Cold Feet

[Jaguar]

I suffer from raynauds all the time

Me, I'm just always cold. I have white finger now (little finger, left hand) and I'm tucked under the duvet in a warm room.

As to feet, the lo-tech method that works for me is to put plastic bags over my socks (under my boots). Yes, I cycle in boots, but it's only 2 miles in to work

 

[jonny jeez]

IF all else fails, wave your arms like youre trying to fly and stomp your feet to drive the blood to extremeties! Works for me!

Next time I try to dance, I'm going to claim Raynaurds... should get me at least some sympathy

 

[steve52]

its worth rembering that u can have shoes that are fine for summer but when u put socks on they are to tight to allow the blood to flow proberly, and its the air trapped by the sock that keeps u warm, ie shoes to tight?

 

[SavageHoutkop]

I get very cold fingers/toes and also other bits - but my problem is once I'm cold I just don't warm up (I suspect this is not quite as bad as Reynaud's but it's not far off).

My winter solution is leather boots with 2 layers of socks inside (one merino/possum) - but in the middle of winter that still isn't really warm enough.

What shoes do you normally cycle in? Trainers (eg) often are 'breatheable' which means you freeze your toes faster. I won't be in my non-waterproof shoes until next summer from now on, windchill is too noticeable.

At the moment I'm cycling in my waterproof trainers (too hot for summer cycling), I'll soon be back in my boots though.

 

[cyberknight]

I suffer from cold feet so today i got some of the innersoles you stick in shoes the thin foam one and i cut them across the middle , sewing the toe/ball of the foot part into the inside of my overshoes to give a bit more padding .

I will see how it goes over the nest week.

 

[wesa]

I bought some of the overshoe toes things, kind of overshoes that only cover your toes. Brilliant at keeping my toes warm but I don't think they will last more than a dozen rides. The hole for the cleat seems to be in totally the wrong place, I figure my cleats are engaging through the neoprene, that is certainly what the things look like after just a few rides.

 

[Riding in Circles]

Another plus for over shoes here, they make a big difference.

 

[DrSquirrel]

I bought some of the overshoe toes things, kind of overshoes that only cover your toes. Brilliant at keeping my toes warm but I don't think they will last more than a dozen rides. The hole for the cleat seems to be in totally the wrong place, I figure my cleats are engaging through the neoprene, that is certainly what the things look like after just a few rides.

You get these with some cleat/overshoe combinations too.

I've been considering these as there is an overlap where my feet are too cold without, and sweat too much with overshoes.

 

[Flying Dodo]

If the temperature is getting down to 4° or lower, I'll wear some Sealskinz socks, which keep my toes nice & toasty. If it gets below freezing and I'm likely to be doing any standing around (like on a night ride.......), then I'll also put on a pair of overshoes.

 

[cyberknight]

If the temperature is getting down to 4° or lower, I'll wear some Sealskinz socks, which keep my toes nice & toasty. If it gets below freezing and I'm likely to be doing any standing around (like on a night ride.......), then I'll also put on a pair of overshoes.

What do you put on when its cold enough for your brakes to freeze , i had frost on my overshoes last week

 

[ManiaMuse]

A lot of it is caused by the fact that, unlike the rest of your body, your feet and toes don't actually move that much when you are cycling so it is quite common to lose circulation to your feet while your other muscles are working hard. Also your feet get quite a lot of wind exposure while you are cycling.

I have Raynauds in my toes, it's not particularly painful, just annoying feeling some of my toes go numb and then having to wait an hour or more for them to 'thaw out'. And once I start to feel my toes going numb there is no going back until I get somewhere warm and take my shoes off. It effects me wearing all sorts of shoes and socks, and isn't that dependent on how cold it is. I've had it happen when walking in normal shoes when it is 4/5 degrees, and been perfectly fine when walking in ski boots at -10 degrees.

A lot of it has to do with the fit of your shoes and socks I think. What I have found is that it is sometimes caused by over tightening the shoe on the very top of my foot. When you do things like cycling or skiing/snowboarding this tends to put a lot of pressure on the top of your foot and can cut circulation. It's frustrating though, as for cycling and skiing/snowboarding it is preferable to have as snug a fit as possible.

Other things that help me include wearing one pair of thick socks rather than multiple pairs of thin socks.

Also, if you've been cycling in the rain, make sure that your shoes are completely dried out before the next time you go out. Damp shoes/socks make it much worse in my experience.

I think those overshoes might be a good idea, the windchill can be quite a big factor.

 

[Jezston]

I have been recommended Ginko Biloba supplement by a few folk who suffer the same thing, so im going to try that this winter.

The money you spend one one pot of that stuff will buy you a nice pair of undergloves, and the undergloves will actually do something.

I was recommended Ginko Biloba for tinnitus by my then GP once. I since moved to another GP who actually recommended me to an ENT specialist who then actually fixed it.