Cold Feet!

[Itsallicanafford]

Afternoon chaps, could I ask some advice please...

I'm getting terribly cold feet and it's abit miserable to be honest. My weekend ride is typically 2-3 hours , 50-70k on the road. But I'm struggling to find the right kit to keep my feet warm. This is the latest attempt!




So from feet outwards we have chappeau mid weight sock then thick fleece lined thermal sock, cycling shoes and then sealskinz overshoes.

After 30 minutes my feet were frozen...I think it was around +2 to +4 this morning around St. Albans...took a good hour to thaw them out when I got home...

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated on better kit as I would like to start to push on to 100k rides but this would be impossible at the moment...

Cheers!

[adam85]

Are your shoes vented underneath? I find some tape over the vents really helps.
Mine were scooping frozen air into my toes.

[Itsallicanafford]

Ah...



There does look like quite alot of vents!!

Suppose these are summer shoes?

Edited to add, should the overshoes minimise this though?

Edited by Itsallicanafford on Sunday 26th November 14:28

[Itsallicanafford]

Ah...



There does look like quite alot of vents!!

Suppose these are summer shoes?

Edited to add, should the overshoes minimise this though?

Edited by Itsallicanafford on Sunday 26th November 15:44

[Tall_Paul]

Jeez, no wonder your feet are getting cold!!!

If the sealskinz overshoes are neoprene they're probably not windproof, wind-chill will freeze your feet pretty fast.

Get some proper windproof and waterproof overshoes or some less vented shoes, goretex would be perfect as they're windproof and guaranteed waterproof but still breathable.

Also, get some merino wool socks.

[ArnageWRC]

If you can afford it, what about some winter boots? I've just bought a pair - there have been some decent deals from all the well known places.

[HelenT]

Northwave winter boots, my feet were toasty this morning and a lot less pre-ride faff than overshoes

[adam85]

Itsallicanafford said:

Ah...



There does look like quite alot of vents!!

Suppose these are summer shoes?

Edited to add, should the overshoes minimise this though?

Edited by Itsallicanafford on Sunday 26th November 14:28

I would suggest you’re fighting a losing battle trying to keep the wind out of those particular shoes. Agreed on the other comments re: winter boots!

[anonymous-user]

Northwave winter boots are pretty much the best cycling related purchase I have ever made

[Rich_W]

When I ride my MTB I have some Shimano "N" range (N for Norweigian ) They don't do anything similar for Road bikes. Closest are RW5 road boots



Anyone got these? As above, road shoes, taped up with Castelli overshoes are "ok" but a faff

JPJPJP said:

Northwave winter boots are pretty much the best cycling related purchase I have ever made

Few options available. Which did you go for?

[bigdom]

I’ve been using a pair of Gtx ones for 5 years, always kept my feet warm. In response to the OP, I used to use heated insoles when I commuted by motorbike, so may be an option as you can get now get ones with internal batteries.

As an aside, I’ve always struggled with hands, I’ve added these to the commuter in the past few weeks.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_d...

Takes about 5 minutes to get used to the, still have full access to all positions. Can be added/removed in seconds. Currently still on fingerless gloves, it’s a revelation, for me anyway.

[The Walrus]

You just need to bite the bullet and get winter boots I tried all different options and never had warm feet, I am now on Northwave winter boots and find they keep the cold at bay for at least 1.5 hours but not to the point of them going numb like they did with overshoes.

[johnwilliams77]

The Walrus said:

You just need to bite the bullet and get winter boots I tried all different options and never had warm feet, I am now on Northwave winter boots and find they keep the cold at bay for at least 1.5 hours but not to the point of them going numb like they did with overshoes.

This. I bought a shimano pair from wiggle. Awesome things.

[Matt_N]

Another thing to consider is keeping your core warm will help with the extremities, are you wearing a decent base layer and jersey with some windproof protection, decent hat or cap, buff etc.?

[anonymous-user]

I have the Fahrenheit 2 GTX road boots (I ride Look pedals)

I believe these are now superseded, but here is Merlin cycles page about them

https://www.merlincycles.com/northwave-fahrenheit-...

The current range is https://northwave.com/en/products/shoes/road/

[BoRED S2upid]

Shorter but faster rides? This is what I do as anything over an hour and by feet are so cold I can’t even feel the pedals so hit it hard and get back in the warm.

[okgo]

The core thing is true.

I will use toe warmers if its below freezing, but don't bother other than that. And I generally only ever use the de-feet gloves whatever the temp, but with a proper windproof winter jacket its amazing how that helps. Still don't think any brand has bettered the 851 Assos jacket.

[Itsallicanafford]

BoRED S2upid said:

Shorter but faster rides? This is what I do as anything over an hour and by feet are so cold I can’t even feel the pedals so hit it hard and get back in the warm.

Nooooo! This is my daddy time, as soon as i am home i'm back on childcare! Longer the better

Thank you all for the replies and the advice, very much appreciated...

In regards to core warmth, thinking about it, this could also be an issue, top half is fine as it is easy to layer up under a decent jacket but the bibs need upgrading though as currently wearing my summer short bibs with long running type leggings so i have bought the sealskinz bib tights..hope they are warm enough...

https://www.sealskinz.com/apparel/road-cycle/water...


Thank you so much for suggesting the Northwave winter boots, to be honest it is not a brand i have heard of. I am looking at a pair of these...

https://www.evanscycles.com/northwave-flash-gtx-th...

or these

https://www.evanscycles.com/northwave-flash-arctic...

[Castor]

If I helps I've just bought the Northwave Celsuis MTB boots after suffering the same with my feet - it's completely sorted the problem!

[tuffer]

Nothwave boots for winter, job jobbed.