kzin

I've been struggling all winter to keep my feet warm down to 0F.

I'm now using a liner-sock-boot combination that is toasty warm off the bike and everything else is warm on the bike but my toes still get cold on the ride.
My fingers start out cold and warm-up so I think my general circulation is ok.

I'm currently thinking that the constant pressure of the balls of my feet on the pedals is strangling my toes.
I see some support for this idea out on the internet.
I saw the idea that this is worse when climbing and my exercise loop around the local area has NO real flats.

I'm using metal platforms with a lot of texture and 'pins'.
Once I put my rubber boot sole down on the pedal my foot feels almost cleated in.

I'm thinking of dropping the seat enough to ride with my heels on the pedals part of the time.
Or maybe picking a leg in the middle of the ride to walk,

Thoughts?

Hypno Toad

This is what I've had to do on long cold riders. Last month I did 25 miles (took over 2 hours) at temps between -5F and -10F, I had to dismount and walk about once an hour. I've read that feet don't get the same circulation pedaling that they do when walking.

I'm sure upgrading shoes would help, I use old hiking books for winter riding. I've lusted after some Wölvhammer, but I'm kinda cheap and that's a lot of money ($325)!

Also good sock and extra layers on the legs. I have a pair of "over the calf" SmartWool socks that are really good.

fietsbob

missed the Winter forum ? https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/


Looser fitting shoes do let the circulation flow less restricted .. Flat pedals do let you get cheaper winter shoes like for snowmobiles.

Vapor barriers next to your skin keeps the evaporative cooling effect less & so sweat wont dampen your sox.

Elvo

Chemical leg heaters

Machka 

+1


And ...

My article on Cold Feet ... based on many years experience cycling in Canada in the winter ...
Charlene Barach (Machka) - Cold Feet

kzin

I've read the winter forum and I'm happy with my cold-weather gear.

My question is really about foot circulation.

Some people may have opinions on that who have never even seen snow.

If we experience circulation problems as cold feet in the winter does that mean we may be potentially damaging our feet with impaired circulation all year without the cold to tip us off to the issue?

Machka 

Are your shoes/boots quite flexible ... can you bend the soles fairly easily?

Do you have poor circulation normally?


[HR][/HR]
In cold weather, our feet get cold because they are just sitting out there. Yes, our legs are going around, but our feet don't move much. And it doesn't help if our feet are sitting on something metal. Also, if your layers of socks are too tight or make your shoes too tight, your feet will get cold.

kzin

The boots I'm wearing are Baffins similar to the Sorel's in your link.
Silk or poly liner socks and one pair of thick wool socks.
The boots are plenty large but very 'puffy' inside so they are definitely pressuring my foot but gently.
The platforms I'm using look like they were machined from a solid block of aluminum.
I'm thinking about trying plastic pedals instead.

I think I can feel a constant pressure on the bottom of the ball of my foot that I could easily imagine restricting circuation to the toes.
I can and do wiggle my toes freely but for some reason don't feel like I can take the pressure off the ball of the foot without compketely taking my foot off the pedal.

My toes get almost equally cold at 0F and 25F which is one of the reasons I'm suspecting circulation.
They also warm back up very fast with no particular attentions when I'm done with the ride.

Machka 

It could also be that the soles of the boots aren't stiff enough. It is recommended that we use stiff-soled shoes when we ride to help distribute the pressure.

Can you try a different kind of boot or shoe with a hard sole ... one you can bend or flex, and one that isn't "puffy" inside?


I have ridden with the Sorel's, but only in rare circumstances of particularly bitter cold (-30C and colder). In general, they aren't the most comfortable footwear for cycling.

kzin

Riding the bike is definitely impairing the circulation to my toes.

This morning I rode for an hour in my -40deg polar boots in +40deg weather.
At the end my toes were slightly cold.
During a 10 minute walk in the same socks,boots,clothes they tingled and warmed up.

I lowered my seat a bit and put the pedals under my mid-foot rather than the ball.
It felt like it should have been helping but didn't seem to by the end.

Machka 

Now go ride for an hour in +40 degree weather in slightly large stiff-soled cycling shoes ... wear a double pair of socks (that's why you want your shoes slightly large, so they aren't tight with the double pair of socks) ... and put a pair of lightweight booties over the top.

kzin

I don't even use that stuff in the summer(yet).
I'm still a platforms and sneakers newbish rider.

How about stiff inserts in the boots?
The most readily available electric insole is reportedly very stiff.
That might be a good dual purpose next step.

ThermionicScott 

Thick wool socks are what make the difference for me. It's important to have good leggings so that heat isn't lost on its way to your feet -- this is frequently overlooked since the legs themselves might not be feeling very cold.

fietsbob

stiff arch support 3/4 insoles can make any shoe more cycle friendly.. just flex at the toes ..

Leebo

Plastic pedals will not grip the boots properly, unless you can find some with metal pins.

rumrunn6

my toes have always been an issue in cold weather, even as a teenager xcountry skiing. I guess I have bad circulation down there. my sister has raynaud's disease in her hands

I now use a sock liner, chemical toe warmers and a suitable winter sock depending on the shoe or boot, depending on the activity, shoveling, snowshoeing or biking

kzin

Well I solved A problem, the wrong one I'm afraid.

Added electric heat insoles and my feet were plenty warm in spite of the pressure/circulation problem definitely getting worse.

These things take up a LOT of space and there is no removeable insole in my boots to trade off with.

I may have to go as far as wearing only liner socks with the heat insoles.

rumrunn6

new boots?

kzin

I sure hope not.
Hard to imagine where else to go for truly cold weather.
These are supposedly top quality 'polar proen' boots 3 sizes above my street size.
If I can't get sufficient insulation without excessive pressure with these I probably say **** it and just ride the stationary bike sitting in my living room until it gets hot out or the boredom kills me.

I might end up taking scissors to the inner boots to remove some puffiness in just the wrong spots.
They are supposed to 'pack out' in tight spots but I'm seeing no sign of it yet.

Good boots plus heated insole might make 1 thin sock the right thing to do.
I'm insecure about giving up my thick woolies though

md11mx

Have you been checked for diabetes lately? Those are classic symptoms.
Cheers,
David in Alaska