Winter Cycling - Cheap winter solution for cold toes

Im looking for a cheap solution for cold feet in winter. I have been using spds and dont have any platforms and I can use them as I try to pull off the ones on gym bikes even with the straps. I use a Pearl Izumi ALP X low. These shoes are too tall more all of the over booties I have tried so far that my local sop has. The shoes has a upper of a trail running boot so thats what makes it taller than the other shoes. I have yet to read these shoes in weather below 38F and seemed fine. Last year I did use a pair of Shimano MT31 that had the metal cleat plate right on the insole unlike the PI shoes.

I'm need a solution as I cant drive and biking is my only mode of transport this winter. I also cant afford those expensive winter boots and they dont look comfortable to walk in all day at class or while shopping.

I already have some wool socks that walmart is carrying.

I also has seen the chemical warmers but I would go thru tons of those.
I was wondering if anyone knew anyway ghetto style of keeping their feet warm.

do you have to use the spd's? I use a cheap pair of BMX pedals on one of my bikes which makes a nice wide platform for my winter boots. Personally, I wouldn't go through the hassle of trying to outfit cycling shoes w/ warm clothing, but then I live in NH and have to deal w/ lots of snow, ice, slush, and crud in addition to the cold and I wouldn't want to be on my bike w/ anything less than heavy duty big thick waterproof boots.

If it is actually cold (Montana boy here) then you should get some cheap platforms and save your bike shoes for warmer weather. Bike shoes are expensive and are readily trashed by snow/mud/salt/cold/wet. I wear my winter boots (K-Mart version of Sorels) outside, and take them off inside. I have an office, which means I can leave some indoor shoes there, which is a darn good thing since I also have to take off the overpants, and jacket, and vest, and sweater, and jersey, and gloves, and overgloves, and neck gaiter, and earband, and hat......

Have a look over my "Cold Feet" article. There might be something in there that appeals to you.

http://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm

actually I did see something the MEC nylon booties. I might get those as they seem to fit my type of shoes.

This year I plan on trying a pair of neoprene socks meant for all season kayaking. They wont breath, so maybe some wool liner underneath?

once tested, i'll let you know how it works out.

First off, this is apparently controversial...

Baggies over the socks and maybe another pair of socks over that. I've had success with that especially when it's in the 30's but typically do this into the teens. Single digits and lower I may use chemical warmers. Some will disagree because if the toes get wet from perspiration, it could cause a problem.

Personally, I've done it this way for a long time. You make the call.

Also try to have some good insulated insoles and very roomy shoes.

http://www.polarwrap.com/default.aspx?pid=1&sid=37&show=

I use these and my winter riding buddies estimate that you can ride with comfort about 10 degrees Fahrenheit lower that you would be able to without them.

They do add some bulk so you will have to make certain that it does not make your shoes too tight and restrict blood flow thus making your feet colder. I have not used the thinnest version.

I usually use work boots with wool socks. Have also used 5 buckle overshoes over regular shoes.

I use heavy wool socks and heavyweight hiking boots (not insulated) with platform pedals and Power Grips. This morning it was 3F outside and I was comfortable on my 4 mile jaunt to the office. Personally I don't think using SPDs or similar in the winter makes much sense.

Personally I don't think using SPDs or similar in the winter makes much sense.

Hmm, cause I ride in below zero weather also and do use spd's. One side is platform one side clips. Works fine.

Hmm, cause I ride in below zero weather also and do use spd's. One side is platform one side clips. Works fine.

Guess that's why I said personally.

Guess that's why I said personally.

Maybe you could explain what doesn't make sense I guess was my point. I don't mean to offend, just discuss. :)

Maybe you could explain what doesn't make sense I guess was my point. I don't mean to offend, just discuss. :)

Ok, I guess I should have said 'for a snow bike in very cold (<15F) temps.' When the roads are clear I ride clipless, unless it is very cold. I have a hard time keeping my feet warm in any kind of cycling shoe, including with booties, at certain temps. For me the solution for cold toes is platforms, power grips, heavy wool socks and boots. I was just trying to give feedback to the OP. I think one of the hardest things about talking about winter riding is everybody has different tolerance temperatures. This week it was around 0F when I left the house in the morning and I was comfy in wool socks and hiking boots, but wouldn't have been very comfortable in thinner wool socks and cycling shoes.

I have to use winter boots with chemical warmers, feet start to freeze at 30F. After the ride put the warmers in a zip lock baggie with the air squeezed out. I generally get 3 days use out of a set meant to last for 8 hours.

Last year I got some North Face Storm Peak II boots. This year they are called Storm Summit boots.

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/mens-footwear/mens-storm-summit-boot.html

They're basically like a mid-height (basketball shoe) dayhiking boot with great insulation.

They aren't a cycling shoe, but work great with platforms. Rated to -25, Primaloft insulated, waterproof. I only took them down to -4 F, at which temp, and a lot of 10-35 F riding, my feet were toasty warm with thin smartwool or cotton socks. As somebody with diabetic neuropathy, I have to protect my feet. These work! As in, I can't tell when my feet are cold, except by taking my socks off and feeling them with my hands. So I would do this after rides of 3-4 hours, and not even a cool spot.

And you can walk in them all day. They feel like slightly heavy tennis shoes. (Except your feet will sweat indoors.)

They are short enough top-wise that they don't impede your pedaling motion. If you live near a metal shop with talented people, they could easily fabricate a steel insole and convert them to SPDs clipless-compatible, if you wanted.

Not absolutely cheap ($140. maybe $80 in the spring + maybe $30-50 to go clipless or cheaper DYI), but still less than winter cycling boots, and far warmer because they are designed by winter-sports experts, as opposed to warm-weather shoe experts whose marketing research shows some people (but not many) wanting to ride in temps around freezing, or somewhat below, but only a miniscule "not enough customers to justify satisfying" segment looking for frigid sub-10 F gear.

For example, Lake's CXZ and MXZ 202's ($269) use Thinsulate. A marvelous t low-bulk insulation in 1979, adopted widely by alpine sports mfrs in the 80s. But its performance was limited. Primaloft displaced it for frigid-temp applications. . Lake using Thinsulate today, as it does, is almost like a bike light mfr trying to sell a really-bright 30 years ago 100 lumen halogen headlamp for $279. Lake, and other bike-shoe mfrs aren't thinking about cyclists needing something for really cold temps. or people with very-cold-sensitive feet.

This is why you see comments by serious ice-bikers talking about using Sorels and other PAC-type boots. I'm suggesting a "higher tech" boot that is worth looking at. Depending on your shoe size, TNF Storm Summit will work with clips, and if you have size 12+ feet, PowerGrips. Or with mods, SPD is doable (or road pedals, if you don't want to walk around much).

I am now a fan of chemical toe warmers for rides over an hour in duration