Winter Footwear

[Garz]

As winter is approaching I want some help in deciding what I should plump for please from people that have experience.

I already have normal road shoes with SPD-SL and remember the horror of last year cycling in extreme conditions getting cold feet a lot. I did purchase the cheap Aldi shoe covers which are good for mild weather and light rain, and I got some better overshoes from endura which have now started to get scuffed and one cover the zip broke on.

Do I get a specific winter shoe or buy more overshoes and get another pair of shoes (at later date) as this offers more flexibility?

 

[potsy]

Last year I went with some nice thick woolly socks,and Shimano overshoes which are a decent quality heavy duty neoprene type,seemed to work for me but I only rode up to about -2 or -3.
Have looked at the Gore-Tex type winter boots but am not sure how they'll fair in the rain,and they are very expensive option.
Anyway this winter might be tropical compared to the last one

 

[MacB]

When it was really cold I went for my old Timberland boots with two pairs of socks, feet were toasty. Now have my eye on a pair of Rigger boots from B&Q following a recommendation on YACF:-

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=rigger+boots

Only good if it's really cold, otherwise it's my trainers and some overshoes as backup if need be. Though I will admit that they'll look a bit strange coupled with lycra longs.

 

[Noodley]

use both pairs of overshoes to provide better warmth...

 

[HLaB]

What sort of cycling are you doing Garz? I'd convert to Spd for winter. For the winter club run heat isn't a problem and I go with Spesh BG MTB Sport and wear overshoes if its nippy but for other rides I wear plain mtb shoes and sealskin socks over my normal socks when its cold/ wet.

 

[Peter10]

I'm tempted to change to my mountain bike shoes and get some MTB pedals for winter. The shoes are much thicker & lined inside.

 

[mcshroom]

I rode in trainers with two pairs of socks last winter without too many problems (my thermometer hit -7[sup]o[/sup]C at the worst I think) but one of the pairs was a proper set of walking socks.

You can get those foot warmer things as well if it's really cold, just put them under your toes.

 

[Garz]

What sort of cycling are you doing Garz? I'd convert to Spd for winter. For the winter club run heat isn't a problem and I go with Spesh BG MTB Sport and wear overshoes if its nippy but for other rides I wear plain mtb shoes and sealskin socks over my normal socks when its cold/ wet.

I just do normal road riding mainly consisting of an evening 20-25 miler until it get's too dark then I am just limited to weekends. I plan to hit the turbo once I feel evening rides are no longer practical but recalling last year over winter it got freezing using my road shoes until I purchased the Endura overshoes. These however arent built to last as the zip seems to go easily.

Was considering a dedicated winter road shoe if people recommend they are worth forking out on and keep the existing ones for warm weather usage.

 

[HLaB]

Was considering a dedicated winter road shoe if people recommend they are worth forking out on and keep the existing ones for warm weather usage.

I didn't know you could even get dedicated winter road shoes. My own road shoes would be useless for winter, they've got too many vents (in particular one on the sole between the big toe and the toe next to it) you do get plenty of SPD shoes which are more temperature resistant (if thats the correct term )/ winter dedicated.

Edit according to google you do but they're not cheap!

 

[Coco]

+1 for sealskinz

 

[Dayvo]

I'll be getting something like this for the winter:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/cycle-clothing/cycling-shoes/winter-shoes

together with woollen socks, and overshoes if it's particularly cold.

 

[Silver Fox]

Last winter I used the Shimano RW80 road shoe, Prendas thermal socks and, if the weather was very bad, a set of Endura overshoes. My feet were always warm and dry.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31743

http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?typ=typ&fkid=18&ID=773

 

[Tynan]

I used to struggle with my feet, bought some winter boots and found them poor

in the end a half decent pair of merino socks and neoprene over shoes gets me right through winters with no real bother, for commuting anyway

 

[youngoldbloke]

I didn't know you could even get dedicated winter road shoes. My own road shoes would be useless for winter, they've got too many vents (in particular one on the sole between the big toe and the toe next to it) you do get plenty of SPD shoes which are more temperature resistant (if thats the correct term )/ winter dedicated.

Edit according to google you do but they're not cheap!

Helpful Hint - fill the holes with Blu Tack! Has anyone tried motor cyclist's boot liners? Spada

 

[ufkacbln]

I tour, and often investigate ancient monuments, so some walking ability was required

I bought some Shimano MT90 boots, basically Goretex walking boots with SPD cleats. Fairly light, comfortable,warm and surprisingly easy to cycle in



Excellent investment, and worked well during the "freeze" earlier this year as well.