I have done a few activity sports and never suffered from cold feet … this includes snowboarding and skiing a lot when I lived in CH.
I have windsurfed for many years … and if anything my feet get too hot ….

We used to go for MTB holidays in the Lake District in november … and I wore some Nike SPDs or walking boots …

But now my feet are getting freezing …. I have an old pair Spec SPD boots … which like many are perforated / mesh tongue. And even when they are dry, my feet get cold …
Are there any better solutions out there … other than plastic bags ?
I don’t get on with flats – so clip compatible ….
Thanks

Shimano xm9 or north wave equivalent are toasty warm and water proof decent to walk in aswell.

Size up with thicker or sealskinz socks.

I use Shimano walking boot type ones with spd. Size up to allow another pair/thicker socks and allow feet to move a little. I use a thin pair and some sealskins.

I have never really got on with sealskinz …

Defeet Woolie Boolie socks and some shoes without mesh.

tight boots will lead to cold feet.

whatever boots you get – Size up & get some good wool walking socks.

I too do not like sealskinz – I think good wool is a much better option.

Re the mesh … hence the plastic bags suggestion …

If you spend a reasonable amount of time riding in winter it’s worth getting a proper pair of winter boots.

If you#re on a tight budget try the plastic bags and report back.

I might be able to afford some new shoes …. the last 5/10s I bought were 5 years ago
The current specialized are at least 12 years old
And the road/ fine weather ones are definitely @ 2007 ….
Shimano shoes , I remember , as always being at least one size up … is that still the case ?

Take the insoles out ..cut shape out of kitchen foil ..place underneath insole shiny side up ..this will ” reflect” the heat lost from the bottom of your shoe back ..seems to work .

Of course winter boots, but failing that:

not plastic bags but tin foil wraps over the toes, to reflect heat back.

Roadie overshoes to stop wet getting in too easily.

And most importantly, your feet can’t generate heat, only keep what they have so make sure the blood going in is warm. Ankles make great heat exchangers, so in real cold weather I layer up with a pair of ski socks with the feet cut off under my roubaix tights to insulate my ankles further. I see people in winter boots and 3/4’s and wonder why their boots ‘don’t work’

Thanks all ….
Having never suffered from cold feet, it is surprisingly debilitating

Agree with the point about cold legs/ankles. If you’re really struggling overtrousers do a wonderful job of keeping the constant fine spray of cold water the wheels tend to pick up at this time of year away. Amazing how much having a bit of an air pocket around your legs keeps your feet warm.

Cold hands / feet can also be a symptom of your core too getting cold, which will restrict blood flow to your extremities.

Plus one for defeet woolie boolie socks , got some for Xmas and am very impressed
, couple of hours in the snow yesterday with just the socks and five tens and feet stayed pretty warm . 12 quid on wiggle at the moment

Also, something I’ve discovered works for me this year is…. layering thinner socks.

As someone of the more athletic, slim, sinuous build, I’ve worn multiple layers for years, yet always suffering with cold feet. Thick socks and MTFU has been my modus operandi, along with winter boots for on and off bike, but still my feet get so painfully cold.

This year, in the absence of any thick socks worth wearing, I popped on two pairs of thin summer socks. It’s a bloody revelation! I work outside too, in work boots and my new layering sock approach has transformed my feet 😀

HTH

Cheap neoprene overshoes

Winter boots – one of the best things since dropper posts. I tend to us mine most of the year when it’s muddy and wet as my ‘normal’ MTB shoes have mesh in, so wet soggy feet very quickly.

If you don’t want the outlay, MTB overshoes (just that bit tougher than road ones) but don’t expect to be walking far !

Cheap neoprene overshoes

This.

Are there any better solutions out there

Back in the day there wasn’t, but then someone (Shimano) realised we needed different shoes for winter, and the winter shoe industry was born. Loads available – personally I like the look of the Specialized ones with the sealed ankle cuff.

Much better solution than overshoes and expensive socks imo.

http://dirtragmag.com/review-bontrager-old-man-winter-boot/

TBH, I have been out in shorts then with thermal leggings …. so overtrousers etc may be the real answer. I am not convinced that my core is getting cold, as I am sweating like a pig going up all … obviously coming down hill the wind chill hits ….
And my legs are not as warm as they are used to getting ….
Love the idea of the last boots – but I feel for my hack up the S Downs and back they may be overkill!

I’ve got a pair of Shimano xm9 boots (after many years of mt91 use). They’re ok ish with a thick pair of smartwool socks but I find I still get cold toes.

As a result, I recently bought a pair of happyhotfeet electric heated insoles from sport pursuit.

They seem to be doing the job. I was out in -7C temperatures at Glentress the other day and my toes were ok for the ride. A wee bit chilled at one point but ok on the whole. This is compared to a similar ride a month ago without the insoles where my toes were icy.

personally I like the look of the Specialized ones with the sealed ankle cuff.

If you mean the defrosters, It’s not sealed. At all. If the water is higher than the cuff or runs down your leg it ends up in the boot.

Another overshoe wearer here. Not just for when it’s wet.

2 pairs of thinner merino socks (Aldi), sandwich bag between the layers with some added tin foil. The only thing that actually takes the edge off the cold for me.

Wooly Bollies don’t even begin to warm my toes up.

Seriously just buy these and dont waste you cash on winter boots.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXOSH/planet-x-neoprene-overshoes

Yeah I wasted my cash 🙄 on the OMW boots I linked to above, without a doubt they are the best winter boots I’ve ever had, no more cold or wet feet!

Northwave boots, hiking socks, leg warmers. Kept my toes toasty the other day for three hours of sub zero riding in the snow. As above, size up so you have room for thicker socks.

I’ve worn both overshoes and boots. Boots are better.

I’ve worn both overshoes and boots. Boots are better.

No doubt but one will cost £150+ and the other £15

The Madison Merino Deep Winter socks have worked for me. One of the guys at Twelve 50 bikes in Frodsham suffers from cold feet and swears by them. Only cost £8.99

No doubt but one will cost £150+ and the other £15

Indeed but if boots are better it’s not a waste, is it? If you have the money.

You can certainly spend £150 on a pair of winter boots if you want, but let’s not pretend you have to pay that much.

The Madison Merino Deep Winter socks have worked for me. One of the guys at Twelve 50 bikes in Frodsham suffers from cold feet and swears by them. Only cost £8.99

noted, thanks.

Didn’t think I was pretending that. I just said they were much better, which IMO they are. Much more expensive of course, but take your pick.

Prior to that, no amount of warm socks and plastic bags would stop cold numb toes for me – and I’m a very warm blooded person generally. At the time, I hadn’t tried overshoes. I now have overshoes that I use when commuting in the wet when it’s too warm for boots and I don’t want my shoes wet. Overshoes are very warm but a faff to use, bulky and something’s always annoying me; and I’d expect them to get knackered up whilst walking on rough ground. But they are warm.

I didn’t say you were molgrips, I was responding to the comment you quoted.

Not sure you’ll get winter boots for much less than £150 but tbh it was just 10 times more than the £15 overshoes.