There comes a time in late fall or early winter when even the best shoe covers just won’t keep your feet warm. When you reach this point you have to either purchase a pair of winter cycling boots or just hang your bike up for the duration. A couple of months off the bike will probably cause you to gain a few pounds and it will definitely take you a while in the spring to “get your legs back.” Seeing that you really do need a pair of winter cycling boots, I would suggest a pair of Lake MXZ302 Winter Cycling Boots.
Lake MXZ302 Winter Cycling Boots
Lake Cycling is well-known for their moderately priced cycling shoes, and their MXZ302 Winter Cycling Boot is a fantastic product for those of us who have never outgrown playing in the snow! I bought a pair of these boots two winters ago and it was one of the best cycling purchases I’ve ever made. This boot has a full leather upper coupled with a Vibram rubber sole that makes walking on snow and ice an easy task, and a 3M Thinsulate lining in toe box to keep you warm. Neoprene cuffs and the 2-piece lace overflap seals the shoes incredibly well—I’ve never had snow or rain get inside these shoes while cycling. The side mounted Push/Pull BOA Closure lacing system keeps these shoes at exactly the right tension while on your feet.
The shoes come with a set of spikes (lugs) and a small wrench so you can easily attach the spikes to the front of the sole. You really should install the spikes—you will really appreciate the extra traction they will give you on the ice. I would recommend that you apply a few drops of an anti-seize compound on the threads of the spikes and your cleats before installation. The anti-seize compound will make the spikes and cleats a lot easier to remove after they have spent the winter in snow, ice and road salt. These shoes are SPD compatible.
I don’t have a complaint against these winter boots, but I do wish they were a bit lighter. However, when you are cycling thru several inches of snow and the temperature is around zero you probably won’t be thinking about the extra weight! I’ve cycled over 2,000 miles with these shoes during all sorts of snow and ice storms and my feet have never felt cold.
These shoes are available in men’s sizes 36-50 (whole sizes only) and men’s wide EE 39-50 (whole sizes only). I have wide feet and these shoes fit me perfectly. As you probably know, you need to order a winter cycling shoe in at least a half-size larger than you normally wear so you will have room for thicker winter socks.
The bad news is that these shoes are not cheap! The retail cost is around $300 a pair, but you can sometimes find them online for around $230. I know the price is high, but have you ever considered how expensive a case of frostbite might be?
The only downside to this shoe is Lake Cycling itself. I don’t know of a single manufacturer or distributor of cycling products that has a worse reputation for customer service than Lake Cycling. The shoes they sell are fine, but if you ever need help from Lake Cycling you are out of luck. Getting a phone number or email address for this company is harder than getting the home number for the director of the CIA. Their Web site has absolutely no contact information on it at all!
Tracy Wilkins
September 14, 2011 at 11:21 AM
I don’t ride in the snow, but I can independently verify your assessment of these boots. Cold and wet don’t phase me (very much, anyway) in these boots. This will be my third winter in them, and they’re hands down the best cycling investment I’ve ever made.
Now, if I could just find a way to keep my hands warmer!
Tracy Wilkins
September 14, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Oh…one more thought. Rather than going the half-size larger route, I went with a wide shoe instead of my regular width. For me, that was a better fit because it didn’t add any length.
The cleat placement on the boot is a little further back than on my other two pairs of cycling shoes. It’s just enough to cause a toe-bump on my fenders if I don’t watch what I’m doing while wearing the boots.
