I was up on the Larig Ghru in the Cairngorms today and with the wind chill, it was pretty cold in the exposed areas.
I wear Dexshell waterproof socks which until now, have kept my feet warm and dry. My MTB shoes are old and could probably do with upgrading but was wondering if you had any other solutions to keeping feet warm.
Thanks
Craig
Don't know if you do clips or flats but if it's clips Spec Defroster have kept my feet warm for two winters. I previously had the Shimano equivalent which weren't as good. Nothing will keep you feet completely dry but the Defrosters at least keep you warm.
If it's flats, you're on your own.
Two pairs of socks, hot hands foot warmer between them both. Outer pair is normally my waterproof seal skinz and a pair of sports socks underneath.
Works well for me.
for feet to stay warm the foot needs to bend and move a bit.
in a solid inflexible spd shoes, this dont happen.
i have a metal ankle, ny foot dont bend. in the cold it feels cold and dead in a spd shoe/boot, no matter what the boot is.
just sold some 45nrth wolvehammers. my foot was cold in them.
i now have some soft padded wateproof boots from columbia. foot is now toasty warm with knee length wool socks with these boots.
Larger shoes/boots so that you don't compress your socks.
A liner sock inside the Dexshells.
Long socks/full length tights to keep your shins and calfs warm. That'll help keep your feet warm too.
Warmer boots. I use Bontrager OMW.
Ditch SPDs
Use plastic pedals
Lairig Ghru is pretty much my home patch and we ride it (and surrounding trails) all year. It wasn't particularly cold today.
I can vouch for northward Celsius if you clippless waterproof and warm . I've just bought a used pair of five tenn Karver for flats and they seem pretty warm and weather proof. I also wear a pair of sealskinz.
Ultimately it comes down to wind blocking vs breathing and waterproofing, it’s quite like Uncle Keith’s ‘strong, light, cheap’.
Personally I normally bin the waterproofing for feet and go to Merino on the basis they’re getting wet anyway if it was wet enough to be worth bothering about... - there are obvious issues with this approach if you plan lengthy stops without the possibility of changing your socks (wet wool will get cold in the wind once you stop warming it up). Balancing act.
Ditch SPD +1
I've next size up Lake winter boots.
They have tin foil layer under the (thicker than standard) insole.
A pair or merino socks and a pair of either thin wicking or sealskins.
Long tights, my winter ones having windproof/spray proof lower shin as well as Roubaix.
Warmth elsewhere keeps my feet warm - if my feet feel cold, I put another base layer on.
scotroutes
Larger shoes/boots so that you don’t compress your socks.
That's probably the most important bit. 🙂
Second most in my opinion. Most important is to make sure the blood going into your feet is warm; the best socks and boots won't warm it up again. Keep the rest of yourself warm and insulate your shins and ankles
I have found the Endura MTB overshoes excellent in terms of keeping the feet dry for a good period of time, which helps keep them warm and they wear really well.
the best socks and boots won’t warm it up again. Keep the rest of yourself warm and insulate your shins and ankles
this has been my problem I think. my foot is cold most of the time. and always bought the best winter boots, had wolvehammers recently, had defrosters, had lakes, had shimano mt91.
non have kept my foot warm.
good boots must be insulating the cold inside the boot.
As @theotherjonv says: keep your legs warm as well, something like Roubaix bib tights with windproof outer surface. After that don't restrict your feet.
Slightly too big shoes, only needs to be half a size, but slightly too big is good.
Tape up the vents in the shoes.
Thick, merino socks.
Tinfoil over your toes.
Neoprene toe covers.
Neoprene shoe covers.
This works for me.