hey everyone, I was wondering if someone could give me advice on what works best for them when training outdoors during the winter. I have a major problem in keeping my feet from freezing. I went for a two hour ride yesterday in 33 degrees weather. It was pretty windy so it probably felt more like 25 degrees. I wore two base layers, a long sleeve jersey and a jacket on my torso. I wore a windproof ski mask on my head. Shorts, leg warmers and am-fib tights on my legs and on my feet I wore triflex socks (the black windproof waterproof kind) inside my shoes and castelli booties outside my shoes. Everything on my body was rather comfortable except for my feet which by the end of the ride felt like they were stuck in a couple of block of ice. I am not sure if it is a circulation problem or not. I have also tried using this socks with toewarmers underneath them and then booties over the shoes and that seems to work a little better as it applies direct heat to my feet. I am also considering putting my mtb pedals on my road bike and switching over to my mtb shoes as they are a little bigger and using thicker socks with them. If anyone could give me some advice on this I would appreciate it.
hey everyone, I was wondering if someone could give me advice on what works best for them when training outdoors during the winter. I have a major problem in keeping my feet from freezing. I went for a two hour ride yesterday in 33 degrees weather. It was pretty windy so it probably felt more like 25 degrees. I wore two base layers, a long sleeve jersey and a jacket on my torso. I wore a windproof ski mask on my head. Shorts, leg warmers and am-fib tights on my legs and on my feet I wore triflex socks (the black windproof waterproof kind) inside my shoes and castelli booties outside my shoes. Everything on my body was rather comfortable except for my feet which by the end of the ride felt like they were stuck in a couple of block of ice. I am not sure if it is a circulation problem or not. I have also tried using this socks with toewarmers underneath them and then booties over the shoes and that seems to work a little better as it applies direct heat to my feet. I am also considering putting my mtb pedals on my road bike and switching over to my mtb shoes as they are a little bigger and using thicker socks with them. If anyone could give me some advice on this I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Colin
What you describe seems like it should be an adequate amount of protection for your feet. My first thought was indeed circulation - i.e.: your shoes are too tight. However, another possibility is that your legs are not as warm as you think they are. If your legs are just barely warm enough, the blood that is getting to your feet will not be as warm as it could be.
Michael, I appreciate the advice. What do you think about me switching over to my mtb pedal and shoes as they are a little bit bigger and then wearing thicker socks.
Michael, I appreciate the advice. What do you think about me switching over to my mtb pedal and shoes as they are a little bit bigger and then wearing thicker socks.
Colin
That sounds like a worthwhile move to me. If that makes enough of a difference for you, taking the time to switch your pedals out won't be much of an inconveniece for warm feet.
I found the following simple system works best for keeping my feet warm: 1) use the mtn bike shoes with two pairs of socks, undersock = calf length and thin, oversock = ankle length and regular thickness, 2) put a plastic bag (~4 gallon bag) over my socked feet, and stick that in the mtn bike shoe, 3) take spare socks and bags with me for when my feet get hot and sweaty and then start getting cold from the water that doesn't escape the plastic bag, 4) ride about 45 mins until my feet get cold then change into dry socks and bags.
I have a major problem in keeping my feet from freezing. I went for a two hour ride yesterday in 33 degrees weather. ... Shorts, leg warmers and am-fib tights on my legs and on my feet I wore triflex socks (the black windproof waterproof kind) inside my shoes and castelli booties outside my shoes.
I have found that anything that makes my feet fit more tightly into my shoes makes my feet colder, not warmer. Given that you have a nice pair of booties, try a single pair of socks and shoes that are adjusted a bit more loosely than normal. One thing is certain. Squeezing more stuff inside your regular shoes than will fit comfortably is guaranteed to make your feet colder. If your core is warm, and the temperature is in the 30s, then the problem isn't insulation, it's circulation. Some people have more of a problem with that than others. One other thing that works for some people who continue to have problems with cold feet is to put one of those heat pack things on top of the shoe, between the shoe and the shoe-cover. Expensive, but warm.
packmagician, thanks for the advice. Fortunately it has actually warmed up a bit here in New Jersey (60 on new years day). The next cold day I ride on I am going to try mtb shoes with pedals. Thicker socks and toe warmes that go under the socks along with booties. If that doesn't do the trick I don't know what will.
