Winter Cycling - Who rides in a summer shoe?

I only have one pair of shoes for my bike. I've spent the last couple of winters wearing my regular summer shoes with various overshoe and sock combinations. I haven't really found one that works.

I think I might have to just throw in the towel and get a winter shoe or switch to boots and power grips. Before I do, does anyone wear their thin, mesh covered shoes year round?

My fair-weather cycling shoes are light weight and well ventilated. Rain covers and Smart-wool socks help keep my feet warm down to about 40f, but colder weather is a real issue. I had a Boot Glove cover for my Alpine ski boots that was gathering dust, so I inserted it between my summer road shoes and my rain covers. They keep my toes warm to 10f and would probably allow me to cycle in colder weather if I wanted.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/BootGlove.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/DryGuy-BootGlove-Covers-Black-Large/dp/B0000TSQ8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322600263&sr=8-1

Boot Glove is a 5 Mil N2s Neoprene cover that straps around the shoe, covering the toe, tongue, and sides of the boot. I removed the strap that runs under the sole of the shoe, it interfered with the cleat. I used a small square of duct tape to hold the Boot Glove over the toe, but it wasn’t really needed, the rain cover holds the Boot Glove in place. I use the rear strap of the Boot Cover, mostly to help stretch the Boot Glove over the buckles of the shoe. I then put on the rain covers and go cycling.

My cycling shoes perform normally without the extra bulk of heavy socks. This will allow me to keep cycling this winter in Chicago.
Michael

My fair-weather cycling shoes are light weight and well ventilated. Rain covers and Smart-wool socks help keep my feet warm down to about 40f, but colder weather is a real issue. I had a Boot Glove cover for my Alpine ski boots that was gathering dust, so I inserted it between my summer road shoes and my rain covers. They keep my toes warm to 10f and would probably allow me to cycle in colder weather if I wanted.


I'm guessing I'd want a size small? Since even the smallest ski boots are so much bigger than cycling shoes.

Last year I rode in my regular shoes with Defeet Woolie Boolie socks. I have the old version of Performance Bike's neoprene bootie. Has a heavy duty zipper and heavy rubber sole. They're the most durable shoe cover I've owned. In fact, they're the only shoe cover I've own where the zipper hasn't broken and the sole torn to shreds over the course of a season. The problem is they're bulky, heavy, and the thick neoprene fits tightly around the ankle so it limits movement. It's a trade-off for keeping my ankles warm. The new version is neoprene all around and lacks the rubber sole. Lighter, less bulky, but not as durable and prone to slippage if you have to put your foot down since there is no tread.

This year, I got smart and covered the vents on my shoes with duct tape on the inside. That with the wool socks has been fine on my commutes (under 30 minutes) down to 20F. I'll be adding a different windproof shoe cover to add a little warmth. On longer rides (read: snow) or below 20F I'll have to go back to the heavy neoprene covers again. When it gets down around 0F and lower, I add chemical warmers.

I'm guessing I'd want a size small? Since even the smallest ski boots are so much bigger than cycling shoes.

Small for normal sized cycling shoes. You will want to use a large cycling-shoe rain-cover. I use the largest sized Sugoi shoe cover (I have size 10.5 shoes): http://www.rei.com/product/725342/sugoi-resistor-bike-booties

Last year I rode in my regular shoes with Defeet Woolie Boolie socks. I have the old version of Performance Bike's neoprene bootie. Has a heavy duty zipper and heavy rubber sole. They're the most durable shoe cover I've owned. In fact, they're the only shoe cover I've own where the zipper hasn't broken and the sole torn to shreds over the course of a season. The problem is they're bulky, heavy, and the thick neoprene fits tightly around the ankle so it limits movement. It's a trade-off for keeping my ankles warm. The new version is neoprene all around and lacks the rubber sole. Lighter, less bulky, but not as durable and prone to slippage if you have to put your foot down since there is no tread.

