Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
These toe warmers will definitely do the trick, put on a pair of socks, peel the backing off the warmers and put another pair of socks over the top.
Warm hands/cold feet
- Thread starter Sunny Portrush
- Start date
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Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Agree that chemical 'warmers' work, but cramping your feet into shoes/boots with two pairs of socks is likely to cause issues (and maybe the cause of the OP's problem (as suggested in the first response)). On my one cold ride so far I have used 'HotHands' footwarmers, which I put underneath my insoles (in winter boots with no vents). That gives me 5 hours of warmth. These are the final resort after winter boots and 3mm neoprene overboots.
OP
OP
Sunny Portrush
Guru
- Location
- Musselburgh
As the OP, my feet dont feel overly tight in my shoes whilst wearing two pairs of socks? Been too icy here to try out the one sock but will report back once I do get out!
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
a) Northwave Celcius boots in a very generous size
b) one thick pair of quiet fluffy socks
c) Hothands toe warmers (when below about 4 degrees)
b) one thick pair of quiet fluffy socks
c) Hothands toe warmers (when below about 4 degrees)
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
Strangely enough are the socks the right size .
Similar used to happen when I was diving . Thick gloves but cold hands . I went down a thickness level but got a better fitting glove . Warm hands.
Similar used to happen when I was diving . Thick gloves but cold hands . I went down a thickness level but got a better fitting glove . Warm hands.
Slick
Guru
It will be a revelation.
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
I'm the other way round - toasty toes but cold hands. 
As far as my feet are concerned, I wear a lightweight pair of socks, over which I have a pair of Lidl's "Feet Heater" clones and a pair of ordinary walking shoes that are well broken in (read rather knackered). Mind, I ride with flats, but this works well for me.
Bought some silk glove liners in Decathlon but have yet to try them out. What with one thing and another, I haven't had the time to get out on the bike since I bought them.
Maybe try silk socks?
As far as my feet are concerned, I wear a lightweight pair of socks, over which I have a pair of Lidl's "Feet Heater" clones and a pair of ordinary walking shoes that are well broken in (read rather knackered). Mind, I ride with flats, but this works well for me.
Bought some silk glove liners in Decathlon but have yet to try them out. What with one thing and another, I haven't had the time to get out on the bike since I bought them.
Maybe try silk socks?
- Location
- Manchester
Another tip to pass on for keeping the circulation going in your feet is to pedal faster in a lower gear than normal.
I also find that I have to have my body a bit too hot for my hands and feet to be comfortable.
I also find that I have to have my body a bit too hot for my hands and feet to be comfortable.
OP
OP
Sunny Portrush
Guru
- Location
- Musselburgh
Well, the results are in but rather inconclusive. As a scientists, I tried to keep everything as before so I wore exactly the same clothes, the only variables were the one pair of socks, the outside temp and the wind factor.
Now, although it was warmer, it was far windier so I`m trying to work in the wind-chill factor. I also started at nearly the same time!
So, I could feel that my feet were cold but not complete ice-blocks but again, I wasn`t out as long as the last times and it was warmer. However, my shoes were considerably looser and I could move my foot a fair bit inside the shoe so friction would have helped keep them warm.
More testing required, methinks!
Now, although it was warmer, it was far windier so I`m trying to work in the wind-chill factor. I also started at nearly the same time!
So, I could feel that my feet were cold but not complete ice-blocks but again, I wasn`t out as long as the last times and it was warmer. However, my shoes were considerably looser and I could move my foot a fair bit inside the shoe so friction would have helped keep them warm.
More testing required, methinks!
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Regular and deliberate toe wiggling
OP
OP
Sunny Portrush
Guru
- Location
- Musselburgh
Yep, I do that too!
night cycler
Guru
- Location
- Rotherham (near town)
Sunny, while in the house I have to warm my feet with the hair dryer every few hours. I never have to warm my hands while in the house.
The heart pumps blood in
all directions. When blood has to return from the feet (having cooled somewhat) it is fighting gravity to some extent.
The hands are maybe 50% nearer to the pump than the feet are. Blood has a shorter distance outwards to the hands AND on the return. I think this is the main reason/difference.
I cannot explain why the continuous motion of the legs (cycling) does not seem to help the feet to stay warm a great deal.
Without studying & comparing the anatomy of the blood vessels of hands V feet I cannot comment further at the moment.
In any event, we cannot change the anatomy of the above.
Note: I always wear genuine army socks (but unsure of the wool %).
The heart pumps blood in
all directions. When blood has to return from the feet (having cooled somewhat) it is fighting gravity to some extent.
The hands are maybe 50% nearer to the pump than the feet are. Blood has a shorter distance outwards to the hands AND on the return. I think this is the main reason/difference.
I cannot explain why the continuous motion of the legs (cycling) does not seem to help the feet to stay warm a great deal.
Without studying & comparing the anatomy of the blood vessels of hands V feet I cannot comment further at the moment.
In any event, we cannot change the anatomy of the above.
Note: I always wear genuine army socks (but unsure of the wool %).
- Location
- Manchester
Just remembered another tip:
Put your shoes and socks on the radiator before use.
Don't start the ride with cold feet. Make sure you have toasty warm feet in the house before you go out.
Put your shoes and socks on the radiator before use.
Don't start the ride with cold feet. Make sure you have toasty warm feet in the house before you go out.
confusedcyclist
Veteran
Use proper cold weather thermal socks and proper fitting shoes to accommodate the extra bulk of these socks. Jamming feet in tight shoes will restrict warming blood flow.
@Dogtrousers , OP mentions overshoes, so it's unlikely that windchill is a properly.
@Dogtrousers , OP mentions overshoes, so it's unlikely that windchill is a properly.
andrew_s
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucester
I figure that shoes restricting the blood circulation in the feet is a fair part of the problem.
I find there isn't much difference in the temperature at which I change from sandals and bare feet to shoes & socks, and the temperature at which I change from regular cycling shoes & socks (Sidi Dominator or similar) to winter boots (Lake MXZ302), at about 4-5°C and about 0°C respectively.
I should have used the sandals last night - the Severn Bore flooded the cycle track whilst I was at the pub, and I got wet feet on the way back. The shoes will take 2 or 3 days to dry out now.
I find there isn't much difference in the temperature at which I change from sandals and bare feet to shoes & socks, and the temperature at which I change from regular cycling shoes & socks (Sidi Dominator or similar) to winter boots (Lake MXZ302), at about 4-5°C and about 0°C respectively.
I should have used the sandals last night - the Severn Bore flooded the cycle track whilst I was at the pub, and I got wet feet on the way back. The shoes will take 2 or 3 days to dry out now.
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