AllSeasonsCyclist
September 14, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Tracy, if you want to keep your hands warm see my review of Bar Mitts…
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2011/03/30/bar-mitts-a-real-game-changer/
Alaskan Bicycle Commuter
October 3, 2011 at 10:18 AM
I commuted by bicycle winter 2010/2011 and wore these boots I can attest that they are good to say about +10 degrees. At about -10 my feet are cold after 30 minutes. Any longer than that and I would be seriously concerned about frostbite. I have been searching for an overboot for more insulation this year. My commute is now 60 minutes because we just moved. I like clipped pedals and have seen the strap pedals for boots and those don’t apeal to me. I have a friend who modified a pair of down slippers to fit over his boots and figure that is the route I will most likely take. Another solution I have thought about are modifying the felt boot liners.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 3, 2011 at 8:09 PM
Richard, when the temps drop below 20 I use HeatMax Toasti Toes Foot Warmers — they are a very small package with a self-adhesive strip that sticks to the bottom of your socks. I buy mine from Amazon.com. Each package will last for about 7-8 hours — I am going to write a review about them very soon.
Minnesotan Bike Commuter
December 21, 2012 at 11:04 AM
I’ve run into the same trouble. Bought these and have found they’re great until about -10F.
-10F may be when I start switching to mukluks/flat pedals. However, before that comes – I’m going to give the 45nrth aerogel inserts a shot. I believe these should at least keep the cleats/studs from expelling too much of my heat.
My commute is about 90 minutes and I’d only really be afraid of frostbite if i were out for about 4 times that long. More debugging to go though. Hope this helps.
All Seasons Cyclist
December 21, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Please let me know how the 45NRTH Aerogel Inserts work for you!
You might also want to look at the 3M Thinsulate Thermal Insoles — reviewed at:
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2011/11/23/3m-thinsulate-thermal-insoles/
Jacob
December 31, 2012 at 2:44 PM
It is 13 degrees F and sunny and my toes are frozen. I just got back from an hour and a half long ride with my Lake boots and the new 45Nrth Aerogel insoles, it was a no go. My feet started to get cold after only about 35 minutes, by one hour they were numb. I have tried the regular insoles and now the 45Nrth insoles and I honestly cannot tell the difference. I am trying to find stories of how people have modified their Lake boot, so if anyone else has information on that, it would be greatly appreciated.
Robert
February 14, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Hotronic.com FootWarmers. I used them in combination with these boots and I’m comfortable for hours down to 5 degrees F. Check out the cyclist review on their website.
All Seasons Cyclist
December 31, 2012 at 2:51 PM
Jacob, here are four products that I use to keep my feet warm. First, I use the 3M Thinsulate Insole (probably warmer than the 45NRTH). Second, below 20 degrees I always use a sock liner and a chemical toe warmer OR neoprene toe warmer.
Here are the links:
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2011/11/23/3m-thinsulate-thermal-insoles/
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2012/11/30/redhead-thermolite-liner-socks/
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2011/12/28/neoprene-tip-toe-covers-for-winter-cycling/
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2012/11/28/chemical-hand-foot-and-body-warmers/
I only wear the Lake Winter Boots down to about 10 degrees — below that I use the Columbia Sportswear Bugaboot:
http://allseasonscyclist.com/2012/12/05/columbia-sportswear-bugaboot-plus-cold-weather-boot/
Please let me know how you like these products.
Jacob
February 4, 2013 at 9:55 AM
I tried the insoles they did not work well for me, however the liner socks made a huge difference. Also I found a foot bed chemical warmer, which is nice because if you ride for a couple hours you can put it in a plastic bag to take the air away and deactivate it so you can use it again later for another couple hours.
I have also been trying to scour the internet for boot mods. A lot of the guys who do the Arrowhead and other cold weather racing pretty much all use Lake’s but they are modded somehow to work in -50 degree weather. I have so far been unsuccessful in finding any information on this, do you know of anything? I really love the Lakes and would like to keep them around.
I tried my buddies Wolvhammers and they honestly were not much warmer at about 10 degrees than the Lake’s. So don’t hold your breathe for them.
All Seasons Cyclist
February 4, 2013 at 5:36 PM
I’ve not been able to get my hands on a pair of Wolvhammers yet, but I really wonder if they are made by Lake! The soles of both boots look nearly identical. As for the modifications made to Lake boots at Arrowhead, sorry, but I don’t have any idea — but would love to find out!