struggling with cold feet - badly!
Discussion
Usually, i'm not a cyclist per se, i'm a runner (60 miles/week average - so i'm quite a skinny runt, shall i say) but being injured I thought i'd break the road bike out again, which is still a nice full-carbon jobby.
But, I'm REALLY struggling with cold feet at the moment to the point it's just daft. this morning when i went out i had 2 pairs of M&S thermal socks, my cleats (shimano ones, not sure on the exact model) as well as some GORE bikewear overshoes and they were STILL cold (mainly my toes).
i'm not sure what else i can do! my hands were also freezing but think i've solved it by wearing 2 pairs of thin gloves under some windproof/waterproof skiing gloves....making it a rather tight fit!
any advice on the feet though? i'm really lost as to what else there is i can do to be honest.
thanks.
But, I'm REALLY struggling with cold feet at the moment to the point it's just daft. this morning when i went out i had 2 pairs of M&S thermal socks, my cleats (shimano ones, not sure on the exact model) as well as some GORE bikewear overshoes and they were STILL cold (mainly my toes).
i'm not sure what else i can do! my hands were also freezing but think i've solved it by wearing 2 pairs of thin gloves under some windproof/waterproof skiing gloves....making it a rather tight fit!
any advice on the feet though? i'm really lost as to what else there is i can do to be honest.
thanks.
I've had a similar problem recently; I've put it down to poor circulation, I've been getting cold feet in my usual mountain biking shoes which are quite tight, so I went out of a ride last Thursday evening, -3°C, in my looser fitting walking shoes, no cold feet at all. I know you can't ride on the road with those on, but I think it proves a point, I'm now looking for some looser bike-specfic shoes for the winter months.
nammynake said:
Shoes too tight due to wearing extra socks therefore restricting blood flow? Make sure your core is warm enough as that can lead to cold hands and feet.
Which overshoes are you using? Some are thin and really meant for spring/autumn.
certainly not tight shoes cutting off blood supply, wearing the extra thermal socks certainly helped but they were still quite chilly (numbed a bit!!!).Which overshoes are you using? Some are thin and really meant for spring/autumn.
overshoes would be these ones:
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?cate...
they say transition but should still help. i'm tempted to send them back as only purchased a couple of weeks ago and already developing a small tear at the rear (only one side, maybe a duff item).
thanks for the reply
Was out on a 50k this morning at 0degC, two pairs of socks, inner ones standard wicking socks, outer ones thermal, overshoes (the lined and waterproof kind as i find them warmer as they are also windproof), was plenty warm enough.
I probably over-did it on layers on the torso but that may have helped with blood flow elsewhere too.
I probably over-did it on layers on the torso but that may have helped with blood flow elsewhere too.
I have been experimenting with the same problem. Tried two pairs of the M&S thermals like you and that helped. I have some overshoes which also help but I think the biggest improvement I have made was taping over the vents at the front of the shoes. I used gaffer tape to completely cover the front vents and yesterday out and about in 2-3 degrees my feet were in much better shape when I arrived home.
Did 65miles yesterday morning from 8.30 (when my outside temp read -1c).
I wore purely Pearl Izumi thermal overshows, regular cycling shoes and regular socks. Feet were absolutely fine. However, as others have said, I think that's because my core was fine too.
I had two base layers and a shell jacket on, as well as good gloves and neck/ear warmers.
The gloves can make such a difference too - on the way to the ride start point (a local bike shop) my normal is woolen gloves with fingerless ones over the top of them. By the bike shop, I couldn't brake or change gear my fingers were that col. So in the bike shop I bought some funky gloves that my friend recommended. They look like the gloves you get given at go-kart tracks, but I found them utterly brilliant. I'm popping in during the week to pay for them and pick up the box (
) so will let you know exactly what they are if you like.
I wore purely Pearl Izumi thermal overshows, regular cycling shoes and regular socks. Feet were absolutely fine. However, as others have said, I think that's because my core was fine too.
I had two base layers and a shell jacket on, as well as good gloves and neck/ear warmers.
