Winter riding shoes...

[chaka]

anyone have experience with Fizik Artica X5 or Lake MX145 winter riding shoes? I am embarking on yet another quest to fix a footwear problem. I currently have Specialized Defrosters but for the life of me cannot get rid of ankle pain apparently caused by the neoprene cuff seam or the wrap. I have a wide-ish forefoot which causes fit problems as well. Heads up there may be a pair of Defrosters in gear swap soon. thanks.

[jamal]

For me it was between the 45nrth ragnaroks and shimano mw7s. I liked how the shimanos had the flap over the front and went with those. But yeah I notice they dig into my ankle a little. On the first ride it was uncomfortable but the last time I went out with them I didn't really notice so I guess they're breaking in.

Sizing on them is that they run big, i think by design to wear thicker socks. I'd say they went a little overboard but it's fine I guess, it's not like I'm doing sprints on the road when them. Point being you definitely do not want to size up on them.

Other thing is that yes they're gore-tex but I'm not sure how you keep water from coming in through the top. I feel like I'd need water resistant tights/leg warmers that go over the cuffs. I had them out on wet roads and some light rain and my socks just gradually got wetter starting at the top.

The good thing is that the are really warm. Went on a night mtb ride in them a few weeks ago, it wound up being 2.5 hours, 32f when I left the house and got down to 21 for a good portion, and my feet were comfy. I'd rate them as warmer than the 45nrth fasterkatts i had before these.

[El Chupacabra]

Lake makes many of their shoes in "wide" sizing, so that might help. I have the MXZ303, which I think is now been replaced in their line. Warm, fits me well enough - I bought a half size larger than summer bike shoes, so I can wear a thicker sock.

https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Cycling-.../dp/B07ZK13GDJ

[plugboots]

So, a million years ago I started riding in winter and bought neoprene over boots/covers to go over my cycling shoes, and I still have them. They were $15 or something. They work really well, I don't have to worry about fit issues etc. Last winter I went on a few fat bike rides and they were almost too warm, as it was dry, (but very cold).
Why not just get neoprene or whatever over shoes/covers?

[El Chupacabra]

So, a million years ago I started riding in winter and bought neoprene over boots/covers to go over my cycling shoes, and I still have them. They were $15 or something. They work really well, I don't have to worry about fit issues etc. Last winter I went on a few fat bike rides and they were almost too warm, as it was dry, (but very cold).
Why not just get neoprene or whatever over shoes/covers?

I have some of those too. They work fine for warmth. Not great if you ever have to walk. A good choice for cold weather road riding though.

[huckbucket]

Per Plug's post, just get these. Super easy to get on and off. In my experience they are warm down to around 20 deg.

https://www.planetbike.com/comet-cycling-shoe-covers/

Lots of similar brands of the same design. The key is the velcro (zipper suck)

[jamal]

That's what I do for my road shoes and it's been totally fine, especially as I'll usually not go out on my road bike when it's super cold. But they don't fit over my mtb shoes and I haven't bothered tracking down a set that do. Plus that metal cleat and pedal makes them not nearly as warm. I do need to find some for those more in-between and slightly damp days. Going out when it's 45 and your feet get a little wet in racey well ventilated mtb shoes isn't really comfortable.

[plugboots]

I have some of those too. They work fine for warmth. Not great if you ever have to walk. A good choice for cold weather road riding though.

Agree on the waking part. My wife’s have some sort of Kevlar/incredibly durable rough stuff on the bottom (that isn’t open to the cleat), and they seem to at least provide some traction.
I just don’t walk much. I mean maybe i kick out and have to get around something I can’t clean and start up again, but that’s it.

[HankScorpio]

They don't make them any more, but my 45nrth Japanthers are on their 3 winter and still look new. They're rated as a "shoulder season" shoe but I wear them in single digit temps and my feet are still very warm. It looks like the Ragnaroks replaced it and I'm sure that's just as good.

I use Shimano for trail shoes and 45nrth quality and durability is far superior.

[chaka]

Agree on the waking part. My wife’s have some sort of Kevlar/incredibly durable rough stuff on the bottom (that isn’t open to the cleat), and they seem to at least provide some traction.
I just don’t walk much. I mean maybe i kick out and have to get around something I can’t clean and start up again, but that’s it.

I've tried a couple different pair of the over boots Plug, I wish they worked as well for me. Never felt warm enough for me due to (I think) heat pouring out the bottom and crap circulation. Also possibly because the models I had let in too much water. I also rarely walk but have destroyed a pair from the occasional small hike a bike.

They don't make them any more, but my 45nrth Japanthers are on their 3 winter and still look new. They're rated as a "shoulder season" shoe but I wear them in single digit temps and my feet are still very warm. It looks like the Ragnaroks replaced it and I'm sure that's just as good.

I use Shimano for trail shoes and 45nrth quality and durability is far superior.

Good to know thanks, I have no experience with 45North, I need to check if the Ragnaroks have any insulation. My toes get really cold... as mentioned above I think I have poor circulation. I've tried several shimano models in the past, never really clicked fit wise. I'm looking for something that will keep me comfy on 4+ hour trail/gravel/road rides in shitty cold-ish (upper 20s to mid upper 30s) PNW weather. Having a reliable waterproof membrane is important, while I know full downpours will soak your feet regardless of fancy shoes due to water running down your tights into the socks (unless you are in full waterproof pants pulled down over the ankle).

[#######]

If it's below freezing w/ precip (SLC area) I'll run a wool ski sock in the shoe with a clapped out ski sock over the shoe, then a thermal water resistant overshoe. Yeah it's a process, but I get cold/block feet pretty easy and if sh*t gets really cold you can plop in heat packs between the outer sock and shoe with decent success.

[chaka]

If it's below freezing w/ precip (SLC area) I'll run a wool ski sock in the shoe with a clapped out ski sock over the shoe, then a thermal water resistant overshoe. Yeah it's a process, but I get cold/block feet pretty easy and if sh*t gets really cold you can plop in heat packs between the outer sock and shoe with decent success. [ATTACH=CONFIG]347348[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]347350[/ATTACH]

how do you keep the corndogs warm

[frorider]

The mx145 shoes are marketed as 3 season, last I saw. I have the Lake mxz303 winter shoes and like them. I also have spec Defrosters which are slightly warmer but unfortunately too large for my size 12 feeet. Which reminds me, I gotta put the Defrosters in Gear Swap.

[goathead]

Yeah, mx 145 is a shoulder season boot (at least here in mn) I like mine down to mid 30’s, then 303s, eventually sorels


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[Iowagriz]

The mx145 shoes are marketed as 3 season, last I saw. I have the Lake mxz303 winter shoes and like them. I also have spec Defrosters which are slightly warmer but unfortunately too large for my size 12 feeet. Which reminds me, I gotta put the Defrosters in Gear Swap.

What size are your Defrosters? Mine are wearing out and probably a size too small. Need a replacement, guessing yours are too big

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