Cold numb toes

[harlechjoe]

I love winter cycling and living in an area that is a holiday destination my Winter road route is quieter. Yet cold weather makes me toes go numb. Woolly socks help when’s is dry and don’t when its wet. Are overshoes the only solution ?

 

[Threevok]

Overshoes definitely help. I wear my waterproof ones all winter, not just when it's raining.

Trouble is, they only last about one or two seasons with my commute.

Of course, you could look at specialist socks

 

[raleighnut]

Nah some good winter boots are better,

 

[presta]

I love winter cycling and living in an area that is a holiday destination my Winter road route is quieter. Yet cold weather makes me toes go numb. Woolly socks help when’s is dry and don’t when its wet. Are overshoes the only solution ?

A cheap and simple method I found very effective was to make a pair of pogies to fit over the toe clips using some heavy guage polythene and sellotape. Quick and easy to try.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Foot warmers

Feet Warmers X10 WEDZE - Decathlon

 

[cougie uk]

First stage is neoprene toe covers. Very popular with triathletes as doesn't hinder putting the shoes on.

Second stage is neoprene overshoes. They do wear out though so I always found a £10 pair better value.

Third stage is a proper winter boot. But careful on the sizing. It might be the same size as the shoe you normally wear but with a fleece lining so in effect it's smaller. A cramped shoe isn't great for circulation.

And spin the legs in lower gears. I always find that warms me up better than a lower cadence.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I've commuted in temperatures below zero and found the following to be helpful.
Tinfoil inserted in the "toes" of the shoe as an insulator.
Plastic bag wrapped around the foot before putting on the shoe for cold and wet. (Can only justify it with wool socks)
Pay special attention to keeping the ankles warm. I read once that warm ankles and wrists help keep the extremities warm and tried it out. Works for me.

I used regular footwear on flat pedals.

Good luck!

 

[wajc]

The type of shoes are you currently wearing makes a huge difference.

On icy day commutes in winter I use a mtb with flat pedals and I wear some Berghaus walking shoes which do not have any of the mesh style vents that most cycling shoes have. Never had an issue with cold feet using these, even when it's been several degrees below freezing - I'd imagine that proper winter cycling shoes are even better but they're not cheap.

For normal cycling shoes I've used multiple approaches over the years all listed above but sometimes one solution on it's own isn't enough for me. For instance I've used toe covers and then put full overshoes on top of these to get double insulation for the front area of the shoe which gets most of the 'wind chill'.

Other times I've slipped 'little hotties foot warmers' on top of my shoe in the toe area whilst fitting overshoes on as well.

 

[Blue Hills]

overshoes definitely help.
Lidl thermo socks
And under those a thin sock (it's always all about layering) - the sort of poncey thin socks you maybe bought once and then found useless/painful to cycle in. They are handy for this though.
Snugpak also do liner socks - maybe primarily meant for walkers and squaddies but handy for cycling.
Of course your shoes need to be big enough to accommodate the small extra thickness.

 

[vickster]

I cycle in trail running trainers. Windproof toe covers and two pairs of socks (used to use the same when I did wear SPD shoes). If too cold for those, no cycling for me as it probably means ice!

 

[harlechjoe]

Foot warmers
View attachment 621338
Feet Warmers X10 WEDZE - Decathlon

Now they look the height of comfort - yes please to those !!!!

 

[harlechjoe]

First stage is neoprene toe covers. Very popular with triathletes as doesn't hinder putting the shoes on.

Second stage is neoprene overshoes. They do wear out though so I always found a £10 pair better value.

Third stage is a proper winter boot. But careful on the sizing. It might be the same size as the shoe you normally wear but with a fleece lining so in effect it's smaller. A cramped shoe isn't great for circulation.

And spin the legs in lower gears. I always find that warms me up better than a lower cadence.

Very helpful, thank you

 

[MichaelW2]

Clipless shoes have a metal heat sink connected to a big, cold radiator.
Winter shoes should be a size bigger than for summer. Consider a cork or insulated footbed and merino wool socks. And booties. Or winter boots. Or platform/toe clips with light hiking footwear.

 

[roley poley]

socked foot in a poly bag has seen me to work on commute but had the advantage of a change of foot wear and sock in the gents before I went to Street work ....feet never dry as a postie but then hay ho .. there is no magic solution ...please tell me different ..I would be interested

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Ensure shoes are not too tight and restricting blood flow. Counterintuitively thinner socks may be warmer than if you’re wearing thick socks and shoes done up tight.