Can you lose your toes?

[Matthew_T]

Whenever it gets bitterly cold such as today, my toes get very painful and numb. It happens pretty much immediately when I go outside and remains painful for my whole ride. When I get home, it normally takes about half an hour to get full feeling back.
I always wear thick walking socks and often have my overshoes on in this weather. However, it doesnt seem to make a difference.

I am getting a little concerned that this constant freezing temp and then sudden burst of warmth when I get home is doing damage to my toes.
Has anyone had any experience of problems with their toes due to the cold?

 

[Radchenister]

Only one thing for it ... I'm thinking ... dare I say it (?) ... ah go on then ... Sir Ranulph > Screwfix > Junior Hacksaw!

 

[gaz]

Buy thicker overshoes, what ones are you currently using?

It's best to not to wear too thick a sock, you want enough space in your shoe to still be able to wiggle your toes, that will help circulate the blood.

 

[The Brewer]

Plastic bags can help Matt.

For me in this weather its normal sports sock, freezer bag and overshoes......nearly warm weather time

 

[coffeejo]

After trying all sorts of combinations of layers, thermal socks, etc , I ended up getting Heat Holders which have made an incredible difference when combined with my overshoes. The ones I've got are bulky, but my shoes have enough room.

 

[Hip Priest]

I lost my toes once.

They're always in the last place you look!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Whenever it gets bitterly cold such as today, my toes get very painful and numb. It happens pretty much immediately when I go outside and remains painful for my whole ride. When I get home, it normally takes about half an hour to get full feeling back.
I always wear thick walking socks and often have my overshoes on in this weather. However, it doesnt seem to make a difference.

I am getting a little concerned that this constant freezing temp and then sudden burst of warmth when I get home is doing damage to my toes.
Has anyone had any experience of problems with their toes due to the cold?

you only need to worry if they are painful and then stop hurting you. the pain is actually a good sign - you can still feel them, they are not frozen. if they stop hurting part way through your ride unless something has happened such as amazing sunshine and a +10C increase in temp, then you need to stop and get feeling back (it will hurt like hell). if you can still feel them (pain) then no you are not likely to loose them. it takes pretty severe frost bite to loose them and they will have been numb for a long time before that happens (before they turn black and drop off)

as above, don't wrap your feet too tight - counterintuative. you need to allow air in your shoes & socks to act as insulation and not overly compress the feet to allow good blood supply.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I lost my toes once.

They're always in the last place you look!

You should know that they're on the end of your potatoes.

Anyhow, +1 for heat holders. I'm wearing a pair right now.

 

[coffeejo]

[QUOTE 2356370, member: 259"]I would try this, but my shoes wouldn't accomodate anything very bulky. [/quote]
I thought ahead when I bought the shoes - done up tight for normal socks, nice and loose for winter.

 

[ayceejay]

In all probability this is caused by the lack of blood flow. Tight shoes and socks can cause this but this is not the only possibility.

 

[BimblingBee]

Keeping the wind out and allowing room for good circulation and the build up of heat within the shoe helps. I use some winter specific shoes which are good too. I've also got some goretex socks which I wear over thicker socks which I find helps on mtb. Also wearing road shoes helps due to the insulating nature of plastic cleat compared to metal cleats on mtb shoes.

Another point to consider is insulating the blood going into the feet ie thicker tights. It will make it harder due to restrictive nature of them but it works!

 

[summerdays]

I have problems with my fingers and circulation. By the end of winter I usually seem to have some semi-permanent numbness on the side of one finger. It seems to come back over the summer only to loose it again the next year. I'm assuming this isn't gong to be good in the long term so I would say yes you can probably do some permanent damage over time - probably to a nerve.

 

[Matthew_T]

In all probability this is caused by the lack of blood flow. Tight shoes and socks can cause this but this is not the only possibility.

Whenever I have my thick socks on, I always make sure that the shoes arent too tight. I have had blisters on the outside of my feet in the past where the shoe has been rubbing so I now ensure that they are not too tight.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Has anyone had any experience of problems with their toes due to the cold?

Never, my toes have always been snug in cold weather with a pair of thin socks, then walking socks, then ski socks. This topped off with a set of neroprene overs and they are good to go in pretty much any level of cold temps.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Never, my toes have always been snug in cold weather with a pair of thin socks, then walking socks, then ski socks. This topped off with a set of neroprene overs and they are good to go in pretty much any level of cold temps.

sheshhh. I cycle in all weathers in just 1 set of merino wool socks and soft leather (waterproof) hiking boots and have never had cold feet - think out in -15C. (hands were a different matter though, but now sorted due to buying a size bigger in gloves)