JayNYC

I got back into cycling this past fall. Rode all through the winter. Slowest month was December when I rode 155 miles. Problem was that I have Raynaud's – my body shuts off blood flow to my hands and feet when it senses cold. Took a few months to figure out there was a way to trick my body so it wouldn't do that. Once I had that sorted (and vacations were over) I did 335 miles in January and just kept going.

In the middle of all that I went clipless. So given my Raynaud's I figured it would be good to invest in a really good pair of cycling boots. Sales are on now so I figured I'd buy some for next winter. I settled on 45Nrth Wölvhammer's. I put on my thickest socks with neoprene booties underneath (the trick needed to turn off my Raynaud's – that and rubber gloves under my mittens), did the trace of my feet. And put the measurements into the 45Nrth size calculator. It said I should get a 47, so that's what I ordered though I could tell width might be the problem.

Well, 47s didn't fit, so I returned them and ordered 48s. And they don't fit either. They have a size 50, but they'll be too long. My problem is width – the Wölvhammer's are just too narrow despite the fact that they say "width X-Wide" on the box. I'm bummed. The Wölvhammer boots are really beautiful. They're exactly what I want. But the sizing doesn't work for me.

Can anyone suggest an alternative? It's gotta be really warm given my Raynaud's. And it's gotta accommodate a pretty wide foot.

TimothyH

I don't have much to add to the thread except to commiserate.

I'm EEE with high arches and what most manufacturers call wide doesn't even begin to suit my needs. Anything wide enough is usually too long.

The one thing I can suggest is old fashioned shoe trees to stretch them a little. These are used on my Sidi shoes and they do stretch in spite of Sidi's claims that they do not. Putting the right tree in left shoe and vice versa can stretch the shoe at the ball of the foot a bit more.



They make shoe trees specific to boots too. Some have screws or gizmos which force them to expand.

Merril shoes do fit nice and their wide shoes are actually wide. I wish they made cycling shoes.


-Tim-

FrozenK

Try Lake 303s they come in wide last. I'm not sure about the 404s, they may have a wide version too.

I'd also recommend trying them in person rather than order online if you have fit issues. Just don't try them on a store and then order online.

JayNYC

Yeah, I thought about that before ordering, but the closest 45Nrth dealer is in New Jersey. I'm a Manhattanite who doesn't own a car.

DaveQ24

I bought a pair of the Lake 303’s. They are still very narrow by US men’s “regular” (non-cycling) shoe standards. About half as wide at the narrowest point of the sole as a pair of my Adidas running shoes, and I find Adidas to be somewhat narrow compared to other brands such as Fila, New Balance, Merril or Hoka.

I bought a 50 intentionally - my “regular” size in a cycling shoe is a 46. With thick socks, they are warm and actually reasonably comfortable because the leather is soft enough and has enough “give” to bow out and act as a de facto wider sole. However, they probably won’t hold up too long worn like that. I should have returned them but waited too long until the window closed for returns.

Leebo

Keen insulated winter boots? Or insulated winter hiking boots? One of the reasons I go with flats in the winter, try finding size 16 anything.

JayNYC

I just ordered a pair of Lake 303 WIDEs. Got a size 47 (US size 13 – I usually wear an 11.5 or sometimes a 12). According to their size chart a 47 is 2mm wider than I need and 9 to 14 mm longer than I need. Fingers crossed they aren't too narrow or too long.

Thanks for your input guys!

mcours2006

My Specialized Defrosters are pretty wide, but they may not be as warm as you'd like. The 45 North Wolvhammers look pretty rugged and warm, but I found this ad while looking for winter boots:

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2159823/

It's only one person's opinion, but for the price it doesn't sound good.

rumrunn6

you're riding clipless. why would it matter how long they are? I would think the extra room in the toe box would provide extra insulation