Depends on time and temps, and you may need a pair of winter sandals a couple sizes larger than your normal one, if you really intend to stick with sandals, depending on your low temp and length of ride. For an hour duration (my commute time) I'm good with sandals down to about 20F, but generally switch to platforms and boots between Thanksgiving and St. Patrick's day because there will be periods when it gets down below 0F and I'd need the second pair of larger sandals to make enough space for insulating air. I've also found it difficult to find an adequate wind blocking layer that doesn't compress too much and I don't like neoprene socks or sealskinz or whatever as I end up swimming in them. I too, prefer not to be clipped in once there is enough snow on the road to obscure debris, but that could be the recumbent effect with not too much weight on the front wheel.