Winter Commute: what do you wear on your feet?

[Ana]

I usually bike in warmer weather and am about to prepare my bike (and myself) to get out there when it's sunny, not too windy, icy, or cold

I usually wear tennis shoes to bike but it's just too cold to do that. I just have regular platform petals right now. I have some SPDs but I don't think I'll put them on until the spring (stay away, salt!).

What do you wear on your feet to bike in the winter?

[tulip]

With platform pedals, wear winter hiking boots with warm socks. Have fun!

[kfergos]

With platform pedals, wear winter hiking boots with warm socks. Have fun!

Yep. What's "warm" mean for you?

[Grog]

I see you're in New England. You could just wear your winter boots, no?

For me the important thing when it dips below freezing (I'm in Vancouver so real cold is not much of an issue) is to have footwear that is wind resistant, water resistant (to a point at least) and warm. I find that on colder days my winter boots (that I had in Montreal) are just great. They are lined with lamb's wool which makes them really breathable, too. (They were my -10 Celcius or colder boots.)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

With platform pedals, wear winter hiking boots with warm socks. Have fun!

Yes. Get some real wool socks if you can. Ideally, your insulated hiking boots are a little roomy inside and you can put a couple pairs of wool socks. You don't want to wear 'snow boots' that are really bulky- you might start catching the toe on your front wheel, etc. That's why hiking boots are good, also you can bend your ankle better in hiking boots.
Don't pile on so many socks that it feels tight though, or you will hamper circulation and your feet will be cold again.

[tulip]

I fancy silk socks (thin) with wool socks over. Boots should not be too tight. Some people like boots with fleece. Whatever you have--experiment. Keep dry.

[out_spokin']

Ditto on hiking boots - I have a not-too-much-fabric/mesh pair that I wear on cold days (around 25F or less). I love Outlast for sock and glove liner material, plus a medium weight Smartwool hiking sock. The thick ones leave me colder than the thinner ones, like folks say above if they're too tight you'll be cold. And my cold weather tights go right into the boot cuff -- gaps in that area can be pretty chilly.

I haven't had to yet, but if it were super cold (below 5F) I may try plastic bags between those layers to up the comfort zone. Some folks also swear by the waterproof sock method, similar vapor barrier idea.