Bill said:Dot:
Have never had cold feet running in the winter.
At what temperature do you recommend using more than just normal running shoes and coolmax socks?
That's going to vary a *lot* by individual, at least as far as the socks are concerned. But the
short answer is that most people that I've asked (usually ultra or trail runners) use regular shoes
and socks all the time, maybe switching to a warmer sock at colder temps or a gore-tex or other
weather resistant shoe if cold or in snow. "Cold" to be defined by the person, but maybe around +10F
and colder. The Alaska winter ultras go down to -40F or so, not counting wind chill.
Some, like myself, have tried neoprene or gore-tex socks or sealskinz which some like, some don't (I
don't). They are sometimes on suggested equipment lists for the winter ultras. My foot shape with
high arch is such that some of those less stretchy materials end up bunching up in places and tight
in others. Produce bags work better for me since they're thin, but I haven't used that in a while
and may not have used them running.
Socks that work best for me are primarily heavy ultimax, sometimes with an ultimax liner, while
smartwool seems like it works ok (not too much experience with it yet). Polar fleece is a little
warmer but not quite as comfortable as these. Thorlos are just a little behind in warmth. All of
these are heavy models, not the running socks.
I've never switched shoes since I generally only have one model that fits. I have tried things like
NB904 and the fit hasn't worked for me. The Trespass 2 is definitely more wind-resistant than
Trespass 1, but because its narrower, I have to use thinner socks, so my feet are actually cooler in
it in single digits unless it's really windy like it was this week. Then the wind resistance of the
2 made up for the draftiness of the 1. Montrail has a Susitna model that I've heard is supposed to
be really weatherproof - too much so, almost, according to the reviews. I think it's their Hurricane
ridge model that's fairly popular for winter running.
What I think helps me, based on some stuff I tried this winter (around -5 to +5F), is to wear more
on my legs to reduce heat loss through those cylinders. I generally can't pump enough heat from core
to feet, even with hat on, to keep feet reasonably warm and me not overheat. Wearing fleece, rather
than my lighter tights, under my sporthill xc's seemed to help there. BTW, sporthills are not
windproof, in spite of what they advertise. I'll wear windpants over them sometimes as a shell or
for warmth. With warmer legs, I could also run more solidly.
Something I'm considering doing, probably about the same time I make an improved insulator for
camelbak tube 😉, is making a gaitor (probably neoprene) that covers the top of the shoe so the mesh
is covered and acts as insulation, but doesn't interfere with shoe tread. I've got neoprene booties
for mtn biking that I wear around freezing and down to about 20F for a couple hours (but biking is a
*lot* colder than running). I have worn them on the bike leg of a tri for 45-50 min at +1F and they
kept my feet reasonably warm (better than my hands were doing). I peeled them off for the run and
was fine. I use these booties when snowshoe running also since they're anchored in place then and
they keep my feet dry.
Quoted message said:
When the wind chill is well below freezing, my feet need more insulation when walking a half hour
or more.
Walking gets to be more of an issue since not as much heat is being generated. This is what also
concerns me if I've got layers appropriate for running, but have a problem and have to walk home.
This is why I almost always carry a cb with additional layer, at least wind shell and pants, when
out for an hour or more on trails in winter. For walking, I think I'd wear more layers on legs,
heavy socks, and maybe try duct taping the mesh openings or cover with something. Some of the bikers
I saw in this year's tri had covers that just went over the tips of their shoes. But I think having
a covering or insulation outside (keep wind and water out) is more effective than some of these
waterproof inner socks that I've tried. At least that's what I've concluded and that's what some of
the winter bikers have told me.
Now *standing* in subzero temperatures for multiple hours. That's another story 😉 That calls for
bunny boots, sorels, or whatever.
Not sure if that helped at all, but that's what I've found over the past couple years but still need
to find better solutions. Cold hands and feet are one reason, aside from a little issue like not
having a mileage base yet, why I won't consider a winter ultra. My coldest run this year has only
been about -5F while another had windchill of -14F, iirc, but two years ago I think the actual
temperatures were around -15F. So I haven't run in anything like the Fairbanks folks run in.
Here's some links that I used to get started with winter foot gear and other issues.
susitna100.comsusitna100.comOpen ↗ users.rcn.comfootwear.htmOpen ↗
runningclubnorth.orglnk cld1.htmOpen ↗
I also recently found a training book for Iditarod mushers - including a bunch of cold weather
physiology - so I'm still learning a lot.
Dot
--
"Success is different things to different people" -Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope
