Sidi
Zero Gore-Tex 2 Winter Road Shoe

I bike commute, road, and using my fancy road bike shoes in the cold is annoying. Shoe covers work, but let's face it, a pain to get on and off. If you're going out for a long ride, have time, sure thing, no issue, shoe covers aren't so bad. Every day at 0400, nope, annoying.

I found these and caught a sale. Sidi stuff is expensive, it works, and if it fits you, holds up very well. The high-top style takes a bit to sort out, it's not bad, you're just used to your ankles moving and being exposed more, so this was odd at first. Not a big deal now. And they go on and off fine, straps and dial work and click down hard, no messing around.

I've had them down into the 20's with no wind other than riding produced, and was actually warm, my feet were actually sweating, but i wore a thin merino sock to be safe. I've also had them down into the teens with wind, and same deal, so they do a good job keeping the heat in your shoe. No shoe cover either, just the boot and a sock.

I think the Gore-Tex is a double edged sword, they don't vent super well, but they keep heat in, so if you'd rather get warm/wet from within, vs cold/wet from outside, it's fine. I've had them wet too, the high top seals up okay around your leg and leg warmer, but if it's a downpour water does get down in there. Not a ton, but it does trickle.

If it's just wet/splash stuff, you'll be dry for sure. And if you get them covered in grit, hose them down right when you get home.

They don't come in half sizes, I was fine with it because for a winter shoe, I'm not planning on an epic ride with them anyway so don't care. I've used them up to 3 hours and they're good for me. I did throw a G8 insole in them, as usual, zero arch support.

If you train/commute in bad weather, and they fit you, I don't see a reason to not add these to your weather. If anything, the time you save wrestling on and off shoe covers is worth it alone. One less thing to deal with is always nice.

And as reference, I'm about to ride home in 22 degree weather (Fahrenheit), with a 20 mph headwind, and other than it generally being annoying and cold, my feet will be fine with these on and a merino wool, thin, sock. Can't beat that security.

I get frozen toes, like many people during the winter, especially cycling, where the constant pressure on the ball of the foot, lack of foot flexure, and close fitting summer shoes combine to restrict blood flow all the way to my toes.

These boots fit differently than summer shoes but still provide reliable stability and power transfer. They are 4-5 mm wider across the midfoot, which allows blood vessels there to stay unrestricted. They seem designed more to cradle the foot rather than compress it, which is a key difference to summer shoes. The cable buckles allow precise adjustment of the boot tightness. The over-the-ankle cuff also provides noticeable insulation, and obvious weather protection, which help considerably to keep my toes warmer, though I found it was wearing against my right ankle on the first few rides before the cuff shape contoured to my body. I normally wear a size 43 1/2 in summer shoes (Sidi Genius 10) and these only come in whole sizes, so I got them in 44 and am very happy. The insoles are very close in length, the 44 is maybe 2mm longer than the 43 1/2 from the summer shoes. I get a small amount of heel slip if I pull up hard on the upstroke, but I am not trying to win races in these and still feel plenty of connection to the pedals. I have found that wearing thinner socks, which allow my toes to wiggle, creates a warm air pocket around them that really helps. Like winter camping, where wearing just your skivvies in the sleeping bag is warmer than wearing your down parka inside the bag, warmth is preserved in the air heated by and around the body. It is all just a matter of reducing the rate of heat loss compared to the amount of heat generated by blood flow. I would also recommend wearing booties, which help reduce heat loss due to wind movement over the shoe. So far, on two-hour rides, where my toes would have been numb in the old summer shoes even with thick socks and neoprene booties, now they stay comfortable, if not exactly toasty, with these boots. And that is a huge improvement from my perspective.

I got a terrific deal when these were on sale. I would hesitate at full price but the quality is exceptional. Very warm and very comfortable. Simply the best cycling shoes I have ever owned.

These have been key to keeping the outdoor miles going on the road. Adding shoe covers to my road shoes just wasn't cutting it. These keep my feet warm and dry in temps down below 40F and would easily handle more with toe covers and some toe warmers.

Sole is stiff and transfers power well. The Sidi boa allows for a good fit to accommodate my Solestar insoles. Added warmth and protection around the ankle is not too tight for when thermal bibs have a rear zipper that extends into the cuff.