Originally Posted by
PatrickGSR94
Yes, I prefer my shoes to be connected to the pedals as my commute is 31 miles RT and hilly. I did the commute once on my other bike with "skater" style shoes and platforms and I just didn't enjoy it as much at all.
I'm with you. Especially in winter, with snow on my shoes and ice on the pedals, I like clipless to keep my feet where they belong.
The SPD heat-sink effect can be mitigated in two ways. Cheapest, try insulated insoles. The Toasty Feet brand comes to mind.
The more expensive solution is
Lake's MXZ-series winter cycling boots. I can't speak for the other brands (or Lake's less expensive models), but the MXZs are constructed so the cleat backing plate is embedded in the out-sole, but insulated from your foot by the mid-sole, some Thinsulate, and an insulated insole.
Between that and their full-grain leather construction, they're the warmest boots I own. Too warm, actually, for me to wear above freezing. I don't even need a second pair of socks until it's below 10F.