Sidi Winter Freeze shoes -- opinions?

[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!

[Natasha]

There seems to be a spot where the cleat attaches to the bottom of most biking shoes that is not insulated at all. I've found that to be a cold spot on a lot of shoes.

Another approach I've seen people use for cold weather riding is biking sandals, such as the Lake or Sidi styles. They wear one or two pairs of fleece or wool socks with them and some sort of cover on top. I've never been able to wear the biking sandals, but it seems to work for some people.

[KathiCville]

Thanks, Natasha!

I've read, too, about sandals in winter, but confess that I can't quite picture 'em doing the trick for me.....Seems so counter-intuitive!

Good point about the cleat attachment area. My BF mentioned the same possibility and suggests that I put in a slim insole to buffer the whole bottom of the shoe from the pedal, without making the shoe noticeably more snug width-wise. I'll give that a whirl and see if it helps.......

[Eden]

oooohhhhh I've been bad and opened my Christmas present early. Right after I saw that first post my parents asked what I wanted . This was the first time I've seen them in any size smaller than a 39 - which is 2 sizes bigger than I normally wear and would have been way to big, but 1 size, with my thick winter socks.... feels great.
I haven't worn them outside yet, but I put my cleats on and put them on with the socks I usually wear and they feel nice. Tormorrow I will give them their first good test run.