robtown

I've tried booties, sandles/socks+/sealkinz, and regular MTB shoes. My winter riding temps are 20F - 60F and I have freezing toes starting about 36F. Now I'm thinking winter shoes/boots. I have LOOK and SPD pedals for my bikes.
The budget is also limited - I drained all spousal good will with the new wheelset needed to support the discounted Nashbar studded tires.

I understand the Lakes might run small but the Kasmir run large.

Sample URLs

https://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking...WNTRANS/SH7154
https://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking.../SH-LAKECXZ301

al-wagner

The more they cost the better they are..

buzzman

everytime I go to spend that kind of money on something I'm not sure I need I get cold feet.

IF I were to spend that kind of money on a winter cycling shoe I'd get the Lakes.

As for me I use thermal socks with shoe covers over my usual shoes and ride in very cold weather without much of an issue.

But my vote is: Spend more money!-

vger285

Keep your core warm and your feet and hands stay warmer,try dressing from the inside out!(don't upgrade your bike, take your bike and go upgrade!EM)

robtown

I've heard that and will test the theory. Thinking back the feet do seem to have issues if my core is cool as opposed to warm/sweating. My core, arms, and legs are never uncomfortable, just fingers and toes.

BTW - Bikeman guy put in double vote for Lakes & says they are black on black, not gunmetal gray - and they take both LOOK & MTB

dobber

I've got both, actually the Lakes are the older 300 series. Be aware that the 301 series has had problems with the closure mechanism failing within a short period of time. Also the 301 your linking to is the road version with no tread on the bottom like the Kashmirs (my 300's are the MTB version).

Both pairs perform as advertised, I can't really differentiate between them. The Lakes I bought at my regular size and use from the snowy thirty's down into the teens where I shift to the Kashmirs. They're 45's versus my normal Answer size of 43 so I can double up the wools and get down into the -20°F range.

Unless you've got the cash to piss away, I'd go with the Kashmirs.

Hezz

One thing that is just as warm as winter cycling boots is to get an inexpensive pair of mountain bike shoes two sizes large. IF you have wide feet you may need to get some Sidi bullets in the mega width. Then wear the seal skins next to your skin as an insulating vapor barrier. (This is important since the neoprene booties won't breath and they keep the warm moist air from you foot next to your foot and keep the next layer of sock dry). Then the thickest wool sock you can get on with the shoe. Then a neoprene shoe cover. This is just as warm as the winter cycling shoes. And if you already have the seal skins, socks and booties you can get buy with some 50 USD mountain bike shoes.

Portis

This is the older version of the Lakes but probably somewhat applicable. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=lake+mxz

sbarner 

I also have a pair of Lake MXZ 300 shoes that I picked up at a decent price on eBay last winter. Unlike Portus, I really like them. I have short, wide feet and wear a 39.5-40 in the summer. The Lakes are size 41 and that worked out pretty well for me. I ditched the laces because, with all the different velcro straps, you don't need them and they tend to snag in the velcro. I typically wear them with medium-weight Alpaca socks and there would be room for a liner sock, though not a really thick one with my wide foot. I was afraid that going to a 42 would make the shoe way too long for me but, as I said, I have very wide, short feet.

My feet have never been very tolerant of the cold. I find that these shoes work fine for my 20-mile commute down to about 25 degrees. Below that, my feet are getting numb by the end of the ride. Last week, when the temp was about 22 at the start, I tossed in a pair of those chemical toe warmers and they really did the trick, adding just enough warmth to keep my feet comfortable the entire ride.

These shoes are not the answer for really cold temps, but I don't think that's what they are designed for. They are way better than anything I've wrapped around regular cycling shoes. They let you use regular SPD pedals, have a great sole for walking in snow (or just putting your foot down at a stop) and don't rub against the crankarms like a double set of shoe covers does. It would be nice if they used stainless buckles, as the plated ones get ugly once our road salt hits them.

