Absolutely freezing feet – help

@scc999. Three years in and they still work even through a few mild soakings. The big test will come this weekend. I ended up thigh deep in a “puddle” last weekend and properly filled up my waterproof boots. The insoles seemed to still be working a bit but we will see on my next ride whether they charge up again.

Search Mycoal foot warmers on Amazon. I suffer in exactly the way you do. They have made wintwr riding comfortable again. I buy a pack of 40 at the start of winter. Works out about a quid a pack. Worth every penny.

Recommended them a few times and have only had people thanking me!

I use DexShell waterproof and windproof socks and loosen my boots and find that really helps. Size L with one pair of merino socks underneath is fine, size XL with 2 pairs is also fine, but L/2 pairs is too restrictive and my feet get cold.

@fat-boy-fat – thanks, interested to hear the result!

I’d rather not buy disposable chemical warmers (or disposable anything if I can help it).

Cheers.

Si

I’m with the ‘keeping your legs warm keeps your feet warm’ gang. I’ve started to wear ski socks under my lycra in winter. They’re thin enough to keep space for your feet to move and they go up to your knees. You can get some for a few quid in decathlon, so I suspect they’re one of the lower-cost experiments you can try.

If you’re wearing waterproof boots already, I’m not sure how effective waterproof socks will be.

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.

https://amzn.to/2GLWRzv

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 …