which winter road shoes??

devonroads

I've done various searched on here but can't find the answers i'm looking for.
So here we go, which winter road shoes/boots do people recommend??
I suffer from poor circulation and up untill this weeks forst i had no issues however the chill blans have come back (incidently from taking the kids to school not riding :shock:
any how which shoes/boots do people use and recommend please? bought a pair of northwave gtx off here but they came up to small so never ended up using them. I have read so many varied reports.
Ideally i'd like to get three bolt so i can run my look cleats however would be open to spd. Been looking at lois garneau o degree ls shoes at a lower cost etc cheers jon

pirnie

I've got a set of the Northwave GTXs and they're working for me so far (Although this hasn't been a particularly cold winter yet....) Vast improvement over any of the overshoes I've tried. I noticed the prices tend to drop very low towards the summer so you could get a bargain if your feet can cope with waiting that long

sungod

tbh with the fixed position and lack of flexing, feet will get cold, i've used sidi winter boots, found them no better than summer shoes+winter socks+overshoes

make sure the normal shoes aren't too tight, otherwise winter socks will compress your feet even more and they get even colder

imho get overshoes, neoprene, go for oversized ones so you can fit another layer underneath, like a belgian bootie or even slip one of those heating pad things between overshoe and shoes to add heat

antfly

Tape over any vents in your normal shoes, then decent winter socks, toe covers and large overshoes. Toe covers are really good.

devonroads

Thanks guys, I meant to add what I use and is the best combination I've found so far, but I guess I'm wondering if winter shoes/boots will be even better.
Currently use my Gaerne summer shoes, seal skin socks and spec tarmac neoprene over shoes. My problem has been once I get a chill Blane or two they are then really painful and uncomfortable. Last winter I suffered sometimes for 2-3 days after, hence thinking anything I could do to help prevent this I wouldlike the idea of trying another pair underneath the over shoes, never thought of that.I've got a pair of planet x I could wear underneath my tarmac overshoes as they are pretty fleecy.

sungod

if the cold is getting to you through that, and the shoes+socks aren't restrictive, then i'd say dedicated winter shoes aren't going to make much difference

try using the gel handwarmer things, the type that can be recycled in microwave/boilng water

keep in jersey pocket, wait until things cool down on a ride, click the button and slip them in between overshoe and shoe, won't hurt, maybe it'll solve the problem, at worst you're out 5-6 quid

devonroads

In hindsight I feel like my right foot probably suffers worse and it its a little restricted than my left. Maybe more size a air circulating would help

muso_stu

I've had Shimano SH-MW81 shoes for a few winters now and haven't had cold feet at all! They're warm and pretty waterproof (unless you're wading through floodwater, as I found recently). You'd have to go to the dark side and swap to mtb-style spd's though...

badgermilk

+1 for overshoes. I ride every day, and generally only need to put over shoes on once a week during the winter. I do have quite warm feet though. Never wear anything on my feet round the house, maybe you should try that as well? Toughen up a bit

devonroads

Lol I wish it was as easy as Manning up. Got official circulation problems according to the docs reinards (think that's how its spelt). I'm going to try to get done bigger shoes fit a bit more space with the bigger socks.kinda feel I might as well just try some winter shoes out.I've actually got a bit of cash as had a bit of a clear out. I used my planet x over shoes under my neoprenes today and they worked well. However as I think I stated I feel my right for is to tight in the shoe with the thicker socks.

kingstonian

Few years ago I had neoprene shoe covers, they were utterly brilliant in cold weather.

Bordersroadie

Here's an honest review of Northwave Celcius Arctic boots:

Pluses: Fantastic convenience factor, very quick to put on/take off, you can walk on filthy, muddy ground without ruining overshoes, warm down to 3 or 4 degrees and watertight even in heavy rain (if you seal the big foot-entry hole). They weigh the same as a combo of road shoes plus overshoes. For general regular use, far less hassle than overshoes.
Minuses:
In temps below 3 degrees, you really need overshoes over them!! This is based on getting a largish size with enough space for thick (Woolie Boolie) socks plus wiggle room.

If you have thick-sock space in your road shoes, BBB Hardwear neoprene overshoes are just as warm (if not warmer if plastic food bags are used as an extra mid-layer) and as waterproof.

You pays yer money...

devonroads

Thanks, I've just tried to write a reply alas my phone faired! I'm reluctant to pay the £135 asking price if their not going to do much more than what I've got. I'm thinking a bigger shoe, alloy tape and the sock and cover combo I've got.I would buy a pair of garneau glaciers straight away if available in a 44. Love my current garneaus, I'll keep looking for a week or so before deciding.the other thing about the glaciers is their £40-50 quid cheaper!

sungod

if you suffer from raynauds, probably even more important that you've got plenty of room in the shoes to avoid restricting blood flow to the toes

afaik once it kicks in they'll chill and stay that way, and it can be triggered by even slight cooling

unless you're pushing hard enough for your body to geneate excess heat early in the ride and keep it that way, just insulation may not be enough, i'd seriously consider some kind of heating

either disposable or reusable chemical ones, or something like http://www.thermosoles.eu/

in all cases you need to make sure there's room in the shoes for them

devonroads

Thanks sungod, I've just ordered me some Gaerne glacier road shoes so rechargeables arroyos be out of the question for now. Although I possibly remember the idea for next season. I'll do a review of them once I've given them some use. If I do have to wear over shoes to on the colder days I'm not to bothered. I'm also going to put leg warmers under my tights to see if that helps. Thanks for your thoughts cheers jon

farrina

devonroads wrote:

. I'm going to try to get done bigger shoes fit a bit more space with the bigger socks.kinda feel I might as well just try some winter shoes out.

My Sidi GTX Hydro are the same size (49) as my Sidi Genius summer shoes, but the Hydro in my experience will easily allow for a full wool sock without constriction, suggesting that Sidi have increased the shoe volume in anticipation.

devonroads

Here we go then, garneau's in my hands and cleated and ready to go out for a first trip shortly. First impressions very impressed, fit is great as i thought they would be owning gaernes already.

That said i haver taken on board advice form here and bike radar. I did 50 km last night in boardline freezing temperatures in easterly winds. I wore leg warmers underneath my gore windstopper tights. Seal skins socks, planet x over shoes (windproof) then shimano tarmac (neoprene) over shoes. Plenty of layers and top notch campag top and i was good as i've ever been. so really happy howver i hope the new shoes will take it to the next level. i'll give them a good testing and report back cheers jon

ic.

I always think if you are getting cold feet/hands regardless of layers of socks etc then you should be looking at whether you are keeping your core warm enough. No sense putting 4 layers on your feet and only wearing 1 layer on your trunk.

The body will move precious heat away from extremities to keep vital organs warm.

In essence, if you are still getting cold feet, put another layer or two on your core.

devonroads

I think its a balance between getting to hot and sweaty and being comfortable. However last night and today I popped more layers on my body than normal but it all seemed too help the end result. First trip in the boots and not a cold toe in sight :-). I'll reserve judgement till I have had them out in a variety of conditions but really pleased after the first ride

saprkzz

I got some Lake CX145 for xmas, everybody (around here) is raving about them, I haven't worn them yet as I need cleats and keep forgetting to buy some, I will report in the summer..lol

Still using winter socks / normal road shoes / overshoes and quiet happy although it hasn't been cold enough to worry about feet yet.