How To Cycle With Cold Feet

If you are a hardcore cyclist, a little cold weather and snow won't slow you down. Unfortunately, it can cause you to have cold feet. Allowing your toes to remain cold while cycling can lead to more serious conditions, such as frostbite. It is important to prepare in advance to keep your feet warm and to keep moving your legs to improve circulation. With the right equipment, you should not have to endure a cycling off season.

Step 1

Keep your feet dry at all costs. Wet feet attract cold more easily and cause your entire body to feel cold. While you can purchase neoprene booties from the sporting goods supply store, in a pinch, cut the corners from a plastic bag in wet weather. Wrap the plastic around your toes before putting on your socks and shoes in order to keep them dry in unexpected inclement weather.

Step 2

Wear thick, insulating socks made from natural fibers when the cold weather hits. Some of the performance socks that you wear during the summer simply are not thick enough to keep you warm.

Step 3

Switch to winter shoes when the weather cools. Summer cycling shoes can be mesh and fit tighter if you bike during warm weather in bare feet or thin socks. Wearing the same shoes with thick socks can lead to poor circulation in the foot, which in turn can cause cold feet. Purchase larger cycling shoes specifically for the cooler months. Or invest in a pair of riding boots, which have higher tops to protect against the cold and snow.

Step 4

Invest in chemical warming packets to place in your shoes if necessary. Chemical warming packs stay cool until you shake them, activating the chemical reaction to create heat. The packets are low in cost, usually starting around a dollar a packet and can warm up cold feet when they threaten to derail your ride.

Step 5

Move your feet as much as possible. Cycling in the cold may cause you to feel more tired, so it's tempting to coast whenever possible. Coasting may save your energy, but it can result in poor circulation and cold toes. Keep your legs pumping and your feet will warm quickly.