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Cold Weather Mountain Biking for Feet

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Old 10-27-20, 01:32 PM
  #1  
metz1295
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Cold Weather Mountain Biking for Feet

My first ever mountain bike is scheduled for delivery in January. It's gonna be cold, but I plan to get on it anyway. I have plenty of cold weather gear for road cycling. I figure I can use all the same clothing. However, I use clips for pedals and intend to use flat pedals for the mountain bike. What do you use to keep your feet warm when using flat pedal shoes? Do you just add more socks? Are there shoe covers that will protect against cold wind and the wet from tire spray in snowy conditions? Any help is appreciated.
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Old 10-27-20, 08:42 PM
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Hiking boots and Merino wool socks.
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Old 10-28-20, 09:52 AM
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If you are going to stay on the flats then winter hiking boots with at least 200gram thinsulate insulation and good pair of socks.
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Old 10-28-20, 05:25 PM
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I don't. I just suck it up. lol
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Old 10-29-20, 05:35 PM
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I use either hiking shoes or, when it gets really cold, a pair of Columbia Bugaboots.

One issue with hiking shoes and boots is that with deeper and more aggressive treads, traction on the pedals suffers because the pins can get lost between the tread lugs. I have kept a pair of hiking shoes with a very worn down tread that I have kept just for use with flat pedals.

I find that my feet get colder cycling than hiking. I think this is because with cycling the pressure is always on the same part of my foot, and my foot is not really moving all that much. I can go hiking in 20 deg weather with my hiking shoes no problem, but my feet will be freezing if I cycle in them.
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Old 10-30-20, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by metz1295
What do you use to keep your feet warm when using flat pedal shoes?
FITS wool socks...
https://www.amazon.com/FITS-Medium-H...dp/B015Z1W8XA/
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Old 10-30-20, 10:46 PM
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https://45nrth.com/products/footwear

They make some good quality stuff. This question should have included what kind of price range if any.
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Old 10-31-20, 01:38 AM
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I’m not a fan of shoe covers in general and with flatties in particular. IME the sole/bottom of the cover gets chewed up real fast. Wear a hiking boot for flatties.
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Old 11-20-20, 09:18 PM
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Today I watched a YouTube video of a Canadian bike camping and he swore by those chemical heat packs you can buy in outdoor stores and online.

They are designed to keep your feet warm and have peel off adhesive backing. He put them on top of the sock above the toes. They last for hours.

Someone will remember correctly, but one brand name is something like Grabber My Coal. I always carried these on nordic and back country ski trips in case of emergency, but never really needed them.

Pity is, they expire after a period of time if not used.

Super great way to fight the cold!
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Old 11-28-20, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Sorcerer
Today I watched a YouTube video of a Canadian bike camping and he swore by those chemical heat packs you can buy in outdoor stores and online.

They are designed to keep your feet warm and have peel off adhesive backing. He put them on top of the sock above the toes. They last for hours.

Someone will remember correctly, but one brand name is something like Grabber My Coal. I always carried these on nordic and back country ski trips in case of emergency, but never really needed them.

Pity is, they expire after a period of time if not used.

Super great way to fight the cold!
I’ve used these, but I find at a certain point my feet get to clammy or something and the packs just go cold. ymmv, I have very cold/clammy feet. Worth trying for sure though.
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Old 11-29-20, 11:27 AM
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I generally use trail runners with merino wool socks and ankle gaiters, just because I have them and don't want to also buy winter mtb shoes.



For snow on my fat bike I use Sorels



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Old 12-09-20, 02:24 AM
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Originally Posted by metz1295
My first ever mountain bike is scheduled for delivery in January. It's gonna be cold, but I plan to get on it anyway. I have plenty of cold weather gear for road cycling. I figure I can use all the same clothing. However, I use clips for pedals and intend to use flat pedals for the mountain bike. What do you use to keep your feet warm when using flat pedal shoes? Do you just add more socks? Are there shoe covers that will protect against cold wind and the wet from tire spray in snowy conditions? Any help is appreciated.
sealskins waterproof socks.
$20
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Old 12-11-20, 10:19 AM
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prj71
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Originally Posted by thehammerdog
sealskins waterproof socks.
$20
Not sure this is a good recommendation. They trap in moisture and make it worse.
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Old 12-11-20, 11:35 AM
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Mid height 510's down to 30 - 35 F; Red Wing leather hiking boots for colder temps; both with warm socks.
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Old 12-15-20, 05:20 AM
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biker128pedal
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Consider a pair of Pearlys Possum Socks. Wide temperature range use but I save mine for when it’s below freezing.

https://www.pearlyspossumsocks.com/
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Old 12-20-20, 10:00 PM
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wool keeps heat even when wet.
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