cold feet?

In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed winter
boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will fit without
tightness. Suggestions?
--
Lincoln Ross NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE: lincolnr@rcn.com

Lincoln Ross wrote:
>
> In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> fit without tightness. Suggestions?
> --
> Lincoln Ross NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE: lincolnr@rcn.com

Plain old Kmart wide running shoes with a pair of 90% wool socks over regular socks is very warm.
Wide so it's loose on the foot.

The one I've been using (reading the extra's card) is Carhartt style A 111 Arctic Boot Sock.

the card lists a website http://www.carhartt.com but I got them at a discount store (Meijer's) a
couple years ago, $11.99

It's the first pair I've gotten that actually worked.

The site actually works and finds the A 111 style sock.

They're pretty think, I think you'd need only one pair on at once. I was fine this morning at 10
degrees F.
--
Ron Hardin rhhardin@mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Lincoln Ross <lincolnr@rcn.com> wrote in news:3E25F0D7.46DA0AF9@rcn.com:

> In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> fit without tightness. Suggestions?

Seal Skins plus good wool socks with Shimano Sandals are what I wear in winter rain. As others say,
keeping things loose is the key to staying warm and comfortable. I'll still get wet, but that's ok
because I'm well insulated.

Shoes too tight and/or not dressed adequately in other areas.

Robin Hubert

"Lincoln Ross" <lincolnr@rcn.com> wrote in message news:3E25F0D7.46DA0AF9@rcn.com...
> In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> fit without tightness. Suggestions?
> --
> Lincoln Ross NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE: lincolnr@rcn.com

On Wed, 15 Jan 2003 18:37:59 -0500, Lincoln Ross <lincolnr@rcn.com> wrote:

>In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed winter
>boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will fit
>without tightness. Suggestions?

Take a look at the foot warmers at Cabelas. One option is the small Toe Warmers which adhere to
your sock,

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...4TAIST2BMOCWQ-
NVECFFAK0BWUOIV0?id=0006499515467a&navAction=push&navCount=0&indexId=&podId=0006499&catalogCode=XC&-
parentId=&parentType=&rid=

and the other is the the Cabela's battery heated boot sock.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...54a&navAction-
=jump&navCount=1&indexId=&podId=&catalogCode=&parentId=&parentType=&rid=

I've been riding in 20° weather the past few weeks, and my toes are very cold after a half hour or
so. This is with two pair of wool socks and a neoprene oversock. My feet are normally pretty cool,
so it is no surprise to me that I still need additional heat for extended rides. I'm going to give
the battery heated boot sock a try, with rechargeable NIMH D cells. A one time expense, and the heat
can be turned on or off as required.

I had an undershirt, 2 jerseys, and a Gore-tex windbreaker, windbreaker pants, Gore-tex gloves, and
a neoprene face mask riding this morning....26° and unknown windchill. I was toasty warm with my
neoprene face mask, however, my feet were eventually uncomfortably cold. While riding I felt as
though I weighed another 10 lbs. I dimly remember complaining about excessive heat in August.

Joe

Ron Hardin wrote:
> They're pretty think, I think you'd need only one pair on at once.s/think/thick/
--
Ron Hardin rhhardin@mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Thanks. I've tried slightly oversized leather shoes with heavy wool socks underneath. No luck, tho
better than sneakers. Trying to work up the nerve to use cross country ski boots! You probably ride
harder than I do, and stay warm. I huff and puff when I work that hard.

Ron Hardin wrote:
>
> Lincoln Ross wrote:
> >
> > In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> > winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> > fit without tightness. Suggestions?
> > --
> > Lincoln Ross NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE: lincolnr@rcn.com
>
> Plain old Kmart wide running shoes with a pair of 90% wool socks over regular socks is very warm.
> Wide so it's loose on the foot.
>
> The one I've been using (reading the extra's card) is Carhartt style A 111 Arctic Boot Sock.
>
> the card lists a website http://www.carhartt.com but I got them at a discount store (Meijer's) a
> couple years ago, $11.99
>
> It's the first pair I've gotten that actually worked.
>
> The site actually works and finds the A 111 style sock.
>
> They're pretty think, I think you'd need only one pair on at once. I was fine this morning at 10
> degrees F.
> --
> Ron Hardin rhhardin@mindspring.com
>
> On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

--
Lincoln Ross NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE: lincolnr@rcn.com

Forgive my ignorance. What are Seal Skins? BTW, if it's warm enough for liquid water, I don't do too
badly with my boots. In that case I just need something to protect the entire bike from wet, sandy,
salty crud. But my bike doesn't seem to fit in the washing machine!

garmonboezia wrote:
>
> Lincoln Ross <lincolnr@rcn.com> wrote in news:3E25F0D7.46DA0AF9@rcn.com:
>
> > In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> > winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> > fit without tightness. Suggestions?
>
> Seal Skins plus good wool socks with Shimano Sandals are what I wear in winter rain. As others
> say, keeping things loose is the key to staying warm and comfortable. I'll still get wet, but
> that's ok because I'm well insulated.

