I put it off as long as I could, but last weekend I swapped my clipless pedals for my winter ones with half toe clips. I can now use insulated hikers that keep my feet much warmer than my cleated shoes. With my summer pedals, I rotate the pedal forward to clip in, but with the winter pedal, I have to flip them backward to engage my toes into the clips. This, on top of having to relearn my layering strategies, is driving me nuts. I'll finally get the hang of the winter challenges next March.

I commute with SPD or SPD-SL pedals year round, depending on the bike. But winter certainly presents some challenges in terms of keeping the toes warm. I use thicker socks with neoprene shoe covers down to about 0*C. Below that and I need to stick on a set of chemical heat packs over the toes. I contemplated buying a pair of Northwave Celsius 2 GTX Winter, but put it off. I don't know how much better they are, because if my feet don't generate enough heat then I'm back to the chemical packs regardless of shoes.

I had good experiences with the Lake MXZ 303 boots last winter, it's nice to clip in and not feel totally violated by the blustery winds here. The Lakes take my comfortably down to 10F and below.

I bought some aerogel footbeds on Amazon and installed a pair in my Fall commuter shoes, they really take the curse off the cleat channeling cold into the shoe, happy I got them.

I stick with clipless pedals year-round. Wool socks are fine for me, with appropriate tights and upper body clothing, down to about 25F. Below that, the grocery bag wrap around the sock takes me down to 15-20F, and shoe covers are warm below that.


Not much different here than in central N.C. Although things were always better in Blue Heaven than in Durham...

Yeah, I did the grocery bag wrap a few years and it certainly helps. Shoe covers were an upgrade. My cleated shoes feel cold no matter what, though. I wonder if the pedal is pulling heat through the cleat. It takes me 10 minutes more to get out the door in the winter and although I reckon I could get up earlier, I just don't want to. Guess I'll have to ride faster to make up the time. It's been in the high 20s this past week when I leave home. When it gets down in the teens I'll strap on the pogies.

all of my bikes intentionally have combo SPD/platform combo pedals.

i ride with my clipless shoes and thick socks down to about 20 degrees.

below that, i wear proper winter boots and just ride on the platform side.

it's a system that's worked fine for me for the past 7 winters, and counting.

This is why I use Power Grips on my fixed-gear. They provide good foot retention with the ability to wear regular shoes, so I don't need to readjust my technique a couple times a year.

The derailleur bikes are only used in spring/summer/fall, so clipless works for them.

My sources tell me it's 51 degrees in Durham right now....that's winter?

Ha ha! At 2 PM, it's 56 and sunny. A perfect day to be out riding but it was 26 at 6 AM when I left my house this morning. I know you hardy Chicago souls probably think of mid-20's as balmy, but it requires a bit of prep for me.

Hah nah 20s is cold. Didn't realize it got that cold there.

I used to swap pedals. Last year I finally gave up and bought a pair of Lake shoes. They're fantastic, very warm, and mate with my SPD pedals.

I've tried most of the methods. I had power grips -for about 2 days. I thought they were horrible and got rid of them before they killed me. I've never fallen over with either regular toe clips or with SPD, but I fell 3 times in 2 days with power grips before I gave up and threw them away.

Spiky platform pedals are on the Bike with the Studded tires ,

Ergon Pedals on the bikes used above 0C.

I switched to platforms last year for winter... but then I never switched back, and I'm not going to go back to clipless on my commuter. Waterproof hikers for rainy days and regular running shoes for all other days. Works great!

yes absolutely, and the aerogel footbed really makes a difference