Winter cycling shoes.
 

I decided to buy a pair of winter cycling shoes. I've used winter shoe covers for all the years I've been riding outdoors and have always kept my feet warm. They are water resistant not waterproof and at times I do submerge my feet in frozen water. So, after talking to the local bike shop and having a pair of Shimano mtb shoes for normal weather I went with the Shimano winter cycling shoes. They are wider which is what I need so that worked out well. Today on half day Friday I took them out for their first test ride of 3+ hours in 32-degree weather. Plenty of bike and hike in the snow and three flooded out trail water crossing and still nice warm dry feet. Looking forward to seeing how they do once the February freeze moves in, but very happy with the first test.

Those look like the 702's, I've the older model 701, I dont get them wet, but they do keep my feet warm down to 25F or so. They fit better than the Lakes I used.

They are the 702's and being that I don't shy away from water crossings I was very happy they kept my feet dry also.

Winter shoes is "a bridge too far" for me, I have way too much specialized bike gear and I feel that will push me over the edge. I am now using double shoe covers, stretchy neoprene ones over heavy insulated ones, and on single digit days and am making out OK.

Of course that doesn't stop me from salivating over various winter shoe models, reading reviews, etc.. 😁

All the wear put on winter shoes, is wear that is avoided on the summer shoes.
So assuming the price is similar, in the long run, it does not cost anymore to have the winter shoes.

I tried the neoprene covers, but it was not worth the hassle.

Agreed. My boots (Lake MKZ303) are over 10 years old now and still going strong. If anything they are too hot for much above 20°F. I have a pair of lighter boots for those days.

I used neoprene covers for 15 to 20 years before that and wouldn’t go back. For a start, I have average sized feet (US size 10/EU size 45) and I had trouble finding covers that would fit over those. I couldn’t imagine getting them on any shoe larger, much less over another cover. Boots are just easier.

I have the same shoes I think. Mine were marked mw7 and I've ridden down to zero and up to 55°F. They are extremely versatile! Totally worth the investment.

Winter boots are indeed a luxury, but you hit a point of being tired of adding special socks, plus neoprene, plus shoe covers, etc.... all my riding in winter is mt. bike mostly and its often 15-20 F, so just got tired of cold feet. The $200 was ultimately worth it.

If you ride regularly in a area where there is a real winter, then winter shoes make a lot of sense. I've a few pairs of winter shoes and they are worth every penny. I've found over the years to buy a shoe that is a half, or even full, size larger than what I normally wear so that they can accommodate thicker socks, as well as on those mornings when it's -20C charcoal toe warmers. Having toe warmers on snug shoes does nothing as it chokes all the oxygen out.

The combination of two pairs of shoes, sizes 43 and 44, with thick/thin wool socks, neoprene shoe covers/toe warmers, and charcoal warmers will take me from 5*C down to about -25*C. Any colder than that, then I'll drive because Shimano hydraulic brakes do work so well.

I don't have much winter, I should have put that above as one other reason for not buying winter shoes. I think tomorrow morning will be my coldest bike this year, it will be around 22F/-5C.

I bought some Sidi winter boots several years ago and have used them some with good results. Lately I have been riding a bike with rat trap pedals and Birkenstock London shoes in temperatures as low as -8F. I have been surprised at how warm the Birkenstocks are, just because of their huge toe box. They also are real stable on the pedals, the tread interfaces well. They are quite inferior to the Sidi boots when I come out of the saddle and hammer, but they're nice for running to the store and back to pick something up quickly.

I’m one of those who can’t really keep feet warm, or have to limit exposure time. Best solution I’ve found is Sorel felt lined boots, on flat pedals with grip studs. They work, and I prefer not to clip in for slippery conditions.

I paid about $200 for Shimano winter shoes a year ago. I don't wear them often, but I'm happy I got them. I tried so many other ideas, and this is the first one that works.

I also inadvertently increased my feet's tolerance for cold over the last couple of years. I was living in the country for the first two years of Pandemic, and every morning, before getting dressed, I stepped outside and stood for only a few seconds. I don't know if this will work for anyone else, but it seems to have worked for me. And it's not a complete solution but it's worth something.

I broke down and bought 45 North FasterKatts several years ago. I had several systems of produce bags and socks. at time shoe covers and other times neoprene booties but the FasterKatts are simpler, easier to put on and take off (for that agimg man's run to the rest room upon arrival), walk better at the farmers market and don't rub and wear out my cranks.

Yes, $200. And they are only rated 25F. (On this skinny, always cold guy, they are actually fine if not truly warm for 3-4 hours in 25F. (Portland, OR. That covers the vast majority of our winters.) Given the veracity of this rating, I fully believe their boot a step colder is good that that temp rating. You warm blooded types can probably take them down a lot colder.

Related to boots, winter shoes and this topic - I made "gaiters" after I bought the boots to keep water from running down my tights and into the boots. (I've got long legs. The cuffs never reach the boot/shoe tops, even standing.) Bought 300 weight stretch windblock outdoor fabric. Cut a band about 7" high that fits tight around my ankle under my tights or warmers and over my boot tops. Velcro strip in back to close.

I did this for water but very quickly found that keeping the wind off my ankles meant delivering warm blood to my feet! What a difference. I now wear them with my regular shoes on dry 40s days just because it feels better late in rides.

I trust you are out there right now. I'm inside w/ a head cold & nose bleed. tested negative for c, twice. itching to get out there. walked out back, perfect conditions right now, not deep, hard pack w/ some ice

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...61554d942e.jpg

I bought the same Shimano winter boots a couple of years ago. Initially I hated them because on the first ride in 30 degree F. my toes still got cold.

I kept experimenting with layering (even used Neoprene booties over the winter shoes) and now I love them. They work better that very thick neoprene booties with summer shoes and wool or fleece socks with toe warmers. My toes were always cold in upstate NY winters, limiting my riding time to about 45 min to 1 hour the most, even with chemical warmers and two neoprene booties over the summer shoes.

The system that works for me now is the following: one thin wool or silk sock, thin chemical toe warmer and then fleece expedition sock or wool sock inside one size larger Shimano winter boots. The trick is to expose the chemical warmer to air for about 15-20 minutes before putting your foot into the boot . The system works for me in 20 deg. weather for 3 to 4 hours.

I always had cold toes and fingers during winter riding; now using Swany ski gloves and Shimano winter boots I can ride all day in 20-30 deg. weather :)