For whatever it's worth Dutchie, I found the Moc3s add about 15-20 degrees F (about 10 degrees C) to my tolerance, and then with smart wool socks I get another 10-15 degrees tolerance, which basically covers all daytime temps possible here on all but the coldest days. So under ideal conditions--no wind, no moisture, & smooth asphalt--my thresholds are something like this:Henry, it does not get to -30 though in Toronto. How low can you go in the socks, and by sandals you mean flip flops?
Lee, I use huaraches in the winter here. At least I did. For me they helped me keep the barefoot-ish feeling where minshoes do not. I also noticed as long as my soles did not touch the cold wet ground I was just fine, but like I said in an earlier post we do not get much colder than 30 deg F most of the time.Haven't tried sandals, but I feel the cold first on my soles, unless there's wind, so maybe it'd be worth a try. Is there any advantage of using sandals over minimalist shoes though?
Thanks for the feedback Nick, I might have to give it a try. I got some Luna Sandals that I keep in the car and use minimally (excuse the partial pun) to go into stores, so I could start with those. I also got some Pah Tempes, but they came a little big and so far I've been too lazy to cut them down a bit. It would be cool if I could run down to another 5-15 degrees F before I had to cover the whole foot. I'm not a barefoot winter maniac, but it is fun to test one's limits, within safe limits.Lee, I use huaraches in the winter here. At least I did. For me they helped me keep the barefoot-ish feeling where minshoes do not. I also noticed as long as my soles did not touch the cold wet ground I was just fine, but like I said in an earlier post we do not get much colder than 30 deg F most of the time.
First, I noticed I have more joy being barefoot-barefoot-s-t-g vs being in minshoes. I attribute this, well, I don't really know to what, it just makes me happier.
Hey Lee, don't trim your unshoes. Give them some time to mold to your foot. I also think the material shrinks a little. There was a recent blog post on the Unshoes website about shrinkage.Thanks for the feedback Nick, I might have to give it a try. I got some Luna Sandals that I keep in the car and use minimally (excuse the partial pun) to go into stores, so I could start with those. I also got some Pah Tempes, but they came a little big and so far I've been too lazy to cut them down a bit. It would be cool if I could run down to another 5-15 degrees F before I had to cover the whole foot. I'm not a barefoot winter maniac, but it is fun to test one's limits, within safe limits.
Thanks I'll have to check out the shrinkage post. Have you tried the Moc3s? Their soles are pretty thin.Hey Lee, don't trim your unshoes. Give them some time to mold to your foot. I also think the material shrinks a little. There was a recent blog post on the Unshoes website about shrinkage.
One of the main differences I have noticed between minshoes and sandals for me is the sole stiffness. I like to pre-load my arch and this is hard to in some minshoes. Could be one of the reasons I got top of foot pain in VFF's. I just pulled an old pair out of the closet and noticed how stiff the sole is. All of my sandals have thin, flexible soles. So my strategy for the winter is:
barefoot to 25 deg., sandals to 15 deg., sandals with socks to 0 deg., below 0 stay inside and bug everyone on the BRS forum. Of course the temps are only arbitrary because many other factors come into play. Wind, snow cover, etc.
I'll consider them. It has been so nice to to worry about minshoes, but I know winter is right around the corner. I'm thinking about socks. With me and two teenage boys, there is a hundred pairs laying around. Most just get a hole in the heel and get thrown away. I'll start saving them.Thanks I'll have to check out the shrinkage post. Have you tried the Moc3s? Their soles are pretty thin.
when it goes -20 or lower I usually just go to a nearby hill and just hammer some hill repeats in sandals w/ 2layers of socks. that way I can choose a hill that is free of ice/snow. hill repeat makes me produce a lot of heat and sometimes I even take a layer of socks off. and when I'm satisfied, car or shelter is just nearby.Henry, it does not get to -30 though in Toronto. How low can you go in the socks, and by sandals you mean flip flops?