GrooveRite

Hey all!

So last night I went for a ride and my feet got cold with my thermally insulated and windproof boots. I know what happened. My feet sweat a lot especially when I'm pedaling against headwind so wind was most likely seeping through the top of my boot chilling my sweating feet. Would anyone know what I can wear to seal the top of my boots? My pants are too tight to bring over the boot and I wouldn't want to over stretch them anyway. Would leg gaiters be ok and if so which ones? Thanks for any help!

I'd like something like this but windproof. I don't think these are. There are others but too high and up to knee.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Leebo

I'm thinking the wind is not the issue if your boots are laced up. Try this. Thin sock over a heavier, long sock. Pull down the longer sock over the top of the boot. I do this for hiking in gravel and loose trails.

GrooveRite

I was thinking also that perhaps my laces didn't make a good seal as well so you might be right about that! I'm ordering some Lace Locks just to get that out of the way! I was wearing my heavy Smartwool socks but I'll give it a try with another pair. It may be too bulky to fit though. Thanks for the suggestion!

fietsbob

Gaiters ... Hiking store stuff..

GrooveRite

Thanks! I just ordered some.

Wilfred Laurier

Also make sure you are not wearing cotton socks - it is astonishing how wet your feet can get with no moisture getting in from the outside. Synthetic and/or wool socks are better at taking the moisture away from your skin.

DaveQ24

Agreed. I have zilch, zero, nada cotton anything in any of my workout clothes - whether indoor or outdoor, summer or winter. Cotton is great for towels, IMHO terrible for clothing that meets perspiration.

GrooveRite

I only wear Smartwool socks. I just need to seal my boot up better. I have bought some Lace locks and leg gaiters and hope to try them out this weekend especially that the temps will be dropping so I'll def be needing it!

You know, I'm actually contemplating switching over to wool socks year round because I wear no show cotton socks with my running sneakers during the summer and my feet sweat and STINK like nobodies business, lol! I'd really only do it to curb the stink since with my Smartwool socks I don't have stinky feet at all and that pleases me!

Wilfred Laurier

Maybe it's a placebo effect, but I find wool often regulates my body temp better in all weather than just about anything else - I have a couple of Whitney point blankets and they are uniquely able to keep me as warm as I need to be in the cold but also keep me comfortably cool when it is warm.

GrooveRite

I haven't noticed the regulatory effects of wool since I only wear socks but its been brought to my attention from someone I know this year which is why I'm contemplating wearing it year round. I just bought a wool shirt for base layer for added warmth in case my UA coldgear isn't warm enough in the deeper cold temps. It was a good price so I jumped on it. I'm hoping it works for me like everyone else.

rumrunn6

when it's cold, I use sock liners. aside from being an additional layer they transfer the perspiration away from my skin thereby keeping them dryer & warmer

GrooveRite

Which sock liners do you use? Could you suggest some to me if you don't mind?

rumrunn6

I like synthetic cuz they don't shrink. I don't put them in the dryer, but still I feel like the smart wool stuff shrinks & my size 13 clown feet can't tolerate tight socks. probably any brand is OK. do you have a reputable outdoor shop near you? EMS? REI? I love my local REI sock dept. they have a huge sock dept. just found these reak quick but I'm sure there are some on Amazon too. I would suggest at least 2 pair, maybe get 2 different kinds.

https://www.rei.com/product/860633/r...ax-liner-socks

https://www.rei.com/product/642937/f...ic-liner-socks

https://www.rei.com/c/liner-socks?r=...r-socks&page=1

Wigwam is a good brand too
https://www.amazon.com/Wigwam-Dry-Fo.../dp/B000ARB23M

I also prefer to use chemical toe warmers. with one pair of socks like in this picture, or with sock liners they go on the liner then the regular sock over everything. just keep them loose fitting, not tight, cuz they need oxygen to work

GrooveRite

Thanks for the info! Really appreciate it!

My feet and hands get incredibly cold so its been my main priority to get the best products to help with that. I'm almost there, lol! Well, these cold temps will be testing my gear this weekend so we'll see what I may need to upgrade down the road.

Archwhorides 

Low-rise gaiters are a good call if your pants can't fit over the boots. EMS used to make Schoeller softshell gaiters, but I think they were discontinued, so the OR low-rise are a fine choice in the nylon fabric.

I've had great experience with Smartwool liner socks in all seasons, but recently have been buying Sock Guy wool socks, which are a smidgeon thicker, with lots of super fun patterns. My current favorite is the Sriracha wool blend sock:
https://www.amazon.com/SockGuy-Srira.../dp/B00FZ058DY

Wool also has the great anti-skank factor, allowing multiple wears, less washing and water use. Giving props to the sheep.

GrooveRite

Thanks! I did end up ordering the OR low-rise leg gaiters but called the company first to find out if they were windproof. The rep told me that while it not rated/tested for windproof that it should be since its waterproof. They will be arriving today and I'll be trying them on as soon as I get them!

I've been under the impression that wool is a superior wicking and thermal regulating material so I'm not sure whether I should go for the synthetic or wool variant sock liner. I'll think I just get one of each and see which works best for me. I do get stinky feet from cotton socks during the summer so I'm thinking I may be better off with wool so we shall see, lol!

Thanks for your reply and suggestions! Very much appreciated!

kingston 

I use the mountain hardware version of these. It makes a big difference.

GrooveRite

I ordered these....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

.....I hope to God that they're the same as yours or else they're going back! lol

kingston 

The ones you ordered will be fine, and the boots you got have a D-ring for the bootlace hook. Not sure if you did that intentionally or not, but it's a nice feature.

mnsam

Agreed on the gators. Also a neoprene ski boot cover will help keep you're feet warmer. "dry guy" makes a good pair that are pretty cheap and work for most winter boots.

GrooveRite

Nice! I'm going to try getting liners and if that doesnt help then I'll probably get that cover. I think the gaiters are not cover the material part of my boot and it's chilling my sweaty feet. I was going to put saran wrap for the time being, lol.

79pmooney

I made some simple gaiters out of stretchy outdoor fabrics and velco. Top 3 inches go inside my tights or warmers. Bottom 3 " are about 1 1'2" bigger around and go over the boot tops. My thought is that I wanted to keep my feet dry from rain and car splash also and that water would wick down, outside the boot. They work really well. I pulled dry feet out of my Fasterkat boots after 7 hours of riding on and off road Black Friday, a day between Pacific storms. Never saw hard rain, but neither the roads or my glasses were never dry and I came home wearing en extra 5 pounds of wet.

Best part is (as opposed to regular gaiters) that they sit snug on my angles and there is no risk of them snagging the chainring.

Edit: It's gaiters, not gators. Wearing gators on your ankles could be dangerous.

Ben