Search! didnt we just go over this last week (re numb toes?)

Bike shoes and clipless are FAR stiffer and transfer a lot more power than flexy running shoes and toe clips. A pretty significant amount.

Triguy...not sure if you are trying to help but I have to say that sometimes you are very defeating for those of us who have not posted 797 times. I understand the use of the search on this site, I like it, I use it but sometimes I just need to throw out a quick question. This does not mean you have to answer. You have a lot of knowledge as do the others on this site, that's why I come here and why I feel I can ask any question. When you say, "Search!" it is very defeating and sort of leads me to refrain from asking questions. I actually do a lot of research but again, sometimes I just want to throw out a quick question. I hope you see where I am coming from as a newbie who just wants to learn and sometimes doesn't have the time for the research.

I'll do my best to use Search! from here on out.

Make sure you socks aren't bunched up in the toebox. Also, like Jamie said, sometimes you can have your shoes strapped to tightly. A third thing to look at is sometimes the tongue of the shoe will cut off circulation because of the way it sits, if this is the case, try a thinner pair of socks.

edited to say: don't forget to trim your toenails.

I have a spin class tonight so I am going to take all of your suggestions into consideration. I think I may have had the strap that goes across the top of my foot a little too tight. I'll losen that up. I am also going to find some thinner socks on my lunch break, I see others wearing the thinner socks so that probably is the reason.

Has anyone ever found or heard of seamless socks? I get a hot spot on my little toes when I am running and I think it's because of the seam that runs along my toes.

Again, thanks for you help.

Numbness is caused either by lack of blood flow or nerve irritation. Most everyone has mentioned some good things that can cause one or the other. Looking at it from the inside out might also help you figure out why you are getting numb toes.

I also have numb toe problems, that come and go, and were worse off in the mornings when it was cooler, but I also started getting them during extremely long car rides and plane flights. With the of a PT, we've traced this down to the stiffness of my shoes, as well as my reluctance to stretch. I've put orthotics in my shoes and played around with the tightness of my straps and had some help, but chronic tightness in my legs and lower back is more my problem. If you are prone to IT problems and tight hamstrings, sitting on the bike can cause pressure on you sciatic nerve and parallel running blood vessels, leading to nerve irritation and disrupted blood flow in your legs and feet; this problem gets much worse if your hamstrings/IT and surrounding muscles and connective tissue are tight to begin with, as they are already putting pressure on your nerves and vessels. The best advice I got was to work on my core strength and posture and to try to do yoga at least once a week and it helps when I actually follow it. So if your problem stems from this direction, I hope this will help you.