Winter Shoes
 

I love to ride in the winter, but I hate getting cold hands and feet. This year I'm determined to throw some resources at the problem.

I'm considering getting a pair of Sidi Hydro GTX insulated road shoes as the centerpiece of my gear-up effort.

I take a size 43 shoe. Should I get the Sidis a size bigger to accommodate an extra pair of socks, or stick to my size?

Any other suggestions or observations on these shoes?

Also, a la pcad, I'm planning to get a nice pair of booties and perhaps even stuff a few footwarmers into the sandwich on very cold days.

For gloves, I'm thinking about a pair of Seal Skinz Thermal Performance with Sealskinz thermal liners--again--with handwarmers if necessary.

Sound adequate for Central New York State conditions?

The Sidi Hydro's are a good choice and great shoe. I don't recall off hand but mine are I think 2 euro sizes bigger than my normal sidi shoes. I only wear a pair of thick boiled wool socks. I stay dry and warm enough. The key with keeping your feet warm, (that being a relative term) is two fold: one don't constrict them, if the shoes are too snug, like you would with a summer shoe, then circulation is diminished, and they get cold; Secondly, wick the moisture: Once your feet start to sweat and get wet...then you are doomed. That is why I wear a thick boiled wool sock. It wicks the moisture, and a lot of it. Plus wool keeps you warm even when it gets wet.

The chemical warmers work great too on those really unbearably cold days.

Any set of the neoprene booties will work, I have them, but I don't use them with my Sidi's. They are just not needed, and I ride down into the single digits (F°)

HTH
zac

Have you tried just neoprene booties?

That's what I use, and I have ridden down to about 15 degrees F with no problems.

With those shoes, neoprene booties would be unnecessary and just cause your feet to sweat. I've also found that it's better to have some airspace in the shoe (i.e. don't wear 2x of socks) so that the sweat can evaporate. If your feet get saturated with sweat, then you have a whole new problem.

My personal method for the coldest of days is a sock liner, medium weight wool socks, bike shoe and then neoprene bootie. I do highly recommend a sock liner.

i have "winter" shoes/boots, but honestly my feet stay warmest with regular road shoes and neoprene booties. i am talking about temps around 15 degrees for 2 hours. i say experiment with a good set of neoprene booties & wool socks first. ymmv. later.

My feet stay warmer when I also keep my core and extremeties cold... so don't discount a warmer pair of tights or socks tall enough to keep your ankles warm.

I've pretty much figured out the rest of it after a couple winters. Basically, I've learned to use layers and vent, since it's hilly where I ride and overheating is the biggest threat. It's just that I've been too cheap to buy winter shoes and winter cycling gloves....until now. Last season I started using a balclava to protect my face and head, and that made a huge difference in my overall comfort. The only thing standing between me and hard core winter comfort now are cold feet and hands--and hopefully not for long.

I got the Northwave winter shoes last year and am a satisfied customer. For the really cold days, I used to use regular shoes & lycra covers (& sometimes a plastic bag layer to stop the air around the cleat.), then neoprene booties, but no more of that nonsense now.

I got some good winter gloves at the LL Bean outlet store for $16. I have various weight "regular" gloves depending on temp.

Neoprene booties here, although I do keep eyeing dedicated winter shoes since the booties don't hold up off-road with the mountain or CX bike.

One thing I did which made a surprising amount of difference to me was to tape off the vents on the bottome of the shoe. The ones by the toe I did from the outside. I then pulled the insoles out and taped over all of the openings there, including the cleat area. Kept the wind out as well as helped with water splashes on wet days. I just used gaffers tape (like duct tape).

There's a pair of used Lake Winter MTB Boots in my size available locally for $160. Thinking of pulling the trigger. Feet and hands have been the biggest obstacle in my pursuit of comfortable below-freezing winter 'cross/gravel rides. We call them "HTFU Sundays" because we ride in rain, snow or ice regardless of temperature.

Some tips on keeping your feet warm in winter ... my article on Cold Feet:

http://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm

I use standard Sidi MTB shoes with 8-10 #7 hex head sheet metal screws screwed into the soles, wool sox, and neoprene booties. I'm good to -30* or more...

For those opting for the booties, do you have any recommendations or things to consider/lookout for when selecting a pair?

Good thick neoprene. Some booties are just windbreakers for your feet.... useless when it gets cold.

Just ordered some Descente shoe covers for $12 from Amazon.

/delurk
Just thought I'd chip in that I'm going with a pair of Sidi Hydros in a week or so. I've struggled with frozen feet for, oh, 30 years or so. I currently wear a 44.5 Sidi Ergo2 for summer use that fit beautifully. Hoping a 46 GTX will be appropriate.

Let you all know.

/lurk

I wear size 41 Sidis. I bought size 42 winter Sidis - too loose. I'm okay down to about 28-30 deg F, after that it's not just hands/feet.

Many riders in the area use the electric insoles available for skiing. They're good with normal shoes down to 10-15 deg (and obviously you need more stuff for your face etc). The electric insoles cost about as much as street price on winter Sidis. I'd get the electrics, use booties, and spend the rest of my money on the warmest tights (esp above the thigh), face mask things, warm gloves (lobster type), and neck protection.

I've given up riding regularly in really cold weather. If the mood hits me I'll go out on the mountain bike (slower so less wind, more rolling resistance so more work). I'm okay down to 20 deg F on the mtb without electrics or winter shoes.

I missed the closeouts on the 2011 models in my size, so I'll have to bite the bullet and pay close to full retail for the new models. Still worth it. I can do down to 20 with toe covers and chemical foot warmers in my cheap Garneau road shoes, so I'm thinking swapping out the shoes for the hydros will translate into more comfortable miles this winter. I rode yesterday in the rain and discovered that I would have been pretty comfortable with a pair of waterproof shoes and gloves. The rest of me was fine.

So, I'm kind of looking forward to it. There's something special about a nice long ride on a sunny winter day out in the country.

Not to derail the thread, but while on the topic of Booties vs Dedicated Winter shoes, I'm considering the Bootie/shoe cover route. Anyone have any experience with the Defeet Sliptream Covers?

Are they as insulating as Neoprene Booties or really aimed at warmer temps?

I used the Sidi Hydro GTX and currently use the Shimano winter shoe which fits a bit better and is equally warm. I wear that shoe with the Assos winter sock and I'm good into the single digits.

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know if the run large or small? I just bought some mediums since I wear size 44 Sidis and Shimanos, but I'm kind of nervous that they might be too small since one of my pairs of Sidis are Megas. I might have gotten the Large, but I hate going a size up if I don't have to. Am I worried about nothing?

Sizing chart here: http://www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/...t_id=100000010

Descente neoprene shoe covers (size XL) are the only ones that fit my size48 shoes. I've tried others and none fit. So I'm guessing they either run a little larger than other brands or the fabric is just more stretchy.

I'm using size Large on my size 46 Sidis and they fit great.

Those Thermosoles look interesting. Thanks.

They look too wimpy for true winter riding .... Maybe fine for 40s or so. I tend to overdress a bit since I figure it's easier to unzip or remove a layer 20 miles out than it is to get warmer. Get those AND booties for the really cold days. YMMV