cold toes - what can I do without spending any money?

[iAmiAdam]

One guy on my club ride last sunday wore some proper socks, the used a larger pair of socks as overshoes, he was the only one who didn't complain of cold feet.

 

[thistler]

One guy on my club ride last sunday wore some proper socks, the used a larger pair of socks as overshoes, he was the only one who didn't complain of cold feet.

What do you mean by 'proper socks'?


I could use an old pair of tube socks over my shoes (cut out holes in the bottom for cleats) and under the overshoes....


I wonder if I could make toe cozies out of old washing up gloves.......

 

[iAmiAdam]

Cycling socks, two pairs of them.

 

[amnesia]

Merino wool socks and lycra overshoes does me fine.

The pure linen (flax) socks from Burls are supposed to be very good, and about 1/3 price of merino ones.

http://www.burls.co.uk/shop/flax-linen-sports-socks-p-644.html

 

[jimboalee]

Would ya believe it? Someone's making them...

http://www.maidstonescuba.com/products/Diving+Equipment/Dry+Suits/Thinsulate Socks/497334799

 

[thistler]

I wonder how these would be:

http://www.simplyscuba.com/products/FourthElement/XerothermSocks.aspx

not cheap at £15, but cheaper than Sealskinz and the thinsulate socks!

 

[Fiona N]

My kids have outgrown some fleece gloves - I think I'll try to make toe cozies out of them!!

Thanks - I will look into electric footheaters for when I am not so skint - what kind of money are they and which makes are recommended? And what happens if your feet get wet while using them?

The Hotronics footheaters I use are about £120 - the main part of the cost being the rechargeable batteries and charger. But they do last - they're 10 years old and I replaced the batteries last year as the charge wasn't lasting long enough. Usually I only have them set on low which means you can't actually feel any warm but it just keeps the circulation going, which is what I need. The more testing conditions last winter - several days cycling for 4+ hours in -10C and below - meant they were the difference between riding and not riding as I have to avoid more damage to my toes.

The heaters themselves are elements in a pair of insoles which replace your usual ones. I use the same toe cosies, thin socks and windstopper overshoes so my feet don't get too hot and sweaty as the heaters don't give out enough heat to deal with soaked socks. I've never used them in wet conditions - mainly because I tend not to ride for long on such days and use a pair of waterproof winter boots when I'm only out for an hour or so - and anyway, it's not so cold when it's raining (although it can feel like it).

 

[Amanda P]

And what happens if your feet get wet while using them?

 

[Sore Thumb]

I was warm and toasty today on my ride except for my toes, which were so cold they were almost numb. I had on a pair of cotton blend socks, a pair of wool socks, my leather cycling shoes and neoprene overshoes.

I plan on buying sealskinz socks as soon as I have the money but I just spent every last penny I had on a used touring bike, so am hoping to find some kind of tip to help keep my toes warm for the next few weeks without spending anything.

2 pairs of socks are the most I can wear and have the shoes still feel comfortable. I don't have any Thinsulate hats to steal the lining from, I did have a look. I only have the one pair of wool socks, and tbh I think they are also some sort of blend.

I would appreciate any ideas/suggestions!

Wearing too many socks inside your shoes will reduce the amount of space that your feet/toes will have to move. This can reduce circulation to your toes thus making your toes go numb quicker in the cold.

This is what I do:

I have two pairs of the same cycling shoes. One pair of size 8 for summer use and one pair of size 9 for winter use.

The one size too big 9s enable me to put a pair of normal cycling socks on and a pair of seal skins socks but still allow me to have some movement for my toes to aid circulation. I then put a pair of windproof over boots over my shoes. This all that I need for any weather over the winter.

I think you are doing ok but you need a pair of shoes one size to big. Also the sealskins are good because they add an extra layer of windproofness to your feet.

 

[thistler]

would something like that Deep Heat cream help?

I am getting a pair of Sealskinz as an early Christmas present (yay!) but won't have them in my hands until later next week.  Still going to try the plastic bag thing....

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Not £0 but Aldi had some fishing socks which weren't great sellers, so they were selling them off at £2 each not long back...if they still have some left. Gives an extra layer with some air between.

Good quality too...did a 15 mile hike in them (daft as it is, didn't realise they were the socks I pulled on) which isn't what they were designed for so only having one blister despite the movement in the boots

They are about as toasty as socks go...good for in house wear too..king of like "toasties" but without the grippy bits on the sole

 

[cyberknight]

I have been getting numbingly cold feet as well.

I have been wearing a thick pair of socks,fleece shoe liners and neoprene overshoes and my toes can be blue after 10 miles

Read some where about putting some bubble wrap under the overshoe i might try that

 

[Moodyman]

Read some where about putting some bubble wrap under the overshoe i might try that

Never tried that, but I cut a thick plastic shopping bag (Marks and Spencer thickness - not Asda type) and stuck it to the underside of my soles.

You'd be surprised how much cold air gets in from under the cleat.

My feet still get cold on the coldest mornings, but the toes are no longer numb.

 

[New Horizon]

Read some where about putting some bubble wrap under the overshoe i might try that

Never tried that, but I cut a thick plastic shopping bag (Marks and Spencer thickness - not Asda type) and stuck it to the underside of my soles.

You'd be surprised how much cold air gets in from under the cleat.

My feet still get cold on the coldest mornings, but the toes are no longer numb.

I use silver faced waterproof duck tape on the bottom of my shoes (inside) under the removable insole. Keeps water and draughts out and probably reflects some heat back into the shoe. I have various wool based walking socks for winter cycling and don't suffer too much with cold feet. For real winter stuff I use Specialized Defroster shoes which are plastic with a waterproof liner and a thermal insole. Never cold in these, but socks do get damp as the sweat is effectively held in the shoe.

 

[gbb]

Ive come to the conclusion (well i will definately know when the temps drop a few degrees) that cycling shoes are the problem. I suffer too...two pairs of sockes, cycling shoes and overshoes...still get cold feet, although i do know its all to tight on the feet, which doesnt help. Looser fit as suggested would be better i think.

But...by chance i wore my work boots home the other night...Tomcat Oregons, leather boots with no breathing holes like cycling shoes to let the cold air in...
http://rockfall.co.uk/tc310.htm

Although it hasnt been so cold the last few days, my feet have been noticeably warmer than normal. Sod the cycling shoes for commuting, i'm wearing my work boots.