Ideas for keeping feet warm during cold rides?

Well..... I guess if they don't have cycling shoes, then neoprene cycling shoe covers are probably out, eh?

The first advice would be to use good winter socks - wool or wool/poly blend, not cotton! Your friends could also try using some toe warmers adhered to the bottom of the sock, or directly to the bottom of their shoes. That would likely help too....

You could still use the pearl izumi toe covers (just might have to size up).   Should  fit over regular sneakers or biking shoes.  Cost about $15-$20

Socks just don't cut it when it is cold.  I have doubled up socks (one smartwool pair/one thin pair) and my toes will still be numb by the time I come home.

I have the PI shoe covers and looooove them!

Edited by bgraboski 2011-02-16 8:33 AM

Duct tape.

my team rides every weekend regardless of the temps.

the KEY to warm(ish) feet is to keep your legs warm!  give the blood that is going to your feet a fighting chance.  i used to ALWAYS have cold feet regardless of the layers on the feet.  a buddy of mine stated his case for more layers on the legs and i was able to shed layers on my feet as a result.

now i use this combo on my feet with success below 10*:
1st take shoe sole out and trace on a thin piece of foam. put this under your sole.  this gives you an extra layer of insulation.

2nd thin socks believe it or not.  thick socks in your regular shoes will become tight and restrict blood flow (that's where your heat is!)

3rd for me i put a small zip-loc baggy over the toes of my shoes and UNDER my neoprene booties.  this makes sure that even when the road spray is flying and the wind is blowing that my toes don't know it.

4th not 'really' needed but if i have some i use them, i put the stick on toe warmers on top of my toes. 

this combo seems to work great for regular biking shoes.......... now for sneakers i would guess your bigggest culprit is wind.  so zip-loc and duct tape sounds about right for them.

plastic sandwich bags over your socks work perfectly. I use them and shoe covers..the baggies work even without the shoe covers!!..If you use ziplock..cut that part off as its not very comfy.

Toe warmers are great but they work better if you put them on the top of your toes.  They then warm the blood which then flows through the toes. 

http://www.veltecsportsusa.com/default.aspx?tabid=557

NEVER WORRY ABOUT IT AGAIN

Edited by rotax14 2011-02-17 9:08 AM

Plastic bags will make their feet sweat and then get cold

Toe Covers may work some

Smartwool socks

Why not wear boots or some type of warmer shoes/boots instead of sneakers?

Duct tape helps me when I run outside in winter to cover up my mesh on my Newtons.

Aquagirl here on BT rides with regular snow boots when doing winter rides with platform pedals

X2. I use it cover the vent hole in my cycling shoes on the rare occasion I go for a cold weather ride.

Wool socks and neoprene toe covers.  I'm betting they could still use the toe covers, but they might have to go up a size.

Duct tape works for me!