foot systems

[ridebikeme]

Another option in addition to winter shoes are heaters. For those of you that downhill ski, you'll know what I'm talking about. They are a battery operated insole that goes inside the boot, with a cord  runs near the top of your calf to change heat settings. I'm not sure how the newer models are, but I know from past experience that running them on 'full' heat depleted the charge quite quickly. I know that they came out in the cycling world a couple of years ago, but seem to remember that they were much less expensive in the ski world.

[Damnitman]

This is what I did

[caseygreene]

Nice system. Those old OR tele gaiters are sweet.

I've been thinking about doing something similar with my MEC Expedition booties and a pair of New Balance's winter 110s. Although, the release of the 110s have been pushed back to Jan 1st. So, we'll see how soon i can get my hands on them.

Any thoughts on combining these 2 pieces? Anyone tried anything similar?

[JayP]

i have built several winter shoe systems using similar products from previous posts with success. But i am super, super psyched on the 45NRTH Wolvhammer. I received a pair yesterday and have to say way impressed! Lots of volume and you won't have to build a system to the outside which is what we all have been doing.

FYI - the shoes i made and wore across AK several times had a perminent gore-tex gator system and it actually produced a lot of moisture inside. Yes, I had warm feet but had to deal with wet materials, frozen materials, boots that took forever to dry, not enough volume etc. It's fun to make gear but remember what you might have to deal with.

I am glad I am not going to deal with that this year...and grateful there is a company dedicated to making products for winter riding.

And on top it, it is not cheap to buy those products, modify them, and spend your time trying to make them right. it sometimes takes multiple tries and still not perfect.

things to consider...

-Jay

[Gcharles]

Jay, that is great news.  Mine are on order and I was hoping that this would be the case.  Any thoughts on what temp rating you might be able to get out of them? 

[JayP]

FYI...

wore my Wolve's yesterday with one 45Nrth wool sock. it was a 3+ hour snow ride and came home in the dark - single digits (probably zero in the dark) and coming downhill for the last hour at 10+ mph creating a windchill. my feet were toasty, my fingers on the other hand went numb...

-JayP
i work here and we have some comin...http://shop.fitzgeraldsbicycles.com/

[Gcharles]

Jay, that is certainly good news.  I am assuming with your normal VBL setup you will be able to go significantly lower. I am planning on the Wolve's for my AK trip this winter so it is good to hear your thoughts.  How many sizes up did you go above your normal boot size? 

Thanks,

Glenn

[Damnitman]

You're right Jay, a couple things I do are use RBH VBL socks to help bring any moisture up and out of the boot.  Also, and it's not in the pics, I cut down the gaiter on the Forty Below neoprene bootie so that the VBL sock extends above the neoprene and its cuff, effectively eliminating any moisture in the boot itself...I do, however, still need to vent the OR X-Gaiter from time to time, or just stop and shake out the frost...I've bee toying with the idea of replacing the top three inches of Gore with four inches of supplex, or something else uber breathable to help with the condensation/frost...

[Damnitman]

casey, Dunno about that combo...I'm unfortunately not familiar with any of the NB products, other than everybody I know that has them loves them...If you are planning on wearing them inside those supergaiters you may have issues with traction as it does not appear they have an outsole...give it a shot man!  Cant be any more of a crap-shoot than spending $400 on fancy Lakes...

[Area54]

Can I get a radio check on my system please? For AK in January.

From foot out:

generic antiperspirant spray for toes/sole

Injinji toe sock, coolmax performance mini crew, change out each day or 2nd day.

Bulky wooltek sock.

Shimano custom fit inner sole

standard bubble inner sole for Lake

Lake 302s.

3mm neoprene shoecover

Berghaus Yeti Extrem Pro Insulated gaiter, with rand:

http://store.berghaus.com/p/mens/yeti-extrem-pro-insulated-gaiter/420160

Thats what is sitting on my bench right now. About to cook the shimano insoles for perfect mould to foot (improves circulation), seam seal boot upper stitching, trim vibram sole to better match the rand on the gaiter etc...

Where I live it doesn't get colder than 4 degrees C in winter for my general riding, so I never get the chance to field test cold gear in the right conditions, so yeah, I may need, uh, little help.

