Winter cycling boots

[quixoticgeek]

I'm pondering winter cycling shoes. I'm after something for mountain bike spd, with a decent sole, and of primary importance, no membrane. So no goretex or similar. I'm not fussed about said shoe being waterproof. Just warm and keeps the wind out. A classic leather type boot would be nice.

Can anyone recommend a suitable solution ?

J

[velosam]

How about the specialized ones?

[quixoticgeek]

How about the specialized ones?

Which ones? Their shoe range is very large...

J

[rafletcher]

Just use an windproof overshoe then?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windproof-overshoe-1/

[quixoticgeek]

Just use an windproof overshoe then?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windproof-overshoe-1/

That is membrane based... and I'd need something to put it over. 

J

[nightrider]

The trouble with overshoes is that they are such a faff. I got a pair of Artic North wave winter boots about 3 years ago and I've never looked back. They cost about £100 if I remember correctly. I wear them from the end of October to April,so the cost is justifiable.
I choose the bright sod off yellow ones. They looked the buisiness for about 20 minutes. Now they look shit!

[quixoticgeek]

The trouble with overshoes is that they are such a faff. I got a pair of Artic North wave winter boots about 3 years ago and I've never looked back.

Goretex membrane. Not an option.

J

[vorsprung]

The only ones I've used that actually worked had goretex membranes, sorry

Spa cycles have a range of Exustar shoes - i think some of them are leather.  They don't look very winter-ish however

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s154p0/Parts-and-Accessories/Shoes

[jsabine]

Why no membrane? That seems to me to cut down the choice immensely.

(FWIW I'm very happy with the Northwave SPD boots I've got.)

[quixoticgeek]

Why no membrane? That seems to me to cut down the choice immensely.

(FWIW I'm very happy with the Northwave SPD boots I've got.)

Membranes don't work. Plain and simple.

J

[Veloman]

I have cycling shoes a size or two larger than I need and wear seal skins with thermals underneath and thick overshoes. Have also been known to wear poly bags between shoes and overshoes. If it is that cold that this system does not work then I shouldn't be out cycling!

[Kim]

Why no membrane? That seems to me to cut down the choice immensely.

Membranes don't work. Plain and simple.

If you're not fussed about it being waterproof, what's the harm in a membrane that doesn't work?

[Biggsy]

Indeed waterproof boots tend to be very good in the cold and wind.
Is breathability the concern?

[quixoticgeek]

[

If you're not fussed about it being waterproof, what's the harm in a membrane that doesn't work?

Because they don't breathe. The amount of moisture produced by the foot is greater than the moisture permibility of the membrane. This is made even worse in cold or humid conditions when the moisture gradient is insufficient for vapour to travel across the membrane. This moisture condenses on the inside of the membrane, makes the foot wet, which makes it cold. In very cold conditions, this moisture is dangerous, goretex shoes gave me frost nip and nerve damage in one of my big toes cycling in -6C last winter. In really cold conditions the dew point is actually below the goretex membrane and you get moisture condensing in insulation layers, degrading the insulation properties.

Indeed waterproof boots tend to be very good in the cold and wind.
Is breathability the concern?

I want a shoe that is very good at getting rid of moisture, I'm not fussed about moisture getting in. A well made leather shoe would be ideal.

The only reason most summer shoes aren't good for winter is they provide too much ventilation cooling the foot. Finding the balance is hard.

J

[Kim]

[

If you're not fussed about it being waterproof, what's the harm in a membrane that doesn't work?

Because they don't breathe. The amount of moisture produced by the foot is greater than the moisture permibility of the membrane. This is made even worse in cold or humid conditions when the moisture gradient is insufficient for vapour to travel across the membrane. This moisture condenses on the inside of the membrane, makes the foot wet, which makes it cold. In very cold conditions, this moisture is dangerous, goretex shoes gave me frost nip and nerve damage in one of my big toes cycling in -6C last winter. In really cold conditions the dew point is actually below the goretex membrane and you get moisture condensing in insulation layers, degrading the insulation properties.

That makes sense.  I don't really do properly cold conditions, so I was thinking about water getting in.

[chrisbainbridge]

I have used the specialised defroster road shoe for the past few winters.  Thinsulate  and neoprene. With a high ankle. I use sealskin socks underneath or occasionally my smart wool walking socks.

I then in really low temperatures use heat pads. These are sticky pads which I stick to my sock just above the toes. They last about 4 hours and weigh almost nothing so carrying a couple for each foot is fine.   They make a defroster trail for mountain bike cleats.

[quixoticgeek]

I have used the specialised defroster road shoe for the past few winters.  Thinsulate  and neoprene. With a high ankle. I use sealskin socks underneath or occasionally my smart wool walking socks.

I then in really low temperatures use heat pads. These are sticky pads which I stick to my sock just above the toes. They last about 4 hours and weigh almost nothing so carrying a couple for each foot is fine.   They make a defroster trail for mountain bike cleats.

Membrane based

J

[Si S]

Had a lottery win?

https://reynolds-england.com/products/spd-brogue-cycling-boot-in-full-grain-spona-brown-leather

[LittleWheelsandBig]

There are quite a few leather cycling shoes, some without ventilation holes.
https://quocpham.com/

The Urbanite Mid looks to be the closest match to your list.
https://quocpham.com/collections/urbanite/products/urbanite-mid-black?variant=5896207748

[quixoticgeek]

Had a lottery win?

https://reynolds-england.com/products/spd-brogue-cycling-boot-in-full-grain-spona-brown-leather

That's the closest to what I was thibking, so far. Looks f ugly, but it's a leather boot, with a vibrant sole and no membrane.

J

[ElyDave]

I bought a pair of Louis Garnea winter boots last year, superb.

[Jakob W]

If your primary concern is moisture transfer, will a full leather boot be breathable enough when pushing hard? Trad cycling shoes usually had holes punched all over them for a reason.

Those Reynolds boots aren't cheap, but by the standards of hand-made-in-England etc etc. they're not ludicrously overpriced. Might be worth giving William Lennon in Derbyshire a call? They still make leather boots and trad cycling shoes, and will do custom orders - I suppose it will depend on whether they can get hold of suitable soles (I note the Reynolds only come in sizes 8-11, which make be a sole availability issue).

Otherwise this may be an impossible ask for cycling-specific gear; what do winter cyclists in Scandinavia do - flat pedals and regular winter boots?

[andrew_s]

click image (other retailers available)
Lake MXZ 303, leather and dubbin waterproofing, insulated for cold weather (down to about 0°F, according to US reviewers)

[Veloman]

......... what do winter cyclists in Scandinavia do - flat pedals and regular winter boots?

Stay indoors and get the turbo trainer going!

[jsabine]

Had a lottery win?

https://reynolds-england.com/products/spd-brogue-cycling-boot-in-full-grain-spona-brown-leather

That's the closest to what I was thibking, so far. Looks f ugly, but it's a leather boot, with a vibrant sole and no membrane.

Had a look at them at Spin this year - really quite nice.

As for membranes, sounds like you've got more experience with them in the cold than I have, but in the damp I don't think I've found them less breathable than an item with a wetted-out face material.