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I get cold feet really easily. I know I’ll get 25 different answers but I want socks that keep my tootsies as warm as poss, wet or dry. Not TOO thick that they limit my shoe choice - for roadie and MTB duties. Fire away…
Winter boots. Thread closed.
Failing that seal skins or some waterproof socks.
Get your core warm and cold feet won't be a problem unless they are wet
thermal tights with baggies over the top to retain some leg heat, then v. thin liner socks under ski socks inside waterproof winter boots. then a couple of mins doing squats just before setting off to get the blood moving..<br />wont help in a deluge tho, that also requires 3L waterproof trousers and maybe gaiters.
If it's nippy- sealskins thermal socks with trousers, Shimano shoeswith tape over the vents. 5-10 degrees for me
If it's cold seal- skins thermal socks, race face defend fire ( warm mostly water proof trousers), taped up Shimano shoes. 2-5 degrees for me.
If it's freezing- knee high thermal sealskins winter boots and the trousers.
If it's wet waterproof trousers and gaitrs.
On the road it's mudguards, same socks and super thick waterproof dhb overshoes.
I'm happy with Decathlon merino wool hunting socks (thickest and highest merino content) and Etnies Culvert boots.
Five ten shoes are the worst for me. Some kind of water resistant boot really does help, first line of defence and all that!
Lake winter boots and Woolie Boolie socks. Not had cold feet since getting those.
Decent insulated boots are the answer. You can try all the socks you want of whatever material and whatever thickness, put tape over the holes in your shoes, even sealskins if you want, but the only real answer to this is properly insulated winter boots.
sorry.
Unless you go the whole hog and get heated boots or insoles, the best insulated boot will only maintain what you have. So keeping core warm; if your core temp starts to drop your body starts restricting flow to the extremities to protect the vital bits, so stop that happening.
And making sure that between your core and your feet (or hands) you leak as little as possible particularly at ankles and wrists where blood flow is close to the surface and badly insulated by flesh. So long socks, etc. - in the depths I've even worn ski socks with the feet cut off as an extra lower leg warmer, or wrapped tin foil around my ankles under my tights.
I had a riding buddy that spent a small fortune on winter boots and merino socks, and then wore 3/4 tights with them, and complained the boots were no good. What did they expect?
Warm legs.
Winter boots.
Good wool socks (dense, not just thick and fluffy).
Neoprene socks if guaranteed to be wet. Nookie Ti socks are great. Originally used them for freezing kayaking adventures, now riding through wet puddles.
Been using battery heated socks for last couple of years
Reynauds sufferer so like to keep my feet warm
+1 on warm winter boots.
You can't also need warm feet but then ask for socks not too be too thick. Buy the boots in a half or full size bigger, and some properly thick walking or skiing merino socks.
Wear warm long legwear - and not just lower legs, think about crotch too where a lot of blood is passing through.
Another Reynauds sufferer here. Tbh the number of times I've heard 'just keep your core warm, your body will do the rest', it's starting to grate. That may work for most, but it's not a panacea. It's a good base though.
For me,
Stone great points from the few posts above, but I can stave off some of the pain with:
- Warm core
- full length thermal bibs
- knee length thick Sealskins (keep those blood pathways warm, shins seem great at losing heat!)
- trousers
- Freerider EPS highs
- plastic flat pedals
The last one has _really_ helped me. Having a big heatsink that's moving through cold air attached to the thing you're trying to keep warm really didn't help!
I need to try some fully waterproof trousers to help with when it's wet as well as cold.
NB the above works for me down to about 0, not so great under that.
Another vote for Shimano MW7 - they've been a life changer for my winter riding.
I also wear 3/4 length roubaix bibs under riding trousers to keep my core warm.
Long knee length walking socks (or rapha deep winter socks)
To save you some time, one's in the grandfather clock, the other's in the jack-in-the box in the attic.
Unless you had a particularly heavy session last night, I think it's safe to say it was probably the mouse.
Ebike, then you can wear a coat, wooly thick gloves, lined trousers, a hat and a scarf... you'll be warm everywhere !
Not TOO thick that they limit my shoe choice<br /><br />
You have got to have space to wiggle your toes in winter riding gear. I’ve found that if I’m in tight shoes I get cold very quickly. <br /><br />
However if I wear Marino socks they can get wet trough and so long as my toes are free to move a bit I stay warm
Waterproof boots with waterproof socks for me.
I’ve got MW7 for clipless, Five Ten GTX for flats.
The new Shimano flat boots are meant to be excellent.
Agree that wanting warm feet but not too thick socks are mutually exclusive goals.
Fizik winter socks are quite thin but the sole and the bit over the toes is a thick weave. Work well in autumn on their own or underneath another pair of you have room to double up.
Ribble (iirc) has always had them on sale for four quid in the past.
Also, shoe size is critical. If you are trying to wear thicker socks is normal summer shoes you’ll just squash the air out of them making them useless. You need to size up in winter footwear so you can fit thick socks and trap that layer of warm air.
Don't bother with thick socks, unless you get bigger shoes you'll just end up with compressed feet being even colder.
Neoprene overshoes were the answer for me - I've always suffered with cold hands and feet but could happily ride in sub zero temperatures and have toasty feet with some Endura Mt overshoes. best is, you can use your (hopefully comfy) existing shoes and not have to wear silly socks.
im the same, get super cold feet and then chilblains kick in (thanks to 6 strathpuffer races, my toes are shot). i bought some northwave Himalaya boots from bike.de. Have not had cold feet these past two seasons
always found Alpaca socks to be warmer than Merino, especially when damp/wet.
