JayP

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• Monday, December 10, 2007

  This is How!

  

  With the winter riding season upon us, one of the biggest cruxes to figure out and the most commonly asked question by somebody just starting to ride in sub-freezing temps for any length of time is “my feet get cold quick, how do you keep yours warm?”

  For starters you might want to figure out how much winter riding your going to do and how much you want to invest in it, time and money. Platform pedals can be a quick fix allowing you to wear any combo of shoe/boot and or overshoe (neos). If you want to go clipless, I don’t see any other way, you might start with a winter specific clipless shoe. I bought a pair of Lake’s 2 sizes to big the day before the Susitna 100 in a state of paranoia. This shoe, as is with just some sock combo can get me close to zero. I learned quickly these were the ticket but if I wanted to go to the Ultrasport 350 the next year I would need to do some work. Knowing the temps could be -40, possible overflow (open water), and being exposed to the harsh Alaska winter for long periods of time in February, I needed to prepare for this.

  My tinkering started with this over boot gaitor that a friend gave me, which was picked up at the local thrift shop. I started working with it stretching it on, riding and testing, soon realizing I needed to permanently attach it. The gaitor not only gave additional warmth but also came up to my knee, helping protect against deep snow slogging and overflow. I used lots of Aquaseal, clamps, and screws to make the attachment. Next, I needed to step the warmth up. In my research I learned about the whole “vapor barrier” idea. Investing in a run of the mill VB sock, I was amazed of the result of such simplicity of basically a plastic bag suffocating your feet. All this is great feeling good to about -20, but what about -40. I still was trying to maximize my system so I modified a wool soreal linear fitting it between the outside of my shoe and the inside of the gaitor. I took this system to the Ultrasport last year and endured some constant temps of 0 to -35 for the 4 nonstop days.

  This system and a toe warmer get me by to about -40, and great protection to the knee. Beyond this I’m not sure but I will be tinkering until I head back up to AK this February.

  

  System and tips

  • hydropel ointment (multi use lub.)
  • thin linear sock
  • VBL sock
  • Insulated sock of choice
  • possible coal warmer
  • shoe/gaitor system
  • don’t forget your local cobbler
  • and your insole upgrade

  Have fun and keep those toes warm!

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