best way to keep your feet warm

[skitbraviking]

Ok, please allow me to ask for your forgiveness in advance for this question if you have already done it recently.

Nevertheless, what is the best sock or other foot warmer combo for riding in the cold?

[fujibike]

There is another thread on this subject. Additional socks is one answer. Another has been to take galoshes and cut out the area around your cleat to wear over your cycling shoes. I guess you could do the same with a sock as well if your shoe fit doesn't allow for two pairs of socks. Just might to have to run a stitch around the cut to keep it from unravelling. Sandwich bags over your toes is another suggestion. Knee high nylon hose offers some wind break protection. Of course there are the items from the mail order houses, i.e., toe covers, shoe covers and the like.

[fujibike]

oops, forgot about the ever present duct tape over the shoe thus cutting out the ventilation....

[MichaelW]

Dont wear tight, summer-sized shoes. You need to let thick socks expand for insulation.

[Gojohnnygo.]

Try to wiggle your toes when riding and at stops shake your leg to force blood into your foot.

[Bikedud]

Try:
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=40506

[skitbraviking]

Thanks all

[OKC_cross]

For an extra cold day get two of those hand warmer pads, that can be had at Walmart for cheap, tape one to the top of each shoe by the velcro strap closest to the toes and then put your shoe cover on over the shoe. Cold toes no more.

[flyefisher]

Below 35 degrees I wear my summer shoes, but with some high-tech Cabela's socks. They're made for hunting. Hint: Cabelas has some great goretex gloves and other base layering too, for very reasonable prices. At any rate, I also cover them with Performance fleece-lined, neoprene booties. I bought them 2 sizes larger than my shoes and it seems to fit with a little extra room to allow the shoe to expand, thus giving some air for insulation around the foot. I biked in 20 degree weather for 2 1/2 hours and was pretty warm. Toes were a little cold, but nothing bad.

[SS_MB-7]

I did a nearly 2 hr -8F MTB ride yesterday on the very icy and hard-packed trails and I had 0 issues with my toes and fingers.

I used a thin pair of summer cycling socks, a thicker pair of wool socks and my Shimano SPD shoes. I then used a pair of neoprene booties and was toasty warm.

Toes and fingers seem to be a very personal thing. I know several riders who get cold toes and fingers at 32F, even with booties, while I'm still wearing summer socks and maybe a pair of wool socks. So, take the information here and adapt to what works for you.

Circulation is key. By doubling-up on socks and adding booties, this can constrict your feet/toes. Make sure you can still wiggle your toes to ensure good circulation.

Ride Hard,
Mike B.
http://www.one-speed.com


Ok, please allow me to ask for your forgiveness in advance for this question if you have already done it recently.

Nevertheless, what is the best sock or other foot warmer combo for riding in the cold?

[landrover]

Toe warmers!!!

Someone here mentioned them so i decided to give em a try.
I hit the lakefront around 6 this morning....the windchill was 16 degrees...rode about 20 miles.
I had my booties over my roadshoes..toe warmers under a poly sock liner and a pair of wool socks.

I don't have to make that huge investment in winter biking boots after all

[bac]

Toe warmers!!!

Someone here mentioned them so i decided to give em a try.
I hit the lakefront around 6 this morning....the windchill was 16 degrees...rode about 20 miles.
I had my booties over my roadshoes..toe warmers under a poly sock liner and a pair of wool socks.

I don't have to make that huge investment in winter biking boots after all

Wow, that sounds like the call! What brand/model of toe warmers did you get? How do they function?

ThanX!!!

[landrover]

I picked up about a half dozen from our local Sportmart..about 2 bucks a pack----i think they're made by Grabber but i am certain any brand will do.
Just open em up..remove the paper backing and stick them to the bottom of your socks...They last for hours.

[bac]

I picked up about a half dozen from our local Sportmart..about 2 bucks a pack----i think they're made by Grabber but i am certain any brand will do.
Just open em up..remove the paper backing and stick them to the bottom of your socks...They last for hours.

ThanX Landrover, I'm going to give them a shot! :)

[mtessmer]

If you are going to use foot warmers and you are going to use allot of them, here is a good site:
http://twomorrowssupply.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TMS&Product_Code=HF-1+Box&Category_Code=FW

[landrover]

i'll bookmark that site----i went back to Sportmart today and discovered FEET warmers.
didn't have my size,though.

[K6-III]

For me, the solution has been Fleece socks. I found some made by Wyoming Wear (made in USA) at TJMax for $7.99. Keep my feet rather toasty and dry.

[shot]

On rainy days the newspaper delivery man rolls up the papers and slides them down inside long narrow plastic bags before he throws the paper at the end of your driveway.

These bags are shaped perfectly for sliding your foot into,
they make good winter "socks."

Long enough to reach up your calf if you don't cut them off.

Waterproof + Windproof, but wear a thin wicking sock.

[pletcgm]

Battery powered electric socks.

[Portis]

I switch to hiking boots when the temps start flirting with 20 F. I wear a pair of Wolverine lightweight hiking boots with Thinsulate lining. For socks I have a pair of wicking sox as baselayer, with a pair of wool over the top. I also bought the boots a half size (almost a full size) too big to leave room for air.

Temps over 25 F and I just wear the same sock combo with a pair of mountain biking shoes. I never have cold feet with either configuration.

[Coda1]

The best way I have found when it gets really cold is to wear pac boots. I have a pair of LaCrosse Icemans that are rated for -80 F. A bit bulky and you can not use toe clips but they keep your feet warm.

[rjtokyo]

I tried something new this morning in my road shoes that worked pretty well. I use neoprene overshoes that keep the tops of my feet pretty warm, but the balls of my feet were still getting cold. I used clear packaging tape and taped both sides of a sheet of aluminum foil, then cut out a shape the same as my insoles and put it under my insoles. They function like mylar sub-insoles and add almost no bulk, which is what I needed since my road shoes are a pretty snug fit. Noticably warmer footbeds, so I'm happy :D .

[Corsaire]

VB socks work fine for me in temps. from 0 to 32 F (-20C), even for hiking and biking. VBs help do away with the booties. You can get them at your local Outdoor store, mine is Campmor: www.campmor.com
I put a thin polyprolilene sock first against my foot skin, then the VB sock, and over all that the Goretex sock, then the bike shoe, no need for booties: your own foot heat keeps it nice and toasty.
But the really advantage of that is no need for bulky stuff which wouldn't make for a good fit in the shoe.
VBs are good for the upper and lower body too, you could practically stand a frigid ravaging storm, having your body wrapped in VBs and a down jacket over it. But fact is, it's not really practical for aerobic activities such as cycling, but works great on the feet.
Corsaire
VB = vapor barrier