climbhoser

Mods: If you notice that I posted this in Winter Biking already and are going to consolidate would you simply move the thread into here? I've had the thread up over there for sometime and no responses...I think the commuters are more active online. Thanks.

It's been asked a million times, but I want to hear evolved thoughts and, of course, specific input on my particular situation.

So, the shoes I'm considering are the Northwave, the Answer Kashmir and the Lake. My foot is a size 9 EEEE, so I need the one that accomodates. Sidi is out because if I'm going to spend the money I'd just as soon get the Lake.

Money is an issue. If the Lake ends up being the best option I'm going to have to wait til next season. I can spring for the Answer now as long as the local REI can get it through QBP.

Currently I am using some old Answer MTB high tops with PI AmFib booties over. I hate the booties. They take forever to put on and they started falling apart before I even used them. If I wear two pairs of thick socks, put chemical warmers in, tie the shoes loosely and use the booties I am good to 5 degF with only a hint that my toes are cold. The PITA of the booties and the cold factor has me annoyed.

Living in Denver we have pretty cold winter mornings for a good 3-4 months a year all told starting in October and ending in March. I say 3-4 months because many of those early and late winter mornings get the "Colorado" effect where out of nowhere it's bluebird with a high of 50 for the day! Those mornings are usually still right around freezing, but much more easily tolerable though still a PITA with the booties. We also get the freak December and March mornings where it's 40degF and the booties are negligible.

To recap: I want booties now, but I want them to fit. I also want them to be warm enough. This whole week my commute was (or would have been if it weren't for extenuating circumstances) at anywhere from -25degF with windchill to 5degF without, but no warmer. I KNOW the Lakes will be the warmest, but will the Answers be warm enough? Will they be wide enough? If the consensus is that, yes, they will be both warm enough AND wide enough then I'm on that train like white on rice.

So, specific reports are helpful...how many have used both? Do you tend to have warm or cold feet? I am warm blooded and can be happy outside in very extreme cold. I sleep under a sheet only all winter long while my wife (typical) is bundled under two comforters with a heated mattress pad. I say this because many chime in that even the Lake isn't warm enough and I'd have to call BS. I KNOW the Lakes will be warm enough for my purposes. I KNOW I will never get cold with the right sock selection in them. But I can't afford them and, as I mentioned, I'm getting impatient with the booties.

Go forth and bring me wisdom thy website of wonder! Your perspective is duly appreciated.

JeffS

I'd speculate that noone is answering you because you're asking too many questions in the same post. Plus, admitting that you're above the search results doesn't make many friends.

Keep holding out though. I'm sure the guy with your exact foot who owns every shoe on the market will be here soon.

climbhoser

Yeah, it is a little blathering...too much coffee and very little sleep last night.

To recapture: I've used the search engine to death. No post has indicated as to whether the Answer will be a) big enough for my foot and b) warm enough for my commute. That's my simple question.

CastIron

The Lake's (301's) are on their third winter with me. Not terribly warm, not especially well built, and with three seasons, I'll get something else next year. If you think my three years and 4k/miles wearing them is BS, then so be it. I don't give a damn how you sleep, BTW.

Edit: I have no answer for the Answer.

fender1

I use a set of waterproof leather hiking shoes (low top to let excess heat and moisture out) smartwool socks and half clips on platform pedal (MKS Touring). My feet are warm and dry. I too hate booties as I have size 12 feet and getting them on and off is difficult. Also the booties w/ my spd cycling shoed and wool socks still left my feet cold.

nashcommguy

Ok, I don't ride in the extreme cold of the Denver area, but it gets down to 10-15F when I do night rides here in Mid-Tn. Here's what has been the most effective: Peformance Bike Neoprene booties(size 11), size 43 road shoe (diadora)w/duct tape over the vents(classy, eh?), Sockguy Blue flame socks and Sealskinz medium socks. I typically do 30-40 mi rides at night w/no chemical warmers because the Sealskinz are the schizzle. I've tried the same rides w/Bellweather booties, size 44 Nashbar mtb shoes, same flame socks and WOOL instead of the Sealskinz and have been forced to turn around at the 10 mi mark because of 'cold feet'.

