Without going to electricly heated socks, what's the best

[flamin lib]

combo for keeping feet warm? I've learned that cotton socks are a bad thing and that wool is preferred. What about "sock liners" and such? Don't plan to ride much past 38f or so. Was out today at 40 and my hands and feet got cold and my legs sorta uncomfortably cool. Used my Frog Togs wet weather lowers and lets were comfy. Just need new gloves and some help with the feet.

Thanks!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Got boots?

38F isn't extreme cold, shouldn't need electric socks. A good pair of boots (waterproof) should make a big difference.

http://www.bikebandit.com/alpinestars-web-gore-tex-boots

http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/allround-boot-p-270.html?osCsid=38bf0fc3ad17541b1b6c10bef8edb592

But, don't buy boots on-line unless you've sized them in a store. Exchanges just take too long.

[flamin lib]

2. You're right, mid thirties isn't that cold, hence my reluctance

to spend a bunch of $ on winter wear. I'm almost there, have good all-round boots and the cold isn't intolerable, just uncomfortable. My jacket doesn't have the liner zipped in and my legs are covered with regular jeans and Frog Togs. I'm wearing Field Sheer summer gloves which are a bit cool so I need a real set of cool weather gloves but my hands aren't any worse off than my feet.

I think I've answered my own question; go to wool socks and a sock liner. That should be enough for the few days that I'll ride in sub-40 temps.

Thanks for the links tho . . .

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. My Sears Diehard boots and cotton socks were enough on my recent cold ride.

Do not wear steel toed boots or you will have problems. What kind of boot are you wearing now?

[flamin lib]

4. I've got two pair, both lace up and heavy leather. Enough

room inside for really thick socks. Everything I read says wool will wick moisture away and is warmer. There is some mention of liners, thin socks worn under the thick wool and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with them.

The mid 30s isn't that cold and I'm easily comfortable all over 'cept for the feet which get cold after a half hour and would probably fall off after two plus hours. Just need a little help on the tootsies.

[david13]

5. Lib, I think what Goldie is talking about here, is, you may want

to look into using motorcycle specific boots. These are different than work boots. As they are designed and engineered for different purposes.
It is believed that steel toed boots, good for work, for if something is dropped on the foot, is not good for motorcycle riding.
They say dress for the crash, not the ride. What they mean is that your gear should be crash worthy. Steel toed can crush. You don't want that. You want energy absorbing, and over the ankle.
Try some research on that, but then make your own decision.
dc

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. Steel toes transmit temps real good.

Cold when it's cold, hot when it's hot.

I have not tried liners but I know people who use them in their gloves. I would try socks, liners then boots. Also, use long socks. Try something like leg warmers, even if it is long socks with the feet cut off. Make sure air can't go up your pants.

I only have cotton socks so far, but certainly you should try wool if it is warmer. If your feet are cold, you will feel cold.

[flamin lib]

8. Yeah, that's where I've gotten to here,

Liners to wick sweat away and wool to keep it away. Also looking at over-pants wind breakers.

I'm not going to ride below the mid-thirties, so it won't take much to stay comfy.

Went out today at 37f and was fine 'cept for my summer perforated gloves and jeans. Upper body was toasty, only the extremities got chilled.

Gloves are easy, wind-breaker leggings are easy but the toes are just out there.

Think I've got it covered for my riding style, just gotta do some shoppin.

[flamin lib]

7. My footwear is generic but way up over the ankle with a lot of support.

No, no biking specific but comfortable for daily wear and protective enough to pass the skid test. No steel toes 'cause they aren't necessary for the riding I do or my work life.

I've thought about such things as I'm past 60 and don't heal as fast as I did when I first rode bikes, but then I'm not as testosterone poisoned as I was at 18. Well, only a little . . .

I think my gear is about right for my style of riding and ability. Just lookin' for some comfort.

Thanks for the input tho . . .

[av8rdave]

9. For the temps you're talking about,

ski socks should do the trick. Interestingly, ski socks work best when they're not layered with other socks. Get a good wool or wool blend ski sock, and be sure your boot is at least slightly snug and windproof, and you should be good down to the high 20s.

[happyslug]

10. Get a hat that goes under your helmet

The main reason feet and fingers get cold is that the body is withdrawing warmth from them to maintain core body heat i.e. heat to the Head, Chest and Thighs. I am assuming you have adequate coverage for the Chest and Thighs, but most people do NOT have adequate protection for the head (Protection in the form of warmth, NOT accident). Helmets are design to protect you in an Accident NOT keep in the warmth (In fact most helmets have extensive air cooling system that in cold weather just leave in the cold. In the local motorcycle stores around here a very thin (To fit underneath helmets) balaclava is sold. It helps a lot in keeping someone warm, more then one would think of such a thin piece of cloth (The main reason is the Balaclava works with the helmet to retain heat to your head i.e. undoes the air flow the helmet does to cool down your head during the summer).

As to feet themselves, may want to try some "Overshoes". Such overshoes are sold to hunters to wear when they have settle down at a sight and wait for the deer to come to them. In such situation heat incurred by the feet by walking to the deer blind quickly dissipates. The over-boots, while NOT design for walking) can be used to keep your feet warm. Now I drive a Scooter that has NO foot pedals, thus my feet just lay at the bottom of the Scooter. Over-boots would work fine for me, but someone in a true motorcycle that uses FOOT controls will find them to bulky, but it is something to look at.

[flamin lib]

11. Thanks for the idea of keeping the head warm. I'd been told that

years ago and it sorta got lost as other input came in.

The human body is a truly marvelous thing. It does move blood circulation around to preserve core functions. Sorta reminds me of the thermos; keeps hot things hot and cold things cold, but how does it know?

[happyslug]

12. You here it a lot more North of the Mason-Dixon line

Just comments on keeping warm and that one has to look at the body as a whole NOT each part in isolation. I also have found that more of the "Marginal" items to keep one warm (i.e. hats) are much more common North of the Mason-Dixon line then south of it. Maybe to the effect we do like "laying" i.e. wearing multiple layers of clothes instead of one big heavy item, we like laying for it works.

Another factor is day to day need, my sister, who rides the bus to work every day, makes the comment that she wears different set of coats then people who drive to work. The reason being she needs to stay warm WHILE WAITING FOR THE BUS, and that means a heavy coat then someone walking or driving in a car with a heater. This is also true of hunters, those hunters, that stay in a blind, want to be as warm as possible without the need for some-sort of heater (Such heaters tend to chase game away). Thus the over-boots, only worn in the blind NOT walking to or from the blind.

The reason I mention the above is it is often easier to find cold weather gear up here in the north then in Texas (I lived in south Texas in the early 1980s so I have an idea of what is available in Texas). At the same time up here we rarely see any clothing to protect you from plants with needles, such heavy duty pants were easy to find in South Texas. Why? For the same reason we have cold weather items, In South Texas you have prickly plants that want to do you harm, in the North we have cold weather. Thus in South Texas you saw clothing to deal with prickly plants and in the north you find clothing for cold weather.

With the net you can get the clothing needed, but without actually seeing it and feeling it, but that is where I would try first.