There’s nothing that ruins a winter ride in low temperatures faster than cold feet. Booties, warm socks and shoe covers can all help. But if you plan to ride all winter, your best bet is to invest in a pair of winter cycling boots or shoes. Winter specific shoes are generally much, much warmer and often also waterproof or highly water resistant. Here’s a roundup of some of the top winter cycling shoes from the major brands.
Most of these shoes are road shoes that will take a road specific cleat, with a three bolt pattern, but often also have a mtb shoe model that is the same except for which cleat. The Specialized pair at the bottom take a two bolt pattern for SPD shoes, because they do not make a road shoe and we also realize that some road cyclists ride mountain bike pedals either on their gravel bike, their winter bike, or just in general. Did we miss your favorite pair of winter cycling shoes? Leave a comment and tell us about them.
Diadora Mens Polarex Plus Winter Road Biking Shoe
http://usa.diadoracyclingamerica.com/p/polarex-plus-road
Diadora makes both a road and SPD version of the Polarex shoes. They feature a boa closure system, a water repellent upper and waterproof membrane around the foot, with a thermal lining. They also feature a full carbon sole. Priced around $230, depending on the source.
Mavic Ksyrium Pro Thermo Road Shoe
https://shop.mavic.com/en-us/ksyrium-pro-thermo-shoe-d6184.html#1028=3293
These Mavic all-weather road cycling shoes feature a Gore-Tex outer, neoprene ankle gusset and water-resistant zipper so that no over-boots are needed. The outer layer is fortified with a reinforced rubber toecap and reflective stripes to keep you visible in low-light conditions.
Beneath the outer layer are a composite outsole for effective power transfer, Ortholite inner sole and Ergo Dial lacing system for adjustment. Priced around $220.
Northwave Flash GTX Winter Cycling Shoes
https://northwave.com/en/p/flash-gtx/
Northwave makes the Flash GTX Cycling Shoes to fight the elements and keep you going when temps dip into the negative. To trap moisture outside, and heat on the inside, a Gore-Tex membrane is included on the uppers, as well as footbed, allowing sweat to escape, but still maintaining a cozy interior. This pairs with a high cuff that fits under your bib tights to seal your shoes and keep feet dry. Northwave Flash GTX Shoes include an NGR Air Carbon sole. Priced around $239.
Lake CX145 Winter Cycling Shoes
https://lakecycling.com/products/cx-145?variant=44971198473
The CX145 Cycling Shoes from Lake feature an upper constructed from waxed canvas, leather, and a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry and protected from winter’s elements. A tall ankle has good coverage and dual side mounted BOA dials let you adjust entry, exit, and fit during the ride. The outsole of the CX145 is fiberglass-injected nylon sole that accommodates 3-bolt road cleats. Lake also makes SPD compatible versions. Priced around $249.
Sidi Zero Gore Winter Road Shoes
https://sidi.com/en/products/cycling/shoes/strada/zero-gore
The Sidi Zero Gore Winter Road Shoe features a lightweight Microfibra Microtech upper and Gore-Tex membrane to keep water out, yet allow sweat to escape. A cable dial and velcro system allows you to adjust the shoes so they fit snugly. Carbon reinforced nylon sole. Replaceable toe inserts. Priced around $249.
Fizik Artica R5 Winter Road Cycling Shoe
https://www.fizik.com/us_en/artica-r5.html
The Fizik Artica R5 winter road cycling shoe is waterproof and designed with thermal protection against the cold. The shoes feature internal speed lacing and a microtex reinforced shell with structured support and a breathable membrane for warmth that still allows airflow. The waterproof outer is easy to clean and the waterproof zip ensures that the worst of the weather stays out. Sole is carbon composite. Fleece upper. Also available in an SPD mountain bike pedal version. Costs around $230.
Shimano SH-RW5 Winter Cycling Shoes
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/apparel-accessories/footwear/road-shoes.html
Shimano SH-RW5 shoes are waterproof road winter shoes with a dryshield membrane with fleece liner to keep feet warm and comfortable in rain, wind, cold and mud. A lace flap and neoprene ankle collar keep out water and dirt. The speed lacing system allows adjustments and a secure fit. Dynalast sole shape allows both SPD and SPD-SL cleat fit (road or mountain cleats). Closed vents to keep water out and Hi-Viz, reflective elements for maximum visibility. Costs around $200.
Specialized Defroster Trail Winter Cycling Shoes
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/defroster-trail-mountain-bike-shoes/p/155470?color=229751-155470
Specialized Defroster winter cycling shoes are SPD / two bolt / mountain bike only, with a seam-sealed bootie construction, Thinsulate insulation, and a neoprene collar to help keep your feet warm and dry. Nylon composite sole. Single boa dial for adjustment. Neoprene collar and sealed canopy. Roomy design for thicker socks. Priced around $200.
For your readers that may be a bit more financially challenged, an alternative is to get a cheap pair of flat pedals, even plastic ones, and then wear whatever winter shoe or boot you have. You may not pedal as efficiently or win your summer KOMs, but you can keep your feet warm at a much lower cost, still get a great workout, and may even find the freedom from clips is safer if you happen to slide on some unseen ice or slippery snow.
Good tip!
That may suit some but I have much better control of the bike when my feet are ‘cleated in’., especially when on slippery ground. My first priority is to catch any slide, not flail my legs and/or abandon the bike! Given that I have no problem releasing my shoes from the pedals when I ABSOLUTELY need to, I wouldn’t recommend plain, flat pedals for any serious cyclist on a long or technical ride.
For the financially challenged there are plenty of hacks and bodges that work quite well on general cycling shoes, e.g. Duck Tape!
In colder weather I wear my Merrill Moab gore tex shoes and layer my socks, depending on temperature. I use pedals with toe clips.
flat pedals + boots + chemical toe warmers (not hand warmers) have solved my feet-are-bricks-of-ice problem.
I tried booties & SPD+cycling shoes & chemical toe warmers but my feet still froze.
The switch to flat pedals in the subzero really made the difference. I used to be able to do the spd in the cold but after age 55 the cold really started to win the battle and at 59 I switched to flat pedals for cold temps. .
There’s always eBay! I picked up a pair of Shimano MW81 winter shoes this past fall for $70 and love them. I’ve ridden down to <20°F with only a single pair of Giro winter (Merlon wool) socks without a problem. If I were to ride more than maybe 90 minutes at those temps, I'd throw in a set of exothermic chemical foot heaters. But the shoes are the best $70 I've spent on cycling in a long time. Sure beats shoe covers!
Electric socks w/rechargeable batteries have been a game changer for me in sup freezing temps.