Have had several pairs from here:
https://arbonsocks.co.uk/product-category/walking-socks/
Walking, and the loop ones - loops bit bulky
(and +ve to all the keep the rest of yourself/legs warm
What’s the verdict on shimano mw5 vs mw7 s? Are they worth the uplift in price. I guess they’ll last for yrs, both pairs?
I got MW7s because they were all that was available in Winter 20/21 during the supply chain crisis.
They get used every day in winter for commuting. I’m very pleased. Very comfortable and warm and very durable. Don’t know about MW5s
Another Reynauds sufferer here. Tbh the number of times I’ve heard ‘just keep your core warm, your body will do the rest’, it’s starting to grate.
Yep, it is BS pedalled by those who don't actually get really cold feet or hands. My hands and feet can be cold when sat in a 22 degree house!
My feet have been much better since buying some Northwave winter MTB shoes combined with knee high thick socks which seem to keep my whole leg warmer below the knee. Can ride in 0 degrees without feet getting too cold.
"which seem to keep my whole leg warmer below the knee"
Think how much warmer your whole legs would feel if you kept them warm above the knee too...
Keep your blood warm on the way down and it will still be warm enough to warm your feet when it gets there!
Reynauds sufferer here too - When it's really cold I reach for the long johns, not thicker socks.
Some excellent suggestions above, my own suggestion having been a sufferer of poor circulation in the past is a bit of a curve ball… also try addressing potential causes. I was resigned to living with cold extremities, as some of the comments above I would have numb fingers and toes in a warm house before settling out on a ride… long story short it was a symptom of B vitamin deficiency, not enough to require injections but following advice from my doctor and daily supplements my cold hands and feet are a thing of the past
I use meraklon liner socks and then sealskins in a pair of sized up northwave winter boots (two pairs, pair for MTB, pair for road).
Ex suffers even more, so she has the same set up but with some deep winter overshoes over the top.
Make sure they've got the foil lined insoles too. Some winter boots don't have them, or sometimes don't.
Tinfoil round your toes and the front of your feet. Old roadie trick that works a treat.
I've recently got a pair of these.
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/vaude-am-moab-mid-winter-stx-shoes/139980279/p
If anything they're a little too hot.
Two rides on them so far both with plenty of ice on the ground.
So much warmer than my Fiveten GTX.
Think how much warmer your whole legs would feel if you kept them warm above the knee too…
My legs are not cold above the knee, I wear winter bib tights and due to the muscle activity my thighs are pretty warm. Just offering advice on what works for me....
Fit insulated insoles, I use wool ones which are great. Over shoes are good too. Proper winter shoes are best though.
MW7 and wool socks, warm toes during the festive 500 is some pretty shitty/cold conditions for 5 hours on the bike at a time.
On the MW5 Vs MW7 question: I recently got some MW5s to replace a great but very worn out pair of MW81.
I am hating the MW5. Every ride I'm getting cold feet where my Mrs still in her MW81s is warm. I suspect there is minimal insulation and the dry shield liner is awful for breathability so feet quickly get sweaty and cold. They also immediately started to smell terrible which I think is the same problem. Not impressed and wish I'd got wide fit Lakes.
smell terrible
They def have that Shimano smell (had to leave mine in cat litter for a week to help) - apparently something to do with the glue used on some of their shoes.
Yeah I know MTB shoes always get whiffy, but I've never had a pair do it after the very first wet ride.
What’s the verdict on shimano mw5 vs mw7 s? Are they worth the uplift in price. I guess they’ll last for yrs, both pairs?
I've got the MW5 (on my second winter in them now), one of my colleagues has MW7 from what we could see the major differences were the Boa Closure and using Goretex (TM) on the MW7, the "Dry Shield" fabric/treatment on the MW5 seems pretty effective to me (are they actually the same thing by a different name?) and I have to properly submerge a foot in a deep puddle for a while to actually defeat the waterproofing, the Quicklaces (just basic laces with a pull toggle to tighten them up) work pretty well for me, easy to operate and just sit out of the way under the front flap.
Both boots are fleecy lined, maybe there's more insulation in the MW7(?) I've been fine in the MW5 at -5*C (not had many chances to test them below that) and start to notice my feet are a bit warm in them above about +10*C-ish
If you really want a Boa and the premium (trademarked) water-proofing of Gore then pay the extra for the MW7 otherwise I'm pretty impressed by the MW5 for the money... Both seem to be good winter boots (Road, gravel and MTB) for the UK (IMO of course)...
Yeah I know MTB shoes always get whiffy, but I’ve never had a pair do it after the very first wet ride.
def an issue with some shimano shoes and from the ones I have had the MW5 has been the worst proper minging!
Has anyone tried gloves or socks from the Raynauds shop. Just wondered.
These socks - I wore in 0degrees on Monday with my normal cycling shoes and not even a hint of cold.
Note - Amazon overcharging by about 10quid (cos they can, cos Prime) - google them and you'll find bike shops selling for about £12.
[url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Northwave-Mens-Husky-Ceramic-Socks/dp/B099661JZ8?th=1 ]Northwave Husky[/url]
ps.
limited sizes left, by the look of it!
M&S do some lovely thick winter socks, very snug indeed.
I like these. Neoprene socks. Good for running or cycling and just as warm when they absolutely saturated. <br /><br />