Warm body - FREEZING feet

[dave_s13]

Did an MTB "Evans Ride It" event on Saturday from Leeds.

It was foooking freezing! Snowed lightly most of the way round and I found my feet formed into agonisingly painful lumps of dead flesh after about 20minutes...not fun. 23odd miles later and I was really, really glad to get home and in the bath!!

I realise this is due to a lack of suitable equipment as I was wearing my fully vented, summer MTB shoes (specialized SPD things) and a pair of sealskinz socks.

I don't want to buy another pair of shoes, I was just wondering if overshoes are the answer to this and are there any recommendations for a particular brand/make/type etc??

[IroningMan]

dave_s13 said:

Did an MTB "Evans Ride It" event on Saturday from Leeds.

It was foooking freezing! Snowed lightly most of the way round and I found my feet formed into agonisingly painful lumps of dead flesh after about 20minutes...not fun. 23odd miles later and I was really, really glad to get home and in the bath!!

I realise this is due to a lack of suitable equipment as I was wearing my fully vented, summer MTB shoes (specialized SPD things) and a pair of sealskinz socks.

I don't want to buy another pair of shoes, I was just wondering if overshoes are the answer to this and are there any recommendations for a particular brand/make/type etc??

I spent a couple of hours in the snow last month in the same sort of gear and was impressed by how toasty the Sealskinz kept my feet.

Neoprene overshoes are what you need, but most are designed for use with road shoes, so a lot is going to depend on the sole pattern of your shoes - do Spesh offer any that are intended to go with them?

The more it snows
Tiddley-pom
The more it goes
Tiddley-pom
The more it goes
Tiddley-pom
On snowing.

And nobody knows
Tiddley-pom
How cold my toes
Tiddley-pom
How cold my toes
Tiddley-pom
Are growing.

[JQ]

Yes, overshoes will solve the problem. They did for me.

[duff]

Overshoes will help but they probably won't last long off road and can wear your crank arms if that bothers you. Certainly a winter specific shoe will be better than what you're using but it's also down to circulation/blood flow so don't do your shoes up too tight!

[Fluffsri]

There is only one answer. Winter boots! I have struggled for years with seal skinz, over shoes, winter socks etc etc but last year I bit the bullet and found a set of new NW Farenhite boots for £75 on Ebay and I kid you not they are the best thing I have ever purchased for cycling. I wear a thing pair of sock otherwise my feet get too warm and I commuted from Feb till Nov last year and not once did I have cold toes (obviously didnt wear in the summer months)

[Vladimir]

Sealskinz thickest socks, under socks made by the same people (merino), seal the tops with 2" off cuts from the legs of an old wetsuit to seal the tops of the socks. I use lightweight non waterproof shoes (Spesh expert carbon) and never get cold or wet feet.

[mudshark]

Winter boots - because you're worth it....

I use them on both mtb and road - more important on road I think as get colder. Most use over boots though - cheaper but not as good. I'm using Northwave at the moment.

[rockandrollmark]

I'm a bike tramp, therefore have used the socks | plastic bag | socks method before. Works a treat when riding in minus 2.

If you do decide to go down this route the fruit and veg bads at Aldi work well.

[Steve vRS]

rockandrollmark said:

I'm a bike tramp, therefore have used the socks | plastic bag | socks method before. Works a treat when riding in minus 2.

If you do decide to go down this route the fruit and veg bads at Aldi work well.

You make Rapha cry

On the coldest days this winter, I've had Woolie Boolies and 2 pairs of over shoes on. Just about kept my piggies warm

Steve

[SkinnyBoy]

Just seen these pop up in my FB newsfeed and now my life is incomplete until I possess them!!

45nrth Wolvhammer



bit pricey but what price comfort I say!!

[dave_s13]

Thanks chaps...liking the old Wolvhammer jobbies, tres chic indeed.

More expensive than an aldi carrier bag though, of which I have loads!

Just thought of one thing, we have access to Plastazote insoles at work; it's a foam used for all sorts of stuff, insulating feet being one of them. I'm going to try that and borrow my brothers overshoes and see how it goes.

Anyway, it's starting to warm up a bit now so shouldn't be too bad. To be fair last saturday was around freezing, snowing, wet and with windchill my feet must have been well below zero, grim. Still cam home well within the top 20 riders though, which I was amazed by really, I've not been on the bike for months!

My next post is whether or not I need a new bike, what's with all these 29" wheels!!

[Usget]

Did a road ride last weekend and literally thought I was going to have to amputate my toes, Ranulph Fiennes style, at the end. They were really, really cold. Overshoes next winter I think!

[budgie smuggler]

Overshoes and sealskin type socks help, but the biggest improvement for me comes from running the shoes a bit looser.

[Fluffsri]

Sod the over shoes of and start saving now for winter boots, the Northwave variety are excellent. Save the money you would spend on a bit of cake or a pint each week and by next winter youll have the toastiest feet around

[mchammer89]

Sealskinz socks are utterly awesome.

[Furry Exocet]

My toes were numb today, thermal socks and a thinner pair underneath and I still had no feeling after a few miles. Still waiting For my over shoes to be delivered

[Jimbo.]

Furry Exocet said:

My toes were numb today, thermal socks and a thinner pair underneath and I still had no feeling after a few miles. Still waiting For my over shoes to be delivered

Sure the extra sockage isn't making your shoes too tight, thus hindering circulation in your feet? Easy mistake to make

[Furry Exocet]

Jimbo. said:

Sure the extra sockage isn't making your shoes too tight, thus hindering circulation in your feet? Easy mistake to make

5 minutes in the cafe and I was warming up, it was very very cold on the ride
Over shoes have arrived, hopefully they'll improve things