I got these boots last year and am riding in them now. The profile isn't terribly low, but I don't care that much as I'm not using clips and straps in winter.
Who can recommend something that I can ride in and walk in through snow and slush. My feet are usually damp when I get home and I am sick of that. (I walk at least 3 hours between intermittent bike rides to and from dog client's houses.)
I will say, they are otherwise really warm boots and not in the least bit heavy.
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Hey Holly,
I recently got a pair of Salomon Snowtrip TS boots from REI. I love them . They are very light, warm down to -1, and best part waterproof. I walked in Lake Michigan to test, and not a drop got through. I wore them on my ride today(it was 8 degrees when I left), and they were pretty warm with on pair of socks. I might wear two tomorrow. Great purchase($89.).
sounds like you could use a pair of neos navigator 5 overshoes which usually go for around $125 on the web and $150 at the stores though on ebay for anywhere between $50 and up depending on the season.
I'm using a pair of Redwing Hiking Boots that I am very happy with. They are plenty warm for me in the cold with 400 gram Thinsulate insulation, and are fairly water-proof although they do get wet on the outside if they get doused, but always stay dry inside for me.
They are a bit heavy but not too heavy for hiking for my tastes. I took them to Peru for the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Some might say they have more support than necessary for bicycle footwear but when you have to put your feet down fast in the slippery stuff there isn't such thing as too much ankle support.
Their only drawbacks are cost, weight, and they are not super high. A good pair of waterproof gaiters overcomes the later for me when it comes to that.
I like to have gear that crosses over all my hobbies activities and this boot does just about all I need in a pair of boots short of motorcycle riding (when I go to a high-end armored race boot which isn't fun to walk in).
It's also my everyday boot when I'm not wearing regular shoes (usually my pair of Keene Newport H2 Sandals in the warmer months) but not for work as I've got another pair of RedWing Work Boots that take the rigors of a construction site better than the Hikers.
I'm interested in what other people are wearing this winter and what other suggestions you get.
Lake and a few others have winter cycling boots. They let you use clipless pedals in the winter since they are usually waterproof and have insulation to keep things warm.
Otherwise, I'd suggest getting some big platform pedals (the mtb downhill, freeride, and slopestyle people use some pretty massive ones) and just using regular winter boots. The big platform lets you cycle relatively efficiently and you can use a boot with as much or as little waterproofing/insulation as you need.
Hey...my link didn't show up. These are the boots I got that seem are not as waterproof as they would suggest:
I have seriously considered NEOs. I just don't know if they'll work because my rack is somewhat short and if they're as long as they appear, I'll kick it off the bike. When I first got my little Trek grocery bag pannier as a gift, I kicked that off the rack quite a few times until I completely adjusted to it.
My favorite shoes to wear for comfort are low top Chucks.* If I could wear those with wool socks and NEOs my feet would be so freaking happy!
Please keep the suggestions coming. I am sure I'm not the only person who faces the waterproof and warm dilemma.
*I realize this is not the norm for most people. Most people complain that they're too flat.
I'm a big fan of silk socks. They make a huge difference when layered with wool socks. I try and stay away from cotton socks in the cold as they just hold moisture up against your feet and make them cold regardless of how well-insulated your quality winter boots are.
Holly said:
Please keep the suggestions coming. I am sure I'm not the only person who faces the waterproof and warm dilemma.
You all have fancy boot budgets compared to me. I've gone for simple, dry and warm the last several winters:
Waterproof, good to -12, plush on the inside and inexpensive. There is probably something better looking for women, but a smaller size may be all that is needed.
NEOs=not particularly cool looking, that's for sure. I have known 2 people (besides Mr. Shapeshifter) to recommend them. Apparently, they're the shit. Why can't they makes them so that they don't look like they should be worn with a deep sea diving suit? On the other hand, I do have to get in and out of the boots at fancy client's houses so that I don't track crap in their houses. This could be a huge advantage of NEO. Or the Merrell pair.
Oh man. I have to leave right now!
Adriana said:
I love all my chucks!!! I was considering neos too, but they're too moon bootish for me.
Holly said:Hey...my link didn't show up. These are the boots I got that seem are not as waterproof as they would suggest:
I have seriously considered NEOs. I just don't know if they'll work because my rack is somewhat short and if they're as long as they appear, I'll kick it off the bike. When I first got my little Trek grocery bag pannier as a gift, I kicked that off the rack quite a few times until I completely adjusted to it.
