Socks or Insoles? (heated)

[twinsig]

Opinions?

Comparisons?

Experience?

Whatever ya got!

[mika]

What are the intended uses beyond riding?
What kind of boot are you wearing?
Faired or unfaired bike?

For riding I prefer socks when I have used them.
I have used heated insoles hunting and had mixed feelings about them.

[twinsig]

Heated Insole is too thick, boots are a bit snug, alpinestar waterproof roam.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=64640

Faring yes, 1150rt. Hopefully the wool socks will suffice, however is see heated jacket liner in the near future.

[mika]

Alpine Star waterproof boots here. For regular commuting on my Roadster single socks are fine. An extended ride a thin wicking sock and a bit thicker sock and I have room to wiggle my toes and they stay warm. Heated soles are fine in some situations but I have experienced hot spots from pressure on the foot pegs. Socks worked alright but I have found no need/desire to replace them when they went I lost them in a move.

[racer7]

Living in NC and not seeing winter temps below low 20s, I've not found a need for any sort of electrics on my feet riding either my RT or K-GT. Just BMW All Around boots tht have enough toe room for some air space and Tech Sox, still my favorite overall and extremely durable if air dried after washing.

The key to keeping feet or hands warm is to keep the limb they are attached to warm so blood getting to the extremity is as warm as possible. So my riding pants for winter are insulaed and over a base layer of long tech fabric underwear- no heated gear there either but note my bikes are faired so have god lower protection. Up top I have an electric jacket on under my riding jacket- its heaed sleeves contribute signifcantly to keeping hands warm, and get a boost from S-7 Barkbusters that block direct cold air on my finger, helping the heated grips. Often I forget to turn on the heated sea- its a nice to have but not hugely important at the temps I see- but I might have a different atitude if I saw 15 degrees colder...

[tommcgee]

I'm sure there is a thread or two on this subject already. I like the insoles. Take the stock ones out of the boots and the Gerbings are no thicker. I hate the heated socks I've tried, the wires are damn uncomfortable.

I'm good for an hour and 45 minutes at 20 degrees F with no heat, but after that, the insoles do the job.

[Lee]

Heated Insole is too thick, boots are a bit snug,.

When I use the heated insoles, I remove the existing insoles.

[twinsig]

oh, well duh!