Are my cold feet normal?

[simmi]

I was out for under 2 1/2 hours today and my toes and parts of my feet had gone white, this happens every time I am out for over 2 hours, only started cycling in Oct. so not sure if it would happen in warmer weather. Does anyone's feet get cold to this extent, I wear sealskinz socks and overshoes.
Is there anything I can do about it or is it something I just have to live with?

 

[defy-one]

Pedicure!!!

wear two pairs of socks, and seal off the vents that are under your toes. Heard some folks sealing all vents in the front half of the shoe with gaffer tape.
Road shoes are excellent in warmer temps, but as you are finding out, not great in the winter.

 

[snorri]

Shoes too tight perhaps with thick socks?

 

[slowmotion]

Some people have less than perfect blood circulation in their extremities. Mine isn't that great, but it's a whole lot better than it was before I got back on a bike. As others have said, wrap up warm but not tightly.

 

[summerdays]

Looks like raynaud's to me. I've suffered since I was a teenager. Mostly winter but not entirely. I wear lots of layers and try to keep my body temp up especially at my ankles and wrists. So on my feet today were two pairs of socks - one of which were nice and thick, and a pair of boots with a thermal lining. Only wearing one pair of gloves today but varied which pair depending on how cold I was feeling.

If it is Raynaud's then you have to live with it really and experiment with what works for you. I sometimes take a warm drink to warm me from the inside out too.

Edit: the boots are bought a size larger than I need so that I can wear two pairs of socks, when I wear one, my feet slide around in them.

 

[simmi]

Shoes too tight perhaps with thick socks?

Yeah thought of that today so didn't tighten them as much as usual, might be worth loosening them a bit more. I have got very wide feet, but bought wide fitting shoes so they should be ok.
They have got the ski boot "ratchet" type tightener (sorry not sure of the technical name) so i could be cutting off blood flow.

 

[simmi]

Looks like raynaud's to me. I've suffered since I was a teenager. Mostly winter but not entirely. I wear lots of layers and try to keep my body temp up especially at my ankles and wrists. So on my feet today were two pairs of socks - one of which were nice and thick, and a pair of boots with a thermal lining. Only wearing one pair of gloves today but varied which pair depending on how cold I was feeling.

If it is Raynaud's then you have to live with it really and experiment with what works for you. I sometimes take a warm drink to warm me from the inside out too.

Edit: the boots are bought a size larger than I need so that I can wear two pairs of socks, when I wear one, my feet slide around in them.

I think you might be right, Can you get thermal cycling footwear?

 

[summerdays]

I just wear normal boots, but I think there are winter boots which I presume are both warmer and more waterproof than standard shoes.

 

[slowmotion]

Isn't it the case that, in extremis, the body gives first call of blood circulation to the vital organs in your thorax, head and abdomen, and leaves your toes, fingers, nose etc to suffer? If that is the case, does it mean that keeping the rest of your body well insulated will leave a better supply of blood to the "unimportant" bits like feet etc? Any Captain Scott types here?

 

[black'n'yellow]

Isn't it the case that, in extremis, the body gives first call of blood circulation to the vital organs in your thorax, head and abdomen, and leaves your toes, fingers, nose etc to suffer? If that is the case, does it mean that keeping the rest of your body well insulated will leave a better supply of blood to the "unimportant" bits like feet etc? Any Captain Scott types here?

Not sure if those are the actual 'priority areas' (they could be) - but I think that's about the size of it. FWIW I get Reynauds in my fingers - although wierdly it doesnt usually come on until I get home and usually goes after 20 mins or so (when I'm back in the warm).

Simmi - you might find a change of kit makes a difference (or you might not). Personally, I don't rate the sealskinz socks - a bit like wearing cardboard.

 

[simmi]

Something else has just come to me my overshoes are very tight around my shins, they might be adding to it by almost acting as a tourniquet. I have got quite large legs, more Hoy than Wiggins.

 

[Moodyman]

Isn't it the case that, in extremis, the body gives first call of blood circulation to the vital organs in your thorax, head and abdomen, and leaves your toes, fingers, nose etc to suffer? If that is the case, does it mean that keeping the rest of your body well insulated will leave a better supply of blood to the "unimportant" bits like feet etc? Any Captain Scott types here?

Yes. I read about this during the winter of 2009/10 when my toes would be in excruciating pain for an hour and then go numb. When you're cold your body saves the little body heat it has for the upper core so fingers and toes get even colder. Now, I overdress when temps drop below zero so these areas don't suffer so much.

 

[slowmotion]

There is a very sad tale of two (?) mountaineers who were stuck in a horrendous storm near the peak of a mountain, New Zealand I think, for about a week. They had to make a choice ....try to climb down the mountain and risk death by hypothermia because they would have to use their limbs, rather than retain "core" heat, or stay were they were, awaiting rescue. To await rescue would mean frostbite, but not death. They survived , but lost legs.

Sorry, cycling is a lot more cheerful!

 

[MrJamie]

My fingernails often go purple when its cold, dont think its the same thing though.

Looks like you also have a rotated little toe like me, makes you prone to bunions apparently

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I just wear merino wool socks with soft hiking boots. You need to have room to be able to move your toes easily to allow the blood to circulate.
The other tip is to keep your legs warmer! So cover them with another layer like leg warmers or thermals - warmer legs means warmer blood getting to your feet which means warmer feet - works for me.