How do you keep your feet warm running in cold temps

What do you consider cold?

From about 30f to 15f I am fine with just wear a pair of thicker smart wool hiking socks and my regular shoes. Much below that and I am running on the treadmill.

From 30 to 45ish I wear a pair of thin wool cycling socks (like the sock guy wool offerings) above 45 I can wear whatever.

How cold?

I use my regular running socks down to about 10F. Lower than that I use my lightweight ski socks. That's good to about -15F. Wearing a warm hat helps as well since that prevents heat from escaping and lets blood flow to the extremeties.

I have seen folks duct tape the toe box on their shoes in really cold weather to block the wind.  I've never had to do that, but it would make a good bit of difference, methinks.

Luckily it very rarely (you know, except for this year) gets very cold here.

My feet stay toasty just with a pair of medium weight wool socks down to about -10F.  I use smart wool brand, but I imagine any quality wool sock will work.  Below 15F, it really is not the feet that are hard to keep warm, but the face.  With all the body heat generated, all my covered parts (including feet) stay plenty warm, only exposed skin is an issue.  It does help to warm up a lot before heading out - I ride the trainer till I am just below sweating before I head out in really cold weather.

Smartwool is the ticket.  Warm with my Mizunos down to single digits in the snow/slush this winter.  DeFeet for anything above freezing.

Never had a problem with cold feet running UNLESS they get wet.  Keeping your feet DRY is the key!  Moisture wicking socks (smartwool) are the way to go, they will keep your tosies warm and happy!

I will run in any temps.....and I mean ANY.
-22F is not uncommon.
I just wear ski socks (Hot Chilly's)
Honestly? I have never had cold feet.

 

Cold feet and head covering questions? Isn't spring finally breaking out up there?

For really cold running I add a pair of thin SmartWool boot liners under my biking socks.

Edited by MDHillSlug 2010-03-15 1:56 PM

If cold (< 20 F)/snow/wet, I use my trail shoes and smart wool socks.  >20 and dry, I use my regular running shoes and regular drymax/wicking socks.

I never have a problem with my feet getting cold when I run using my normal socks...even when single digits.  as some others have suggested, maybe try ski socks.

I like the Darn Tough socks -
http://www.darntough.com/run-bike-1416.html
for temps down to 0 degrees F or so, and will wear a plastic grocery bag over the sock during the windier and/or slushier days.
I even go with the heavier wool socks from Wal-Mart, but, I usually get a bigger-sized shoe for winter running then.

Learned this in the Marine Corps.
 
Use antiperspirant on your feet. The spray cans make it easy to put on keeps your feet from sweating so they wont get wet then cold. This also works in hot weather to cut down on blisters. 

For skiing I would put pepper in the toes of my socks -- it works.  If you have room in the toe box you can put a Hottie on top of your sox.

I've never had a problem with cold feet running that I remember, but I usually won't run if it's less than 0* out.  I wear SmartWool sox and Nike Free shoes.  Even when I step in some slush my feet warm up again.  One thing that made winter running more comfortable were running gaitors to keep the snow out of my shoes -- not an issue with my Nikes tho because they fit different from my old running shoes.

If it's extremely cold and I have to be outside for some reason... plastic wal mart bags outside my regular socks.

Works great cycling too. Trust me, your feet will be sweating buckets.

I love my DeFeet socks.  I have the heavy wool ones (The Blaze) that I've worn in the 0-10 degrees F range and been very happy with.

Wool...smartwool, icebreaker or other mostly wool athletic sock. I also have some goretex running shoes but only wear them when absolutely needed.

down to 28 or so, unless its in all snow, no socks. under that a pair of sock guy socks. under 10 or so i start looking at warmer options.

I did 20 miles in about 4 inches of dry snow with smartwool socks and my feet were almost too warm.  Wet, slushy snow.... it depends on how long the run is, but I might just go on the dreadmill.