Originally Posted by 2manybikes
I had a nice three hour ride the other day. It was 15 degrees f. I was not cold I just had to come home for something else. On my feet I have at this temp...
fleece socks
chemical toe warmer under toes, in shoe. Only below about 20 f, Shoes not laced too tight.
small sandwich bag over toes.
cycling shoes
larger bag over front of shoe
huge stretched out size 13 socks.
plastic bag, just the front.
neoprene bike shoe cover lined
plastic bag
another neoprene shoe cover
Flat pedals not clipped in no cleats.
this has been working for years. It's as warm as my heavily insulated Sorrel boots, but it's very light and easy to pedal with. I can go for six hours in this temp On the MTB in the snow.
Ok now,
Reading this informative thread for the past few months has got me realizing how difficult it is for us who would just rather go clipless.
So ive been considering throwing in the towel, and buying the power grips kit (w/ pedals) to use with my winter boots.
But as im sure id get used to it, im also sure id miss my spds.
Here are some obvious issues with bike shoes in the winter:
-Too much breathability
-Not enough room to really layer
-Metal to metal contact gets soles cold fast
-No coverage on ankles
-Usually thin materials without much insulation
-need of extra gear gets expensive
-extra steps making preparation time too long
Gaiters are a great idea for ankle to shin warmth but are between 15-50$.
And if you need feet to be waterproof as well, Totes rubbers (boot style) can be found 4$-9$ on sale.
Grabber warmers are cheap and work great.
So, I could go with the Lake MXZ 300, winter shoes to save some hassle (i hear they dont fit well for wide feet). They look sweet, but who wants to buy another pair of shoes till you absolutely need them? and seasonal shoes? well, i say theyre worth it if youre a serious winter cyclist or you live up in the great north. (other options are Gaerne Polar Winter and Northwave Celsius)
But im brainstorming ideas. Practical, inexpensive, creative, simple, effective and sensible ways to stay warm going clipless in the winter, but using methods like circulation, body heat and perhaps a needle and thread as your main sources for warmth. My idea here is to prepare and temporarily winterize the shoes. To perhaps add some warmth without restricting circulation. but without spending money on extra gear.
ideas:
-Find the roomier, stretchier meshed parts of the shoe (top, sides) and temporarily sew some custom fitted wool (or material of choice from the fabric store) along the inside lining of the shoe to team up with the sock where it counts.
-Perhaps some kind of nylon shell sewn or even super glued along the outside to add windproofing, or better yet, felt lined vinyl to add some insulation
-stop making that shoe so damn tight
-Even stretch your shoes with an old shoe stretcher if you must for circulation purposes.
theres have to be more ways...
-=stevey