Sidi Winter Freeze shoes -- opinions?

[ccnyc]

I have these. This is my second or third winter (can't remember) with them. The new Sidi boots have Gore-Tex and neoprene and are over $300 I think and look like they might offer more protection and warmth.

These boots do work for me. I usually wear 42.5 in Sidi shoes and I got a 43 so I can wear one pair of heavy socks and one thin pair of socks. Still plenty of toe wiggle room and air circulation. I can also fit a chemical toe warmer in there too. Because of the higher top it really keeps the cold air out of the shoe. I ride in temps down to 30 degrees and my toes still get a little icy at the lower end of the temp range. HTH.

Carol

[KathiCville]

Thanks, Velobambina and Carol! The shoes should arrive later in the week, so I'll be able to try on the two sizes with various combos of socks, etc. My BF thinks I got a very good deal (as long as at least one of the two pairs fits, of course!).

The "winter" Sidi model to avoid, apparently, is the Storm shoe, which doesn't have much in the way of insulation. The Freeze has a fleece lining. I read a bunch of reviews yesterday on various biking forums, and no one had anything positive to say about the Storm model. Thoughts about the Freeze were mixed. I'm glad to hear that Carol likes hers.

If I get *really* serious about riding through the winter, I might look into the Lakes. (I love the Herman Munster image! ) I guess you can probably get good deals on those off-season?

Velobambina, I lived in Arlington for about 17 years, near Virginia Square..........Used to ride the W&OD years ago before I moved to Central VA. Also, the C&O Canal. And put in lots of miles on the beautiful roads out around Middleburg (VA) and up around Poolesville (MD).

[Velobambina]

NO way! I live in the Waverly Hills section of Arlington, just north of Ballston. My house is about a mile from where you lived and I frequently pass through your old stomping grounds (I love being able to ditch the car on weekends and walk everywhere or take metro. If it weren't for my job, I'd sell my car).

I can access the Custis Trail from my neighborhood and from there, hit just about any local trail (W&OD, Mt. Vernon, C&O, etc).

I LOVE Arlington because it's such a bike-friendly, pedestrian-friendly, and dog-friendly community.

BTW, let us know how the shoes work out.

[Natasha]

I have had a pair of the Lake winter boots for the past 4 years. For really cold weather I have Hotronics heated insoles in them. I have been able to ride all through a Minnesota winter with this combination and have toasty warm toes. I checked out the Sidi, Northwave and Gaerny winter boots and the Lakes came out on top. I normally wear 38 and went with a size 40 to accomodate thicker socks and the heated insoles. I agree, they are heavy, especially with the battery for the heated insoles attached to them.

[madscot13]

Hey Natasha where you at? I used to live in St. Paul and my parents are out in Burnsville.

[Natasha]

Hi madscot13. We live in the St. Paul area. A great area for biking, especially the hills of western Wisconsin.

[KathiCville]

Quick update on the Sidi Winter Freeze shoe question......First, I had to return the ones I ordered originally because I didn't realize----duh-----that I really wanted the MTB version, not the road version. (I ride a road bike, but BF pointed out that I would probably be happier with a bit of tread, not a rock-hard slippery sole. He's right!) As a result (timing), I lost out on the 20% off sale, so the replacement pair cost more in the $130 range than $100 range. (Grrr..... ) [BF picked up cost of overnight shipping--what a sweetheart....]

The shoes came last night. Good fit---I ordered two sizes larger than my "real" size, so have plenty of room in the toe box. Couldn't wait to try them, so headed out at lunch for 8 miles on my favorite country road. Bottom line? I'm definitely NOT blown away by their warmth! The insulation is suprisingly minimal for shoes marketed for winter riding. (They're supposed to be lined with fleece, but the lining is kind of pitiful........)

I was wearing one pair of thin Smartwool socks AND a Gore oversock and still could feel a bit of chill, almost from the start of the ride. (For the life of me, I can't figure out how the air was getting in---shoe overall seems to be airtight---heavy toe area---and closes snugly at the ankle!)

I was far from suffering, but still, I was surprised not to be perfectly cozy. After all, the noontime temp was 50 degrees, no wind, so we're not even talking seriously cold weather, LOL!! I can't load up too much on socks because the width isn't as roomy as the length. (Anyone know of warm socks that are heavily reinforced in the toe area only???)........

Even so, the Sidis are better than my summer pair, were on sale for a decent price, and I can always beef 'em up a bit with toe covers and/or chem toe warmers........ I'll ride in them on a cold early morning this weekend and see how they feel after 15 to 20 miles. If I'm not reasonably toasty using added ammunition, I might return them and hold out for velobambina's Diablos (on sale), Lakes, Gaerne, or something similar!!........

P.S. My BF says I must have incredibly sensitive feet to feel chilly on a 50 degree day in wool, Gore and Sidis, LOL! Could be he's right, but nothing to be done about it except layer, layer, and layer some more, I guess!

Thanks again for the input!