Sidi Winter Freeze shoes -- opinions?

[Eden]

So I probably couldn't have had a better (worse) day to test run my new shoes. It was raining and 39 when I left the house and only marginally warmer after my 3.5 hour ride.
The verdict is I really like these shoes. I didn't just rely on them to keep me toasty all by themselves. I still put on my stormsocks, wool socks, toe warmers and booties over the top, as I would have with my regular shoes. I stayed pretty much completely dry and really toasty for the first hour or so, then I started to feel a bit wet on the tops of my feet -even though they have a neoprene cuff, I think there isn't much that can be done about my socks wicking water down into the shoe. After about 2 hours I was pretty squishy, but still very warm and I stayed warm the entire time. I never once got the painful I think my toes are going to fall off chill, so I'm quite happy with the shoes. I'm pretty sure the toe warmer stopped working once it got soaked, so the warming action was all in the shoes. I think in dry conditions my feet will be very toasty with just the shoes and wool socks on.

[KathiCville]

Hi Eden.....Wow, it does sound like you had a *perfect* test ride for your new shoes! I'm curious: You said something about neoprene---did you mean on the shoe itself? Or were you talking about your storm socks? Because I don't think my Winter Freeze shoes have any neoprene. I'm wondering if you got the nifty, newer model? The one that velobambina or Carol says has more substantial insulation? Do yours have just a thin, white kinda-furry looking "fleece" lining on the interior of the shoe? Or??.............Thanks!

[Eden]

They don't really look like they are fleecy inside at all. They do feel like they have insulation, but its not soft or fleecy feeling and its dark grey. There is a neoprene cuff that closes just above your ankle. The box says that they are 2003's (they were the sale ones - I wouldn't have pipped my parents for the $300 pair ) I got the road style.

[KathiCville]

Hey Eden.....Yours are probably the road model that I quickly returned to Nashbar after my BF suggested that I'd be happier with the MTB version. (Because of the tread....)....Sounds like your parents hit the ball out of the park in terms of the ideal Christmas present!!........Happy Holidays!

[Velobambina]

I think that with any of the winter shoes, you will need more than just the shoe for comfort. Wool socks, shoe covers, even chemical toe/foot warmers. I rode the winter of '05 with regular Sidis, shoe covers, and chem toe warmers. I suffered. The winter shoes, while not the holy grail, are worth the expense, as they offer much more protection against the elements.

[KathiCville]

Hi velobambina.......My BF just gave me a pair of zip-up PI shoe covers, yay!.....As you noted in an earlier post, now I just have to fiddle with nailing the right combos of socks, etc., for various temp ranges.....Overall, the new shoes are definitely a cut above my regular Shimanos...........