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    Guide to winter cycling shoes: Keep warm and comfortable this winter

    Robert Ferri
    Robert Ferri
    Nov 15, 2024 8 min
    Guide to winter cycling shoes: Keep warm and comfortable this winter

    When winter comes around, finding the motivation to go outside cycling can be challenging. The weather is often wet and cold, it takes ages to warm up, and the daylight hours are often very short. One of the toughest challenges for many is keeping the feet warm. 

    A good solution to this is getting a set of winter cycling shoes. What a lot of cyclists don’t know is the huge difference these make. In this article, we will be telling you everything you need to know, from the differences to what to look for and much more. 

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    What are the differences between normal and winter cycling shoes?

    Surprisingly, there are a lot more differences between normal and winter cycling shoes than you might think. Here’s what you need to know. 

    Waterproofing

    The first thing to mention is waterproofing. Winter cycling shoes are made to keep your feet dry much better than standard cycling shoes. They are generally made with water-resistant materials specially designed to ensure the feet stay dry.

    They use materials such as Gore-Tex, which keeps the shoes light and can stop rain, snow, and slush from getting inside, making those feet really cold. When shoes and feet get very wet, you have a big issue immediately trying to warm them again.

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    Insulation

    Winter cycling shoes are heavily insulated. They use a layering system to trap the heat while still providing some breathability. This means there’s no need to put tin foil in your shoes or wear multiple pairs of socks.

    Typically, they use synthetic materials, which keep the weight down but also provide that extra warmth that is needed on those long days. Keeping the feet warm takes a lot of energy as they are fairly far away from the core and head.

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    Ankle coverage

    Winter cycling shoes have a lot more ankle coverage than summer cycling shoes. They come all the way up the back of the heel and sit much higher up the leg. It doesn’t just add to comfort but it also makes more of the leg much warmer.

    Other benefits include the fact it keeps the socks nice and dry and also, in some cases, can provide extra support for the ankle, which goes a very long way when it comes to being on very slippery terrain.

    Sole design

    The design of the sole on winter cycling shoes can often differ from summer shoes. Instead of having these smooth bases, you get a more rugged base designed to grip on muddy trails or ice or snow you need to walk across. 

    This is especially useful when it comes to mountain biking and being on very muddy trails over winter. A good winter shoe does give you the confidence to walk even in cleats.

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    What are the key considerations to make when buying winter cycling shoes?

    So you might be in the market for a set of winter cycling shoes. What do you need to be thinking about before buying a set? Well, here’s our guide!

    Size

    The most important key when it comes to getting winter cycling shoes is having the correct size. If they are not, you are going to be feeling very uncomfortable, and there’s nothing you can do about that because so much pressure goes through your feet.

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    Fastening

    There are a few different ways that shoes fasten up. Getting the right system for you goes a very long way to finding the perfect shoes for you. Here are the types we most commonly see:

    • Velcro: Simple fastening straps that sit on the top.
    • Ratchet straps: These small ratchets you tighten, pulling the shoe fabric together.
    • Laces: Like typical shoes, these just lace up.
    • Boas: These are small turning dials that tighten the shoe fabric up.

    The most popular is the Boas or laces. They are really good at tightening on the foot and offering an excellent level of comfort that you don’t get from Velcro or ratchet straps. 

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    Cleat Compatibility

    Next, we have cleat compatibility. Most winter cycling shoes will have cleat attachments, and it’s vital that you have the correct ones for the pedals you are using. The main two are SPD (Mountain bike cleats) and SPD-SL (Road bike cleats) 

    You will find a few other brands, such as Speedplay, Look Delta, and a few more. The key is to look for how many holes are on the bottom of the shoe. Two holes side by side for SPD and three holes in a triangle shape for SPD-SL.

    Insulation and waterproofing

    Not all winter cycling shoes are the same. Some are made for extreme winters, and others are just for mixed conditions. It’s good to look at the insulation and waterproofing to ensure they are fit for the job you need them for. 

    Traction

    Finally, we have traction. It's good to look at the bottom of the shoes to see what kind of traction you have. If you are mountain biking on tough trails in winter you will need all the traction you can get to ensure that you stay upright. Road winter cycling shoes typically have less traction.

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    What are some of the best winter cycling shoes?

    There are a lot of amazing brands out there when it comes to winter cycling shoes. They all differ very much in their unique designs and levels of foot protection. Here are some of our favorites and the shoes we like from them.

    Shimano

    Shimano is one of the biggest cycling brands. They create components, clothing, and much more. They are very well known for their amazing shoes, especially in the Shimano winter cycling shoes range. They just work and work excellently. 

    Our top Shimano shoe SH-MW702

    The SH-MW702 is one of the best Shimano winter cycling shoes from Shimano looks amazing and offers excellent waterproofing and protection. It’s not too bulky, keeping it light, agile, and easy to clean. With standard and wide versions, what’s not to like?

    Lake

    Another top brand well-known amongst cyclists is Lake. Lake is well known for ensuring the Lake winter cycling shoes last a very long time and have a unique fit, which many cyclists find incredibly comfortable. They are not the cheapest, but Lake winter cycling shoes are amazing value for money.

    Our top Lake shoe MXZ304

    If you are looking for something a little more rugged than the Shimano favorite, then you might want to consider the Lake MXZ304. It is incredibly supportive of the foot and has a tough bottom and lots of high-tech layering. They also make excellent road winter cycling shoes.

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    Northwave

    Northwave has been making cycling and outdoor shoes for a long time and is great. The Northwave winter cycling shoes range is incredible. Not only do they tick many boxes when it comes to performance, but you also have a wide range of shoes at various prices. 

    Our top Northwave shoe FLAGSHIP GTX

    For a shoe that offers a mix of performance and also rugged ability we like the FLAGSHIP GTX. Not only does it have great ability against the elements, but it is a very functional shoe that can be used in many different styles of riding, including gravel and MTB. We highly recommend Northwave winter cycling shoes. 

    We also recommend Sidi winter cycling shoes, Specialized winter cycling shoes, and many other brands.

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    What’s the new technology with winter cycling shoes?

    Over the past few years, we have seen some great improvements in winter cycling shoes, and that comes down to many things. Firstly, they are using much more efficient materials that are waterproof, breathable, and light. 

    We also have a lot of new technology coming through, and some shoemakers are actually testing electronic components in shoes to provide heat from a battery. We also hear talk of winter indoor cycling shoes.

    We are also seeing the Boa dial becoming available for winter cycling shoes at all levels. Not only are they very easy to use, but they also provide a level of comfort that is better than velcro and laces. Shoes for winter cycling often come with Boas as they are easy to use in the cold.

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    Do you need winter cycling shoes?

    A lot of cyclists don’t own winter cycling shoes. They use overshoes, double socks, tin foil, and still have to suffer through winter to make it work. The difference they make is huge. If you struggle with cold feet or foot pain in winter you will want the right equipment.

    For the best experience having a set of winter cycling shoes is an excellent route to go down. We highly recommend pairs, but make sure to try them before attaching cleats, or it’s very difficult to return them. Enjoy your shoes for winter cycling and try and forget those cold rides where you didn’t have them.

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