Originally Posted by
Chr0m0ly
I'd love some advices on winter commuting shoes. I'm in NYC, fresh out of Chicago, and the wife and I are going car free while we are here. I'd like something like a light hiking boot or high top basketball sneaker, that's fully waterproof. I have gaiters to wear with them, so I can seal the ankle pretty well.
I use old timey toe clips so something that will last in the clips is important. Something with long wearing soles too. I've been doing a lot more walking while in New York!
I almost think some hi-top skate board shoes would fit the bill?
What do you guys think?
I commute in Colorado Springs year-round with toe clips. I find low-top skate-board shoes with a firm sole to be just fine. Low-top, to keep my ankle roating free.
In the snow and rain I wrap a plastic grocery bag or two over my socks, and that seems to work fine for snow up to 3-inches...my limit.
Over the years I have found toe clips will wear a little on the front of the shoe. And simple, uncomplicated smooth-toe shoes work better. Any extra stitching or layering will eventually catch on the clips and be tougher to pull-out.
I once tried a sneaker with some plasticy fake-leather upper and those cracked after a few weeks in the clips. I find canvas or rubberized canvas to work better.
I also put inserts with rigid heel supports in the shoes which helps firm up the soles even more.
I decided to buy fairly inexpensive shoes because I commute most days, and shoes last about a year for me.
Except the last two years, the shoes have lasted longer because I use a different pair of shoes in the winter...a pair of LED lighted sneakers.