I also have two pairs of Sidi winter shoes. One pair is shod with Look cleats and is great for road bike use from 30 - 45 degrees. The other is SPD and I gave them to my wife, as they run a tad narrow for me. The Lakes fit me better. Once winter has really settled in, I stick to a couple of bikes with SPD pedals that have been sacrificed to the salt gods.

robtown

I have switched to SPD and MTB shoes for now. The neoprene booties don't fit over them. [During the Seagull the booties rubbed / squeaked until I could not stand it anymore] though the toesies do. I'm thinking of trying some quantumheat reusable heat packs tucked under the toesies on top of the shoes. They're may only be good for 20 - 30 minutes. It's not until 30 min into a ride that the toes get too cold.

Portis

I like mine too. I was just disappointed that they weren't capable of temps below 20F for me. I think i have been able to extend that range with some oversocks from foxwear, but I haven't had cold enough temps to test them properly.

I wear my Lake's in any temps below freezing. It's just when it gets REALLY cold that they aren't as warm as I had hoped.

lmzimmer

Another option to consider is to use wool sox and neoprene toe covers (or shoe covers) inside the shoes. This works for me down to about 20 degrees, my shoes are the usual shimano's that have generous mesh and are otherwise very cool. The toe covers last much longer this way as well without wear and tear outside the shoe

Hezz

I guess it comes as no surprise that many booties won't fit over the larger size shoes. I have noticed that the Specialized neoprene booties are larger than most and one of the guys at my LBS who has size 13 shoes uses them.

Just to let you know. I have the Answer Kashmir's and I can give them a positive review. They are very comfortable. And quite warm but below freezing they will only keep my feet warm for about 40 - 60 minutes. The Answers and the Lake boots are built about the same way. They use a waterproof leather outer layer and a neoprene inner layer. But when it comes right down to it they don't really have much insulation.

I would also check out the Northwave boots. They look to me like they might be the warmest of the bunch. And it seems like I read a review of them last year comparing them to the Lakes and others. As I recall the author of the review found the Northwave's the warmest.

TJHOO

I Live in your area and lead Weekly Winter Training rides for PPTC from Loudoun (Purcellville).
In the past had troubles w/ feet. Either too cold, or too much sweat-->freeze from non breathable thick neoprene full foot covers.

Costco has (or at least had 2 mos ago) chemical heaters: $10 for 50. Same as Grabber "Hand" (more expensive) brand.

Have Lake MXZ 301's. Used them a few times last winter, and they were nice and toasty. Big and clunky though. Bothered my calves or shins as I best recall until loosened up the ankle section. This year so far have not needed, My solution has been (down to 32 at least) from the inside out:

-Smartwool socks
-Grabber (chemical) toe heaters under the toes; bought in bulk from Campmor/REI; toe works better than hand under the toes b/c they are thinner and have adhesive
-Costco chemical heaters above toes (they don't seem to slide around too much)
-Sidi road shoes 1 size large
-1 or 2 sets of (thick) toe covers. The Pearl Izumi Calientoes are thicker than some others.
-thin outer sock over everything (eg Defeet Slipstream or Performance/Excel equivalent)

30-40 deg: use all above
41-45: lose 1 of the chemical heaters (preferably the below the toe b/c more $)
46-50: lose all chemical heaters
51-55: lose 1 of the toe covers
56-60: lose the outer sock
60-65: lose all the above;
>65: switch back to reg size road shoes and summer gear.

The keys here are:
-give your toes lots of wiggle room for blood flow
-wind protect the front of foot
-let rear of foot breathe, to avoid sweat buildup and ensuing foot freeze
-in pedal stroke, try to avoid mashing your toes into the front of your shoe; eg try to lift and pull back, and wiggle toes around periodically.
-Put on shoes last minute before ride to minimize tightness around foot and maximize blood flow.

The above plan has worked for at least 40 miles above 30.

I find the chemical heaters last for 6-8 hrs at least. As far as how long they will help keep your feet warm, YMMV. Be sure to open them at least 30 mins prior to putting in your shoes so they get to warm up.

