I know it's August, but...........

[mjf]

Originally Posted by tellyho

Year round commuter in the Boston area. Winter shoes are a necessity. I'm on my third pair. I quite like Shimanos MW7. Im a 43 in Sidi and the 44 in Shimano is big enough for extra space. Haven't tried Lakes because I'm concerned about water absorption. Add a boot drier and you can wear them every day.

After commuting in Boston year round for 10 years, I would say they're helpful, but not necessary.

If all that you're doing is commuting, the realistic time frame that I needed winter boots in Boston was between late November and the end of February. Buying a separate pair of boots for those 3 months was something that I couldn't justify while I lived there when a thicker pair of socks and shoe covers were more than adequate to keep me dry and warm during the minimum ~100 miles I was riding every week.

If you're doing more riding outside of that, especially if you're going to be in the snow for long periods, winter specific shoes can definitely be a worthwhile thing to consider.

[Tandem Rider]

I have the Lakes mtb flavor, my winter bike has spd pedals so it was the right choice. They are a game changer, worth every penny and then some. I've done 4+ hour rides in them below freezing, feet were fine, no walking for a few minutes periodically to defrost the toes. I bought slightly larger size so I could use a thicker wool sock, loft = insulation = warmer feet. Winter boots also have a much more substantial sole than summer shoes, this means less heat loss out the bottom.

[benb]

I have had both.. I have a pair of 45NRTH winter shoes/boots sitting in my closet that I have barely used. They are stupendously warm.

First off gotta have SPDs, cause they are 2-bolt. Not really a problem, if it's cold enough to wear them I'm either MTBing or I can put SPDs on my Space Horse.

But the thing is they mess with my position and feel like they lock my ankle into an angle I don't like, the cleat holes are not in the same position as other shoes. Also I'm a heel dropper and because they are almost like a mid-rise boot they feel really weird pedaling. The upper is not as stiff as a boot at all but it's still a huge change from a normal cycling shoe.

Something to think about. I thought Lake and/or some of the other companies that are specialists have low cut winter shoes that probably solve these issues. If it was bad enough you can wear a gaiter with a low cut shoe, which I do have, but have never worn for cycling. They would be incredibly non-aero, but if it's that cold I'm not sure I care.

[Davist]

I bought the previous version of the Fizik Artica a couple years ago, while on closeout (it doesn't have a boa but laces and a toggle) should have done so earlier. Keeps me warm to the mid/high 20s, have put toe covers on the one time I went out in the teens. Got the same size as my summer Fizik shoes, they have some room for warmer socks, I wear woolie boolie socks with no issues. Highly recommend them!

[BdaGhisallo]

If you want to keep your feet really warm and really dry - Spatzwear booties are your choice.

I bought a pair to use when it rains during the winter here in Bermuda and they were simply too warm. No rain got in but my feet and lower legs did sweat a good bit.

If it's cold where you are, I don't think they can be beat.

[benb]

Originally Posted by BdaGhisallo

If you want to keep your feet really warm and really dry - Spatzwear booties are your choice.

I bought a pair to use when it rains during the winter here in Bermuda and they were simply too warm. No rain got in but my feet and lower legs did sweat a good bit.

If it's cold where you are, I don't think they can be beat.

At $135 it's disappointing those are only in 3 sizes.

They are basically almost as expensive as my non-winter MTB shoes I'd be wearing them.

And with one size for 46-49 I'm guessing they are a royal PITA to get over the shoe for anyone at the upper end and then rip after a couple seasons of getting stretched that much. (I would be wearing 48s for the winter to be able to have decent socks)

Now is that really a negative versus everything else in the market? Not really, these are weaknesses in basically all the winter booties I've had. I couldn't even say how many pairs I've been through and can't even remember all the brands.

At least with winter shoes they make a full range of sizes and they last a long time.

You're getting into some winter shoes by $200 and you're getting into Lakes by $280.

Realistically if it's real winter commuting and such and the distances aren't extreme flat pedals + normal boots starts to be something we all need to look at. Very comfortable, very easy to select different warmth levels, no worries about clipless pedals icing over, and the pedals are also cheap. Boots work better with flat pedals than today's super soft foam athletic shoes do. I already have an insulated and non-insulated pair of such boots I could wear that are both waterproof/breathable.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by Tandem Rider

I have the Lakes mtb flavor, my winter bike has spd pedals so it was the right choice. They are a game changer, worth every penny and then some. I've done 4+ hour rides in them below freezing, feet were fine, no walking for a few minutes periodically to defrost the toes. I bought slightly larger size so I could use a thicker wool sock, loft = insulation = warmer feet. Winter boots also have a much more substantial sole than summer shoes, this means less heat loss out the bottom.

I run warm, so I found that the non-insulated winter Lake boots I've had in the past work better for me than the insulated version.

I have a pair of the insulated boots that I bought a few years ago that I'd love to trade for a non-insulated version. My pair has both road and mtn cleat mounting bolt patterns. Size 43

M

[mtbmoose]

Haven’t seen anyone mention heated socks. For about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of a winter riding boot, you can get a nice pair of heated socks on Amazon. Most have 3 levels of heat and the batteries last for hours. Wear whatever shoes/covers that keep your feet dry, but depend on the heated socks for warmth. Even my Northwave winter riding boots will transmit cold up through the cleats, so heated socks for the win. I fatbike on snow in temps down to the low teens and my feet are never cold. Same for early season road rides up here in the inland northwest.

[GParkes]

Thank you for the input gang. Seems like pulling the trigger on a winter pair of shoes is worth it. Worst case scenario, I'm saving some wear on the good road shoes. Now to find a pair that fit my mismatched feet