thehammerdog

here in the great NE we have nice weather for the first time since August....I decided to take a brief ride in the am.......40's-50 is out side. I dressed for success but not in the foot area.....My toes went numb justthe tips. I took a nice hot shower and toes felt weird like the tips were frozen....it was sunny & warm out side. What do I need to do here. I have wooly socks and even super neoprene bootys but what is the inbetween toe protection of choice?

sunny weekend is near..

Homebrew01

Neoprene toe covers, or thin booties

JonnyV

Oh man I love cold weather riding...after getting used to the lung burn. Like Homebrew said, get something to cover the shoes and get some good wool socks for when it's really cold. Here in central PA we're enjoying some beautiful weather in the mid 70's this week and weekend...and I can't ride, going to the girlfriends parents house for the weekend, might get out for a spin Sunday. Enjoy it while it lasts! And just incase, someone ride a few miles for me?

Machka 

These are my favourites:
https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...ers-unisex.jsp

It was cool and drizzly on tonight's ride, but my feet were just fine.

thump55

Did you cover your toe vent areas with tape? My progression is:
tape
toe covers
shoe covers
Lake riding boots (simply awesome for cold)

RB1-luvr

Garneau winter shoes work really great. Add a neoprene toe cover and you're cycling in the upper 20s (F) no problem.

Daytrip

I like riding in the winter, but the gear selection and intelligent application is the biggest challenge. It's also pretty satisfying when you get it right.

Toes and fingers are my biggest problems. The rest of me stays comfortable with the right layers. But those hands and feet require some investment. I just ordered some Sidi Hydro insulated shoes, then went out and dropped another $100 on gloves and a little extra head/ear protection.

I'm even thinking about getting getting a fanny pack of some kind for layer storage. You gotta know when to take it off and when to put it back on.

Hunt-man

Don't cinch your shoes down quite so tight, especially in the toes. That helps me in the winter keep circulation in my toes. I keep the shoes loose and my toes get their blood.

RB1-luvr

...and use shoes one size too big for thicker Smartwool socks and a thin liner.

cmolway

you'd be surprised what a small amount of saran-wrap or a sandwich baggie over your toes (in your shoes) can do to keep the toes toasty, especially if riding in well-vented road shoes. I do this well into sub-freezing temps here in the North East. As it gets colder, I add smartwool socks and neoprene booties.

botto 

that's not cold.

surgeonstone

Ummm- 40-50 degrees is not cold weather riding. Just sayin.

Stickney

Exactly.

Toe covers for 40 degree F?


Try draggin yourself out on a dark February night at 9 pm when it is 15 degrees F, after you get the kids to bed, that ain't easy. (and then go read the commuter forum and realize they are riding in sub zero temps and add to your self loathing)


As others have said, investment in good clothing is key.

bengreen79

Two pairs of socks usually does the trick down to about 25F for me, but that's on my relatively short commute.

Machka 

These are some tips I've compiled from riding through several winters in the Canadian Prairies ...

https://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm

hhnngg1

Heh heh. Happens to most folks on their first long outdoor 'cold' ride. Those bootie are an essential - not optional, despite what people think when they first see them.

Greg_R

People, he has booties for cold weather, he's looking for something suitable for 40-50 degree weather.

Hammer, I personally hate toe covers because they're constantly shifting around and don't stay on my shoes very well (Specialized MTB). As others mentioned, the air flowing around your shoes is going to rapidly cool the feet. Do something to prevent that air movement: thicker socks, gore-tex sock liners, seal skins socks, toe covers (if they work for you), bread bag + rubber bands, etc., etc.

bikerjp

Cold, but not that cold. I ride in 20 deg weather and sans snow it's not that bad. I use my regular cycling shoes with heavier socks. Sometimes they get a bit cold but keep moving helps.

ThinLine

I have rode (do ride) in morning negative numbers for wind chill in NE Pa. also. Like above have said, neoprene botties, wool socks and a high degree of toleration.
A head sock (baca...something or other) helps alot and Assos stuff is fantastic.

I once rode in 27 degree weather w/ wind only wearing a long sleeve base layer, jersey and Assos Airjak 851 jacket. Core only, the rest of me was sufficiently covered for the elements.

BetweenRides

Booties are definitely overkill. Try these or something like them. They work for me down to about 40, a little further if I wear two pairs of socks or wool. Much easier to put on and take off than your usual toe covers.

Nachoman

From my southern california perspective it is.