Winter footwear

[flombe]

My toes froze tonight (10 degrees) and I am looking for tips on footwear that will allow rides below 15 degrees. I am running a polypro liner with a DeFeet sock in a Sidi Dominator Lorica with Pearl Izumi Toester booties. This has proven to be good for an hour at temps down to 15 degrees. Below 15 and the toes start to whine after 45 minutes. I know the Lake and Northwave winter shoes can be ridden at really cold temps (a buddy rides his Northwaves below zero), but I am hoping to wait until next year to spring for real winter shoes. Any ideas on increasing circulation to the tootsies?

[ThorSonic]

My toes froze tonight (10 degrees) and I am looking for tips on footwear that will allow rides below 15 degrees. I am running a polypro liner with a DeFeet sock in a Sidi Dominator Lorica with Pearl Izumi Toester booties. This has proven to be good for an hour at temps down to 15 degrees. Below 15 and the toes start to whine after 45 minutes. I know the Lake and Northwave winter shoes can be ridden at really cold temps (a buddy rides his Northwaves below zero), but I am hoping to wait until next year to spring for real winter shoes. Any ideas on increasing circulation to the tootsies?
I wear Sidi boots for motorcycling. My track boots are made of Lorica(fake leather) and are water/windproof. They don't stay as warm as my leather Sidi's do. One think Lake does is use an insole that has huge air pockets in it to create insulation and isolate you from the cold. I suspect you could find something like that from a ski shop. While you are there, some of the disposable toe warmers you put in you shoes work really well. I bought the Lakes because I was impressed by their design, quality, and build. My feet will still get cold if I tie them too tightly and/or do a lot of walking (which I do - out of shape.)

I had a client who was a boot designer at Redwing and he said that anytime you put a solid shank material in a boot you are going to have trouble with the cold. Cycling shoes/boots have this and I guess he was right. To counteract this I use a thick snowboarding sock I found at REI. I don't remember the brand, but it is the only one that advertises a sock within a sock. My feet got a little cold on Sunday, but I was walking A LOT and was bonked before my feet hit the pedals.

[el gueche]

try a pair of nylons as your base layer or the nylon booties - with my lakes i wear nylons and smartwear anklets and no complaints at any temp - nylons are a long distance, cold weather, motorcycle trick

[thebionicman]

Don't forget to duct tape your shoes. I have been running with my booties and after 45 minutes my toes would start to get cold. I put duct tape over the vents in my shoes and it seems to help. I will have to try tonight to see how long I can stay out.

[JayT]

I use toe warmers with success. They can be bought almost anywhere... Walmart, Menards, Fleet Farm, etc.. at a cost of >$1

Once out of the package they are activated by air. I put mine in a air-tight zip lock after each ride (double zip lock just for good measure). I'll get about three uses out of them before they're used up.

I figure at about a buck a pair/3 rides a pair = .30 = small price for comfort.

http://www.grabberwarmers.com/toewarmer.htm

[funky-funky-chicken]

I can get by in sub-zero temperatures with my regular cycling shoes, wool socks, disposable toe heaters, and booties. The best that I can do is about 3 hours though. To get by any longer, the ride will likely be more road related and I am forced to switch to a winter type hiking boot and flat pedals.

I know a number of people who are hard-core winter commuters. I think that everyone who rides in the winter struggles with their feet. Although I know a couple of the people do use the Lake winter cycling shoe, their honest (and non-purchase-justifying) opinion is that they are better than a regular cycling shoe, but are by no means the solution.

It would seem to me that it would make sense that the parent company that owns Mavic, Solomon, and Adidas would be able to create a truly "Winter" rated cycling shoe that would actually keep feet warm, not just warmer. One would think that someone would be able to design a cycling shoe (in a variety of sizes) with the wealth of technology and products available in the cross country ski and snowboard world.

Oh... I'll probably buy a pair of Lake shoes for myself, but would like to get a pair at least 1 size larger than what I normally wear so that I have some extra room for warm socks. The problem with that, well... I normally wear a 48 wide in my Sidis. I guess that I will be stuck with the Lakes that only go to 48 regular.

[tedsti]

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558

I have been using these with great success. I have ridden for over an hour at 0 F with these and a good pair of wool socks and my toes were just starting to get cold at the end. This leaves room for longer, colder rides with foot warmers. One thing I like about these is that they have a rubber sole which is much more durable than most of the booties that just have neoprene on the bottom. I bought a size 12 to go over my size 10 MTB shoes. For $20, you really can't go wrong. If your MTB shoes look more like street shoes, these probably won't fit over them.

