Winter riding-Cold feet

Lord Vader

Lord Vader

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Just wondered if anyone has come across anything to keep your toe's from freezing of?
As it starts to get a bit nippy i thought i post the question.I am wearing 2 pairs of socks(thick wollen one's and normal one's) wich is ok so far but as i want to go to the elephant rally i am looking for something proper.
I tried the heated insoles but i dont get on with them.
So what do you use?
 
I wore a part of Gortex socks over a thick pair of Socks the other day and found them very warm. I also have Gortex boots so a bit of over kill with the gortex but seemed to do the thrick.
 
EricGS said:
BMW Motorcycle Accessories ThermoKomfort Heated Insoles, are these what you tried. They look like they'd do the job. If so how'd you find them.

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=48469
Click to expand...

Mine where identical to the BMW ones but from Tschibo(Coffee chain) for £20:D
I just could not get them to fit right and the charge did not last to long either.Certainly not enough for a full days riding.
 
cold feet

Hi, there are two types of solution to freezing toes if you do not heat electrically. Thick woolen socks, absolutely no cotton, but your boots must be roomy, it is the air trapped in the wool which is going to keep you warm. If you press it out then you will loose heat. Woolen soles help a lot. Have extra socks with you to change as needed.
The other way is special boots with thick, purpose built insulation, but they are very bulky, so you might have to move the gear lever and footrest to operate the machine. They are used by outdoor workers in winter, or snow scooter drivers. Sorel is just one of the leading brands, all the best makes have a removable filt sock.
Lined boots, either with wool or artificial fibre, are not so good as they are difficult to dry - you sweat even though your feet are turning white from frostbite - and the sole soon becomes too compressed to retain the air. I use regular, unlined marching boots with woolen soles and thick woolen socks, but I have to make breaks to massage my feet, keep the blood circulating, and change socks to retain warmth. My personal experience is to spend the time and energy keeping warm rather than pressing on and getting cold, and then trying to reheat your frozen bits.
Good luck, and safe travels.
Peter, in Oslo
 
If you've a boxer, what about the "wally-flaps" that fit below the pots and keep wet and cold off your boots.

Flaps

Not tried them meself.

:nenau
 
talking to a guy and his wife up the ponderosa last week,they had the heated insoles from motorworks about 40 quid.they said they were great.
 
I've been wearing a thin pair of liner socks with a thick pair of woollen socks and finally a pair of ex-army goretex liners which so far has done the trick for me:thumb
 
I wear good lined rigger boots which on their own are 100% water proof and reasonably warm. For the colder days I put on a pair Merino wool walking socks which are toasty warm.
 
GSPeter said:
Hi, there are two types of solution to freezing toes if you do not heat electrically. Thick woolen socks, absolutely no cotton, but your boots must be roomy, it is the air trapped in the wool which is going to keep you warm. If you press it out then you will loose heat. Woolen soles help a lot. Have extra socks with you to change as needed.
The other way is special boots with thick, purpose built insulation, but they are very bulky, so you might have to move the gear lever and footrest to operate the machine. They are used by outdoor workers in winter, or snow scooter drivers. Sorel is just one of the leading brands, all the best makes have a removable filt sock.
Lined boots, either with wool or artificial fibre, are not so good as they are difficult to dry - you sweat even though your feet are turning white from frostbite - and the sole soon becomes too compressed to retain the air. I use regular, unlined marching boots with woolen soles and thick woolen socks, but I have to make breaks to massage my feet, keep the blood circulating, and change socks to retain warmth. My personal experience is to spend the time and energy keeping warm rather than pressing on and getting cold, and then trying to reheat your frozen bits.
Good luck, and safe travels.
Peter, in Oslo
Click to expand...

Well said, Peter! :thumb2

Let me add:
The sole on typical mc boots are not safe for walking on snow and ice - slippery! :eek

When I ride my sidecar (when the risk for tilting are not that big) I wear boots called Muck Boots. http://www.muckbootcompany.com/ They are water proof, soft and warm. No protection inside, so I would not wear them on a solo bike.

-But they too are no good for walking on snow and ice, so I always have a pair of what we call brodder in my pocket; they help when the sole on the boots are no good in snow and ice.
I do not know what you call brodder, but here are some examples:
http://www.tryggogsikker.no/html/596.html
http://www.sportogfiske.no/category/6634/Brodder.html
http://www.dnt-turutstyr.no/article.php?ar_id=16599&fo_id=6882

I wonder if aluminium folie ( example here http://www.binders.no/web/ePortal/ctrl?action=showgroup&nodeRI=5041550&group=Y ) , the type we have in our kitchen drawer, can be useful?
Remove all loose parts inside your boot, put aluminium folie inside so you get one thin layer under the inner sole, and put all parts inside again. That way you get better isolation, I believe. But I'm not sure.

And, as Peter said:
Make sure there are room for air inside the boots!
And real wool - ask your Granny to knit you a pair!
And move your toes inside the boots when you ride!

Best luck!
:) Liv.
 
Mr K said:
If you've a boxer, what about the "wally-flaps" that fit below the pots and keep wet and cold off your boots.

Flaps

Not tried them meself.

:nenau
Click to expand...

My old boxer have home made flaps like that; they help! :thumb2
Many of the boxers I see in the winter over here have flaps.

:) Liv.
 
Once i've bought & fitted engine bars (still not put my finger on the right make *can't get wild@heart*). I've got o/s & n/s wheel shrouds inner's from a car. I will be cutting out two opposite curves to make feet wind protectors, possibly attached to the underside of the radiator surround.
 
I've used Gerbing heated socks a couple of winter seasons, and recommend them.
Buy an additional Gerbing heat troller and enjoy warm, toasty feet:

socks.jpg

http://www.gerbings.co.uk/gerbings_heated_socks.html
 
Thin cotton socks, goretex liners, and current MoD issue goretex lined boots.

Oh, and keep your feet elevated in front of the telly.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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