socks
Answer Kashmir boots (in the mail - not received yet)

I should probably pick up a set of SealSkinz socks to make the test complete.....

Now, I should also do the same thing with my glove setup....my fingers have been a lot more uncomfortable than my feet.....My PI shells/polypro inserts aren't doing much for me.....
I ride through Herndon - and went with Lake winter road shoes. We should compare notes.

Another option is platforms! Your feet stay warmer.