Winter Cycling Shoes

[mylofitz]

Hi,

Appreciate some recommendations on Winter cycling shoes. Want something warm, weatherproof and spd compatible. Often had cold feet last year commuting and overshoes were a faff. Commute is a mix on on and off road. I’m an 8-8.5 and current shimano’s although a little narrow are Euro 43. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[mattsccm]

The various North Waves ones are popular. Mine are great but do remember that they all have a dirty great hole at the top so cannot be waterproof. use decent guards as well and even overshoes.

[WOT]

North wave raptor was my most expensive and rewarding kit purchase. It was immediately preceded by a 4 day mini-tour last October which left me with wet and cold feet throughout the trip. After that I quickly decided to upgrade.

They are not waterproof however and actually when you do get soaked through, they hold the water very very well.

I wear the north waves with Marino socks a little thicker than typical socks. Worth considering when you do your fitting.

Full mudguards and a long flap at the front are a huge help to keep the volume of water off your shoe.

[rotavator]

Cold feet limit my cycling during the winter and I have tried all sorts of counter measures. Last winter I started using hiking boots (with flat pedals), chemical foot warmers and wooly socks but I still got cold feet after an hour or two. The chemical foot warmers have a small effect but there is no danger of burnt feet despite the warnings on the packet. Possum fur is apparently the warmest material for socks but I haven't tried that yet, but may be next winter; I will have to buy early to avoid disappointment.

[slowster]

Waterproof boots will need overtrousers or similar to prevent water slowly filling up the interior, and some also use GripGrab gaitors or the cut off cuffs of a pair of Marigolds.

Note that there can be significant differences between insulated waterproof SPD boots. Some are a winterised version of an MTB racing shoe, with a very stiff sole, whereas others have a Vibram or similar sole more suited to those situations where one may need to get off the bike and walk (especially off-road).

The Northwave boots are generally reckoned to be very warm, but be aware that most of them use Northwave's own version of the Boa type closure system. If you google reviews of the boots, you will find quite a few negative comments about the closure system being inferior to Boa (e.g. I think replacement laces are not free, unlike with Boa).

[VinceLedge]

I use Sealskinz socks inside my cycle shoes in the winter when I am not using overshoes.
Also in winter I leave a pair of cycle shoes with overshoes on so I can just slip my feet in and zip up the overshoes.

[mjr]

Aren't you essentially stuffed if you use SPDs in winter as you have a big cold lump of metal stuck in the sole conducting away any heat that you happen to build up inside?

[andrew_s]

Your foot, having not muscles of any significance in it, does not generate any heat. What keeps your foot warm is the blood coming down your leg. If you prevent the blood moving freely, by cramming thick socks in your regular shoes for example, you get cold feet.
It's also important to keep your core warm, so that your body doesn't try to reduce heat loss by reducing the circulation in your extremities.

Paying attention to such things meant I was in SPD sandals most of last winter, and I didn't need gloves very often either.

If you want to take the conventional approach, your winter boots should be waterproof, have a fairly high ankle, and be two sizes larger than your summer shoe.
The extra size leaves room for thicker socks, and makes it harder to do them up too tight.
The high ankle means that you can use drysuit ankle seals (or the wrists from a pair of marigolds) to divert water coming down your leg to the outside of the boot.

I use Lake MXZ302
These have insulated soles, to deal with @mjr's comment about metal cleats.

However, with global warming and all, it's not been cold enough to need them for the last two winters.

[Hellhound]

Back in my mountain biking days I used Shimano MW80 Winter boots.I would look to whatever has replaced them now.

[Bobbin]

I have PlanetX das boot winter er…boots. Nice and warm ,good sole and fit well. Usually on offer, I paid £70 for mine.

[freiston]

What slowster and andrew_s wrote pretty much concurs with my thinking on the subject (but I have the Lake MXZ200 winter boots). Like andrew_s, I haven't found it cold enough to wear my winter boots much but I tend to wear them on a ride if I think I might need them off the bike rather than on the bike, like in the snow or where there's going to be a bit of mud about.

My regular SPD shoes get used most all year round now - they are definitely not waterproof (they have mesh panels) but in wet weather or even in dry weather during the winter when there's a lot of water and wet muck on the roads, I wear Eager spats over them. As well as keeping them dry, they add a windproof layer up to the knee and make for a surprisingly warm foot when the weather is cold. Used in conjunction with a cape or over-trousers, my feet and shoes do not get wet even in the heaviest of downpours and even without a cape or over-trousers, they will keep reasonably dry unless it is a downpour or prolonged rain - and then it's water from the trousers/tights above the spats which gets in (I only needed to experience this once to avoid it on future rides).

[LittleGreyCat]

I can't find SPDs or similar to fit so I cycle in trainers on flat pedals with toe clips.
For wet and winter riding I wear waterproof socks, which seems to work well.

[foxyrider]

I've been very happy with my Spesh Defrosters, I have both the MTB/Spd version and the road/Look etc type. I usually only need summer weight socks, i did buy some thermal insoles but i've never had recourse to use them. Not cheap but they do last pretty well.

[Jules59]

Hi,

Appreciate some recommendations on Winter cycling shoes. Want something warm, weatherproof and spd compatible. Often had cold feet last year commuting and overshoes were a faff. Commute is a mix on on and off road. I’m an 8-8.5 and current shimano’s although a little narrow are Euro 43. Any suggestions?

Thanks

I use dhb Neoprene Overshoes - I'm pleased with them so far - none are perfect - but these overboots, fit well, not baggy at top, easy to get on and off, and are great value (considering you can pay well over £100 for something which may be function any better).
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-neoprene-nylon-overshoes

[mylofitz]

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my post. You’ve given me much food for thought.