If a ride will be completely <30deg F, I may switch to The Lakes, but have to change pedals for that since have the Mtn version (w/ Sidi's use Look).

Hope to see you out on some rides:
https://www.bikepptc.org/ride_schedules.html

Best of luck.

Bekologist

can you still wiggle your toes in your 'winter' shoes of choice while wearing a big thick pair of wool socks and a liner sock?

I buy bigger cycling shoes (whatever happens to be on sale!) for winter so I can wear thick socks underneath. I wouldn't be able to wear them in summer with just a thin sock, my foot would slip right out of them.....



I reccomend a big shoe, double layering socks (wool/liner) or wool/sealskins) and then a neoprene toe cover or the slingshot covers that wrap the heel as well as the toe.

You could switch to platform pedals and more robust footwear.

Also take a look at or try on a pair of the new, goretex-lined Shimano brand SPD-MTB cycling shoes with a thick wool sock on underneath.

These are new shoes this winter season, very comfortable to wear. goretex sock liner adds warmth and windproofness.

Potenza neoprene booties seem to be big and thick compared to most of the others.

chipcom 

I like the Answers because they fit my size 13 feet better than the Lakes. Down to 15F one pair of smartwool socks is all I need - colder than that I just add a pair of thin polypro liners. It hasn't dropped below 20F yet this year, so I've only had to wear the boots at all on the wet/snowy days.

Hezz

Today I went for a two hour ride and this is what I wore on my feet. The temp was 33 F with the sun shining part of the time.

Surprizingly, my feet stayed warm the whole time thanks to my dressing and riding strategy.

I wore some neoprene socks similar to the seal skins next to the skin. Then my standard low cut cycling socks (cheap acrylic oder eaters). One day I will spring for some real cycling socks. Then my Answer Kashmir's.

The strategy is to get off the bike every half hour and walk along side the bike for about three to five minues to get the blood pumping into the foot.

This combination worked very well. Granted, it was not really cold but still a good strategy. I wish I could find some low cut but thick wool socks. They would work better with the shoes and tights.

idcruiserman

IMO the Kashmirs are true to size. I wear 13.5 and 14 size shoes, and the 48s fit fine. No extra room for very thick socks or 2 pairs of socks.

Hezz

Regardless of which shoes you decide to get you will want them oversized because even these winter riding boots need some extra inner insulation for cold conditions.

bac

I own the Lake mtb version of that shoe. I'm a HUGE Sidi fan, but elected to go with the Lakes given the overwhelming positive reviews. I was not let down. If the road version is as good, it's a no-brainer. Another thought is for you to swap out your pedals for winter use, and go with the mtb version of the Lake's. I run a single-speed mtb for most of the winter, and find that I need to get off the bike more often. This works well with the mtb shoes vs. road cleats/shoes.

Please let the group know your choice, and how it worked out for you once you've gotten a few rides in!

idcruiserman

Unfortunately 48 is the biggest size that Answer sells.

robtown

It looks like it will be the Lakes, even though I like to economize. They also have the option for LOOK cleats. I rode in 27F this morning with the MTB shoes and 2 layers of wool/poly socks. I also tried out some foot warmers but they were old and did not heat up. Toes were getting cold at about 30 minutes into the commute. I may be transferring to a site that takes an additional 40 minutes so it's time to buy!

Edit - got UPS ship notification! It was 17F this morning - I'm riding 1-way home tonight but that would have been a great test. Also put some 700c studded tires on my 73' road bike - like it ever snows often here

G. Hoffman

Well, I think I may be a bit late to the party here, but I've been using the Answer Kasmirs all winter, and I've been very happy with them so far. They really are, design wise, extremely similar to the Lakes, and they seem well built to me. I'm always hard on any shoes I wear, and I havn't had any problems with these yet (and frequently, I would). Of course, I don't spend much time walking in them, which helps.


Gabriel