The gloves can make such a difference too - on the way to the ride start point (a local bike shop) my normal is woolen gloves with fingerless ones over the top of them. By the bike shop, I couldn't brake or change gear my fingers were that col. So in the bike shop I bought some funky gloves that my friend recommended. They look like the gloves you get given at go-kart tracks, but I found them utterly brilliant. I'm popping in during the week to pay for them and pick up the box (
) so will let you know exactly what they are if you like.TonyHetherington said:
Did 65miles yesterday morning from 8.30 (when my outside temp read -1c).
I wore purely Pearl Izumi thermal overshows, regular cycling shoes and regular socks. Feet were absolutely fine. However, as others have said, I think that's because my core was fine too.
I had two base layers and a shell jacket on, as well as good gloves and neck/ear warmers.
The gloves can make such a difference too - on the way to the ride start point (a local bike shop) my normal is woolen gloves with fingerless ones over the top of them. By the bike shop, I couldn't brake or change gear my fingers were that col. So in the bike shop I bought some funky gloves that my friend recommended. They look like the gloves you get given at go-kart tracks, but I found them utterly brilliant. I'm popping in during the week to pay for them and pick up the box () so will let you know exactly what they are if you like.
Sound like defeet duragloves to me I wore purely Pearl Izumi thermal overshows, regular cycling shoes and regular socks. Feet were absolutely fine. However, as others have said, I think that's because my core was fine too.
I had two base layers and a shell jacket on, as well as good gloves and neck/ear warmers.
The gloves can make such a difference too - on the way to the ride start point (a local bike shop) my normal is woolen gloves with fingerless ones over the top of them. By the bike shop, I couldn't brake or change gear my fingers were that col. So in the bike shop I bought some funky gloves that my friend recommended. They look like the gloves you get given at go-kart tracks, but I found them utterly brilliant. I'm popping in during the week to pay for them and pick up the box (
) so will let you know exactly what they are if you like.http://www.defeet.com/733771/products/Duraglove-Wo...
wolly. I've just realised that's the seal skinz logo
So it's these;
http://www.sealskinz.com/index.php?main_page=produ...
So it's these;
http://www.sealskinz.com/index.php?main_page=produ...
Are you cycling in Road shoes? (Solid plastic soles). If you are, then these may have large 1cm venting holes that are at the front of the shoe just in front of the cleat? When I was commuting in the winter I taped these up and and that helped quite a lot.
I have Castelli over shoes, but they are quite thin. M<y friend has some nice Gore ones and he says they work very well
I have Castelli over shoes, but they are quite thin. M<y friend has some nice Gore ones and he says they work very well
You could try sticking a pair of heat reflective insoles in the shoes (assuming they're roomy enough). Should be available in most shoe shops. And as already said, cover any holes. Overshoes often don't do such a good job of sealing the bottom of the foot. That plus decent socks (x2) works nicely for me in a pair of Shimano boots...
okgo said:
Craft Toe warmers and Wolly Bolly for me this Sunday (0-4 deg) 3.5 hours, bit chilly but hardly anything to worry about
Was the same for me on Sat, and it was fine!Had one of those moutain warehouse merino base layers on, normal winter jersey, and windstopper jacket, and was a little too warm at times!
I find that air is one of the best insulators.
You should have one layer of air between your toes and the inside of your shoe. Not across the bridge of your foot or heel for obvious reasons but your toes should be free to move around inside the front of your shoe. Once you have your shoes setup so that they're snug at the heel, secure across the bridge and have enough space around the toes to allow you to freely wiggle them; then for winter just add a windproof overshoe and if you're still feeling the chill get neoprene overshoes.
But the key is to have free space around your toes inside the shoe.
You should have one layer of air between your toes and the inside of your shoe. Not across the bridge of your foot or heel for obvious reasons but your toes should be free to move around inside the front of your shoe. Once you have your shoes setup so that they're snug at the heel, secure across the bridge and have enough space around the toes to allow you to freely wiggle them; then for winter just add a windproof overshoe and if you're still feeling the chill get neoprene overshoes.
But the key is to have free space around your toes inside the shoe.
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