--
Lincoln Ross NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE: lincolnr@rcn.com

Lincoln Ross wrote:
>
> Thanks. I've tried slightly oversized leather shoes with heavy wool socks underneath. No luck, tho
> better than sneakers. Trying to work up the nerve to use cross country ski boots! You probably
> ride harder than I do, and stay warm. I huff and puff when I work that hard.

Make sure they're up around 90% wool. There's lots of blends that aren't very wool and aren't
very warm.
--
Ron Hardin rhhardin@mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

On Wed, 15 Jan 2003 18:37:59 -0500, Lincoln Ross <lincolnr@rcn.com> wrote:
> In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> fit without tightness. Suggestions?
> --

Try LONG knee high Cross Counry Ski socks - colorful, or if you don't wnat the color they come in
dark blue or black. Keeping the blood warm on the way to the feet is my theory of keeping the feet
warm. If the blood is cold there's just no way the feet will warm up.

I've used this to ride in sub 30F weather and had no feeling of cold in my feet. 1 pair of light
street socks, one pair of XCSki socks and sneakers or bike shoes.

mike

--
Michael Vore, W3CCV M-ASA [Ka8 (MU)] WHIRL (Burley LIMBO) http://mike.vorefamily.net/ohmywoodness
<-Custom Woodworking http://mike.vorefamily.net/thewoodenradio <-The weblog

In article <3E25F0D7.46DA0AF9@rcn.com>, lincolnr@rcn.com says...
>In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed winter
>boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will fit
>without tightness. Suggestions?

Get better boots. You need well insulated boots, and you won't have to wear so many socks and your
feet will be comfortable. When I have ridden in the snow, 20 deg F, my feet were toasty wearing my
insulated boots. If you are on a budget, check out www.sportsmansguide.com . They regularly sell
insulated boots at a large discount. You may have to wait a bit till they get good ones in your
size, but with some patience you can get good boots for under $50, maybe under $30, and if you are
reall lucky $20.
-----------------
Alex

Lincoln Ross wrote:
>
> In my economy bike program, I don't have bike shoes, but even when I wear my rubber bottomed
> winter boots my feet get cold when it's 25 degrees or so. Have tried as many wool socks as will
> fit without tightness. Suggestions?

I'd amplify what other posters say about tightness from foot to leg.

I'm down to zero to -5 F a couple of times of late and haven't had any trouble. Here's my setup,
bottom to top, inside to outside.

Feet: Loose wool socks Steel toed construction boots, loosely laced.

Legs: Bike shorts to make me feel sexy. (loose)Cotton Sweat pants, with the elastic at the ankles
cut (only worn below 20) (loose) Bright yellowthin nylon shell with gauzy cotton lining Wide velcro
strap around right ankle

Torso: Long sleeve cotton knit shirt Long sleeve polar fleece pullover Bright Chartruse Nylon wind
shell (_not_ waterproof) Giant puffy red vest

Head: foam ear plugs (and yes, virginia i can hear just peachy!) Clear safety glasses Thin (not
fleece!) baklava/headsock Helmet

Hands: plain ol' bikey gloves cheep-o flock-lined black Wells Lamont gloves.

I'm riding about 12.5 miles each way on a 21 speed MTB with inverted-tread street tires.

A couple of things i find that help: I keep all openings loose to promote blood flow to extremities.
I ride at a somewhat high power level, keeping my core temps way up there. I also periodically take
my feet off the pedals and shake them vigorously. Generally, i only have to shake my hands once,
about 10 minutes into the ride.

The high power level makes a lot of diffenence; lean towards hammering
vs. dawdling.

I arrive at work toasty warm and a little sweaty in the torso area. and definitely NOT
cold anywhere.

hth.max

We are having -30 weather here in Canada man it's cold.Try getting off your bike once an hour and
walking for 5 minutes to keep the ciculation going.

Lincoln Ross wrote:
> Forgive my ignorance. What are Seal Skins?

Sealskinz is a brand of breathable waterproof socks and gloves (see their website). I use the
MidLight version and find them useful in dry conditions as well because they keep in plenty of
warmth (more so than any thermal socks I've tried). I recommend them.

You could also add some duct tape over the toes of your shoes. Nevermind how stupid it looks!

-------------
For UK readers: I've got a medium size pair of Sealskinz GLOVES for auction at:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=2701289908

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <pLime{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in news:b08htv$m7li2$1@ID-144931.news.dfncis.de:

> Lincoln Ross wrote:
>> Forgive my ignorance. What are Seal Skins?
>
> Sealskinz is a brand of breathable waterproof socks and gloves (see their website). I use the
> MidLight version and find them useful in dry conditions as well because they keep in plenty of
> warmth (more so than
any
> thermal socks I've tried). I recommend them.
>
> You could also add some duct tape over the toes of your shoes. Nevermind how stupid it looks!
>
> -------------
> For UK readers: I've got a medium size pair of Sealskinz GLOVES for auction at:
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=2701289908
>
> ~PB
>
>
>
>

Actually a boating person told me about Seal Skinz. Also, that stuff scuba divers wear, (neoprene?)
works well to cover extremities.