[SA Chris]

Well, just feet really.

I've got a pair of old shimano leather SPD fit shoes which are fine most of the year, but I get really cold feet in winter esp if it's wet or snowy.

I have a pair of the thin neoprene covers i put over them, then have a pair of ski socks and a pair of porelle dry socks over them, but my feet are invariably ice blocks and numb within the first half hour of riding.

I'm happy to spend a bit of cash on some new decent shoes if anyone can recommend something to make winter riding a bit more pleasant.

Ta.

[Ti_pin_man]

cold feet are caused by your body thinking it needs to protect its key organs and removing the blood back to the core.  As such cold feet are often the result of both crap shoes BUT also crap leggings and apparel.  Id strongly recommend getting some of the fleecy ~Endura three quarters or even longs to keep your legs toastie.

Then I'd recommend some Northwave Celcius or specific winter boots, maybe go up half a size to wear thicker socks and also keep some room to let the blood flow to the toes, not too tight shoes.

If you dont go for new shoes then thick over shoes are a real treat.  Personally I've tried goretex socks, porelle dries and ultimatly found the above works better than these.  If water gets inside the goretex and porelles it usually stays there and over shoes can be a chore to walk in.

[fatdoc]

I've always had way colder feet if using clips. A nice big pair of five tem impacts, good 3 season cool max socks and seal skinz socks are my preferred option. Seems loads warmer than any Spd over boot combo. I'm sure there is some sort of heat sink into the pedals if ridin clipped in...

[Probes]

Being a cold feet sufferer, i found a few years ago a pair of extremeties full mountain socks (i think theyre called) and ever since ive had markedly warmer feet doing ice and stuff and have never suffered on the bike (wearing 5.10s mind you not spds). 60/40 wool mix i think.

[cofe]

Second the Endura fleecy 3/4 and sealskinz socks recs. Wear flats these days, but never had a problem with spd shoes, though i did wear the chunky shimano AM type shoes. Second pair of socks if it's baltic, but as long as I keep my core warm my feet tend to be ok.

[ianv]

something to make winter riding a bit more pleasant.

 




Thicker neoprene overshoes, thicker socks and looser shoes also help.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Last winter had exactly the same issue. Tried lots of socks inc seal skin. Tried decent overshoes which ripped first ride. Eventually got some Shimano winter boots on eBay, then sold them as far too small! Got another pair but by which time it had warmed up so not had a full test of them. The current Goretex ones are pricey, be aware for some reason they are about two sizes smaller than standard Shim shoes.

[Norton Sharley]

 
Specialized Defrosters 

re sizing though

[SA Chris]

Cheers for the info. I suspect in trying to get too many layers in I'm squeezing into the shoes which probably isn't helping.

Might need to go shopping for some shoes with at least a bit of insulation. I don't think socks are the problem, they are decent ski socks I wear when out climbing or doing snowsports in winter and I don't really get cold feet then.

[Norton Sharley]

thin socks + decent boots = warm dry feet 

try before you buy or keep mail ordering.  the thick soles / rugged cleated soles and winter mud make spd's a pain to engage, I use Crank Bros instead.

[Ti_pin_man]

+1 for crank bros pedals and also for loose fitting winter boots, blood flow is more important than thick socks in tight shoes. 

[SA Chris]

Going to go for a look at local shops - won't take long (Alpine bikes and Edinburgh Bike Co-op are only choices!)

Will look into switching pedals too.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Possibly more suited for road than MTB but this bundle may be of interest to some, even if just as spares...

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/ZXWINTER/winter_bundle

[SA Chris]

Has anyone used these? Look a lot better than the flimsy ones I use right now.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/mt500-mtb-overshoes-ec011694

Only other suitable things Alpine bikes had were these

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-mw81-gore-tex-winter-spd-boots-2014/rp-prod66829

Are they good enough to justify the pricetag?

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Has anyone used these? Look a lot better than the flimsy ones I use right now.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/mt500-mtb-overshoes-ec011694

Had a pair, ripped both first ride. Sent them back then sold the replacements on ebay.

Only other suitable things Alpine bikes had were these

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-mw81-gore-tex-winter-spd-boots-2014/rp-prod66829

Are they good enough to justify the pricetag?

Depends how much you use them. I'm guessing where you are they'll get used a fair bit. These are the current versions of the old non-goretex ones I got off ebay for about £40. That said I don't think £120 is actually that terrible for a goretex technical shoe/boot. A pair of approach shoes costs around £80-100 these days. Remember to try them on, they are tiny and you'll need space for thick socks.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Just seen a pair of MW81s in a shop for £160 so maybe £120 isn't too bad. They also had the MT91 and MT71 both of which are Goretex and have proper Vibram soles which might be better if you do rides with quite a bit of carrying/hiking.

If you want to make any of these look like a bargain check out the price of Fizik Road shoes. 

[SA Chris]

Those 71s look like the type of thing I'm after and more in my price range. Might have to take a punt and buy online, hard to justify spending more for my once a week ride (if I'm lucky).

Just went for a disappointing look at Edinburgh Bike Co-op and all they had were the Specialised Defrosters which looked a bit shit TBH, and not in my size anyway. The lack of decent shops is one of the perils of living in the country.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

If the sizing is anything like the MW81s I'd go at least one size bigger than normal, possibly two for thick socks and get them from a shop with no-quibble returns. Think CRC have free returns with both the Post Office and CollectPlus.

[SA Chris]

I think that's the way to go.

Thanks for help.

[SA Chris]

As fate would have it, this popped into my inbox

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/diadora-polaris-ii-mtb-boots-2013/rp-prod112094

Anyone got any experience?

[SA Chris]

low stock, went for it! Will report back.

[ianv]

They will look absolutely stunning when twinned with lycra 

[SA Chris]

What? I thought they looked ok? Black is the new black

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