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    Winter road bike shoes – are they necessary?

    Tom Owen
    Tom Owen
    Nov 8, 2024 8 min
    Winter road bike shoes – are they necessary?

    As the weather gets colder, it can be difficult to keep riding your road bike. This is especially true if you live in an area where the weather regularly dips below freezing. However, it doesn’t have to be a constant battle against the elements. With the right gear you can keep riding no matter how low the temperatures get.

    Having the right footwear for winter riding is especially important to prevent your feet from getting cold. However, it can be difficult to find winter shoes if you ride with road style clipless pedals.

    Here’s our guide to winter road bike shoes, what they are and our top three recommendations to keep your feet warm this winter.

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    What are winter road bike shoes?

    First of all, what are winter road bike shoes? As the name might suggest, they are road cycling shoes that are made with winter riding in mind. They remove the need for overshoes or toe covers as they have the extra weather proofing built right in. You won’t have to wrestle your overshoes on over your regular road shoes, making getting out for a winter ride faster and easier.

    Winter road bike shoes will have the same cleat compatibility as your regular road shoes, so you won’t have to change your pedals for winter riding. However, as they do have a smooth sole, winter road bike shoes aren’t ideal if you’re planning on doing any walking in wet or slippery conditions.

    For riders who are looking for shoes to commute with in the winter that offer better grip for walking in winter weather, you’ll want to look at winter bike shoes that are 2-bolt cleat compatible. These will have rubber grip on the outer edges of the sole for more traction and some may have space to install spikes for ice and snow.

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    How are winter road bike shoes different to regular ones?

    The main difference between winter road bike shoes and regular road bike shoes is weatherproofing and protection. While many road shoes are focused on being as lightweight as possible, shoes that are designed for winter prioritize your warmth and comfort in harsh conditions. Winter road shoes often have waterproof uppers to prevent wind and rain, or even snow, from getting your socks wet. Most winter road bike shoes also have an ankle cuff to further keep out the elements and to keep your feet and ankles warm.

    Winter road shoes will have the same flat sole that you’re used to on regular road shoes. The soles on winter shoes tend to be slightly less rigid than regular road shoe soles but the loss of a few watts is worth it for warm feet. If you’re looking for shoes that have a little more grip and walkability, then you may want to look at mountain or gravel style winter shoes.

    Keep on riding even in winter! And stay warm

    If you do a lot of riding in the winter, or if you live somewhere where winter lasts for months on end, winter road bike shoes are an excellent addition to your winter riding repertoire. They’re faster and easier to put on than overshoes or toe covers, and much less messy than wrapping your feet in aluminum foil to keep out the elements – yes, some cyclists actually do this. However, overshoes and toe covers can be a good option if you don’t ride in the winter very often, or if your feet aren’t prone to getting cold.

    While winter road shoes are important for keeping yourself warm in the winter, they aren’t the only thing you’ll need to make your winter rides more comfortable. Be sure to check out our guide on clothes for winter cycling for more tips on how to dress for the elements. As the weather gets colder, the roads get more treacherous, and the conditions can be hard on your bike’s components. Don’t worry, we also have tips to help you with winter bike maintenance and safety.

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    What you need to know before buying winter road bike shoes

    There are a few things to consider when you start looking for winter road shoes. The first and arguably most important is weatherproofing. Make sure that the shoes you’re looking at are waterproof, not just water resistant, for the best protection against rain and snow. The ankle cuffs on winter road shoes, while important for warmth and weather protection, can also let the elements in if they aren’t designed properly.  Winter road shoes that have ankle cuffs with Gore-Tex or other weatherproofing will be your best option to keep your feet dry. Another consideration for the ankle cuff on winter road bike shoes is warmth. Shoes that have cuffs made of warm fleece or other insulating materials will be best at keeping cold air out and warm air in.

    Lastly, getting the correct fit for your winter road shoes is just as important for an enjoyable ride. As you’ll be riding with thicker socks, be sure to make sure you have enough space in your shoes to accommodate them. You may want to size up from your regular bike shoes, but the easiest way to tell is to try the shoes on before buying them.