This year, I got smart and covered the vents on my shoes with duct tape on the inside. That with the wool socks has been fine on my commutes (under 30 minutes) down to 20F. I'll be adding a different windproof shoe cover to add a little warmth. On longer rides (read: snow) or below 20F I'll have to go back to the heavy neoprene covers again. When it gets down around 0F and lower, I add chemical warmers.

I tried woolie boolies and found that they were just too thick to fit well in my shoes.

Where do you put the chem warmers? Inside your shoe?

Small for normal sized cycling shoes. You will want to use a large cycling-shoe rain-cover. I use the largest sized Sugoi shoe cover (I have size 10.5 shoes): http://www.rei.com/product/725342/sugoi-resistor-bike-booties

Is the rain cover to support and keep the bootglove on, or for additional insulation & windbreak?

once your foot goes down in snow, the only thing the shoe covers do is trap snow on your foot, which is cold.

I tried woolie boolies and found that they were just too thick to fit well in my shoes.

Where do you put the chem warmers? Inside your shoe?

My feet are right in the middle fit wise with my shoes. I can loosen for thick socks or tighten for thinner. You would probably need a half size larger in your brand.

Yes, the chemical warmers go inside the shoe. Over the toes. If it gets below zero, above and below. Be sure to get actual foot warmers too because they're thinner, shaped to fit in a shoe, and sticky back so they don't move around.

Is the rain cover to support and keep the bootglove on, or for additional insulation & windbreak?

Both. The boot glove does not fit well enough to completely cover the shoe and seal-off the cold. The rain cover holds the boot glove in-place and covers any voids.

I've never worn winter boots while riding ... oh, wait ... I did wear my Sorels once. So most of my winter cycling was with my summer shoes.

I wrote an article entitled, "Cold Feet" - What Works For Me ...

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

The article describes what works for me so that my feet stay warm in temperatures from chilly to bitterly cold.

I wear sandals year round, but only cycle down to about -15C (which is about as cold as it gets here). Two pairs wool socks and neoprene overshoes in the worst weather.

great artical mack!

I also wear sandals year around, the only time it is a problem is during rain with temps lower than 40 or so.

great artical mack!

Thanks! :) Lots of years riding in Winnipeg and central Alberta winters.

I'm wearing summer shoes. Then again, it hasn't exactly been cold either, which is extremely unusual for this time of year.

Leaves are finally starting to fall. What happened to autumn?

I tie my summer shoes loosely over heavy wool socks. In messy weather I carry dry socks in case of getting wet. I'm looking at shoe covers now. Neoprene looks good with velcro so different thicknesses can be compensated for. Everyone should read Machka's articles. Good stuff. I think even experienced winter cyclists could look for ideas they have missed.

I also wear sandals year around, the only time it is a problem is during rain with temps lower than 40 or so.

I too wear sandals year round and had the same problem with cold rain, until today when I wore my new waterproof socks. Worked like a champ, raining hard at 39F.

Thanks to Machka's suggestion the MEC nylon booties (http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/ShoeCovers/PRD%7E5009-241/mec-cycling-shoe-covers-unisex.jsp) have been doing the trick for me. I had to go a size larger than the recommendations to accomodate my Shimano mt. bike shoes. I also wanted room to pull a sock on over my shoes and still fit inside the overboots. I eventually found something even better than a pair of old wool socks. I pulled the thinsulate liners out of an old pair of pac boots, cut out the soles to match the open sole pattern on the MECs, slit them up the back and pull those on over the shoes before I don the overboots. That combo has been pretty bombproof even in the single digits F.

I wonder where you live, or as others have mentioned if you have to put your feet down in snow or something.

I do wear my summer shoe in the winter, 1 ski sock, and neoprene booties over the shoe. However, for whatever reason I just don't have any issue with cold feet. (I live in Minnesota). So yes, though it may not apply to you.

Personally, I've been thinking about buying a dedicated winter shoe so I don't have the hassle of putting on and off the neoprene booties.