Bob Ross

I wear winter cycling boots from Answer.

I recommend not getting the winter cycling boots from Answer.

Outnumbered

When the temps are 25 or above I use neoprene covers with my regular shoes and my cross country ski socks, below 25 I double up on the socks. One of these days I'll stop being so cheap and buy a good winter boot at which point I am sure I'll wonder why I didn't do it sooner.

Smoke61

Just got Shimano MW81's for this winter. Road the last 2 weekends with temps in the high teens/low 20's with Wigwam 40 Below socks. 2+ hr rides, warm & comfortable with no issues....

jyl

I've been very happy with my winter shoes (Shimano MW7). My testing hasn't been terribly sophisticated: I ride in the cold rain and stand in puddles. Result is warm and dry feet. Well, the socks get a bit damp from sweat. I haven't tried the Gore-Tex socks yet, and rather wish I hadn't spent that money, they haven't been necessary. I was worried that the relatively low cuff of the shoe would let water in, but not so far. I did use the spats recommended by cfboy on my last longish wet ride, and realized that on the next such ride, I should wear just one spat and see if there is any difference between the two feet. Anyway, I'm very satisfied.

JohnJ80

I'm not sure it's "winter" if it's warm enough for the precipitation to be liquid and for puddles to be present. Winter here is at least 30 degrees colder so warmth is more important than absolute waterproofness

J.

jyl

Pacific Northwest winters are more about rain. Typical would be 33-38F and raining hard.

JohnJ80

Yep, I get that.

Here's the thing though. We're talking about "winter" cycling shoes. To some, that means protection from cold (serious cold, not above freezing "cold"). To others that means protection from water and the cold that comes from getting wet.

Two different topics and, in actuality, two different shoes typically.

This is exactly the problem I went through looking at shoes earlier this fall. Since most shops almost try and avoid carrying winter shoes, it's hard to get a look at them and compare. So I had to order them all out to take a look. Some of them, all I needed to do was take them out of the box and hold them in my hand to see that they would be useless in my "winter" application.

I wanted shoes that could manage cold where "cold" means down to below 0F. The only waterproofness I really need is to stop the intrusion of water as snow melts when you walk through snow. There is no need for waterproofness needed to stand in liquid water. Typically, with the exception of some of the really, really expensive shoes, most of the liquid water capable shoes just aren't warm for real cold. A warm shoe for cold weather would get cold if you stood in liquid water. A liquid water capable shoe in real cold is probably never going to be warm.


J.

79pmooney

I've been really happy with the 45N Fasterkats. I bought them big. Rated to 25F. Riding for ~1 1.2 hours at 25, me feet stayed warm. Very, very comfortable. Excellent riding. Good walking. Really dry. My feet don't sweat at all in them and my socks stay fresh for multiple rides, even if I spend real time (like three hours) indoors.

I bought Fastkats instead of the warmer versions because I ride in Portland. Based on my experience (as a long limbed skinny guy with permanently cold extremities) I am confident that the warmer boots will work for almost everybody down to their rated temperatures.

I like Carbonfiberboy's suggestion of dry suit seals from a dive shop. I made seals out of stretch outdoor fabric and velcro to do the same thing. Not waterproof, but they do lead water down outside my boots and keep my feet dry (as well as sealing off the cold air). I've been using them with regular cycling shoes as well. The waterproof seal at the bottom doesn't work with cycling shoes, but the wind help is real.

Ben

Carbonfiberboy 

Although I have Lakes, I just bought my wife and stoker a pair of Northwave GTX shoes. They are the same size as her summer Sidis and are the perfect size for winter wear as they allow room for more or thicker socks. They are very light compared to my Lakes. She loves them. Good prices from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle.

berner

Yaktrax Thermal Insoles - SportsAuthority.com I just added these thermal insoles to my bike shoes. Today is 40F and I'm using the bike shoes without toe covers or booties and feet are fine. With these insoles, I expect my toes will be warm with booties or toe covers down to the freezing point.

Homebrew01

Very happy with my 5 year old Northwave winter shoes. I got them a bit big for thick socks and plenty of toe room.