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    Best brands for winter road shoes

    Unlike mountain or gravel style winter cycling shoes, there isn’t a huge selection to choose from. That being said, there are a few notable brands to keep your eyes out for while looking for winter road bike shoes.

    Fizik

    Fizik is a well-known cycling brand, known for their saddles and a variety of shoes for all types of cycling. Fizik has a selection of winter cycling shoes, including a pair of winter road shoes. They also offer toe covers and overshoes if you aren’t ready to buy a pair of shoes specifically for winter riding.

    Northwave

    Northwave is a snowboarding and biking equipment company that makes products designed specifically for use in colder climates. Northwave has a wide range of winter cycling shoes for road, mountain and gravel riding. Their shoes are suitable for a variety of winter weather, from milder fall rides to adventures in below freezing temperatures.

    Lake

    Lake is a cycling shoe company that is focused on developing the best cycling shoes possible. Lake has a range of winter cycling shoes which were designed to withstand the harsh winter conditions found on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the brand is based. Their winter range includes a pair of winter road shoes.

    Winter road shoe technologies – how they keep you warm and dry

    There are a few specific technologies that you should look out for when shopping for winter road bike shoes. As we’ve mentioned, Gore-Tex technology is found in many winter road bike shoes. If you aren’t familiar with Gore-Tex, it is a lightweight waterproof and windproof fabric membrane that is used in a lot of winter cycling clothing and footwear to keep you protected from the elements. It is designed to keep the weather out but still be breathable so you won’t overheat. Many of the brands we’ve mentioned use Gore-Tex. Fizik, for example, uses a Gore-Tex Koala membrane on their Artica winter shoes for weatherproofing and breathability.

    For waterproofing on their extreme weather shoes, Lake uses Pittards® WR100 leather to keep rain and snow out while still allowing your feet to breathe.

    The best shoes for winter road cycling 

    Now that you know what to look for when shopping for winter road shoes, here are our top three recommendations to help you get started on your search.

    Fizik Tempo Artica GTX

    For a classic looking road shoe with added protection from the elements, the Fizik Tempo Artica GTX is an excellent choice. The Tempo Artica GTX uses a Gore-Tex Koala membrane to keep the shoes waterproof, while the brushed fleece lining helps to keep your feet warm. The shoes are fully insulated for additional warmth and protection from the elements.

    The Tempo Artica GTX is available in sizes 36 to 48, with half sizes available. The shoes retail for $259.99 USD.

    Northwave Celsius R Arctic GTX

    If you’re looking for protection from winter weather as well as safety on the roads, the Northwave Celsius R Arctic GTX is a great choice of shoe. To keep your feet warm and dry, the Celsius R Arctic GTX uses a Gore-Tex Rattler® membrane combined with Neoprene to protect you from the weather while allowing a full range of mobility. These shoes are also fully insulated and have a carbon reinforced sole with a rigidity index of 8 so you don’t have to compromise on performance.

    The Celsius R Arctic GTX comes in sizes 37 to 49, with some half sizes available. The shoes retail for $296.99 USD.

    Lake CX 146

    For a shoe that can handle the elements and the demands of long road rides, the Lake CX 146 will be a fantastic addition to your winter riding wardrobe. The CX 146 is fully insulated with a waterproof membrane to keep out the rain or snow. The high ankle cuff ensures that the weather stays outside and not in your shoes.

    The CX 146 is available in sizes 36 to 50 and is also available in wide. The shoes retail for $279.99 USD.

    Browse bikes for sale

    If you still aren’t convinced that winter road bike shoes are necessary for the kind of riding you do, consider checking out a set of overshoes before making the upgrade. On the other hand, if you’re a hardcore winter road cyclist looking for an easy way to keep your feet warm in the winter, then a pair of winter road bike shoes might be the perfect addition to your winter cycling wardrobe or your holiday wish list.

    For the winter commuter looking for a winter bike so that you can protect your regular road bike from the harsh conditions, be sure to check out our selection of used road bikes.

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