Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
I do not blame the SPD cleats, instead I blame cycling shoes. Even with toe covers, plastic bags over socks to stop the wind from coming in the mesh vents, even shoe covers, I do not wear cycling shoes below 30 degrees (F). My winter cycle shoes are a normal summer type shoe, but they are size 45 when I normally wear 44.5. Thus with those shoes I have the extra room I need to wear thick wool socks without compressing my feet. The insole that sits above the cleat hardware acts as an insulator, thus I think the cleat has minimal cooling effect.
Below 30 degrees (F) I use a Goretex lined hiking shoe or regular hiking boot.
I bought some DexShell Hytherm Pro socks, but have not tried them in the cycling shoes yet. I am hoping they will give me another 5 or 10 degrees.
I use Bombas socks while cycling. They seem to keep my feet fairly warm and they're comfortable. The issues I run into most are my fingers. I had frostbite in 2014 on my right hand. I didn't lose any fingers but the nerves are permanently damaged so anything too cold or too hot bothers them.