Ted

[TML]

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558

I have been using these with great success.

Ted
Glad to hear. I just got a set for Christmas but haven't tried them out yet because I've mostly been using boots and riding my bike with flat pedals. It seems like they are a pretty good deal for the money though.

[jitterjepp]

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558

I have been using these with great success. I have ridden for over an hour at 0 F with these and a good pair of wool socks and my toes were just starting to get cold at the end. This leaves room for longer, colder rides with foot warmers. One thing I like about these is that they have a rubber sole which is much more durable than most of the booties that just have neoprene on the bottom. I bought a size 12 to go over my size 10 MTB shoes. For $20, you really can't go wrong. If your MTB shoes look more like street shoes, these probably won't fit over them.

Ted I got a pair of covers like these but they are trek brand. They seem to work well. I went from Uptown to University and Raymond last night and had no problems with the Booties and a pair of wool socks. I don't think I would be able to wear the things if it was above 40 degrees without my feet getting too hot. I also think the duct tape over the vents might be a good idea for really cold temps.

[SprocketHead]

I've been experimenting with a winter tennis shoe called the Pipe Dragon made by North Face $85.00 at REI... They're not biking shoes of course, but they seem to work pretty well to keep the toes warm. I got the idea from icebike.com.

I tried gore tex hiking boots with thick wool socks and chemical toe warmers-No Good, my toes froze.

[flombe]

try a pair of nylons as your base layer or the nylon booties - with my lakes i wear nylons and smartwear anklets and no complaints at any temp - nylons are a long distance, cold weather, motorcycle trick
I can't fathom the thought of shaving my legs much less wearing nylons! I assume you meant wearing them only on your feet.;)

Thanks to everyone for the tips and ideas. I am going to try closing off the vent holes and adding those little warmer packs and see if that does it for me.

I'll report back on results.

[ryno lite]

I can get by in sub-zero temperatures with my regular cycling shoes, wool socks, disposable toe heaters, and booties. The best that I can do is about 3 hours though. To get by any longer, the ride will likely be more road related and I am forced to switch to a winter type hiking boot and flat pedals.

I know a number of people who are hard-core winter commuters. I think that everyone who rides in the winter struggles with their feet. Although I know a couple of the people do use the Lake winter cycling shoe, their honest (and non-purchase-justifying) opinion is that they are better than a regular cycling shoe, but are by no means the solution.

It would seem to me that it would make sense that the parent company that owns Mavic, Solomon, and Adidas would be able to create a truly "Winter" rated cycling shoe that would actually keep feet warm, not just warmer. One would think that someone would be able to design a cycling shoe (in a variety of sizes) with the wealth of technology and products available in the cross country ski and snowboard world.

Oh... I'll probably buy a pair of Lake shoes for myself, but would like to get a pair at least 1 size larger than what I normally wear so that I have some extra room for warm socks. The problem with that, well... I normally wear a 48 wide in my Sidis. I guess that I will be stuck with the Lakes that only go to 48 regular.
I have the big foot problem myself. I wanted the Lakes, but also wanted a larger size than 48. My girlfriend really made my Xmas by getting me the Sidi winter shoe in a size 50! Everyone raves about the Lakes, but I'll take the Sidis, because they fit great and even have room for my big feet and some thicker socks. Since size 50 Sidi winter shoes are hard to come by, you'd be more than welcome to try mine on if you were curious about sizing.

[ryno lite]

I have the big foot problem myself. I wanted the Lakes, but also wanted a larger size than 48. My girlfriend really made my Xmas by getting me the Sidi winter shoe in a size 50! Everyone raves about the Lakes, but I'll take the Sidis, because they fit great and even have room for my big feet and some thicker socks. Since size 50 Sidi winter shoes are hard to come by, you'd be more than welcome to try mine on if you were curious about sizing.
I forgot to tell you I run a size 14 in most shoes and ride with size 47 Northwave shoes in the summer. All I can say is that the size 50 Sidi's come highly reccomended!

[daveyp]

Trial and Error with 25+ years of winter cycling and 3 Iditabikes down to -25F leads me to believe its not so much a case of needing fancy winter shoes, as one of needing lots o' room in those shoes. Snug shoes are my pal in summer, but in winter I use size 45 Euro compared to normal size 40. stuff the space with socks and stuff so yer toes can still wiggle comfortably. For long rides below zero I also use an overboot as some folks here suggested.
Ya mite wanna keep yer lower leg and ankle area quite insulated too as this keeps the blood aflowin.