Cold feet me.

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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Audax67
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by Audax67 »

Penguins don't wear socks but their feet don't freeze: their feet are well-supplied with blood. As others have already said, you first need to make sure that it's still warm when it reaches your feet, but once it's there it's important for it to have somewhere to go. When shoes are tight or you put neoprene shoe covers on over Velcro straps you can compress the veins on top of the foot and slow everything down.

It's somewhat ironic that thick socks and foot covers made to keep your feet warm can end up doing exactly the opposite.

ETA I don't feel it as much as I did 15 years ago. 30 years of diabetes will do that. Not a recommended solution, though.
Have we got time for another cuppa?
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chris_suffolk
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by chris_suffolk »

Anybody tried something like Therm-ic heated insoles. Tempted, but not sure - anybody any experience with them?
CinnabarMoth
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by CinnabarMoth »

Bmblbzzz wrote: 20 Nov 2021, 10:04am So it's possible that something "inappropriate" like trainers, which are far too flexible really, are warmer for winter cycling than more "appropriate" rigid-soled footwear.
Oversize soft fabric hiking boots or goretex trail running shoes would be the warmest footwear without wearing specialised modern snow boots, the more oversize the footwear the more insulation can be worn inside without constricting blood flow, problem is cycling efficiency requires stiff soles and most cycling shoes are too narrow to accomodate even thick socks , even worse cycling promotes cooling blood pooling in the feet that's why feet and fingers are so problematical when trying to keep warm. The op might try heat pads under the foot sole on the very coldest day, they do work well , sometimes too well.
CinnabarMoth
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by CinnabarMoth »

chris_suffolk wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 3:41pm Anybody tried something like Therm-ic heated insoles. Tempted, but not sure - anybody any experience with them?
Chemical heat pads work very well, I have used them when all else failed while camping in temperatures of < -20, never used them for cycling though, they might turn out to be too warm but certainly worth a try.
Bmblbzzz
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by Bmblbzzz »

CinnabarMoth wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 5:43pm
Bmblbzzz wrote: 20 Nov 2021, 10:04am So it's possible that something "inappropriate" like trainers, which are far too flexible really, are warmer for winter cycling than more "appropriate" rigid-soled footwear.
Oversize soft fabric hiking boots or goretex trail running shoes would be the warmest footwear without wearing specialised modern snow boots, the more oversize the footwear the more insulation can be worn inside without constricting blood flow, problem is cycling efficiency requires stiff soles and most cycling shoes are too narrow to accomodate even thick socks , even worse cycling promotes cooling blood pooling in the feet that's why feet and fingers are so problematical when trying to keep warm. The op might try heat pads under the foot sole on the very coldest day, they do work well , sometimes too well.
Are trail running shoes really so warm? They most seem to have fairly thin uppers for drainage and drying, meaning wind is going to cut through them.
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chris_suffolk
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by chris_suffolk »

CinnabarMoth wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 5:47pm
chris_suffolk wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 3:41pm Anybody tried something like Therm-ic heated insoles. Tempted, but not sure - anybody any experience with them?
Chemical heat pads work very well, I have used them when all else failed while camping in temperatures of < -20, never used them for cycling though, they might turn out to be too warm but certainly worth a try.
They aren't chemical, they heat the insole using a heat pad via a rechargeable battery, with a selection of heat settings
CinnabarMoth
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by CinnabarMoth »

Bmblbzzz wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 6:34pm
Are trail running shoes really so warm? They most seem to have fairly thin uppers for drainage and drying, meaning wind is going to cut through them.
No they are not warm, don't misquote me, trail running shoes with a goretex lining which are oversized, their function is to act as a shell within which to fit whatever insulation will fit without constricting blood flow to the foot. Same layering principle outdoors people apply to the rest of the body, a shell layer under which one can fit whatever insulation is required, how well this works depends on the normal footwear size, someone with big feet may not be able to find footwear 2 sizes larger than their usual fit. Soft soled shoes should I think allow a cyclist to artificially flex the toes while riding to promote some blood flow.
CinnabarMoth
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by CinnabarMoth »

chris_suffolk wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 7:01pm
CinnabarMoth wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 5:47pm
chris_suffolk wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 3:41pm Anybody tried something like Therm-ic heated insoles. Tempted, but not sure - anybody any experience with them?
Chemical heat pads work very well, I have used them when all else failed while camping in temperatures of < -20, never used them for cycling though, they might turn out to be too warm but certainly worth a try.
They aren't chemical, they heat the insole using a heat pad via a rechargeable battery, with a selection of heat settings
Would it not be simpler to use the chemical ones? They are easily available in winter from outdoor shops and I can testify that they work.
gregoryoftours
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by gregoryoftours »

I haven't read the rest of this thread but waterproof (which also means windproof) socks (ideally above ankle and pulled up to keep the blood that is close to the surface warm at your ankles) help with warmth, along with shoes that are roomy enough to take a couple of pairs of socks without restricting your toes. These ideally also want to be windproof and with a higher ankle.
Stradageek
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by Stradageek »

CinnabarMoth wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 8:45pm
chris_suffolk wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 7:01pm
CinnabarMoth wrote: 21 Nov 2021, 5:47pm

Chemical heat pads work very well, I have used them when all else failed while camping in temperatures of < -20, never used them for cycling though, they might turn out to be too warm but certainly worth a try.
They aren't chemical, they heat the insole using a heat pad via a rechargeable battery, with a selection of heat settings
Would it not be simpler to use the chemical ones? They are easily available in winter from outdoor shops and I can testify that they work.
+1 for chemical insoles. I use the small ones that cover the ball of the foot and toes from 3°C-ish outside temperature and the full length ones at -1°C and below.

They have totally rejuvenated my winter cycling :D
Bmblbzzz
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by Bmblbzzz »

"Chemical insoles" sounds to me how a substantial number of people are alleged to have spent the late '60s!
gxaustin
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by gxaustin »

I know someone who uses battery heated socks (as well as shoe covers) and he says they are good.
I have used chemical foot warmers - placed on top of my toe area. They work well, last about 4 hours and you can take extras with you for long rides or in case the weather turns colder. They are cheap too.
Stradageek
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Re: Cold feet me.

Post by Stradageek »

gxaustin wrote: 8 Dec 2021, 10:11am I have used chemical foot warmers - placed on top of my toe area. They work well, last about 4 hours and you can take extras with you for long rides or in case the weather turns colder. They are cheap too.
On sale at the Tescopoly at 5 for £4 this week
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