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Warm Biking Shoes for Cold Winter Commute ?



 
 
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  #11  
Old September 1st 05, 11:09 AM
jbuch
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Default Warm Biking Shoes for Cold Winter Commute ?

wrote:
jbuch wrote:

An occasional 0 F (-18 C), more common 20 F (-7 C) temperatures. Eastern
Central Iowa.

I am seeking the experience of others with warm winter biking shoes.

I tried three pairs of wool socks in clipless cycling shoes, and this
was pretty cold because of stuffing so much into a summer shoe just cuts
off the circulation and leaves the foot cold.

There seems to be a lot of heat loss through the metallic sole connections.

Platform pedals with hiking boots or insulated field boots and wool
socks works pretty good, but I lose some pedaling efficiency from the
platform pedals, but not enough to endure colder feet.

Overboots probably don't do much to stop the conductive heat loss
through the sole/attachment/pedal route, and I haven't tried them yet
because of that possibility.

Actually, with good wool socks and a liner, stiff soled full leather
athletic "Walking Shoes" also work fine to a little less than 20 F for
an hour ride. On a dry day.




I'm in the capital of Iowa. I suspect you're over in my alma mater
town. I have the Lake boot/shoes talked about by others. My feet get
very cold in an hour of 30 degree riding. My feet hurt after two hours
of 30 degree riding. I'm wearing wool socks and neoprene booties too.
A riding buddy uses cycling sandals with several layers of wool socks
and seems happy. I am going to give this a try this winter. I have
the snadals and wool socks. I'll put the neoprene booties over them
for some wind protection. Sandals will be loose enough for layers of
wool socks.


Your Mileage May Vary....

When I first started winter biking in the Quad cities area, I just used
leather based common athletic shoes and nice wool socks I bought from
Sam's Club. They were a Burlington sock, and I had bought 6 pairs for
about $20 and there was absolutely no wool itch. They have never
carried that sock again.

For me, 30 F for an hour was a piece of cake, so long as there was no
wet slop.

I had never thought of myself as a hardy winter type, as my previous 30
years had been spent in Southern California.

But skiing with good equipment never left me cold, unless it was a wet
day with drizzle or snow that melted on your clothes as soon as it hit.

Thanks for your input.

I will fiddle a little with the sandal and socks thing this winter, just
for curiosity. Now I have an idea of how to use neoprene socks, if I
ever find some which are inexpensive.


Jim
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  #12  
Old September 1st 05, 02:34 PM
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Default Warm Biking Shoes for Cold Winter Commute ?

I know this looks 'tacky' but I carry the plastic wrappers from a loaf
of bread, for use in the winter.

These take up virtually no space in a pocket or pack and protect me
well from cold wind or rain.

Hope this helps.

Lewis.

**************

  #14  
Old September 1st 05, 05:26 PM
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Default Warm Biking Shoes for Cold Winter Commute ?


I will fiddle a little with the sandal and socks thing this winter, just
for curiosity. Now I have an idea of how to use neoprene socks, if I
ever find some which are inexpensive.


I was referring to neoprene booties. These go over the shoes. And
would provide some wind protection.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/commo...419&TextMode=0

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

  #15  
Old September 29th 05, 08:15 AM
JOM
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Default Warm Biking Shoes for Cold Winter Commute ?

Last winter I bought Shimano SH-MT90 shoes.
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/catalog/...=1127977037399

Those are like SPD compatible trekking shoes. They also have a Gore-Tex liner
and are wider than Shimano shoes normally are. I have been very happy with
them.
I have also Gaerne polars but the problem with them is that they are (at least
for my feet) very narrow.

JuMi

jbuch wrote:

An occasional 0 F (-18 C), more common 20 F (-7 C) temperatures. Eastern
Central Iowa.

I am seeking the experience of others with warm winter biking shoes.

I tried three pairs of wool socks in clipless cycling shoes, and this
was pretty cold because of stuffing so much into a summer shoe just cuts
off the circulation and leaves the foot cold.

There seems to be a lot of heat loss through the metallic sole connections.

Platform pedals with hiking boots or insulated field boots and wool
socks works pretty good, but I lose some pedaling efficiency from the
platform pedals, but not enough to endure colder feet.

Overboots probably don't do much to stop the conductive heat loss
through the sole/attachment/pedal route, and I haven't tried them yet
because of that possibility.

Actually, with good wool socks and a liner, stiff soled full leather
athletic "Walking Shoes" also work fine to a little less than 20 F for
an hour ride. On a dry day.


  #16  
Old September 30th 05, 03:18 PM
Dave Reckoning
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Default Warm Biking Shoes for Cold Winter Commute ?

jbuch wrote:

An occasional 0 F (-18 C), more common 20 F (-7 C) temperatures. Eastern
Central Iowa.

I am seeking the experience of others with warm winter biking shoes.

I tried three pairs of wool socks in clipless cycling shoes, and this
was pretty cold because of stuffing so much into a summer shoe just cuts
off the circulation and leaves the foot cold.

There seems to be a lot of heat loss through the metallic sole
connections.

Platform pedals with hiking boots or insulated field boots and wool
socks works pretty good, but I lose some pedaling efficiency from the
platform pedals, but not enough to endure colder feet.

Overboots probably don't do much to stop the conductive heat loss
through the sole/attachment/pedal route, and I haven't tried them yet
because of that possibility.

Actually, with good wool socks and a liner, stiff soled full leather
athletic "Walking Shoes" also work fine to a little less than 20 F for
an hour ride. On a dry day.


We have much the same climate here in Indiana. Here is what I have found

* More socks DON'T make you warmer - one good pair of wool and a nice
loosish fitting shoe will be better than a bunch of socks
* Longer socks DO keep your feet warmer - make sure the blood getting to the
feet is warm when it gets there, this includes tights and long socks under
the tights
* Keep your shoes loose - nothing will make your feet colder than tight
shoes
* Use the chemical toe warmers - make sure to keep them well ventilated and
dry, they don't work when they can't get O2
* Neoprene is your friend - you gotta keep the air off the front of the shoe
but leave enough room in the shoe for your foot and the chemical toe warmers
to breathe
* Insulating the footbeds is SUPER important - using the rules above most of
your heat loss can be through the cleat attachment screws, make sure you are
insolated from the cleat - Wallmart has good insulated liners cheap

If you dare, visit http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/footwear.htm

Dave
Noblesville IN


 




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