Cold Weather Cycling - Keeping Your Feet Warm on Cold Days

COLD WEATHER CYCLING
Keeping Your Feet Warm On Cold Days

The number one thing to remember when trying to keep your feet warm while cycling, is to keep your core warm. Maintaining a warm core allows any excess heat to be sent to extremities to help keep them warm. When the body's core temperature begins to drop, the body sends the brain a signal to reduce the flow of blood to the extremities in an effort to keep the core temperature up so that vital organs are protected. To stay warm, dress appropriately for outside weather conditions. This will help maintain a warm core temperature.

The Secret to Staying Warm is to Layer

Feet get cold as a result of sweat being trapped against the skin. Cold air chills the moisture. The result... cold, clammy, wind chilled feet. The best way to prevent cold feet is to layer.

Sock Liners

Sock liners are very thin, lightweight socks specifically designed to be worn right next to the skin, under another sock. The purpose of the liner is to wick sweat away from the surface of your foot. Liners also limit the amount of abrasion between your outer sock and your skin. Most sock liners are made of CoolMax®, Polypropoylene, Wool or Silk.

Insulating Socks

An insulating sock should be worn over the top of the sock liner. The purpose of this sock is to keep your feet warm. Most insulating socks are made of Wool or Fleece.

NOTE: If you are wearing regular cycling shoes in colder weather, you will have to look for thin socks or your shoes will be to tight. It is very important to keep blood flowing to your feet if they are going to stay warm. If your regular cycling shoes are to small with the added layers of socks, you should consider purchasing a new pair of shoes for winter cycling.

Booties

To keep wind chill to a minimum, you need to wear a windproof bootie over the top of your cycling shoes, especially if your shoes have mesh uppers. Neoprene toe covers and/or neoprene booties block wind helping to keep feet warmer.

NOTE: Neoprene does not breath. Wearing a neoprene bootie or neoprene toe cover over your cycling shoes, without wearing a sock liner (wicking layer against your skin) will result in wet clammy feet.

Chemical Heaters

Chemical heaters are inserts that fit into your shoes to keep feet warm. They come in many different styles such as full feet inserts or toe warmers.

Winter Cycling Shoes

If adding layers of socks and chemical inserts to your existing shoes doesn't work, you may want to consider purchasing cycling shoes designed specifically for cold weather riding.