TenSpeedV2

When I go into a store and I want a t-shirt, I don't walk out with a sweater. I will just say that.

alan s 

But you might get a sweatshirt if you saw a good deal, right?

tjspiel

50 degrees and raining this morning. Wore my waterproof hiking boots instead of my SPD shoes. Same boots I'll wear when it's -20 °F. If I had a nice pair of waterproof (or mostly waterproof) cycling shoes or boots, I might have worn them instead, but they cost some $$$$. If I lived in a climate where I could expect a lot of 40 and 50 degree rainy weather I might invest in some.

For us winter means temps below freezing most of the time and often slippery conditions. I'm not a big fan of SPDs in that kind of weather so I switch to platforms. Some folks still prefer SPDs in the winter.

Lanovran

Ah, ok... In that case, I wouldn't recommend winter shoes/boots at all. At 50°F (heck, even down to 32°F, depending on your tolerances), I'd recommend one of a few different options, depending on the specific situation:

• Lightweight, waterproof, cleat-compatible shoe covers.
• A double-layer of socks for extra insulation (still prone to getting soaked, though).
• Insulated, waterproof socks.
• My favorite on this list: water- and wind-proof oversocks, which are worn (as the name implies) over your socks, but inside your shoes. I have a pair of these and I really like them a lot more than shoe covers.

TenSpeedV2

Not when I am at the store looking for a t-shirt.

cyccommute 

You aren't looking for a winter shoe so much as a transitional shoe. The problem is that most winter SPD compatible boots are made for temperatures below 0°C and end up being far too warm for temperatures above that. I would suggest the 45nrth Japanther but I suspect that even they would be hot at 10°C. My Lake MXZ303s are certainly too hot for 10°C and they are similar to the Japanther.

Another suggestion is to use a regular shoe and a neoprene sock. Pearl Izumi used to make the X-Alp in a water resistant shoe but they don't apparently make those any more. I have a pair and have successfully combined them with a pair of NRS Hydroskin socks for cool but not cold days.

I've also seen suggestions for combining a waterproof sock like the Hydroskins and a pair of cycling sandals. The waterproof sock (with an insulating sock underneath) keeps your feet warm and the sandals let the water flow off. I haven't gone that route...yet...but I may have to in the future.

Goriot

Thanks for the list, looked into a lot of them.

I agree overall with people saying 0-10deg C isn't winter, and I should have clarified. No snow, just cold-ish and wet all the time. Since moving to the West Coast I've forgotten what real winter is, and never have been a real winter rider. Good for those who put on the real boots and commute, but that's not my situation.

The big reason for liking the Northwave, or any more or less Waterproof shoe is that these shoes end up getting walked in a lot too. I switch into loafers at work but if going out for lunch, stopping somewhere on way home etc I would switch back into the shoes I ideally commute with. Those Northwave seemed to fit the bill for that- something booties and double socks etc wouldn't.

So the RIGHT question would be: Best Waterproof SPD shoe/boot that offers some warmth and also works for walking around in.

Ya extremely expensive, completely agree. The current SPD shoes I've used for almost 5yrs now are basic Pearl Izumis that cost me $100, and have now seen better days, so I figured I'd invest in the next pair.

Like above, the waterproof system needs to be multitasking, and in addition to riding, could also be used to walk around off the bike. Thats how I got fixated on a high quality shoe/boot, as opposed to covers/extra socks etc. Maybe I'm thinking of a bike shoe utopia, but I'd like to wear a single pair of socks, and ideally only switch out the shoe at work... too much to ask for?

alan s 

Yeah, when you said winter boots and linked to winter boots, that threw me off for sure. You need rain gear. I use Sugoi Resistors Sugoi Resistor Bike Booties - REI.com for rain over either summer or winter shoes, depending on the temperature. Your feet would be soaked with sweat from winter cycling boots.

mcours2006

Yes, cycling with those shoes at 10C or warmer, you don't have to worry about rain water getting your feet wet; the real threat is from inside.

PatrickGSR94

I recently bought some Giro waterproof thermal shoe covers. Had high hopes of them working for colder winter temperatures this year.

Nope. They work great for when it's raining. But Friday morning it was about 38-39F and I used thick merino wool socks, my MTB shoes with thermal aerogel insoles (which I had to grind down the plastic "lugs" under the heel of the shoe to get the shoe covers to fit, and only just barely), and then the thermal covers. Nope. Toes still cold after 45 minutes and borderline numb after 75 minutes. And it wasn't even down to freezing yet.

Ridiculous. My stupid long@$$ toes I think. I guess the only thing that would work for me is those electric heated insoles. But those cost as much as some of those winter SPD boots.

a1penguin

You would be wrong :-) My feet get cold easily. It was mid 50s today at the end of my slow paced bike ride (I am riding all the streets in Santa Clara) and my feed were getting cold. I have wool socks. I have been riding a lot more this year and I am going to need to figure out how to keep my feet warm. I have the rest of the winter riding issues solved.

cyccommute 

People react to cold in many different ways and have a wide range of comfort zones...although 50°F is warm to have problems with cold feet. I would suggest a barrier sock or a shoe cover if your feet are getting that cold at 50°F because your problem is related to wind heat loss. The Hydroskins work well inside the shoe and there are any number of shoe covers to use.

One thing I'd suggest is that you get a shoe for winter that is a larger size then your normal summer shoe. Trying to jam a thick sock into a close fitting shoe can result in cutting off the circulation and the result is colder (feeling) feet. I'd also suggest that you insulate the bottom of the shoe (after you get a larger shoe). Insulating the sole of the shoe has made a huge difference for me at much colder temperatures. I've added these insoles to all of my winter shoes as well as using aluminum furnace tape under the insole. The furnace tape reflects heat back towards the foot and the insoles trap a lot of air. The result is reasonably warm feet even at stupidly cold temperatures.

pasopia

I've had two pairs of the Northwave Celsius boots. The first pair I bought back in 2008, and I used them for several winters commuting in NY happily. It tends not to drop below 20 degrees F in NYC in the winter, and I found them to be great around freezing temps.

I got a second pair of the extreme version of the boots a couple of years ago. They are much warmer than my old ones, which is great when is really cold, but not so great when it's warmer. Both sets are very waterproof.

They are both pretty stiff soled, walkeable but stiff.

I stopped riding clipless, or I'd still be using them.

noglider 

Ooh, I like the idea of those sheepskin insoles!

I do have one or two pairs of extra large shoes just for that purpose. I can insert insoles and still wear two pairs of socks.

Miele Man

I use pedals with toe-clips and loose straps. Footwer for the last few years is a pair of rubber boots like farmer's wear (black with a red-tan accent) with good quality Merino wool socks. Completely waterproof foott and shank and comfortable throughout a Toronto-like Canadian winter. They're also quite comfortable to walk in if needed.

Cheers