vol

Thanks digibud for the comparisons. Is there any safety concern using the heat packs? if so which is safer? Since I've never seen one in person, could any of them burn one's skin, or explode/cause fire? (sorry if it sounds utterly ignorant, which I am )

digibud

No..no safety problems if you don't eat them. There is no danger of explosion. I'm not sure what is in the liquid type. It's probably not great for you and I'd clean it up if I ripped the plastic cover but the plastic packaging on the Heat Wave is pretty tough and I'm confident (not sure, but confident) there is nothing too dangerous inside. Safety isn't a big issue. Each has limitations. The Grabber can't be reused once it's done but as it has been mentioned, if you only use a Grabber 7hour pack for an hour you can put it in a ziplock baggie and seal it up and it will stop the chem reaction so you can use it again. It takes 10-15min for the Grabber type to start working.

vol

Thanks, sounds good to carry some for a freezing day and not-so-short ride, esp. they are so inexpensive.

rumrunn6

was thinking about this last weekend. my trusty glove liner/loose winter glove combo wasn't working as well as I remembered. but after riding for some while my hands and fingers warmed up. before that happened I alternated which hand I put in a jacket pocket. at 22 degrees it took a good 30minutes, I'd guess to reach this thermal equilibrium. the rest of my time out was just fine. I suppose to prevent this I could start with a pack in each glove. I think I remember doing this on a couple of my coldest commutes. but it's hard to remember all the nitty gritty from 6yrs ago

vol

It was very cold this past evening. I tried Grabber toe warmers heat pack. Not bad. It's warm. The warmth lasted for 4+ hours. Haven't tried hand warmer heat pack, but wonder how to place it near finger tips inside gloves which are the most needy for warmth.

rumrunn6

couple ideas: anywhere in the glove would help. depends on the glove and where you have room. warm that hand, you warm the fingers. you can also put them in your jacket pockets and take turns putting one hand in a pocket at a time until you warm up

hyhuu

They are great if your equipment is not adequate for the weather. Buy them after season, it will be cheaper.

Hypno Toad

Feet are my issue, hands are typically good. I used heat packs for my boots a last week for the Fatbike Frozen Forty. It was round -8F at the start of the race, I was riding for over 5 hours (no stop) and then stood around outside for swag/awards for another hour or two. Feet were never cold.

I do not like the chemical heaters as a rule. But they are nice when you need to stay warm for a longer rider or a colder ride.

erig007

You're in Minnesota, there are excellent mukluks made in Minnesota. Did a ride like yours (as long and about the same temp, ride started at -18F) last week wearing these mukluks and had to go for lighter socks as they were too warm. When riding this long non stop there is an inherent circulation issue that comes after a while from the feet constantly pushing the pedals but these are warm enough to go through without much trouble at least for me.

Hypno Toad

Mukluks are great (boots and bikes).

I'm using the 45NRTH Wölvhammer, there are great on days when the temps are above 0F. This week I did a metric century with these boots with temps around 25F, feet were great.

I'm working with a local guy to make custom bootcovers to help with the sub-zero days. Here is his concept work:



He's made pogies and a bottle rack coozie that are great for the coldest days:



(10 mile ride at -12F last month)

erig007

Nice, what about a pocket in the bootcover on the top of toes area for a heat pack?

Hypno Toad

I hope it's never that cold here!

noglider 

That looks like a cold day. I really must visit Minnesota one day.

will be was

I use toe warmers, the cleat of the SPD is a conduit for the cold, 25F and below, if I commute it is abut an hour distance so they go in to glass jar with screw cap, at evening return they are good to go, they were in jar for about 10 hours. I tried reuse one next day it was no good, so they have limit for reuse. For hands for me double glove system works better,a ski glove (not too expensive) or a lobster version glove and a thinner full finger glove inside, and much cheaper and still have dexterity, no hand warmers there, they don't do anything for the finger tips.

Leebo

Glass jar? Wrap in several layers of food plastic wrap to seal out the oxygen.

ptempel

Let me google that for you