Somebody on here recommended neoprene socks from sailing website Rooster which I wear under sealskins or thick wool hiking socks. Not perfect but good for all but the worst weather. Being neoprene they keep pretty warm when wet as a bonus.
You need a set of these! Just bought a set last week and done my first ride in them – I suffer with really cold toes, even with Sealskinz etc, think it must be a circulation thing.
Stealth rubber sole and really good technical uppers – they don’t feel “hot” but I noticed the difference when I took them off.
In terms of flat pedal grip, because they are a bit more lugged than a dotty Stealth sole, I’d put them at between an Impact and a Spesh 2FO flat.
Highly recommended 😊
https://www.merlincycles.com/northwave-raptor-th-winter-mtb-shoe-105198.html are £89 in promo, while https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHFLRDEF/planet-x-das-boot-extreme-weather-off-road-cycling-boot---2-bolt-spd with ankle cuff are £70 this hour.
I suffer with cold feet, but then besides commutes, it's been rare for me to ride outdoors from Nov-Mar inclusive for the past two winters since getting the turbo. IIRC I've yet to properly test my DHB Dorika Carbon shoes with overshoes on a "proper" ride approx sub 5C.
Part of me is tempted to buy some winter shoes/boots, thinking it might get me riding outdoors more during winter... But part of me thinks use that ~£70 to buy other bike bits I want/need on my tight budget.
Shoe size up (wiggle room), merino socks (or sealskinz) and legs covered (keep blood flow warm).
I got some terrex tivid climaproof boots £67 and they are working out great, winter shoes need a gusseted tongue,
Grips not amazing on some pedals but on Dmr vaults they work very well indeed
My dad used to say ‘if your feet are cold, wear a hat’
The OP mentions in the first sentence that his head wasn’t well insulated, so I’d be starting there tbh.
I’ve been out in a kilt at -34C, i got early signs of frostbite on my (bare) knees, but my feet weren’t cold.
This was in Canada, but similar temperatures are regularly recorded in fife in the summertime 😂😂😳😂
Two pairs of sealskins later ... and they seem to work (though the temp was 5 or so degrees warmer).
Went out for a ride on friday - no sealskinz - and feet started to go numb ...
