Never too early for winter- Lake boots sizing and advice?

[eminva]

I am also interested, and have a broader question. My old bike had pedals that were SPD on one side and flat on the other. In the winter, I just wore regular winter boots which were compatible with the flat side of the pedal. When I got my new bike, I switched to Look Keo pedals. These pedals are not compatible with street shoes. So I assume my options are:

1. Shoe covers (probably not a great option for my sensitive feet).
2. Switch the pedals so I can wear my own winter boots.
3. Lake boots (am I right that this would also involve a pedal switch because they would only be compatible with SPD?)

Am I missing anything?

Liz

[jabberwocky]

I think the Lakes fit a bit big. Mine are the same size as my Sidis, and they definitely fit bigger (which works well, since I’m generally wearing thick socks anyway). The Lakes are awesome, but not super durable/well made. I bought mine in 2005, and they are in the “held together with duct tape and shoo goo” stage.

Didn’t Lake pull out of the US market?

[consularrider]

Guy: I can’t speak for the brands you are looking at, but my Pearl Izumi winter boots were sized the same as they’re regular shoes and are too tight when I wear mid to heavy weight wool winter socks. I think having a chance to try them on before buying is more important.

Liz: Swapping pedals is so easy, that would be my preference for my commuting bike. Of course, I’ve got SPD on all my bikes, so I haven’t personally faced this dilemma. In addition, I find I’m much more likely to have to walk blocked MUP sections (think snow/rough ice after everyone has run/walked on it or it is too deep to pedal through) on my commute than I am if I’m out for a training ride on the roads.

[vvill]

I splurged earlier this year and spent a whole $10 on clearance toe covers. I hope they do something – my toes never warmed up last winter, which was not so great on the longer rides. If they don’t work at all I’ll be considering boots as well. My other concern (if there is actually ice around this winter) is putting a foot down on ice when stopped (I have a bike ready with studded tires). I’m considering getting some grippier MTB shoes that take spikes.

[Dirt]

I wear either a 45.5 or 46 in most road shoes. I wear a size 46 in Lake Boots and there’s enough room for a little thicker sock. Lakes will likely be a little more difficult to get in the US. I don’t think they import them into the US any more. You can still find them on-line.

If price is really a factor, get a good set of flats and use snow boots… or winter hiking boots.

[GuyContinental]

@Dirt 30247 wrote:

If price is really a factor, get a good set of flats and use snow boots… or winter hiking boots.

Getting a *deal* is a factor, not price…

Are there other warmish reasonably stiff winter riding boots out there that I should be looking for? (I’ll spray insulate and duct-tape my old MTB shoes before I ride 50 miles a day on flats)

[vvill]

These appeared at Eurobike recently. I might spring for them if the price is reasonable, I’ve had an eye on DZR shoes for a while, and I’m probably due for some new shoes. I have 2 pairs of bike shoes, one is a 6 year old heavy Shimano commuter with laces and the other a 10 year old pair of Specialized MTB shoes.

[pfunkallstar]

I love my Lake CX140s – I bought them on Nashbar at the beginning of summer – DEAL! I wear a US 11-12 normally and a 46 allows for plenty of sock room. These things have made winter biking fun.

[GuyContinental]

@pfunkallstar 30296 wrote:

I love my Lake CX140s – I bought them on Nashbar at the beginning of summer – DEAL! I wear a US 11-12 normally and a 46 allows for plenty of sock room. These things have made winter biking fun.

Drat, Nashbar has them at a reasonable price but they only have little sizes (39-43) and 50. So, if you have itty bitty wittle feetses (or really big ones) you now have a way of keeping them warm. LINK

[TwoWheelsDC]

Shoe covers and wool socks worked for me last winter, even on that one 17 degree day we had right after New Years. I had to ditch my first pair of shoe covers though (LG neoprene, don’t remember the model) as they tended to funnel water into my shoes through the velcro in the heel, which totally defeated the purpose. I picked up a pair of the Pearl Izumi P.R.O.s that seem to work much better, for rain at least. I’ve eyed the Lakes on several occasions, but have been hesitant based on the middling online reviews and my reluctance to spend money on a third pair of cycling shoes that will only be used maybe two or three months out of the year. Now that winter is a season-in-name-only, I think I’m going to make do with my current setup (MTB shoes, thick wool socks, shoe covers), but I’m all too easily tempted by shiny objects such as fancy new winter cycling shoes.

[GuyContinental]

Just ran across the suggestion to use SPD sandals plus neoprene or GorTex booties- apparently it works great in the super wet pacific NW winters because the sandals happily drain whatever comes their way while the booties keep the feet warm. Nashbar sandals are only $50… LINK. Of course good Gore-Tex booties aren’t cheap.

This solution probably isn’t for me but could be done inexpensively for sure with 6.5-8 mil neoprene diving booties.

[Amalitza]

@GuyContinental 30303 wrote:

Drat, Nashbar has them at a reasonable price but they only have little sizes (39-43) and 50. So, if you have itty bitty wittle feetses (or really big ones) you now have a way of keeping them warm. LINK

That was kinda mean. Like handing me some chocolate and then snatching it away at the last minute– “nope, not for you”.:p

//don’t actually know my European shoe size without checking but as it turns out it’s 37.5 – 38//
//hate cold toes//
//should have known better than to trust a man’s idea of itty bitty feeties//
//really hate cold toes//

[eminva]

No one has ever, ever, ever said I had “itty bitty wittle feetses” so thanks for that.

Did you notice the reviews for that product on Nashbar? The general tone seemed to be that they are good for “all weather” except cold weather. I know everyone has a different threshhold, but the OP seemed to favor a heartier option.

Upon further reflection, I think I’m going to switch the pedals and go with my winter boots again this year. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Liz

[consularrider]

Actually, the Nashbar has a good selection of the Lake winter mountain shoe (spd – almost all in wide, which I think is good because of using heavier socks). The Lake road shoe (three bolt compatible) is “all-weather,” and I know at least one rider in Denver who really liked hers even in the winter, but they are just neoprene vs. the true insulation of the winter boots (which are $90 more expensive), and those reviews are very mixed.

[Dirt]

@consularrider 30323 wrote:

Actually, the Nashbar has a good selection of the Lake winter mountain shoe (spd – almost all in wide, which I think is good because of using heavier socks). The Lake road shoe (three bolt compatible) is “all-weather,” and I know at least one rider in Denver who really liked hers even in the winter, but they are just neoprene vs. the true insulation of the winter boots (which are $90 more expensive), and those reviews are very mixed.

I’ve used the neoprene rain boots for 2 years and really liked them. They’re not perfect, but they’re a little warmer than normal shoes and do well in all but the most bucketing of rain storms.

[Author]

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