Fashionable winter cycling shoes?

[AfterThisNap]

After several months of glorious weather, long rides in the park, and commuting to and from work, the weather dropped into the lower 30s here in NYC and my Girfriend promptly put her bike in the corner and bought a metrocard.
She was wearing canvas vans on flat pedals the last time she rode to work and it took half the day for her toes to thaw. She's open to the idea of riding in the winter again, so we're gearing up with baselayers and good pearl izumi tops. She WILL NOT wear winter pants over her jeans, so that is totally out of the question. She will,however, probably wear thermal fleece running tights under her jeans.

As for her feet, that's the major concern right now. She rides flat pedals with clips, but may lose the clips for the winter. Does anyone have a suggestion for a warm, street friendly shoe that can take below freezing morning temps, but doesn't look too bikey? Like an insulated pair of pumas or kagols or something. Cheap is good too, as all this gear is adding up. Thanks for any suggesitons.

[tsl]

We don't have fashion this far Upstate, so consider AYOR.

I wear on my bike the same thing that's kept my feet warm and dry for four years of slogging through the snow and slush walking--my trusty Wolverine full-grain leather hikers. Gore-tex, Thinsulate, marvelous.

[legot73]

My wife scored some great Keen footwear from an independent rep selling his 2006 demo gear (all styles women's 7 and men's 9). Of her loot, I think these boots (http://www.keenfootwear.com/pdp_page.cfm?productID=34) are pretty comparable to my Lake MXZ301 boots in construction, but with some style.

[Hezz]

Since the pedels are platform I would just go with some lightweight waterproof leather hikers and take her office shoes in a packpack with her. These will be very warm. Insulated ones are also available. Check L.L. Bean, Lands End, and Cabelas. These are much warmer than cycling shoes, more casual, easy to walk in if necessay and rather inexpensive. But of course not as efficient as cycling shoes but then she's used to using flat Van's so she should be happy.

Some of the more serious lightweight hiking boots make exellent cycling shoes because they have a firm sole. Not as comfortable for long walks as standard hikers but better for pedaling.

[AfterThisNap]

yea, she won't do boots I'm afraid.
Maybe if I convince her to do mtb flats for the winter though... thanks for the advice to a sort of silly question.

I know it sounds like she's a little demanding, but in reality she's not. I'm just trying to be as accomodating as possible.

[Hezz]

What about someting like this. These are actually cycling shoes and if you had them a size over you could were some thicker wool socks underneath. They look casual and would be warmer than regular cycling shoes. They are the Pearl Izumi Fluid. Made in mens and womans sizes.

[CBBaron]

I do not understand people who are too concerned about fashion to wear appropriate clothing. When it is raining you need water proof shoes. When its snowing you need water proof and warm and shoes with treaded bottoms. I imagine alot more people will laugh at a person wearing canvas sneakers or high heels in the snow than will even notice the person wearing hikers. Plus your feet stay warm and you can easily walk or ride.
Craig

[Old Dirt Hill]

These are what I wear in the winter, but it has nothing to do with fashion:
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/20-2541-BLK-ANGLE.jpghttp://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/20-2541-BLK-TOP.jpg

[Bob Ross]

Let me see if I get this straight: your GF wants to ride a bicycle to work in the winter, and yet she's concerned about appearing fashionable?

Riding a bike -- period -- isn't fashionable. Ain't gonna happen, no how, no way, never. Pearl Izumi could sponsor the next Victoria's Secret Runway Model Show on Pay-Per-View and it still would never be considered fashionable.

When she's on the bike, she's not fashionable. Even if she were decked out from head to toe in the latest haute couture straight outta this month's Vogue, the moment she straddles the bike all cred is lost, all fashionableness is negated.

There is absolutely nothing she can do to overcome this condition. If she wants to ride a bike in Winter -- or in Spring, Summer, or Fall -- she will not appear fashionable. Sorry.

Now, if she wants to appear fashionable once she gets off the bike, she could either get decked out from head to toe in the latest haute couture straight outta this month's Vogue...and be cold, wet, miserable, and out >$8,000 for the wardrobe...or she could dress practically (see everyone else's suggestions in this thread) and carry her Fashionable Wear™ in a backpack, to change into once she dismounts.

So long as she is on the bike, she will be unfashionable. We all are. Remember that.

[vger285]

I do not understand people who are too concerned about fashion to wear appropriate clothing. When it is raining you need water proof shoes. When its snowing you need water proof and warm and shoes with treaded bottoms. I imagine alot more people will laugh at a person wearing canvas sneakers or high heels in the snow than will even notice the person wearing hikers. Plus your feet stay warm and you can easily walk or ride.
Craig
That would make two of us? ..You think pretty good for a buckeye!