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I was riding this morning while it was about 35 degrees out and my toes were considerably dumb by the end of my ride. Anyone have some affordable, easy solutions? This seems to be the final piece for me to comfortably ride during the cold months.
I wear wool socks, but that only seems to help so much. I think the key might be to cut down on the cold wind penetrating my shoe. I have seen some windproof shoe covers you can purchase from Pearl Izumi, but they are quite expensive if I remember correctly ($40?).
What do you guys do to keep your feet warm while riding in colder weather (sub-40 degrees)?
I was riding this morning while it was about 35 degrees out and my toes were considerably dumb by the end of my ride. Anyone have some affordable, easy solutions? This seems to be the final piece for me to comfortably ride during the cold months.
I wear wool socks, but that only seems to help so much. I think the key might be to cut down on the cold wind penetrating my shoe. I have seen some windproof shoe covers you can purchase from Pearl Izumi, but they are quite expensive if I remember correctly ($40?).
What do you guys do to keep your feet warm while riding in colder weather (sub-40 degrees)?
If you ride clipless it will be tough to keep your feet really warm. If not then a premium pair of winter hunting boots/shoes that are insulated will help a bunch. NOTE: Do Not cut corners on your shoes for winter riding. Frostbite can , and does, happen in a flash and you won't know it until it's to late.
One point here: Sub zero temps multiply to a much, much colder temp when your feet/body move though the air as you will when you ride a bicycle. So dress for extreme cold temps at all times.
I was riding this morning while it was about 35 degrees out and my toes were considerably dumb by the end of my ride. Anyone have some affordable, easy solutions? This seems to be the final piece for me to comfortably ride during the cold months.
I wear wool socks, but that only seems to help so much. I think the key might be to cut down on the cold wind penetrating my shoe. I have seen some windproof shoe covers you can purchase from Pearl Izumi, but they are quite expensive if I remember correctly ($40?).
What do you guys do to keep your feet warm while riding in colder weather (sub-40 degrees)?
Get some sealskin socks. Wear thin wool socks as liners inside the sealskinz, then wear your shoe covers over the shoes. or you can go the more expensive route and wear something like the Sidi winter shoes
If you want to "poorboy" it, put some ziplock freezer bags over your socks and then put your shoes on.
Not the best advice to share.
Feet MUST breath even in cold weather. Plastic bags of any kind will trap moisture exhaled by the skin and hold it allowing it to freeze. It's true that limiting the draft of cold air on the skin of the foot is a good idea but never ever with a plastic bag. Better with a good insulated leather booth/shoe of good quality.
Feet MUST breath even in cold weather. Plastic bags of any kind will trap moisture exhaled by the skin and hold it allowing it to freeze. It's true that limiting the draft of cold air on the skin of the foot is a good idea but never ever with a plastic bag. Better with a good insulated leather booth/shoe of good quality.
That was if you wanted to "poor-boy" it, Gramps - please read carefully my entire post, and the OPs entire post. Since the OP considered $40 shoe covers too expensive, the same for the Sealskinz as they are $40 as well. Those zip locks (by the way, you don't seal them up) work in a pinch, and worked just fine for 2 hr rides in the dead of winter when you wear thick enough wool socks. I don't think he'll be purchasing the $300 Sidi's which would be the best remedy. Maybe just some $15.00 toe covers, but that just blocks the wind from your toes but still get cold. If you don't have the cash to get the best - the sidi shoes or the shoe covers or sealskinz, one must improvise to make it through the ride.
Besides your post was not exactly helpful as it was out of his price range.
That was if you wanted to "poor-boy" it, Gramps - please read carefully my entire post, and the OPs entire post. Since the OP considered $40 shoe covers too expensive, the same for the Sealskinz as they are $40 as well. Those zip locks (by the way, you don't seal them up) work in a pinch, and worked just fine for 2 hr rides in the dead of winter when you wear thick enough wool socks. I don't think he'll be purchasing the $300 Sidi's which would be the best remedy. Maybe just some $15.00 toe covers, but that just blocks the wind from your toes but still get cold. If you don't have the cash to get the best - the sidi shoes or the shoe covers or sealskinz, one must improvise to make it through the ride.
Besides your post was not exactly helpful as it was out of his price range.
I'm a firm believer in "Do no harm". That includes advice that might enable the reader to harm themselves with advice I gave knowing it was not the best!! I'll leave it to the reader to decide what is beyond their price range. There are just to many variable and unknowns to give advice that is marginal at best damn dangerous at worst!!
I knew that a plastic bag might work but I also knew that the reader might not be aware of the danger of fast frost bite due to the bag not allowing feet to breath. Do no harm by giving bad consul.
The chemical heat packets work well. But I only use them when it's extremely cold since wool socks and shoe covers work well.
Chemical heat pack are the best thing since slice bread
I generally hit the treadmill or recumbent bike when the outside temp drops below 45 but I spent some time working in the oilfield. Let me tell, a good pair of Wool socks and Chemical heat packs goes a long ways when you have to stand out in the freezing temps working!
One thing I learned in my commuting days that I forgot to mention: I found that if I wore socks that were too thick, my feet would actually feel colder. My feet felt the warmest (or rather, least cold) when my shoes weren't especially tight. The thick socks made my shoes tight, and then my feet would get pretty cold. I don't know if the circulation was being cut off from them a little or if the thicker socks filled in a tiny gap that would normally allow some body heat to linger, or maybe a combination of the two. Gloves seem to be the same way for me; too tight = colder.
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