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So trying overshoes on wide MTB shoes didn't work so how about heated socks or insoles? I find the soles of my feet really suffer I'm guessing metal cleats and pedals the reason. Are they just a gimmick or do they work? If yes recommendations please.
I had some heated insoles, they worked, but we're so thick - probably a good 10 at the heal - they made the shoe uncomfortable.
Probably OK in wellies whilst sitting on the river bank fishing, but cycling shoes are a lot more fitted.
A combo of the clear acting as a heat sink, and knee pain forced me away from SPDs, I loved them otherwise.
I'd never go back now though, used to suffer from terrible cold feet, never had it on 6 years of flats.
I'm working my way through a pack of disposable insoles I bought to test the concept. They work by chemical reaction, heating up once you open the packaging and expose them to air. I've found them quite good for road rides, but the reaction stops if they get waterlogged, e.g. while bogtrotting or wading through fords on MTB trips. They're not thick enough for that to be an issue.
A friend of mine uses insoles and loves them!
I'm flats4lyfe, and still suffer with super cold feet. This winter I've changed to plastic pedals and the difference really is noticeable. Far warmer, makes a lot of difference not having that big lump of metal underfoot!
That's an interesting thought. Mrs_oab uses metal flats, I use SPD's and yet the boys on thier plastic pedals don't get the cold feet we have.
Many variables, including youth, but I might experiment...
I was sceptical as there was no real connection between pedal and insole to conduct the heat like there is with spds, but in a year when the Reynauds in my hands has been worse than ever by quite some margin, my feet have bizarrely been warmer by a significant amount. It really does seem to have made a difference. Now to see if the pedals last a winter...!
I’m an outdoor worker and suffer with Raynauds in hands and feet. Had it all my life and properly suffer in winter. Chillblains are a way of life in the winter :o(
Game changers for me have been my Thermic heated insoles. It was a bit of a leap of faith as they weren’t cheap but having used them for three winters now I’d replace them in a heart beat. Great in walking boots but probably too bulky for riding due to the battery packs. They don’t make my feet hot but they do give me all day comfort which is enough. There’s a turbo setting albeit the batteries won’t see the day out using that.
The other improvement for me this year has been those Decathlon running tops with thumb loops. Another noticeable improvement. I even rode with it on yesterday and that was better than my Morvelo fleece winter top. Amazing what covering your wrists can change.
My wife uses the chemical heated insoles as she gets really cold feet when riding. Not very enviromentally friendly (as you bin a pair each ride) but they do work. About £9 for a pack of 4 pairs on Amazon IIRC.
Got a pair of heated socks off Amazon and went from having toes completely numb at the end of a winter ride to being comfortable. Not exactly toasty feet but they keep enough of the chill enough to be fine for a good few hours.
I also use SPDs.