SPD-compatible winter boots

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dbb 149110 wrote:

Monster? Be nice!

That was the nice version.

[hozn]

I would say to buy the shoes that fit your feet. Lakes or Sidi or Giro and Northwave or Specialized are a different fit (Lake wide is more like Northwave or Specialized in my experience). Boots are nice, but there are some pretty warm shoe covers too, which are definitely more versatile for rides less than an hour. I like my Northwave but will also try Specialized this year to see if the it is a bit better (wider).

[bikeeveryday]

@Tania 149075 wrote:

Caveat – I run hot. YMMV.

Yes you do! [emoji12]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trailrunner]

I bought my first pair of winter shoes last fall. They were Louis Garneau (can’t remember the name), and I got them for a good price, so I thought I’d give them a try. I wore them in the winter when it was cold, and in the fall and spring when it was wet.

On the positive side, they kept my feet mostly dry when it was raining hard. They are pretty warm in the winter.

On the negative side, they are a pain to put on or take off. I also find them difficult to get tight enough. Once they are on, the tightness can’t be adjusted while riding. I tend to be warm, so even if the shoes keep the rain out, my feet get damp from my own sweat. This hasn’t been a big deal.

Overall, I like the idea of winter shoes, but I’m not crazy about the pair that I bought. When they wear out (which will probably be in a long time), I’ll try a different pair.

[KWL]

I dug out my new Specialized Defrosters last weekend to put the cleats on. I rode with them about 100 meters checking out the cleat position and alignment and I think I’m going to like them. Specialized says there is no need to size up for heavier socks so I did not. It seems to be true – with my heavy wool socks and stupidly wide feet the fit was fine. It is a little weird having something stiff wrapped around my ankles, but when my toes are toasty and dry, I may not care about that.

[jrenaut]

So when I was in Ann Arbor for Christmas, I took the time to visit my brother-in-law’s LBS (since most of the ones local to me don’t actually have boots in stock) and tried some on.

New boots by Jon, on Flickr

Just putting cleats on these now, might try breaking them in on my Freezing Saddles opening ride.

[hozn]

Wow, 45nrth is definitely the top-shelf boot!

I am loving the Specialized Defrosters. Warmer than my [non-GTX] Northwaves, which are great for 30-40°.

[jrenaut]

I tried a pair of Specialized when I got the 45Nrths – they didn’t fit my feet as well. The boots were definitely too warm for my test ride today.

Also, the cleats seem to be closer to the center of my foot. Is this a boot thing or a 45Nrth thing? Is there anything I can do to adjust? The cleats are already as far forward as they’ll go.

[hozn]

I think there is a trend to move cleats a little further back (for avoiding knees issues, I gather), but if you can’t get it near the ball of your foot, that does seem surprising.

Looks like Steve Hoggs recommends being 1+cm behind the pedal spindle for average size feet.

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/

In the photos the Wolvhammers do look to have cleats fairly far back on the shoe.

[JorgeGortex]

@hozn 151175 wrote:

I think there is a trend to move cleats a little further back (for avoiding knees issues, I gather), but if you can’t get it near the ball of your foot, that does seem surprising.

Looks like Steve Hoggs recommends being 1+cm behind the pedal spindle for average size feet.

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/

In the photos the Wolvhammers do look to have cleats fairly far back on the shoe.

I had a bike fit for both my BMC road bike and old Specialized Stumpjumper. I run Time ATAC pedals on both, and had two sets of shoes re-adjusted from my previous settings which leaned towards the more traditional positioning. In all cases Neil at Revolution adjusted the cleats to the newer behind-the-spindel position. Comfort appears improved as does overall power transfer. My knees seem happier too.

JG

[BobCochran]

@jrenaut 151127 wrote:

So when I was in Ann Arbor for Christmas, I took the time to visit my brother-in-law’s LBS (since most of the ones local to me don’t actually have boots in stock) and tried some on.

New boots by Jon, on Flickr

Just putting cleats on these now, might try breaking them in on my Freezing Saddles opening ride.

I’m looking for boots, too. I like the look of yours.

Thanks

Bob

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