"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Winter training shoes

I live in a very wet climate, and the past two years of training in the rain has eventually got me frustrated enough to ditch the traditional shoe/neoprene bootie in favour of a serious winter shoe.

I know of three brands, the Sidi Winter shoe (Hydro GTX and Diablo GTX for this year), the Lake (CXZ and MXZ) and the Gaerne Eskimo.

I know a guy locally that tried the Gaerne Eskimo and didn't like it. Anyone have any opinions? I'm mostly looking for something that's low-hassle, fairly waterproof, and comes up high enough so I can slip my leg warmers over the top (I think that's the problem with the Eskimo, is the rain drips down between the shoe and leg).

Thanks.

Lake makes a great shoe. They are warm and comfortable. If you are riding in moderate temperatures, though, they can be overly warm.

I cannot attest to waterproofing however, but the website claims them to be so. In any case, I would imagine they should be sufficient. They impressed me as being good quality.

I have the Sidi Hydro GTX's, rode them extensively in sub 30º winter conditions last winter and they're excellent.

FYI - There's a separate winter cycling forum that might be helpfull too

I use (black) duct tape and wrap it around the top of my bootie, covering the gap between it and my leg. Works great, duct tape comes off pretty easily and pain free (if you keep your legs shaved), and it takes a while for my shoes to get wet.

Most important thing is it prevents that nerve chilling drip of cold water traveling down your calf that feels like someone is drawing a big gutting knife down your leg. I don't mind getting my shoes wet from the bottom up but from the top down is horrible.

hydrophobic rider,
cdr

The Lakes are not waterproof at all.

The Lakes are not waterproof at all.

Nothing on a bicycle is waterproof. Nothing.

I have the Sidi Hydro GTX's, rode them extensively in sub 30º winter conditions last winter and they're excellent.

+1

Except I got the Sidi Diablo GTX's. Mostly because of P'cads raving on them. Plus since I already wear Sidi's I knew I could safely purchase these online and they would fit great.

I got the Diablo's instead since I also like to do some Mtn Biking in the winter. I didn't really see the need to buy a pair of Diablo's AND Hydro's

[edit]
Do some searches over on the Winter forum. Lots of good info. I believe some feel the Lake's are cut a bit small for winter riding. The Sidi's are cut nicely generous to accomodate a warmer sock.

-D

Last winter I cut off the corners of ziplock bags and put them over my toes betwixt two pair of smart wool socks. I then taped off the openings on top of my sidis. After that I put on some lined shoe covers.

Coldest ride was slightly below 20F on my 2+ hour commute to work. Not too much of a problem.

This year I'm going to find something that doesn't take half the morning to do.

For the real wet and snowy late winter and spring weather in Colorado, I got a set of workman's over-boots, cut cleat holes in the bottom, and topped them off with gaiters. Really dry, deals with slush just awesome if you're running fenders.

I have the Sidi Storm 3... these are the pre-goretex model. They keep the water out pretty well (but it can still get in the top). They are not super-warm. They are a good choice for the typical NW winter: not bitterly cold, but very rainy.

I have the Lake jobs. They are a bit snug and not waterproof, but properly treated the genuine leather does stretch a bit and takes the waterproof wax to make them sorta close. Still though, I wish I had the Sidi's.

WTH is it so damned hard for makers of cycling goods to make decent winter gear?

I have the Lake jobs. They are a bit snug and not waterproof, but properly treated the genuine leather does stretch a bit and takes the waterproof wax to make them sorta close. Still though, I wish I had the Sidi's.

WTH is it so damned hard for makers of cycling goods to make decent winter gear?

They claim to be "water resistant" out of the box. I put some kind of treatment on mine.

Still, I find them only slightly more water resistant than fishnet stockings. (don't ask how i know)