Do you really have to wear bike winter shoes in winter when you get in the saddle? For the short way to the bakery, that might be a bit excessive. But when you're plowing through the snow on your mountain bike off-road, warm, dry feet are a really tempting prospect, aren't they? Even your road bike rides will be even better with winter shoes. Warm feet don't just improve your comfort on the bike on winter training laps. Chilled legs and feet can slow you down tremendously, worst they are a real safety hazard!
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The feet of cyclists do not have it easy in winter. They are constantly exposed to the airstream. They should, especially on the road bike, as still as possible. However, they are very close to the road and thus get from splashing water and slush particularly much. And as if the stiff, thin sole were not already cold enough, there is also a metal plate on the bike shoes for system pedals, which cools down particularly quickly. All in all, that sounds pretty uncomfortable. But there is a good selection of winter shoes for road bike and mountain bike, which keep the feet warm even in freezing weather.
By the way, the reason why you should pay attention to warm extremities is quite simple. Only warm muscles can work efficiently. With cooled legs pedaling it is quite simply not pleasant and certainly not powerful. But cold feet are not only unpleasant and slow. Before any sporting activity, you should warm up and stretch, because warm muscles significantly reduce the risk of injury, strains happen less often and the responsiveness increases. Only heat-insulating shoes can support you here optimally.
The characteristics of winter cycling shoes
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Winter shoes are not simply insulated versions of summer cycling shoes. They bring some features that make them especially valuable for your winter training.
- Winter shoes have nonslip soles. That's not always the case with cycling shoes. Especially on shoes that are driven with clickies, the running properties are gladly neglected - the main thing is that they pedal well, who cares how it runs in bike shoes?! Winter shoes, on the other hand, not only have thick soles so that the material has an insulating effect, they also have a profile that gives you enough grip on slippery roads when running. There are elements of grippy rubber compound on the sole to make sure you don't slip.
- Winter cycling shoes also have a heat-insulating layer of neoprene, insoles with insulating aluminum coatings and Gore-Tex membranes make them windproof and waterproof.
- Also in their shape, winter shoes differ from other cycling shoes. Few MTB shoes reach above the ankle, so you have plenty of freedom of movement. Road bike shoes are always cut particularly low. Winter shoes, on the other hand, usually have a high shaft, which warms your ankles and ensures that there is no cold bridge between bike shorts and shoe.
- The high shaft on mountain bike winter shoes also stabilizes your ankles when you are stuck on the bike and have to push it or carry it.
- All of these features come at the expense of weight, however. Even for road cyclists, winter shoes are significantly heavier than the ultra-lightweight models for summer.
- There are winter shoes specifically for mountain bikers and road cyclists.
- There are bike winter shoes for system pedals or platform pedals. Also on your winter shoes must fit the mounted click system to your pedals.
What is better? Shoes from cycling experts or rather shoes from the outdoor manufacturer?
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With winter shoes (and for that matter, rain overshoes), there is indeed no unmanageably huge selection of different models. But there are still two possible sources, some of which make winter shoes for cyclists with very different approaches.
- Manufacturers like Five Ten, Giro or Fizik make cycling clothing and cycling shoes, and they've been known for that for many years. Here you get functional cycling shoes that are sealed so that you can go biking even in bad weather with dry feet and enough grip.
- Manufacturers like Vaude are known for their excellent outdoor equipment. Here you can get waterproof, warming winter shoes that work great on the bike.
The approach may be different, in any case, you get cycling shoes that will get you through the winter well.
What's the difference between overshoes and winter cycling shoes?
You can get through the bad weather season with winter cycling shoes. But you can also wear overshoes or rain boots. But which is which? The main difference between these cycling shoes is that winter shoes are fully functional cycling shoes that you can get right on your bike with. Overshoes or rain shoes, on the other hand, are just a protective cover that you put over your cycling shoes. You can wear your usual cycling shoes so all year round and stay reasonably dry and warm. However, if you also want to train seriously in winter or spend a lot of time on the road bike or mountain bike, proper winter shoes are clearly the more competent candidates.
Cleats on winter shoes
If you're buying winter shoes that incorporate cleats or plates, the soles will likely need a bit more care than smooth soles. You should thoroughly remove mud and especially the remains of road salt from the click system!It would otherwise wear out too quickly or, in the worst case, rust from the salt.
Put together your winter bike kit here in the online store!
Were we able to convince you that wearing special winter shoes on your bike in winter is a smart idea? But there are a few other pieces of clothing that make winter biking much more enjoyable.For starters, there are winter clothing items like thermal pants or winter jackets that will keep you warm. Cycling underwear is specifically designed to keep you moving on a bike; as a baselayer, it keeps you extra warm but doesn't pester you with uncomfortable, point-to-point friction. When it's really cold, you get an extra layer of warmth with arm warmers and leg warmers. Bicycle clothing for winter is in most cases windproof, at the high speeds on the bike otherwise the wind would simply whistle through all the layers on the way. In addition, the garments are usually breathable, but still water-repellent, so you can even in our latitudes in any weather go and pull your training laps. Also, a thin, windproof helmet cap is an important accessory because it keeps your ears warm while not interfering with the function of your bicycle helmet. And did you know. There are special biking gloves for winter that are also warm, windproof, and waterproof, while being flexible enough to let you use your brakes and gears just fine.
Don't forget to look for bright colors and reflective elements in your top layer! So you will be seen better especially in cloudy winter weather and when it gets dark early!
Here in the online store you will find winter cycling shoes and cycling clothing with an extra layer of warmth in many sizes, for men and women and in many different price ranges. Of course, the right equipment for MTB, bikepacking and road bike training is also there, just pick the right parts!
