Winter Shoe Thread
 

I've been humming and hawing so much on new SPD winter shoes. I currently have a basic MTB shoe which are falling apart and offer no thermal/water protection at all. I typically bring an extra pair of socks to work and have my work shoes, but its high time for a new pair.
For the past few months, I've been eyeing these:

Northwave Extreme Winter GTX MTB SPD Boots 2016 | Chain Reaction Cycles

or

Northwave Celsius 2 GTX Winter MTB Boots 2016 | Chain Reaction Cycles

Both shoes from from Northwave and seem to offer the type of protection/quality I'm looking for, but crazy prices.

What do you guys use for those really heavy/wet days? I may end up biting the bullet and spending so much on these shoes, especially if they really keep your feet toasty and dry like they claim.

Would love to hear some comments!
Luckily in Vancouver the weather has been holding out but I want to get a new pair ASAP.

EDIT: And I should say, I dislike booties and shoe covers. I've had a couple of pairs but they've never worked well, and its extra stuff to carry around.

Also, to those responding, can you comment on the closure mechanism you prefer? That's the main difference I see between the two shoes linked above- I really like the "power snap" closing mechanism vs the "speed lace" system.

S.

I have a pair of the Specialized Defroster boots because Specialized shoes/boots fit me well. They are a bit heavy, but they are waterproof and they have kept my feet warm in temps of 0 and lower. I suffer from Reynaud's and while my hands are usually the worst, my feet can often get really cold and hurt quite a bit. The Defroster boot has prevented that. Paired with a wool sock, my feet actually are almost to the point of being too warm if that is possible. I have field tested these this past winter in a blizzard. I walked my fat bike home on a commute the last mile through snow that was easily a foot deep. My feet were very warm and dry.

Being a size 13 or 48 EU, covers and booties simply are not made big enough at least in my experience. I tried the Pearl Izumi velcro overwraps and those are so hard to get on and they don't really work that well. As for the closure, as long as it works, I don't care what it is. The BOA system on these has been flawless so far *knock on wood*. The price, not so cheap.

One thing I have noticed with these boots is that you may have to adjust your saddle height up. They add a bit of height to your shoe with the sole/insole and I found myself feeling "short" while riding. Quick adjustment and everything was back to normal.

Light, comfortable like a slipper, dry, warm.

LL Bean Maine boots.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488314

OP is asking about SPD boots, not regular boots, unless LL Bean has jumped the shark into SPD boots now?

I got a new pair of Bontrager OMW shoes for this winter. It has yet to get cold enough to wear them, but they're super-comfy just trying them on. I like how they have a removeable inner bootie-like liner, because I imagine I'm going to need to wash them now and then!

Is there any law that says one can't change out their SPDs pedals for the winter? That's what I do, it works for me, therefore I suggested them.

No there is no law, but when someone comes on and asks about something specific, it seems as though they have their mind made up as to what they want. I tried to swap to flats and boots for the winter, and it was horrible. Boots are too bulky for me to get a good proper spot on the pedal, and I was using some huge wide pinned flats. After riding SPD's for so long, I am very used to them and the proper foot position that they offer.

Sometimes ideas from outside the box are helpful or insightful. Bean boots have a smaller sole than my Shimano or Chrome shoes, and even work with the clips on my Schwinn without adjustment.
I'm sure the OP can decide the value of my suggestion without your kibitzing.

Would prefer SPD- issue really is rain as opposed to cold/snow. Coldest here is 0deg C, if that. Usually around 10C (50F).

In Georgia it's not worth the expense of the winter boots....tuff it for a day (engage Rule 5) and it will warm up tomorrow. I did keep an eye out on eBarf this past spring for some used boots. I got a pair of Lake boots for $53 w/shipping after cold weather was gone.

It hasn't got lower than the mid thirties around here yet. I did the best I could to get an idea of how they'll work out. I went for a ride with nothing but a pair of Icebreaker Ultralite Hikers. You can see through them. That was the first time in years that my feet have been comfortable in the mid thirties---not matter what I had done before. I wear a 43 and bought a pair of 44's, toes have wiggle room with Icebreaker Mountaineering socks.

I'm feeling good about the winter day that we might have to face in Georgia this year!!!

Sometimes suggestions that are right in the box can be more helpful and insightful than those that are not.
I'm sure the OP can decide the value of my suggestion without your kvelling over your Bean boots.

Go ahead and ignore the LL Bean NON SPD boots that were recommended above then. Those won't do the trick. It sounds like you are wanting more waterproof than cold proof. The Defrosters that I suggested, while fitting your SPD requirement, will be absolute overkill in 50°F weather.

For rain I use a pair of PI booties with Gore Bikewear toe covers. The PI covers have a pretty lousy front......the Gore stuff fixes that. For drizzle I just use the toe covers. Over bottom line Shimano Road SPD shoes......$75-90.