[Gcharles]

You should really consider going with a pair of Vapor Barrier Liners to help with your feet.  With that system you would go: sock liner | VBL | Insulation Sock.  VBL on your feet in the cold are almost a must have.  RBH Designs makes great ones. I also worry that those Inji are a bit too thick for your base layer, plus aren't they cotton?

[Damnitman]

If you'd entertain my thoughts, here they are...
Anti persp. spray probably won't work well in the cold...bring a chunk from a stick AP instead
I love toe socks, very comfortable and they help with chafing, however, for me, they seem to make my toes colder.  I've tried the coolmax and Poly Pro.  I just use a standard construction liner-sock, poly, silk or coolmax, your choice.
Maybe two non-constrictive sock layers rather than one bulky?  allows more ability to adjust to temps and will also help with friction spots/chafing.
I'm not a fan of the skinny cycling style "boot" offerings...many people use them, though not as many in Alaska.
Your neoprene bootie and super gaiter really oughtta be attached to your boot...like mechanically attached...otherwise the toe rand slips up over the toe of the shoe/boot and packs full of snow.
Remember, the ITI is not about riding...last year there were only about 150 miles or truly ride-able trail...which means?  Yep, they pushed their bikes 200 miles...

[Area54]

Entertain away, it is all valid to me - you are the guys with real world experience. Thank you for posting

The injis come in wool, cotton and coolmax - the latter was the one I was going to use.

ITI for me this time is only the training camp, not the race. I'm doing the camp to upskill for future events. All about learning, and I'm happy to make mistakes to learn - so long as they are minor ones! I'm sure a lot of things won't be perfect, if ever, sometimes it is what it is, but yeah I wanna come home with all my appendages...

Neos and flats would prolly be a 1st option next time, but for this trip I have a LOT of other riding to do when going south, so clips remain the best option.

My only concern with VBL is moisture on feet, or is it a false concern (trenchfoot)? I'll be careful about layers to minimise sweat on body, but layering around feet you don't have much control, especially with my choice of the yeti gaiter?

I'll look at what I can fab up for the rand and boot toe connection.

[Damnitman]

Yes, trenchfoot with VBL's is a completely valid concern which necessitates taking an extra couple minutes to address.  One way would be to use the AP you mentioned which will lessen, though not eliminate, or even minimize your foot's moisture.  You can also make an effort to change your socks once or twice per day...dependent upon hours on the trail/activity level...though changing out one's socks expeditiously can be quite a challenge while sitting in a snowbank.

My take is that with VBL's, one is concerned about the moisture on their foot...though without VBL's all that moisture is in the insulation of your boot/shoe thereby destroying the boots insulation's until they can be dried out...

[Area54]

Okay, I'll have to sort out a vb when I land, not a common item around here and my outfitter is steering me away from them (experienced Yukon native) and I trust him, but I trust you guys too. At the very least, I'll throw some bread bags into the kit, trial it on one foot. Camp is only 5 days, in AK, winter - what could possibly go wrong

[Gcharles]

You can also pick up a pair of Seal Skinz socks.  They are a good substitute and readily available.  Good luck and have fun.

[timroz]

Trenchfoot is WAY better than no foot.

You really should pick up some vapor barrier socks before you head up there and play with layering.  They are wierd and not very comfy.

I switched from the RBH socks to SealSkinz last year for long distance stuff.  More comfortable and they don't tear up my ankles as bad.

Thin neoprene (like Cabellas 2mm wading socks) works good for me too.

Whatever it takes to keep sweat out of that insulation.

The other thing is to keep lots of toe room.  The Lakes are not that awesome for toe room...

[Gcharles]

I got to check out the new Lakes yesterday and they look like a very nice upgrade to last years models.  I still am going with the 45Nrth's but I know availability and price are limiting factors for folks, so I wanted everyone to know that these look pretty nice.  In fairness, I did not ride them, but in the shop they looked and felt good.

[Damnitman]

"Trenchfoot is WAY better than no foot."

...what he said...

[Area54]

Point taken.

It will be over 100F the next few days here, good time to layer up and condition the feet, one way ticket to stink city please...