Hotronic Heated Footbeds
 

Well I suffer from cold feet, but who doesn't.

I tried the Hotronic Heated Footbeds. The footbeds have a heating element under the balls of one's foot. A flat wire then runs out of your shoe to a lithium ion battery pack. The battery pack has 3 settings, which will heat the footbeds from 7 hours up 18 hours (depends upon the heat setting).

With temparatures in the low 20s, I tried the footbeds with a pearl izumi amfib booty and a thin pair of wool socks. With the controls set on medium, my feet lightly sweated and never got cold. Once more riding through frigid temperatures has become pleasurable.

I have the flat wire extension, so that it runs underneath my tights, up my leg and the battery pack clips onto my tights. This takes a little getting used to.

So far 3 rides and I am sold on this item. They are not cheap, as a full setup costs $165, but for me it is worth it, as I can now ride for several hours in comfort.

I glad they work for you but at $165 there are other options that are much cheaper...and work without batteries.

First, the Amfibs aren't really an insulating shoe cover. Neoprene ones from Performance do insulate and are very rugged. I've been riding the same set for nearly 5 years now and they still don't show any wear.

Second, I just got a pair of these shoe inserts to replace a pair of old insulating inserts that have worn out. I tried them for the first time yesterday and, not only are they warm but they are deliciously soft and comfy ;)

And finally, try over the knee socks like these. Even with your warmers you might find them more comfortable. I find that if I keep my leg warm from the knee to the toe, I can ride in much lower temperatures more comfortably.

I can not use the Performance booties, as my cleat placement causes the rubber sole to rub against my crank arm. I tried trimming a pair, but to no benefit.

The fleece inserts look interesting, but my road shoes are too snug to fit them. I do not like using mountain bike shoes not want to go one size larger in my road shoes, as this has caused me problems in the past.

I have tried the long socks and my feet still got cold (My blood pressure is 92/52 and I have problems with my extremities getting cold).

Believe me, I have tried everything under the sun, and the heated footbeds are the only thing that has worked for me, so that I can be out in the cold for a century and not suffer.

When I add up all that I've spent on various attempts to keep my feet warm, I wish I'd just gotten the Hotronic foot warmers! Thanks for the good review.

When I rode to work on Friday, it was 12 deg F, and my left toes were going numb from the cold when I got there. I had two pairs of warm winter socks (outer pair is smartwool, inner pair is similar but a bit lighter). Over that, I wear a big pair of winter snow boots, the sort you can buy at the local Farm and Fleet store for $25. They're rubber lined with thick felt.

I'm running out of ideas for how to keep my feet warm. I could spend $75 on a pair of NEOS overshoes, but they would be big and heavy and I'm still not sure they'd keep me warm.

And I know with the Hotronics, my feet would be warm.

I'm the same way. Booties alone just don't cut it.

Sidi makes a nice pair that have the battery integrated into the footbed and the warming pads are operated by a remote control similar to a cars remote key fob.

http://www.sidiusa.com/winter.html#a

Bingo! Usually the performance booties are only a nuisance to put on. During the Seagull in October mine were squeaking so much that I finally removed them.

Check out the Road forum - one poster showed the Lake CXZ301 road boots - and they were immediately identified as acceptable only for Herman Munster. :eek:

Have you tried a set of these???(http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pedalspacers.asp) They might give you enough room for booties!

I wear booties, but just can not wear the performance booties. I might give those a try. Thanks.