Cold Toes, need advice.

[ME 109]

Dave,I wonder just how much your torso is being kept warm at the expense of your hands and feet. Maybe even more warmth for your torso will result in warmer footsies and tootsies?
Torso...............funny word that.

[SuperDave]

Dave,I wonder just how much your torso is being kept warm at the expense of your hands and feet. Maybe even more warmth for your torso will result in warmer footsies and tootsies?

Torso was just about sweating.
Full sleeved heated jacket liner on high.
Hands recovered after the first half of the ride.
I know what I'm going to do with the hands (none issue).

Legs "might" have been getting cold but didn't feel like it.
Feet.... Was good for the first half but was progressively getting colder.
Thick wool socks option is starting to look better.

I feel it had nothing to do with wind direction (rode east to west then west to east with due north wind).

[dwerbil]

Check this thread out Dave, on the K11og site....

http://www.k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9911

[StephenB]

I had my "Alaska cold weather gear" shakedown ride late October 2010 in similar conditions in Northern Ontario.

Finger tips and tows are the extremest extremeties , furthest ways from the heart and blood circulation there is minimal, hence they need special attention:
+2 on the Hippo Hands for your hands/finger tips, makes all the difference and really is the best option. I bought cheapo $20 ones for ATV/snowmobile and they work well with normal gloves. I second that water is your #1 enemy, especially because of its cooling effect caused by wind.
I wear simple 100% merino wool socks (dress socks style actually) in my Goretex boots. I agree with others that you need air to circulate and build a buffer between the cold and your feet/toes.

As for the rest (torso, arms, and legs):
Short sleeve Merino T-shirt, wicking long sleeve shirt and Olympia AST jacket w/ liner to keep the torso warm, merino longjohns with Olympia ranger pants, no liner for the legs. The most important part of my keeping warm is keeping the cold away from my neck, I have a Aerostitch Windblocker and a silk balaclava for that. Overall, I am quite cold resistant and usually wear less than my riding partners.

I do not own any heated gear.