As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.
The weapon of choice for winter riding in Omaha — and elsewhere, I'd suspect — is the cyclocross bike. (If you thought I was going to say "fatbike," go run two laps and hang your head in shame.) Winter around here usually means enough snow to make pavement riding a bit sketchy on a road bike.
And though I've ridden plenty during the winter on a road bike, this year was when I decided to go all-in and get a 'cross bike. And since I had SPD pedals for it, I decided to get some winter boots, too. Like others, I'm sure, my hands and feet suffer most in cold (sub-freezing) temperatures. Relying upon a shoe cover for warmth in the snow was probably not going to do the trick.
But there aren't a ton of choices for winter boots. Shimano, Sidi, Lake, Northwave, Garneau and Mavic are your options. And it's usually only one model per company. In terms of accessibility for me, Shimano, Sidi and Lake were the top three.
I went with the Shimano MW81, which was new in the fall. It has a Gore-Tex liner, thermal insulation and a neoprene ankle cuff. It retails for $230 and is probably the easiest to procure of all of the brands listed. Plus, since I was ordering them without trying them on, I knew the MW81 would probably fit properly. Eric O'Brien, meanwhile, ordered the Sidi Diablo at $330. (This will be important later.)
After the first few rides, it was evident that the value of the MW81 — and most winter boots — isn't so much keeping your feet warm. Rather, it's keeping them from freezing into solid blocks of ice. Below 25 degrees, I've come to believe that you're just delaying the inevitable. Your feet will get cold in boots — but they won't freeze.
I spent the first few weeks just trying to figure out which socks work best. Thick wool socks (like GamJams Woolie Boolies) are not it. The boot's last is slightly wider than a standard shoe, but not that wide. Had I gone up a full size — as some do with the MW81 — that might have worked. But a full size up is a lot, and I don't want to have to wear a heavy wool sock just to make my shoes bit correctly.
A medium-weight wool sock, like Castelli's Gregge or Quindici, works better. I've tried it with and without a charcoal warmer underneath my toes. Why use a warmer instead of a thicker sock? A thicker sock adds bulk all around your foot. A warmer can fit under my metatarsal arch, which is ridiculously high.
My only real issue with the Shimano boot is the neoprene cuff — I wish it was a little bit taller. If I don't quite get my tights or leg warmers down low enough, it can get a little drafty. It hasn't ruined a ride, by any means, but I wouldn't mind a bit more coverage.
I mentioned Eric's Sidi Diablo boot (which also has a Gore-Tex liner) a few paragraphs ago for good reason. That was option No. 2, since it was also easily available. Eric and I have approximately the same-sized feet, so we switched last week. Within a mile or two, I was reminded of the reason why I generally avoid Sidi shoes: They don't fit me very well.
Where the Shimano boot uses softer materials to make a sort of flexible upper, the Sidi boot is stiff — like a not-yet-broken-in work boot. While that definitely helps make it more weather resistant, it did nothing for providing a good wrap around my feet. Moreover, it was so stiff that once the boots were strapped down, it actually hurt — specifically the Velcro strap that says "Sidi" on it.
I spent a little more than an hour in the Sidi Diablo, and all but the first minute or two was awful. The heel cup seems too shallow — like I couldn't get my heel to stay locked in — and if there's insulation in there, I couldn't feel any. My feet were frozen by the time I got home.
Of the dozen or more people in our regular group that's been riding on weekends, I'm the only one who really didn't like the Diablo. It could be that I have wussy feet, but it's more likely due to the fit issue. The boots just felt wrong from the beginning.
Before a ride last weekend that featured single-digit wind chills, Eric and I switched boots again and rode in our own. We were both happy and warm (enough) at the end of the ride.
Unsurprisingly, choosing the right winter boots is a lot like choosing the right road shoes. You need to stick with what works. Sidi has never fit for me, so it's not a shock that the Diablo didn't work. Meanwhile, I have two pairs of Shimano shoes that I love. Of course those fit better.
If you're comfortable in either model, there's the price difference to consider, too. The Sidi boots are $100 more than the Shimano offering. Is it worth it? For me, no. But if you're a fan of the Sidi fit (and styling), maybe.
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In addition to publishing GamJams Midwest, Bryan Redemske has managed the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha (Midtown), is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.
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Sheesh, some of that stuff is expensive. Good thing you get your frames and wheels at Pro Deal pricing. Wait — you don't? You might want to look at November Bicycles. They've got a new racer-specific model designed to strip unnecessary pricing out of the cost of your new bike. It's like a Pro Deal for everyone.
November Bicycles. Race Smart.
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