I bought some Lake mx146 for winter. They're insulated and fairly warm. Despite the boots being insulated, a thick insole and thick merino socks, I can feel the cold at the contact point with the pedals after a few hours. Needs to be below 0'c though.
The rest of my foot stays toasty warm but I can feel the pedals after a while.
I was disappointed at first having bought the boots to keep me warm but it does kind of highlight how well the insulation works because other than a bit on the sole, my feet do stay warm.
I think SPDs will always make your feet cold eventually. Key for me is making sure your socks and shoes aren't too tight. If your shoes fit well with normal socks and then you go a whack a pair of thick socks in them, are you restricting the blood flow to your toes? That'll make you're feet cold no matter which type of pedal you use.
did you find that the free rider EPS fit the same as the free rider pros?
@oldfart plastic pedals are popular on fat bikes in very cold places in the winter, but I think you’d need some insulated shoes rather than standard 510. The battery powered heated socks would definitely work and you could keep your current shoes snd pedals.
Bigger shoes to let your feet move in thick socks. And toe warmers.
After decades of frozen feet, this works for me.
A pair of plastic pedals would be a fairly cheap thing to try imho. Having said that I'm a big fan of neoprene over bootees.
Quite enjoying this comedy thread. Below what the OP is currently wearing.
My advice would be walking boots and flats. That’s certainly the warmest my feet have ever been
unning tights under waterproof trousers, knee length Sealskinz and Shimano Waterproof boots a size bigger . Warm down to my ankles then feet are like blocks of ice 🥶
The reactive iron-oxide hand warmers can be useful, I find they're best placed on your inner wrist and tucked down your sock just behind the ankle on the inside. The theory here is that they warm the blood as it passes into your hands and feet, sounds like nuts science I agree, but I've found its pretty effective. Cold feet are no fun, hope you get it sorted.
My advice would be walking boots and flats. That’s certainly the warmest my feet have ever been
I have Shimano "winter" boots and they're nowhere near as warm as my Bontrager OMWs or my Fizik Terra Artica but for real warmth it's the Columbia Fairbanks boots and flat, plastic, pedals that rule.
I use plastic pedals and waterproof 5 10 shoes and I've not had cold feet for years. I've ridden down to -8 with this setup.
After 3 hours you might need some food to keep energy levels up tho?
Shimano waterproof boots ..... Are not insulated.
Bonty omw and wolvhammers are insulated. Including the insoles.
The absolute toastiest for feet is indeed flat pedals, flat pedal shoes designed for winter (I have some Shimano ones that are pretty good) get them a size or two up and wear thick socks. Some of my friends have had success with gaiters to direct shin splashes down on to the shoe (the Shimanos have waterproof tops). Or Sealskins with a warm sock underneath, as noted above get knee length ones to keep shin splashes out. I think one reason flats do better is that you can shift the point of contact around, thereby helping with circulation to the bottom of the feet.
Burgtecs are good plastic pedals.
But probably the most important bit is gettng shoes big enough to hold a warm sock without it squishing and losing its insulating properties.
Overshoes.
Failing that, introduce iron filings to your pedal bearings, friction produces heat.
I'm one of those who have tried everything over the years and come to a lot of the conclusions above. However I realized a while back that I was always getting my feet cold changing into kit before I set off so I started making sure I had warm feet before I left the house. Warm your feet before you set off!
I bought some Lake mx146 for winter. They're insulated and fairly warm.
I don't think that the 146 are insulated, it is the 304 and 400 that are the lake insulated winter boots, and the they have the problem that they build to the size and then add the insulation on the inside so you need to size up just to allow for the insulation and if you want to wear thick socks you need to go up 2 sizes.
Which Shimano boots have you got? I'm using an ancient (and tired) pair of MW80s; the newer MW502/702 seem much thinner and more lightly built. I'm certainly not aware of cold spots where the cleats are. (the cleat plate is well hidden under the midsole)
How tight round the ankles are the socks/tights/boot cuff combo? That's a lot of material there. You're not cutting off circulation slightly are you? (or even the cuff off the socks being tight round the back of your knees?)
The only time I've ridden (metal) flats recently was in the cold snap a couple of weeks back, when it was minus lots. I wouldn't say my feet were toasty warm, but they weren't cold either - the default Freerider Pro/Woolie Boolie combo, plus normal riding trousers.
I do wonder if the more flexible nature of flats means your feet are working more, so the blood gets pumped around better; likewise a bit of pushing might help generate some circulation?
Lambswool insoles.
My personal fix has been to buy shoes/boots for the winter that are a size too big, or half size if you can.
That lets you wear socks that are not compressed and still retain a good layer of insulation. I found that Sealskins waterproof socks are also really effective.