My favorite shoes to wear for comfort are low top Chucks.* If I could wear those with wool socks and NEOs my feet would be so freaking happy!
Please keep the suggestions coming. I am sure I'm not the only person who faces the waterproof and warm dilemma.
*I realize this is not the norm for most people. Most people complain that they're too flat.
I totally agree about the "quality of the shoe" thing. It comes down to a matter of breathability and personal body chemistry.
Some people just don't stink -or the bacteria that cause odor just have a hard time growing on them. My wife is like this. She can skip showering when we are out camping/hiking for days and not even get the slightest bit ripe. She's got really good skin chemistry.
Me, I've got to shave my pits often or there is nothing I can do to keep them odor-free for even a day even using highly effective deoderants. Odor-causing bacteria LOVES me. My shoes are gross and I end up washing them often to keep them non-stinky. I don't skimp on good breathable shoes and boots. I just can't. If I used cheaper sealed-up non-breathable footwear (that some people could get away from) I'd get arrested at the airport by the TSA when I took my shoes off for possession of WMD's.
I'm cheap and buy used clothing and gear but one thing I just can't skimp on is good footwear. I'm kind of jealous of those who can get away with buying cheap shoes at places like Payless.
H3N3 said:
Not bad. How have they held up? Are they . . . not sure how to put it nicely . . . odor resistant?
Some guy I sat next to on an airplane (a rep for Salamander I think) once told me that the quality of the shoe was the main factor here, and it had never occurred to me before but it's absolutely true.
From the T.M.I. file: Here's a tip that is great for stench. I buy wintergreen alcohol. With a soaked cotton pad/ball, I use it as a deodorant and on my feet. It takes away all the bacteria and seems to have some staying power. I learned this from yogis who would have to go to work after practice and not have time for a full shower. I am particularly fond of this method because so many deodorants have chemicals that aren't good for us.
James Baum said:
I totally agree about the "quality of the shoe" thing. It comes down to a matter of breathability and personal body chemistry.
Some people just don't stink -or the bacteria that cause odor just have a hard time growing on them. My wife is like this. She can skip showering when we are out camping/hiking for days and not even get the slightest bit ripe. She's got really good skin chemistry.
Me, I've got to shave my pits often or there is nothing I can do to keep them odor-free for even a day even using highly effective deoderants. Odor-causing bacteria LOVES me. My shoes are gross and I end up washing them often to keep them non-stinky. I don't skimp on good breathable shoes and boots. I just can't. If I used cheaper sealed-up non-breathable footwear (that some people could get away from) I'd get arrested at the airport by the TSA when I took my shoes off for possession of WMD's.
I'm cheap and buy used clothing and gear but one thing I just can't skimp on is good footwear. I'm kind of jealous of those who can get away with buying cheap shoes at places like Payless.
H3N3 said:Not bad. How have they held up? Are they . . . not sure how to put it nicely . . . odor resistant?
Some guy I sat next to on an airplane (a rep for Salamander I think) once told me that the quality of the shoe was the main factor here, and it had never occurred to me before but it's absolutely true.
I'm a big fan of alcohol -in many forms.
:)
Good stuff, and I've used it on my feet thusly with excellent results. I also like to use cheap denatured alcohol as a household cleaner as it works very well as a substitute for harsher, nasty, unecological commercial chemical household cleaners and does an excellent job of disinfecting. It's not so good on the skin as the government-mandated "denaturing" process puts methanol and other poisons into otherwise perfectly-good ethanol so people won't drink it. Otherwise they won't get their huge tax revenues off of food-grade alcohol products. (It's ok if they poison people as long as they get their taxes) But it is OK to use as a cleaner, if you don't let it touch your skin or use it on food-prep areas it is good to go.
Speaking of Yogi's -how does a bear get so high up into a leadership position in the Buddhist religion? I know he's supposedly smarter than the average bear but...
Holly said:
From the T.M.I. file: Here's a tip that is great for stench. I buy wintergreen alcohol. With a soaked cotton pad/ball, I use it as a deodorant and on my feet. It takes away all the bacteria and seems to have some staying power. I learned this from yogis who would have to go to work after practice and not have time for a full shower. I am particularly fond of this method because so many deodorants have chemicals that aren't good for us.
these work great for me. very light and warm. too warm for inside. I have shoes waiting at work
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/fw10/shoes/men/trailhead/winter...!%20gargoyle
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