Need Ideas For Cold Feet

[WindingRoad]

Today I finally bit the bullet and purchased a pair of winter cycling boots. They are Specialized Defrosters size 43 (yep I got big feet). They fit looser so I can put on thick socks. I hope to try them out tomorrow and it's supposed to be low 30's. I'll keep u posted how it turns out.

[spokewench]

IF these don't do the trick; which they may not; definitely put a bootie with thermal protection and wind block on the outside on on top of the boot.

[Wahine]

It's been a long time since I've ventured over to TE forums. But I can think of no one that can give me better advice than you ladies.

I am in the market for a pair of winter cycling boots. Susan mentioned Sidi gortex and I've seen the Lake boots mentioned a couple of times.

Are these models specific to women? How is the fit? I have a very narrow heel but a wide forefoot so I usually need a WSD shoe/boot to make it work.

Any comments?

[OakLeaf]

I can't speak to the Lake boots, but I just got a pair of their lower-end road shoes in a men's wide, and they're not too wide in the heel for my narrow heels. (They do make women's shoes and I'm pretty sure boots too, but not in EE. As I said on FB, you can't spell "feet" without "EE." )

I think Colby had the same experience, she's the one who turned me on to them. I've got the strap closest to the ankle cinched tighter than it's probably really supposed to go, but they work. I've climbed a couple of reasonably steep hills in them and my heels didn't pop out.

I don't have that many miles on them yet and I'm having to make some extra effort to unclip, but I think it's because I'm so long in the toe that the cleats are just farther back on my foot than they were on my old too-small shoes, rather than heel slop accounting for it. I may wind up taking a Dremel tool to the cleats so that I can move them a little farther up. (Anyone ever try that on a Look cleat???)

[Wahine]

Thanks OakLeaf.

[WindingRoad]

My first ride with my Defrosters was a little disappointing. However, I only wore a midweight wool sock and about half way into the ride I started getting pretty cold. My toes were REALLY cold by the end. The temps were 18 degrees when I started out. Today it was about 30-32 when I started out. I wore the boots with 2 pairs of socks and chemical toe heaters and was actually sweating like crazy. So it looks like I will need to wear the chemical toe warmers when the temps are below 20's. On my ride home it was 35 and it felt like a heat wave, lol. My boots are not women's specific, I have skinny feet but the way the boots tighten helps cinch up some of the extra material around my foot. I've only had a couple of rides on these but I think they are going to be pretty nice actually. Still learning at this point

[Crankin]

I wore my new Shimano Gore Tex WR-80 winter shoes yesterday. It was about 33 during most of the ride. I wore my hiking socks on purpose, to see what thicker socks and no chemical toe warmers felt like. The shoes have lots of wiggle room, and are one of the few winter shoes that are women specific sized and come in small sizes. In fact, I am not sure if they even make this shoe anymore; I got it from a place in the UK for 50% off and free shipping. My take is that I have spoiled myself by using chemical toe warmers in temperatures in the 40s, with my regular shoes and booties. I am used to toasty warm feet! My feet were not cold and my toes were freely moving. But, they felt "cool." I would say that I might still use the warmers for temps below 35. Usually I would have worn my Woolie Bully socks, that are thinner, but very warm. While there is enough room for 2 pairs of socks, I think that would make my feet feel constricted.