I've happily been using Pearl Izumi Barrier GTX as my winter shoes for years;
Thinsulate for warmth, and Goretex for waterproofing.
I use the same thin socks I wear in the summer.
I think they are out of production now, but here is a list I compiled some time back of various winter shoes:

45nrth Wolvhammer
Exustar E-SM450
Gaerne Akira (Road) waterproof
Gaerne Artix (MTB) - Same upper as Akira but with MTB sole.
Gaerne Polar (Road and MTB) - not waterproof
Lake MXZ3
Louis Garneau 0
Northwave Avalanche Pro
Northwave Celsius J GTX
Northwave Fahrenheit (road)
Shimano MW02
Shimano SH-MW80
Sidi Diablo GTX
Specialized Defroster

Yeah, I picked up on you being in Vancouver, and threw the idea out there to a fellow inhabitant of the Northwest. Hope you find what works for you.

Looks like you picked up a self appointed toady to run interference for you. :lol:

I agree with kickstarter. Regular boots work great for really cold days and are multipurpose. Also, usually a lot less expensive. If it snows and you end up pushing the bike or walking, a hiking boot is preferable to a cycling boot. I install Shimano M324 pedals on my winter bike when I need to use boots. One side is SPD and the other side has a platform with lots of grip. While I don't like not being clipped in, it's not such a big deal, and you can always get Powerstraps or make your own.

Are people not reading or what? OP asks for SPD shoes for temps around the 50's. Two people now have suggested regular winter style boots. At 50° I would think that most peoples feet would be drenched wearing winter boots to ride in, which of course, are not SPD.

You might look at Chrome shoes. I've been wearing several of their styles for years and they hold up to anything. Many of their styles have recessed SPD cleats for an option and you can actually walk in them!

Marc

I wear Chrome shoes as well, however, the pair of Midway SPD's that I have are not water proof. In fact, when they get wet, they get really heavy and uncomfortable to wear. The recessed cleats do make it quite easy to wear as a normal looking shoe though.

The OP referred to a need for Winter shoes; later modified the requirement to much more temperate conditions. The OP also said, "Would love to hear some comments!" Perhaps if the OP clearly stated his requirement from the beginning, no one would have wasted their electrons on giving apparently unwelcome and unappreciated comments/advice.

If he already knew what he wanted, why ask for recommendations or comments?

Exactly.

The OP and others interested in the topic might even profit from the observations of those of us who have tried SPD winter shoes and found them lacking for one reason or another: for example, the problem of water seeping in through the cleat slots.

After a couple of winters using different SPD winter shoes, including SIDI police boots, I switched to toeclips (without straps) and lightweight, waterproof boots.

At the risk of not giving the OP what was originally asked, those shoes are a bit of an overkill for Vancouver winters. Seriously!

$350-$400 is a lot of money to spend on a pair of shoes for commuting. I get the water proof part, but Extreme Winter for 10C? C'mon.

If you have your heart set on them and you've got the cash, go for it. But there are alternatives that are a lot less costly and equally effective.

The original post is very clear as to what the OP is looking for. Both links are for SPD boots. Using your logic, everyone may as well suggest flip flops for this person. So, OP asks about SPD boots. People respond with regular winter boots. Seems legit.

Have you ever gone into a store thinking you want something, and end up walking out with something else? Or do you always know exactly what you want and get only that?

i have seen those shoes cheaper elsewhere.. like nashbar.com

When I go into a store and I want a t-shirt, I don't walk out with a sweater. I will just say that.

But you might get a sweatshirt if you saw a good deal, right?

50 degrees and raining this morning. Wore my waterproof hiking boots instead of my SPD shoes. Same boots I'll wear when it's -20 °F. If I had a nice pair of waterproof (or mostly waterproof) cycling shoes or boots, I might have worn them instead, but they cost some $$$$. If I lived in a climate where I could expect a lot of 40 and 50 degree rainy weather I might invest in some.

For us winter means temps below freezing most of the time and often slippery conditions. I'm not a big fan of SPDs in that kind of weather so I switch to platforms. Some folks still prefer SPDs in the winter.

Ah, ok... In that case, I wouldn't recommend winter shoes/boots at all. At 50°F (heck, even down to 32°F, depending on your tolerances), I'd recommend one of a few different options, depending on the specific situation:

• Lightweight, waterproof, cleat-compatible shoe covers.
• A double-layer of socks for extra insulation (still prone to getting soaked, though).
• Insulated, waterproof socks.
• My favorite on this list: water- and wind-proof oversocks, which are worn (as the name implies) over your socks, but inside your shoes. I have a pair of these and I really like them a lot more than shoe covers.

Not when I am at the store looking for a t-shirt.