How to Keep Your Feet Warm Bikepacking

What we have learned to keep our feet warm thus far

Over the years we have tried numerous ways to keep our feet warm and dry. Double layers of socks, grabbing sanitary bags from public bathrooms to cover our feet to stay dry, plastic grocery bags and electric heated socks. After much trial and error, we have some better ways with dealing with the often inevitable.

We hope some of the below methods will improve your experiences!

Socks

Shoes

Circulation

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Socks

Wool socks are crucial.

With our experience in ski mountaineering racing and frozen toes, we have come across different animal wools and have learned about their different qualities.

1. Musk ox wool is touted as the warmest wool available, however, it is very expensive ($200 USD!) and from what I have seen is bulky.

2. Possum wool socks seem to offer superior warmth and moisture wicking

3. Alpaca seems to be lighter than sheeps wool and more water repellent, however, not as durable.

Besides keeping your foot warm, using a waterproof sock has been invaluable multiple times. We used Showers Pass waterproof socks in Italy and in the bog in Scotland. I found it was nice to shed water away from our feet and kept the water that was against your feet warm. They do not breathe well and take a long time to dry out. But I think they have been valuable on our trips to wet and cold climates.

Shoes

In a cold and wet climate, you want protection from the elements.

We have used many different shoes. We both clip in to our pedals and have used Pearl Izumi shoes almost exclusively from 2017-2022. The x-alp by Pearl Izumi is water resistant and breathable and the boa allows adjustment of the tightness.

1. Treat your shoes with a water repellent. If your shoes are new, use a breathable water repellency like a Nikwax. If they are old, thats when a full waterproof spray like a silicon spray such as a 3M Scotchguard will provide a lot more water repellency. Of course, you cannot fill the holes.

2. Use a wool insole. Wool insoles provide cushion and insulation, improving comfort and warmth.

Circulation

Good blood flow is essential

It is amazing how easily blood flow can become restricted in a shoe.

1. Size up. Sizing up a half to a full size allows more room to double up socks and less compression on the nerves and blood vessels.

2. Get off the bike. It's amazing how loosening up your shoes and doing some jumping jacks will warm up your feet.

3. Put on a layer. If the rest of your body is cold, your feet won't warm up. Put on a hat or extra layer so your body doesn't shunt blood away from your extremities.