Cosy Toes?

Jon is Away!

Tony B wrote:
> Any ideas to stop this? Preferably that don't involve spending too
> much... I fear I could be looking at toe amputation if I try a proper

> day out! I suspect a switch from SPD to Look pedals may help, ISTM
the
> SPD's do load the foot in such a way as to impede circulation. Or
maybe
> overshoes...

I'd second the opinion of others for neoprene overshoes. A friend swims
in the North sea in a 5mm neoprene wetsuit so 2-3mm of the stuff should
keep toes warm! They certainly work for me. Mine are Altura ones bought
over a year ago and are one of the best investments I made.

Also see if Aldi have any of their Crane cycling shoes in. At £20,
they're cheap enough to buy a larger than normal pair and wear thick
socks with them.

Jon

Martin Bulmer

In news:cqrhvd$euv$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk,
Tony B <tonySPAMTRAPbramah@involutedesign.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> Had a bracing spin out on the fixed this morning, nothing heroic just
> a simple, steady, flat 20 miles or so but boyoboy did my toes get
> cold!!
>
> I though I'd sorted this out by slackening off my shoes a bit but
> today was very bad, despite the merino wool socks under usual cycle
> socks, inside (unvented) MTB shoes. My big toes felt like frozen
> turkey when I got home, and it wasn't even that cold today (although
> prolly under freezing with wind chill?).
>
> A shame really, as I've just about got the rest of the clothing issues
> sorted out now. Other than me tootsies, I was just about right
> temperature-wise.
>
> Any ideas to stop this? Preferably that don't involve spending too
> much... I fear I could be looking at toe amputation if I try a proper
> day out! I suspect a switch from SPD to Look pedals may help, ISTM the
> SPD's do load the foot in such a way as to impede circulation. Or
> maybe overshoes...
>
> all advice welcome.
>
> bfn,
>
> Tony B

2 packets of Walkers Crisps.
Throw the crisps away, wear the packets between socks & shoes.
I have never tried this, but am told it works.
Probably best to avoid Cheese & Onion.
--


Martin Bulmer

Martin Bulmer

In news:1104279204.680996.232400@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com,
Jon is Away! <jon@restlesslemon.co.uk> wrote:
> Tony B wrote:
>> Any ideas to stop this? Preferably that don't involve spending too
>> much... I fear I could be looking at toe amputation if I try a proper
>
>> day out! I suspect a switch from SPD to Look pedals may help, ISTM
>> the SPD's do load the foot in such a way as to impede circulation.
>> Or maybe overshoes...
>
> I'd second the opinion of others for neoprene overshoes. A friend
> swims in the North sea in a 5mm neoprene wetsuit so 2-3mm of the
> stuff should keep toes warm! They certainly work for me. Mine are
> Altura ones bought over a year ago and are one of the best
> investments I made.
>
> Also see if Aldi have any of their Crane cycling shoes in. At £20,
> they're cheap enough to buy a larger than normal pair and wear thick
> socks with them.
>
> Jon

...but the front/top panel is so thin that you can see your fingers through
it (if you put your hands in them).
I find that 3 pairs of socks plus warm clothing elsewhere equals warm toes,
even in the thin Aldi shoes.
--


Martin Bulmer

MSeries

Martin Bulmer wrote:

>
>
> ..but the front/top panel is so thin that you can see your fingers through
> it (if you put your hands in them).
> I find that 3 pairs of socks plus warm clothing elsewhere equals warm toes,
> even in the thin Aldi shoes.
> --
>
>
> Martin Bulmer
>
>
>
>
>
>
My Decathlon shoes have a mesh upper so neoprene overshoes are pretty
much essential

Tony B

I understand the layering/blood circulation thing, as my Norweigian mate
says "Cold feet? Wear a hat!" and he's from the N Pole (nearly!).

It's these toes that are the problem. In fact, they are cold now, just
in the house - I wonder if I have a circulatory problem?

Anyway, I have decided to try some neoprene overshoes.

Will keep you all posted, BTW thanks for all the suggestions.

bfn,

Tony B

Pete Biggs

Chris Malcolm wrote:
.........
> On my feet I was
> wearing open sandals with thick Smartwool socks. I now wear sandals
> all winter except when it's raining or in snow. The result is feet
> which have become much more cold-resistant,

I don't belieeeeeve it (that feet become conditioned or resistant to that
extent).

>, and if I keep the rest of
> me warm, they're fine on a freezing day on the bike.
/snip
> Part of the secret is not constricting the feet, so the blood flow
> isn't constricted and the toes move around. Surprising as it seems, I
> find they're warmer in the open sandals than in trainers, because the
> trainers cramp them a bit.
>
> The rest of me was legs with tights under jeans, and a Helly half-wool
> base-layer under a Buffalo smock, head protected with a woolly hat.

Your approach will not work for most cyclists, perhaps faster cyclists,
who will get far too hot and uncomfortable wearing all those clothes on
top & legs and will get frost bite from the wind-chill effect. Open
sandals are totally and utterly out of the question for me (in UK winter),
at least. The wind *has* to be kept out, and some insulation helps too.

Yes increasing core temperature helps* but only so much, and there's only
so much I want the temperature increased by anyway.

It's interesting that sandals seem to be more popular with recumbent
riders. Their feet don't get so chilled by the wind.

* Eating well being part of it.

~PB

Pete Biggs

MSeries wrote:

> My Decathlon shoes have a mesh upper so neoprene overshoes are pretty
> much essential

Duct tape is handy for blocking mesh, but still more protection is
required for the coldest weather.

~PB

MSeries

Pete Biggs wrote:
> MSeries wrote:
>
>
>>My Decathlon shoes have a mesh upper so neoprene overshoes are pretty
>>much essential
>
>
> Duct tape is handy for blocking mesh, but still more protection is
> required for the coldest weather.
>
> ~PB
>
>
Indeed Pete. My oldest cycling shoes, thin perforated leather, which
are now relegated to 25 minute commuting have been taped up around the
toes. The decatlon ones were mean't to be their replacement but the old
ones have lasted longer than I though they would..

Frank X

"Pete Biggs" <pwrinkledgrape{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in message
news:33frtcF3ui866U1@individual.net...
> Chris Malcolm wrote:
> ........
>> On my feet I was
>> wearing open sandals with thick Smartwool socks. I now wear sandals
>> all winter except when it's raining or in snow. The result is feet
>> which have become much more cold-resistant,
>
> I don't belieeeeeve it (that feet become conditioned or resistant to that
> extent).
>

I wear Sandals all winter. But I wear neoprene overshoes too. The
combination seems to be warmer than neoprene overshoes with normal shoes.