Pedals seem not to be the problem as I ride with clips or flats and the effect on my feet is the same.
Just to add that I alternate between a bike with metal flats and a bike with plastic flats (metal pins)in all weathers and have never noticed any appreciable difference in the warmth of my feet between the two.
I have never rated sealskinz socks, I wear ski socks, the padding on the shins traps some extra air under roubaix tights.
The Aldi ones are a significant improvement on the originals IME.
I wouldn't rate them as a solution on their own, but they do a decent job as a last defense on a crappy day. If it's just cold and dry then I'd agree with just going with warm socks.
I was thinking about this last night and did wonder if the Sealskins might be part of the problem - if your feet are getting clammy/sweaty and there's nowhere for the moisture to go, that might be where the chill is coming from? I had a couple of pairs years ago, and vaguely recall them being pretty unbreathable. As you're using waterproof boots, maybe try the wool sock/ski sock thing?
(personally wet feet don't bother me so long as they're not cold and wet)
It's like I didn't mention I wear Shimano Waterproof Winter Boots
You did, but
Shimano waterproof boots ..... Are not insulated.
I came here to say the same thing. They're wind and water proof, but then, so are plastic bags.
I use some old NW winter boots (GTX) have both road and MTB versions as it gets really cold here. Sealskins aren't that warm either. I have to wear some thermal socks underneath them in wet and cold conditions, or ski socks/merino cycling socks if it's just cold. Also have foil backed insoles in both sets of shoes (one came like it from new, the other they got added as soon as i realised they didn't have them. Also have some foam backed aluminium tape over the cleat patch on the MTB shoes (the road ones use a mostly plastic cleat).
So i even get sweaty feet down to about -5.
I've found the newer Shimano MW5 "winter" SPD boots cold, cramped (narrow) and sweaty - big disappointment compared to MW81 of old.
Now about 6 winter rides into some Lake MXZ120 and finding them the great - well insulated, easy to walk in and lots of room (for toes to move and wear thicker socks if needed but without going oversize on length). The price made me hold off for a year on buying them but very glad I finally did.
For total overkill cold on flat pedals (and OK for mud but probably not pouring rain unless you run gaiters or overtrousers) we've just had our second trip to Finland in these, biking down to -19C without cold feet. Also stayed warm walking around at -28C! Again lots of sock room without them having to be sized over-long. Think I'd melt using them in 99% of UK conditions.... Also kept dry feet snowshoeing and walking in deep snow for hours.
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/snowdon-extreme-mens-snow-boots-p36390.aspx/black/
I bought some Lake mx146 for winter. They're insulated and fairly warm.
I don't think that the 146 are insulated, it is the 304 and 400 that are the lake insulated winter boots, and the they have the problem that they build to the size and then add the insulation on the inside so you need to size up just to allow for the insulation and if you want to wear thick socks you need to go up 2 sizes.
The 146 are definitely insulated. Just not as heavily as the 304s (I have both). I think its 200g vs 400g.
With decent socks and dressed appropriately for winter, the 146 are good into low minus figures.
It was minus 1 when I started my ride a couple of weeks ago and didn't get above 2 degrees all day. My feet were quite happy with a pair of Woolie Boolies (and tights, and trousers).
It's like I didn't mention I wear Shimano Waterproof Winter Boots
Oh, i saw it. But...
Shimano waterproof boots ..... Are not insulated.
I came here to say that too.
Insulated boots, decent socks, sealskins are mostly waterproof, not warm. May as well put plastic bags on your feet...
Foil backed insoles, and maybe aluminium tape over the cleat pocket (i've done that on a couple of pairs of boots over the years.)
I use NW GTX, both road and mtb versions.
For when its proper cold, like around zero kind of cold I use a pair of the Northwave Celsius winter boots and a pair of merino socks, always with SPD's and rarely do my feet get cold enough to warrant any form of discussion.
For when its proper cold, like around zero kind of cold I use a pair of the Northwave Celsius winter boots and a pair of merino socks, always with SPD's and rarely do my feet get cold enough to warrant any form of discussion.
I finally bought my first pair of winter boots ~5 years ago, those yellow Planet X Das Boots, wish I'd done it sooner!
Also ~5 years ago, I discovered a thin pair of summer socks under a ~£10 pair of 3mm neoprene socks from Amazon was brilliant in cold dry weather, not just in the wet!!
Just to add that I alternate between a bike with metal flats and a bike with plastic flats (metal pins)in all weathers and have never noticed any appreciable difference in the warmth of my feet between the two.
Only when it's sub-zero with snow on the ground, then I think I can feel the cold coming through my aluminium flats.
Otherwise, same as you - can't tell any real difference when using nylon pedals.
