Keeping Feet & Hands Warm and Dry?

[MacB]

In light of my own recent experience, and the tales of woe from the FNRTTC, I was wondering if we could try and collate peoples solutions. I was out today and managed to keep head and torso dry but legs, hands and feet were a problem. Though I still haven't got overshoes or anything like that yet, but I was thinking:-

overshoes that come up quite high
3/4 longs that go over top of overshoes
rainlegs or waterproofs over all of it

Would that work and if so which overhoes and rainlegs do people find work?

Gloves - every time I think I've found a well reviewed pair I find another review saying don't waste your money. My LBS has a very poor selection and I can vouch for none of them working.

 

[bad boy]

Hi Mac

I can sympathise with you their regarding reviews on gloves. I researched for ages and not one pair had had consistent reviews.

I opted for the Endura Deluge which I would recommend, they have a double cuff which sits high on the wrist stops wind and rain getting in. Also they are supposed to be breathable and waterproof and I can say they are good in the wet. I literally had to ring them out but the waterproof layer kept my hands dry. They also have great gel zones and are not bulky you could pick up a piece of paper in them.

Your ideas on keeping your legs dry are sound to me I do something similar without the over trousers, just leg warmers over the over shoes and find my legs are dryish when out in the rain. I use the endura mt500 overshoes which are good but can leak water very warm though.

 

[gaz]

If it's pissing it down outside i will have heavy duty overshoes, with waterproof trousers and a good jacket, topped with a skull cap to keep my head warm.

If it's really cold i will wear some tights on my legs, if not then nearly all trousers will be boil in the bag.

 

[Garz]

I could see the problem with adding too many layers would get me all boil in the bag. The commuters would probably be best bunch to ask about wet riding, if its really wet I just don't venture out.

 

[bianchi1]

i am using wetsuit gloves as an experiment. they are not at all breathable so sweat does build up on the hands, but because they are completely wind proof they do stay warm. that said it hasnt been cold enough for a true test yet.

as for feet, seal skin socks with overshoes work as well as anything.

 

[psmiffy]

The only thing that works for my feet are neoprene overshoes

Not found any gloves that work for more than 2hours in the wet - even the pair that I was sold in Norway as what the locals wear get wet through with the consequence that my hands get so wet and cold that I cannot get them back on - my gloves of last resort are a loosish pair of neoprene fishermans gloves with liners that I can change from time to time

 

[Noodley]

Hands - thin Assos liner gloves with Endura Tundra gloves. The Tundra gloves get hot and sweaty and if you don't wear liner glover then the lining gets pulled inside out when you take them off. Liner gloves mean you don't have to faff about having to sort out your gloves...and add to the warmth.

Feet - Merino/Possum socks, Endura neoprene waterproof overshoes. If it's extra cold I have a pair of Assos neoprene overshoes which I put over the Endura overshoes.

 

[MacB]

Hands - thin Assos liner gloves with Endura Tundra gloves. The Tundra gloves get hot and sweaty and if you don't wear liner glover then the lining gets pulled inside out when you take them off. Liner gloves mean you don't have to faff about having to sort out your gloves...and add to the warmth.

Feet - Merino/Possum socks, Endura neoprene waterproof overshoes. If it's extra cold I have a pair of Assos neoprene overshoes which I put over the Endura overshoes.

How are the sizes on those overshoes and how far up the leg do they come? I like the idea of liner gloves, makes a lot of sense.

 

[Ian H]

I've always settled for just warm. You can keep dry for short gentle rides, but for hours in the rain at a decent pace, if the rain doesn't get you the sweat will.

 

[Amanda P]

If it's really cold, forget gloves and go for mittens.

The only trouble with this solution is that they're not fashionable at the moment, and so can be hard to find. My favourite ones are Buffalo DPs.

Your fingers keep each other wam inside. In heavy rain, the inside of the mitts do get wet, but the water all tends to drain down to the lowest part, away from my fingers. In dry weather or drizzle, the warmth of your hands keeps the inside dry. In cold dry weather, my hands just stay warm and dry all day.

I've never had any difficulty braking or changing gear with them. (I generally use Campag ergos).

Feet are another problem altogether. Roomy shoes and brand new, fluffy socks, changed at lunchtime if your feet get damp should help, plus neoprene overshoes, are the best I can suggest.

 

[aberal]

For socks - try skiing socks. They're designed for the cold (not surprisingly) and are knee length which gives an extra bit of warmth to the legs.

 

[zacklaws]

Read somewhere the other day, and I have not the faintest where, may even have been on this forum in some thread that the best way to keep your feet warm is to:-

Cover your feet in petroleum jelly, wrap in clingfilm, put your sock on and then wrap it all in tinfoil, or maybe the tinfoil is before the sock, and then after the ride you can reuse the tin foil to wrap the Sunday dinner in.

I have read about petroleum jelly and tried it last year, but cannot remember if it did keep my feet warm, all I can remember was my feet sliding about in the socks, maybe thats what the clingfilm prevents. I also had it from a friend who's a tree surgeon at the weekend that the best way to keep your hands and feet warm is to rub petroleum jelly well into your hands and feet, so I shall have to try it again.

 

[Bandini]

Cover your feet in petroleum jelly, wrap in clingfilm, put your sock on and then wrap it all in tinfoil, or maybe the tinfoil is before the sock, and then after the ride you can reuse the tin foil to wrap the Sunday dinner in.

Sounds a bit...specialist!

Does anyone know of any decent overshoes without cleat holes?

I like the Endura Road overshoes - but it seems daft having cleat holes to let water in, when I use toe clips.

 

[Ian H]

Sounds a bit...specialist!

Does anyone know of any decent overshoes without cleat holes?

I like the Endura Road overshoes - but it seems daft having cleat holes to let water in, when I use toe clips.

Cleat holes or not, I like overshoes that don't contact the ground when I walk.

 

[totallyfixed]

Only ever found one solution for dry warm hands on a very cold wet day -goretex ski gauntlets, guaranteed warm dry hands no matter how bad the weather. They will fit easily over any other type of glove and come half way up your forearms and still pack up really small. Nothing else has come near, I don't mind wet legs as they are always warm, but hands and feet that's another matter.