I need, good warm Winter shoes that will work with Toe clips. I've tried everything from Hiking boots to Dress shoes. It has to have some type of grippy sole but not full blown Alpine boot. Any ideas? BTW, we are to get 3" of Snow tonight. Gotha love Boulder!

I've been commuting in toe clips year round "down the road" in Colorado Springs. I simply use regular water resistant firm-soled sneakers with medium wool socks over cotton (It works for me). When it's wet or snowy I put plastic grocery bags over my socks. The shoes get wet, but my feet stay dry. I leave the shoes and clips loose so as not to restrict blood flow in order to keep my feet warm. The shoes dry enough during the work day.

There's probably a better way, but this works for me, and has in snow up to 5".

Good idea. I have a pair of L.L. Bean Snow Sneaker. Good shoe. Range from low 40s to teens. The only problem is they wear FAST with Toe Clips. (Toe area.) I don't want a shoe with SPD's as my boss would kill me scuffing up the new flooring in the office. I don't want to take an extra pair along and storing them someplace isn't an option. There has to be something better out there but what? We got 4" of the White stuff last night with more coming! YES!!!!

https://xeroshoes.com/shop/boots/alpine-men/

Those are "barefoot-inspired," so I'm guessing they'll be more likely to work with toe clips than most boots. I'm on my third (and what will be final) winter with the same pair doing package deliver in Wisconsin and the occasional single digit 4 mile ride to work. They're not as warm as they claim to be, and if they were ever actually waterproof, that ship has sailed. But they're great for active activity in the snow, and block the wind like anything waterproof will. The insulated insole they mention slipped around too much for me to keep in while working, but would be helpful for just riding. It's just a thin piece of foam with foil, but it definitely helps when it's there.

My recommendation for Winter (i.e. cold weather) shoes is to get the same model that you currently use for warmer weather, but, in a size that's large enough to accommodate thick, heavy wool socks, such as the traditional ragg wool socks by Wigwam or FoxRiver. Those socks are excellent insulation against cold and cold-wet conditions such as snow.

I use an older pair of Keen hiking boots with thick socks here in Green Bay.
Sam

I have had a pair of Sidi winter shoes for many years. I use them with Look 3 hole cleats but I think they can be set up for SPD as well. Unfortunately the fleece liner breaks down and mats over time, so I have found myself in recent winters using a pair of Giro road shoes that I have but with the insoles replaced by Pedag “Solar” insoles. These have lambswool on the top with the outer surface facing the shoe a metallic foil coating.

Unlike my Sidi summer road shoes, the Giros have very little venting and almost a plastic surface, so that when worn with neoprene booties, my feet stay pretty warm down to perhaps 30 degrees F.