Got lucky on the Sealskinz at the thrift store for $.49, but I'll gladly pay whatever the cost for my next couple of pair, they're THAT good. The only complaint about the PB Booties is they're not very high at the ankle, but the Sealskinz come up high enough to compensate. I've got a pair of Etxeondo thermal bib tights which gets me down to about 15F and a pair of old Sugoi winter pants added for temps under that.

I think adding a pair of Sealskinz to your current rig and saving up for the Lakes is a good option. Don't get me wrong, I was a staunch 'wool' guy until I ran across these Sealskinz. And the PB Neoprene booties were/are a pleasant surprise for the money(19.99). I got them for rain days and it turns out they're good for cold days, too.

Anyway, I'm sure more guys will post w/more info specific to your questions re gear. Good Luck!

BTW, I'm getting a pair of the Lakes winter road shoes, too...next season. Money, money, money

TRaffic Jammer

Gaerne Eskimos.... never going back to anything else in the winter. My feet are still ignorant of the fact they are riding in a Canadian winter so far. It was -29C the other day and I was out for an hour and a half. I bought a size up as recommended, I still have yet to put in the felt boot liner, but I am running wool socks over thinner cycling socks. As for the EEEEgads you have wide feet, I do not know how wide they will fit.

https://www.gaerne.com/

chiefhoser

I use the Exustar E-SM450 shoes
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1165265769344

and have for 2 years now. I am very happy. They are water proof, though I have recoated with dubin once now. They are fairly warm, I've been riding in -15degC or so weather with no problems with a nice thick sock.

climbhoser

chiefhoser, thanks for the tip! MEC fellow helped me out and I think I might get them and become a member. Anybody know how the US taxes imported goods like this?

Also, chief, any indication of width? Do you have wide or narrow feet? I know the Answers are a bit wider than normal, and I ride Answers now with little problem. MEC rep told me the Exustars are a little wider than standard (SIDI), but not what you would call a wide shoe.

chiefhoser

They are fairly wide shoes. I have 2 pairs of exustar shoes, one is a low-end mountain bike shoe that is much narrower than the winter shoe I posted a link to above. The extra room means that you can wear thicker (or 2 pairs of) socks.

I have fairly wide feet and have no problem wearing very thick hiking socks with a base layer thin sock.

Also, anecdotely, I've found that the more careful I am with re-dubin'ing (ie. waterproofing) them the better my feet stay warm, I assume it is a wind block type of thing.

Hope they work for you if you get them.

ItsJustMe

My answer: Platform pedals and thinsulate hunting shoes. $40 for the shoes on sale during hunting season, the pedals I had sitting around. It's worked for me for two seasons now.
If it's not quite so cold (like warmer than about -5*F) I just wear loose, ankle-height hiking shoes with a couple of pair of socks.
In my experience, the MOST important thing is to be able to wear two sock layers AND have your foot not be tightly bound; as soon as I loosened things up, my foot wasn't nearly as cold. You need to keep the blood flowing.

acroy

Those look Awesome. Expensive as heck but Wow. Thanks.

climbhoser

chiefhoser:

Thanks. Think I'll spring for 'em, put some Toasty Feet in 'em and dubbin' them up with Nikwax. The MEC folks were extremely helpful in helping me work out shipping...FYI there are no duties typically excised on purchases of $200 or less. Flat rate of $19CAD shipping gets me these at my door for $100CAD.

ItsJustMe:

I can't stand platform pedals. Honestly, if I couldn't use my SPDs in winter I'd commute half as many days, if that. For short commutes they're fine, but over about 6-7 mi. I want to spin. I can fit double socks in my Answer shoes off the shelf currently, and they're very loose. With two socks, a chemical heater and my PI AMFIb booties I can ride to 0degF, but it's a PITA. I think with good boots I'll be liner socks, Smartwools, boots and out the door!

iltb-2

As previously posted by another BF Buddy, platform pedals and regular cold weather apparel. Cheap and effective; no questions and no complaints necessary, they worked fine for my 12 mile commute at -5° F into a 10mph headwind.

My preferred gear at the lower temperature limits - insulated boots picked up at a thrift store for $10 with Farm King Rubbers.

I am not worried all that much about a preferred cadence at those temperatures; plus I am dressed to walk out of trouble if there is any mechanical problem with the bike because there sure ain't no possibility of roadside repairs at those extreme temperatures.